TRW Displays Innovative Smart Restraint Systems Air Bags
7 December 1998
TRW Displays Innovative Smart Restraint Systems, Advanced Air Bag Technologies at Airbag 2000+
KARLSRUHE, Germany, Dec. 4 -- TRW displayed its innovative
smart restraint systems and advanced inflatable restraint technologies at this
week's Airbag 2000+ symposium in Karlsruhe.
TRW systems, products and technologies presented at Airbag 2000+ relate to
frontal-, side- and rear-impact collisions, as well as rollover accidents and
out-of-position occupants. Information also was provided about new head
protection systems under development, computer animation of virtual
engineering and applications for inflatable seat belt technology.
TRW has continued to expand its safety systems business, said James F.
Smith, vice president and general manager of inflatable restraint systems,
worldwide, for TRW. The company continues to build on its 1996 accomplishment
as the first automotive industry supplier to design, develop and integrate a
complete occupant restraint system for a production vehicle -- the Mercedes-
Benz M-Class all-activity vehicle.
The company has received several other occupant safety systems contracts
from both European and North American vehicle makers. Among them: a safety
systems integration contract for a future Ford sport utility vehicle.
Expanded Dual-Stage, New Sensing Capabilities
To help further improve occupant protection through smart restraint
technologies, TRW is able to link dual-stage inflators, which are currently in
production, with two new air bag sensors to enhance sensing in frontal crashes
of varying speeds, occupant positions and crash characteristics. Pyrotechnic
seat belt pretensioners, first introduced in Europe, also are part of the
advanced restraint systems.
TRW began manufacturing dual-stage inflators for one major European
automaker in 1998 and will have produced more than 400,000 dual-stage
inflators for three automakers by the end of 1999.
Among the newest innovations is a dual-stage heated gas inflator (HGI),
for which TRW has begun production for two European automakers. Business also
has been received in North America for both the dual-stage and HGI inflators.
The HGI is the world's simplest and most environmentally friendly inflator,
using a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, and is produced in Peterlee, England.
The world's largest provider of occupant restraint systems, TRW has
developed a new Remote Acceleration Sensor (RAS) and Generation 5 (Gen 5)
Sensor, which will work in harmony with dual-stage inflators to more quickly
assess specific crash scenarios and adjust air bag deployments accordingly.
Together, these smart sensing technologies cost-effectively help improve the
sensing of front and side impacts, such as offset deformable barrier crashes
and offset pole crash events.
Advanced Car Technology Systems (ACTS) Facility
To provide vehicle makers with total safety systems, testing and
integration, TRW and Magna International Inc. are completing an Advanced Car
Technology Systems (ACTS) facility in Sailauf, Germany. The facility, which
began construction in early 1998, will open in the first half of 1999. It
will offer complete crash testing and vehicle safety analysis for automotive
customers. The facility will provide the integration and development of
safety systems with the vehicle's body structure.
Inflatable Tubular and Torso Innovations
TRW is also combining its air bag and systems expertise with new
inflatable tubular restraints developed by Simula, Inc. TRW and Simula
announced in June that they have reached an agreement to integrate Simula's
inflatable tubular structure (ITS) into TRW's product line for side-impact
protection systems. The companies are integrating ITS on two vehicle
platforms and have agreed to work together for at least two additional
automotive customers.
TRW and Simula also are working together as part of an exclusive, long-
term agreement to develop and market Simula's inflatable seat belt technology,
called the Inflatable Tubular Torso Restraint (ITTR). The ITTR is an advanced
seat belt restraint system in which the shoulder belt inflates to offer
increased occupant protection during a crash. Two worldwide vehicle makers,
one in the United States and one in Europe, have expressed strong interest in
the ITTR. The ITTR has both rear- and front-seat applications.
Side-Impact Innovations, Other Technologies
Other TRW side impact applications include door- and seat-mounted bags, as
well as the inflatable head curtain bag, which also helps protect in rollover
accidents.
TRW began production this month of inflatable head curtain bags for two
European automakers and has similar contracts beginning next year for North
American vehicle makers. The company also has production contracts for
inflatable headrest bags that deploy in rear-impact collisions and for knee
bolsters, providing leg protection in frontal crashes.
Industry projections are that more than 40 million side-impact units
annually will be produced within the next five years throughout the global
market. TRW will produce a total of more than 21 million frontal and side-
impact air bags in 1998.
TRW Inc. is the world's largest supplier of occupant restraint
systems, including air bags, seat belts, steering wheels and electronics.
With 137 facilities in 24 countries around the world, TRW is one of the
largest automotive suppliers with sales of $7 billion in 1997.