Airbag- How does it Work?

What is an Airbag?

When it comes to the safety features in the car the first thing that we check for are the Airbags. So, now the question comes what exactly it is and how does it protects us? Airbags are a type of automobile safety device that consists of a flexible fabric envelope or cushion that gets inflated immediately during the accident or collision. The main purpose behind the Airbags is to help the passengers inside the car by cushioning them during any crash and provide protection to their bodies when they strike interior objects like the steering wheel or a window. 

How does an Airbag Work?

There are basically three main components of the airbag system: the bag, the sensor and the inflation system. When collision occurs sensors are the first component responsible for inflating the airbags. The airbags generally requires a collision force of 16-24 kmph to get inflated. When the sensors senses a collision, the inflation system of the airbag discharges hot nitrogen gas (generally a combination of KNO3 and NaN3) inside the airbag at a speed of around 200 mph and inflates it. After inflation, the gas diffuses through the tiny holes in the airbag which causes it to deflate.