Ford is set to introduce an all-new passenger knee airbag system in the 2015 Ford Mustang. The inflatable airbag restraint is packaged inside the glove box door, providing for protection in a smaller, lighter package.
An inflatable plastic bladder is integrated into the glove box door and provides front passenger knee protection similar to a conventional knee airbag mounted under the instrument panel. Unlike a traditional fabric airbag, the new system consists of a pliable, injection-molded plastic bladder, which is sandwiched between the inner/outer glovebox door panels.
When activated following an impact, an inflator fills the bladder, extending the entire glovebox outer door panel toward the front passenger’s legs. Once deployed, the outer door helps to provide cushioning in a manner similar to a traditional knee airbag.
Since the glovebox-integrated airbag extends straight out from the instrument panel, it doesn’t have to travel as far as a conventional airbag, which deploys toward the floor before curving upward. Because the new design distributes the impact load over a larger area than a traditional airbag, lower inflation pressures are needed.
Ford says the system is 65% lighter – with an inflator that is approximately 75% smaller – than a conventional knee airbag inflator, while providing comparable protection to the passenger.
The automaker adds that other applications for this unique and patented technology – which allows airbags to be placed in new locations inside the vehicle and provides more freedom to vehicle designers – are being considered.
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Ford is full of crap. They cannot even sort their dual clutch breaking down, they want to do all this knee airbag.
hello Ford, your cars are breaking down non stop lah. Your dual clutch is so so bad. In Malaysia, your dual clutch kaput like crazy. My 2013 Ford Focus kaput 3 times already because of dual clutch.
Just a matter of time before your Ecoboost start to kaput too. Sort your real issues Ford
Any proof that you actually own a Ford Focus?
I actually believed what he said.. Because my friend’s Focus is also facing the same problem. Ford’s Dry dual-clutch is a headache just like what VW’s owners are facing. Personally I haven’t rode in his car before but we were TT session last night and he asked me to give him a ride.
I asked “eh where’s your wife (ford focus)?”
He replied “yap jor Chong lo (masuk kilang)…
Transmission failed during traffic jam near his workplace
Pics please or just talk kok here like Motorhead.
“Since the glove box-integrated airbag extends straight out from the instrument panel…”
Is there a typo there, Anthony? Did you mean the glove box door?
Actually, the line is correct. I’m talking about the airbag, which extends straight out from the instrument panel. It is integrated to the glovebox. And its door panel, of course. :)
Just wondering, wont it mean that the glovebox itself has less space now?
It’s about time. Ford’s interior design language which ‘wraps’ around the driver in a pretty tight manner (as evident in the Focus, Fiesta) does not allow for much free space between the driver legs and the area near the steering column.
That means they are light years behind in interior design. Shame on you Ford.
Not sure if this thing really useful. Maybe next time, if got accident, can eject driver out of car and come down in parachute. hehe.
of course it’s useful. anything that reduce injury during collision is useful. I’m thinking of potential use of the technology inside motorcyclist helmet. same concept to absorb energy.