This paper describes the evaluation of a door mounted side airbag sensor by a new pendulum subsystem test method. The sensor element is a percussion cap that fires above a certain impact speed. The sensor is located in the rear lower part of the door at a certain distance from the door outer surface. Full-scale tests with one car model and with mobile barrier front faces simulating rectangular (car-to-car impacts at right angle) and triangular (oblique car-to-car) side impacts were run at speeds around 20 km/h. Based on these full-scale tests, a large pendulum test rig was developed, consisting of an impactor and a partial and reinforced car body of the same type as that used in the low speed full-scale tests. the low speed full-scale tests. The rig rested on four rubber pads to simulate wheel tire contacts. Only the door had to be exchanged between each test. With pendulum weights of 550 and 620 kg (for rectangular and triangular barrier fronts respectively) and with a car body rig weight of 470 kg, the initial deformations of the door outer and inner panels were in good agreement with the corresponding full-scale tests.
Abstract