This paper describes Ford's supplemental airbag system that is available to commercial fleet users in the United States on Tempo and Topaz car lines. Several key components of the system were based on designs used in a 1981 experimental program. Design considerations in adapting that experimental system to a smaller production vehicle are presented. The discussion covers the supplemental driver-side airbag system currently being sold as a commercial fleet option in the United States on Ford's Tempo and Topaz compact front-wheel-drive car lines. This system went into production early this year. It was developed in part on the basis of experience we gained with an experimental design originally developed for the full-size 1981 Lincoln Town Car. The town car is a large luxury car, approximately 43 in (1,088 mm) longer and 1,540 lb (700 kg) heavier than the Tempo/Topaz. Since the focus of our panel discussion is on airbag technology and optimizing airbag system performance, a few of the changes Ford made during a nearly 2-year program to adapt the experimental Lincoln-based airbag system to the much smaller Tempo/Topaz vehicles are described.
Abstract