Static deployments of driver-side air bags into the legs of human subjects were used to investigate the effects of inflator capacity, internal air bag tethering, air bag fabric, and the distance from the module on air bag-induced skin abrasion. Abrasion mechanisms were described by measurements of air bag fabric velocity and target surface pressure. Air bag fabric kinematics resulting in three distinct abrasion patterns were identified. For all cases, abrasions were found to be caused primarily by high-velocity fabric impact rather than scraping associated with lateral fabric motion. Use of higher-capacity inflators increased abrasion severity, and untethered air bags produced more severe abrasions than tethered air bags at distances greater than the length of the tether. Abrasion severity decreased as the distance increased from 225 to 450 mm. Use of a finer-weave air bag fabric in place of a coarser-weave fabric did not decrease the severity of abrasion.
Abstract