ZF Touts Integrated Center Airbag

ZF Friedrichshafen AG has developed a seat-mounted airbag system to help prevent front-seat occupants from bumping into each other or hitting hard surfaces during side collisions.

The center airbag is deployed from the upper inside of the seat backrest to minimize movement and hold occupants in position. This would eliminate the need for a center mounting bracket between seats, ZF says. Previous center airbags have deployed from the center console.

The new design uses a small, high-pressure bag with a specialized shape and necessary stiffness to stay in contact with an occupant’s shoulder and keep his or her head and upper extremities from moving toward the center of the vehicle. A tether connected to the inner rear seat frame helps keep the bag in position after it’s deployed.

ZF says the center airbag system would help vehicles meet pending side-impact safety tests under consideration in Europe. The proposed standards are due to take effect in about three years.

The integrated airbag system also would benefit flexible seating arrangements being designed for autonomous vehicles, ZF notes. Last month ZF and Faurecia SA agreed to work together on next-generation interior and safety technologies for self-driving cars.