Twin-Chamber Airbag Designed to Protect the Face During an Accident |
| Though no wheels were reinvented with Toyota's Twin-Chamber airbag, the system is a simple idea that surprisingly is a world first. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
If you've ever been in the unfortunate situation of being in a collision where an airbag has deployed, you'd know first hand that they're not the pillowy cushions slow-motion TV commercials make them out to be. Triggered by a small pyrotechnic device, these bags explode, inflating to full capacity in less time than it takes to blink an eye.
It's not uncommon to see winded drivers and passengers emerge from a wreck, complaining of aches and pains similar to having received a swift, well-placed punch. Though they save lives by absorbing the kinetic energy of those inside the vehicle, the force they leave on drivers and passengers can sometimes result in bruises, lacerations, burns and gashes.
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| The force of the impact is directed to the chest, shoulders and to a lesser extent, the face. (Illustration: Toyota Canada) |
Since the device was fitted by trial in the early 1970s, the technology behind airbags has become highly advanced. Nowadays, it's not uncommon to see multi-stage airbags which deploy at different forces, depending on the speed, direction and energy of the impact, while some systems are advanced enough to weigh the passenger and deploy the airbag according to his or her body mass. It's also not unusual to see devices that prevent airbag deployment, allowing parents to carry their small children in car safety seats without worrying about the dangers of injury or death that would otherwise be caused by deployment.
