.

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. A34
no
DOT—
TSC-
NH'ib'A- .T NO. D0T"T5C~NHTSA-80“2] .II DOT-H $-805 573
ao-
21.11
AUTOMOTIVE
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
VOLUME II - MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR
PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM!
DEPARTMENT OF
transportation

APR 2 9 1981

B00Z-ALLEN & HAMILTON INC. LIBRARY

4330 East-West Highway
Bethesda MD 20014

FEBUARY 1981
FINAL REPORT

DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC

THROUGH THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL
INFORMATION SE R VICE, SPRI NGF I E LD,
VIRGINIA 22161

Prepared for
U,S.DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
Office of Research and Development
Washington DC 20590
ap km
l i m i m m» mm ——
aa mb a—
a

NOTICE

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship

of the Department of Transportation in the interest
of information exchange. The United States Govern-
ment assumes no liability for its contents or use
thereof.

NOTICE

The United States Government does not endorse pro-

ducts or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’
names appear herein solely because they are con-
sidered essential to the object of this report.
.

W-75C-jOtfTS/h-
Technical Report Documentation Page

1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Catalog No.

DOT-HS - 805 573 •

4. Title end Subtitle 5. Report Dote

AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES February 1981

Volume II - Manufacturing Processes for 6. Performing Organisation Code
Passive Restraint Systems DOT/TSC
8. Performing Orgom zotton Report No.
7. Author's)
DOT-TSC-NHTSA- 2 1 . I

9. Performing Organisation Norn© end Address ’

10. Work Unit No (TRAIS)
Booz-Allen and Hamilton Inc. 1 department of HS160/R1407
4330 East-West Highway transportation 11. Controct or Gront No.
Bethseda MD 20014* DOT-TSC- 1609
APR 2 9 1981 13. Typ® of Report and Period Covered
12. Sponsoring Agency Nam® end Address
Final Report
U.S. Department of Transportat it
National Highway Traffic Safety^ AdminisV/at ion
Office of Research and Development 14. Sponsoring Agency Code
1

Washington DC 20590
15. Supplementary Note* U.S. Department of Transportation
Research and Special Programs Administration
*Under contract to Transportation Systems Center
Cambr id g e MA 0214 2 _____ .

16. Abstract

Extensive material substitution and resizing of the domestic

automotive fleet, as well as the introduction of new technologies, will
require major changes in the techniques and equipment used in the
various manufacturing processes employed in the production of auto-
mobiles. The purpose of this report is to document (and analyze) the
publically available data on current and projected motor vehicle
production processes and equipment and to report on impending changes.

This report presents a detailed 18.

description of various passive
restraints and the manufacturing processes and facilities required
to produce them in volume. Other key issues, dealing with cost and
product liability, and the uncertainties of passive restraint
implementation
19. are discussed.
20. Quality control and testing methodology
are also discussed.

17. K* y word*
Stamping, Assembly Distribution Stotement
Facilities, Trends, Passive
Restraints, Controls, Key Issues DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC
Cost, Product Liability, Quality THROUGH THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL
INFORMATION SERVICE, SPRINGFIELD,
Control, Typical Plant, Manu- VIRGINIA 22161
facturers' Plans
Security Clossif. (of tbit report) Security Clossif. (of this page) 21* No. of Pages 22. Price

Unclassified Unclassified 106

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorised

 .

.
 "

PREFACE

This report is Volume II of a series of five reports which

address changes occurring in motor vehicle manufacturing pro-
cesses, materials, and equipment during the period 1978 to 1980.
The reports present an overview of the major manufacturing pro-
cesses and materials, and a summary of historical improvements in
motor vehicle fuel economy, emissions reduction, and safety.
Also included are detailed discussions of vehicle components
designed to improve motor vehicle fuel economy, emissions, and
safety. The reports also present detailed examination of motor
vehicle manufacturing process industries, trends, and issues.

The five volumes in this "Automotive Manufacturing Process"

series are listed foelows

Volume I - "Overview"

Volume II - "Manufacturing Processes for Passive

Restraint Systems"

Volume III - "Casting and Forging Processes"

Volume IV - "Metal Stamping and Plastic Forming

Processes

Volume V - "Manufacturing Processes and Equipment for

the Mass Production and Assembly of Motor
Vehicles .

iii
fACTOaS

COISViSISS®^

BSETStie

IV
 3 .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page

1 . INTRODUCTION o©©©®e>©oo©®ooooi»®oo©o&®©©©®©®©©oo 1-1

2. MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR AIR BAG SYSTEMS ....... 2-1

2.1 6? 0. e XT a, -i. . o • . e . . .oe*. ......... ... .os... ®. ...... 2-1

2.2 Alternative
2.3.1 Air Bag Designs .................. 2-1
2.3 Major Subassemblies/Components of an Air Bag
S Y ^ t em .......... ................. ...... ...... 2-2

2.3.4 Cushion and Inflator Assembly.....,.,. 2-3

z. 3.4 Sensor S y s t em ©©c®.®.®..®®.....©®....©© 2—5
2® 3© Readiness Monitor and Indicator
s s mb I y ©...e©...©.....©......©.©.©...
.A. 2—9
Knee Restraints ... ..........
© © ...
» ® . , © 2-10

2.4 Description of the Processes Involved in the

Manufacture of Air Bags ...................... 2-10

2.4.1 Manufacture of the Cushion and Inflator

ss mlo 1 yy ©«©©©©. ........ ........ ...©... 2 ..l 3
2. 4© 2 Manufacture of the Electronic Sensors. 2-17
2.4.3 Manufacture of the Readiness Monitor
and Indicator Assembly® ............... 2-24
2.4.4 Manufacture of Driver Knee Restraints. 2-24
2.4.5 Installation of the Air Bag and Its
Associated Components. ................ 2-24

2.5 Characteristics of a Typical Air Bag

Manufacturing Plant .......................... 2-26

2.5.1 Overview of Typical Plant............. 2-26

2.5.2 Typical Propellant Manufacturing/
Assembly Facility. .................... 2-28
2.5.3 Typical Cushion/Inf lator Subassembly/
Final Assembly Facility ............... 2-32
2.5.4 Capital Requirements.. 2-35
2.5.5 Labor Requirements .................... 2-39

2.6 Economies of Scale in Air Bag Manufacturing.. 2-41

3. MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR PASSIVE BELT SYSTEMS.® 3-1

3 . 1 General 3-1
3.2 Description of Alternative Passive Belt
Designs 3-1

v
 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT)

Section Page

3.2.1 Two-Point Connection System..... 3-1

3.2.2 Three-Point Connection System......... 3-3
3.2.3 Four-Point Connection System 3-5

3.3 Major Components of Passive Belts............ 3-6

3.3.1 Belt Webbing.............. 3-7

3.3.2 Belt Retractor............ 3-7
3.3.3 Buckle................................ 3-8
3.3.4 Pretensioner and/or Belt Grabber. 3-9

3.4 Description of the Processes Used to Manufacture

Passive Belts. 3-12

3.4.1 Manufacture of the Belt Webbing....... 3-12

3.4.2 Manufacture of the Retractor.... 3-12
3.4.3 Manufacture of the Buckling Mechanism. 3-15
3.4.4 Manufacture of the Pelton Wheel
Pretensioner. ......................... 3-18
3.4.5 Vehicle Installation of the Passive Belt
System. 3-21

3.5 Characteristics of a Typical Passive Belt

Manufacturing Plant 3-21

3.5.1 Capital Requirements.... 3-21

3.5.2 Summary 3-23

4. OUTLOOK FOR PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS... 4-1

4.1 General....................... 4-1

4.2 Manufacturers' Plans Regarding Introduction
of Passive Restraint Systems.... 4-2

4.2.1 Introduction Schedule for Automobiles

with Passive Restraint Systems 4-2
4.2.2 Automotive Manufacturers' Anticipated
Plans 4-3

4.3 Material and Component Requirements Dictated

by Manufacturers' Plans 4-6

4.3.1 Material Requirements 4-6

4.3.2 Component Requirements 4-8

4.4 Capability of the Supplier Industries to Meet

Manufacturers' Plans..... 4-11

vi
 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT)

Section Page

4.4.1 Capability of the Materials Industries

to Meet Passive Restraint Requirements. 4-11
4.4.2 Capability of the Seat Belt Manufacturing
Industry to Meet Passive Restraints
Requirements 4-11

4.5 Other Factors Affecting the Outlook for Passive

Restraint Systems 4-16

4.5.1 Passive Restraint System Effectiveness. 4-16

4.5.2 Passive Restraint System Reliability... 4-17
4.5.3 Toxicity of Sodium Azide..... 4-18
4.5.4 Passive Restraint System Maintenance... 4-19
4.5.5 Manufacturer's Product Liability....... 4-20

vii
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure Page

1-1 Passive Belt System Employed by

Volkswagen 1-2

1-2 Air Bag Passive Restraint System 1-3

2-1 Major Subassemblies/Components of

an Air Bag System 2-2

2-2A Major Components of the Cushion and

Inflator Assembly (Driver's Side) 2-3

2-2B Major Components of the Cushion and

Inflator Assembly (Passenger's Side) 2-4

2-3 Existing Dashboard Sensor Design 2-6

2-4 Existing Front Bumper Detector Design 2-7

2-5 Essex Gas Dampened Sensor 2-8

2-6 Readiness Monitor and Indicator

Assembly 2-9

2-7 Process for Overall Manufacture

and Integration of Air Bag System
in a Vehicle 2-12

2-8 Overview of the Processes Involved in

the Manufacture of the Cushion and
Inflator Assembly (Passenger Side) 2-14

2-9 Manufacturing Process Flow Diagram

for Dashboard Sensor 2-19

viii
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (CONT)

Figure Page

2-10 Manufacturing Process Flow Diagram

for Spring Mass Sensor Design, the
Front Bumper Detector 2-21

2-11 Manufacturing Process Flow Diagram

for Essex Gas Dampened Sensor Design 2-23

2-12 Overview of an Integrated Air Bag

Assembly Plant 2-27

2-13
2- A Typical Propellant Blending
Installation 2-29
3-
2-14 A Typical Power Sieve Machine 2-30

2-15 A Typical Propellant Pressing and

Pelletizing Operation 2-31

2-16 Typical Propellant Load Line Processing

Equipment for Passenger's Side Gas
Generator Cartridge 2-33

17 Manufacturer's Estimate of Economies

of Scale in Driver Model Air Bag Price 2-42

1 Volkswagen Two-Point Passive Restraint

System 3-2

3-2 Two-Point Passive Belt Design With

Retractor and D--Ring on Door 3-2

3-3 Three-Point Connection Passive Belt

System 3-4

3-4 Three-Point System Alternative

Combinations 3-4

3-5 Four-Point, Three-Retractor Passive

Lap/Shoulder Belts 3-5

3-6 Major Components of Passive Belt

Systems 3-6

IX
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (CONT)

Fiqure Paqe

3-7 Diagram of Passive Belt Retractor 3-7

3-8 Passive Belt Buckling Device 3-9

3-9 Diagram of a Pelton Wheel

Pretensioner 3-10

3-10 Manufacturing Processes for Belt

Webbing 3-13

3-11 Flow Diagram of Passive Belt Retractor

Manufacturing Processes 3-14

3-12 Diagram of Buckle Manufacturing

Processes 3-17

3-13 Manufacturing Processes for a Pelton

Wheel Pretensioner 3-19

4-1 Anticipated Principal Suppliers for

Passive Belt Materials and Components 4-13

4-2 Anticipated Principal Suppliers for

Air Bag Materials and Components 4-15

x
 LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

2-1 Estimate of Building and Land Costs 2-37

2-2 Equipment Requirements of a Typical

Air Bag Production Manufacturing Plant 2-38

2-3 Labor Requirements of a Typical Air

Bag Production Manufacturing Plant 2-40

4-1 Estimated Vehicle Sales and Vehicles

Requiring Passive Restraints by Vehicle
Class and Model Year 4-3

4-2 Estimated. Number of Vehicles With Air

Bags and Passive Belts by Model
Year: 1981-1984 4-5

4-3 Estimated Annual Material Requirements

for Passive Restraint Systems 4-6

4-4 Material Composition of an Air Bag

System 4-7

4-5 Material Composition of a Passive Belt

System 4-9

4-6 Passive Restraint System Parts and

Components Requirements 4-10

xi/xii
 1. INTRODUCTION

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of

1966 directed the Secretary of Transportation to issue Fed-
eral motor vehicle safety standards to which motor vehicle
manufacturers must conform. The first such standards became
effective on all vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1968,
and additional standards have been added each year. Standard
Number 208, Occupant Crash Protection, announced in June 1977,
requires the auto manufacturers to phase in passive restraints
on passenger cars beginning in 1982, and to equip all cars
with passive restraints beginning in 1984.

The occupant protection standard is part of a series

of new occupant crash protection standards that will be
issued over the next five years. The major, long-term ob-
jectives of the program* are to consolidate and upgrade all
occupant protection rules to comprehensively cover frontal,
side, rear, and rollover crash protection. The passive re-
straints mandated by Standard 208 will afford passenger car
occupants increased protection in frontal crashes only.

Two types of technology are expected to be employed to

satisfy the requirements of occupant protection in frontal
crashes in 1982, 1983 and 1984 model year automobiles.
These technologies are:

• Passive Belt Systems Passive belts are designed

.

to move into place as each front seat occupant

enters the vehicle and closes the door. Most pas-
sive belt systems have a single diagonal belt which
fits across the chest, plus a padded knee bolster
below the dashboard which prevents the occupant
from submarining or sliding out from under the belt
in a crash (see Figure 1-1) Some systems also
.

DOT NHTSA Five Year Plan for Motor Vehicle Safety and Fuel
, ,

Economy Rulemaking, Calendar Years 1980-1984, April 20, 1979.

1-1
have an active lap belt (not shown in Figure 1-1)
which the occupant can choose to buckle to in-
crease the level of protection in other than fron-
tal crashes, such as rollovers. There is also an
emergency release for the diagonal belt, to facil-
itate post crash escape.

AUTOMATIC
RETRACTOR

VW AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT

FIGURE 1-1. PASSIVE BELT SYSTEM

EMPLOYED BY VOLKSWAGON

1-2
 —

Air Bag Systems. An air bag is a device which

inflates automatically in head-on accidents to
cushion the auto passengers from injury. The
air bag system consists of a crash detector or
sensor, an air bag and inflator package, and pad-
ded or inflatable knee restraints. When a car is
involved in a frontal crash, the impact causes
the sensor to activate the inflator. The vehicle
occupant's torso and head move forward into the
bag while the lower body is restrained by the com-
bination of the air bag and knee restraints (see
Figure 1-2).

DRIVER SIDE
(Air bag in Steering Wheel
Steering Column Absorbs Energy)

PASSENGER SIDE
(Torso and Knee Air Bags
Absorb Energy)

FIGURE 1-2. AIR BAG PASSIVE

RESTRAINT SYSTEM

1-3
 This report presents a detailed discussion of the pro-
cesses and materials used in the manufacture of air bag and
passive belt systems. Chapter 2 provides a description of
the components and the manufacturing processes for the air
bag system, as well as the characteristics of a typical air
bag manufacturing plant. Chapter 3 describes the alternative
designs, major components and manufacturing processes of
passive belt systems. This chapter also provides the charac-
teristics of a typical passive belt manufacturing plant.

Finally, Chapter 4 examines manufacturers* plans for

the introduction of passive restraint systems and other
factors which affect the outlook for these systems.

1-4
 2. MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR AIR BAG SYSTEMS

2 . 1 GENERAL

Air bag technology is not new. It has been evolving

since 1962. Original air bag system designs utilized argon
gas to inflate the bags. The gas was stored in a pressur-
ized vessel which was activated upon vehicle crash by ig-
niting a small amount of propellant within the pressure
vessel. While the system worked satisfactorily, the pres-
sure vessel air bag system added 70 to 80 pounds to the
weight of the vehicle.

virtually all of the air

In contrast to this system,
bag designs under development today employ pyrotechnic*
materials which are ignited to generate the gas for infla-
tion of the bags. In total, air bag systems based on the
use of pyrotechnic materials weigh approximately 40 pounds,
thus providing a weight savings of 30 to 40 pounds over
the original pressure vessel-type system.

2.2 ALTERNATIVE AIR BAG DESIGNS

Although variations exist in propellant charge and air
bag configurations among different manufacturers' designs,
there are essentially only two types of air bags:

@ Driver position air bag

$ Passenger position air bag.

Current technology combines sodium azide with a suitable oxidizer

material. When the mixture is ignited, gas is generated at an
extremely rapid ra^e. Oxidizer selection is based on factors such as
cost, availability, sensitivity of mixture to ignition on impact,
and other factors. The precise configuration and composition
of the propellant charge (sodium azide/oxidizer) are the key to
effective performance of the system. The term propellant is
used since this technology was initially developed for solid
propellant rockets in the space program.

2-1
 .

The driver's bag must be deployed from the steering wheel

while the passenger's bag is contained in the instrument
panel. The two designs are similar in major subassemblies
and components.

2.3 MAJOR SUBASSEMBLIES/COMPONENTS OF AN AIR BAG SYSTEM

The major subassemblies/components of an air bag sys-

tem are shown in Figure 2-1. As shown, the major sub-
assemblies/components are:

® Cushion and Inflator Assembly (Driver and

Passenger Sides)

© Sensor System

$ Readiness Monitor/Indicator Assembly (Indicator

Warning Light)

Driver and passenger knee restraints can be included with

air bags for added occupant protection. On the passenger's
side this knee restraint is typically part of the cushion
and inflator assembly. On the driver's side, it is a
separate interior trim item.

Driver
Cushion

FIGURE 2-1. MAJOR SUBASSEMBLIES/

COMPONENTS OF AN AIR BAG SYSTEM

2-2
2.3.1 Cushion and Inflator Assembly

The cushion and inflator assembly is the major sub-

assembly of the overall air bag system since it contains
the potential lifesaving device, the air bag. Figure
2-2A shows the major components of the assembly on the
driver's side, while Figure 2-2B shows the assembly on
the passenger's side. As shown in Figure 2-2A, the assembly
consists of the air cushion or bag, the gas generator
(inflator) ,the housing for the bag and generator (shown
in the figure within the steering wheel) and the trim cover.
The cover's central portion is incised such that it opens
by fracture in a petal-like fashion as the air bag expands.

FIGURE 2-2A. MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE CUSHION

AND INFLATOR ASSEMBLY (DRIVER'S SIDE)

2-3
 REACTION PLATE

DIFFUSER

TORSO BAG

TRIM PANEL COVER

KNEE BAG
IGNITER

CUTAWAY OF CUSHION AND INFLATOR ASSEMBLY

GAS TO TORSO BAG

BOOSTER GENERANT CHARGE

TORSO BAG

MAIN GENERANT CHARGE

KNEE BAG
FILTER ASSEMBLY

GAS TO KNEE BAG

CROSS SECTION THROUGH DASH

FIGURE 2-2B. MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE CUSHION

AND INFLATOR ASSEMBLY (PASSENGER'S SIDE)

2-4
 The bag shown in the diagram is porous sturdy nylon
cloth stitched together. For added strength, the driver
bag is coated with neoprine and vulcanized.* The gas gen-
erator or "inflator" is a metal canister containing 90 to
100 grams of pyrotechnic chemicals, a squib or "electric
match" and associated wiring. The pyrotechnic materials
contained in the driver canister include a series of oxidizer
chemicals plus the chemical sodium azide. During a crash
the squib is fired, igniting the mixture of oxidizers and
sodium azide thereby generating nitrogen gas to inflate the
air bag. A filter within the gas generator traps any un-
burned toxic chemical particulates.

The passenger air cushion and inflator assembly employs

the same basic concept and components, but is larger and
somewhat more complex (see Figure 2-2B) The driver assembly
.

fits entirely within the steering wheel and column assembly

and works in conjunction with the collapsible steering column
to protect one person (the driver) The passenger assembly
.

fits entirely within the dash and is designed to protect up

to two front seat passengers by deploying both torso and
knee restraint air bags simultaneously.

2.3.2 Sensor System

The sensor system is used to actuate the air bag sys-
tem. The two functions of the sensor system are (1) to
rapidly detect a severe impact, and (2) to provide the
necessary triggering signals to deploy the bags. Existing
designs use a two-sensor system as identified in Figure
2-1. The two sensors— the dashboard sensor and the front
bumper detector— are spring-mass type sensors connected in
series. As such, the deployment criteria of both sensors
must be satisfied for the air bag to deploy. The reason for
the two sensors/series connection is to prevent inadvertent
deployment of the bags, if one sensor fails in such a way
as to give an erroneous triggering signal.

A recent development by the Essex Group of United Tech-

nologies, however, may supercede the dashboard and front
bumper "spring-mass" type two-sensor system. The sensors

Vulcanizing is the process of treating a fabric with sulfur or

its compounds and subjecting it to heat in order to increase its
strength and elasticity.

2-5
developed by Essex are purported to provide more precise and
repeatable performance. In addition, they are much smaller
and lighter than the existing dashboard and front bumper
sensors. The Essex sensor is estimated to be approximately
one-half the size and one-fifth the weight of the existing
dashboard and front bumper sensors. Existing sensors and
housings weigh about two and one-half pounds each.

The problem with the Essex sensor, however, is that it

is "unidirectional." That is, it can only measure the
change in acceleration in one specific direction. Unlike
existing sensors, it cannot detect crashes at great angles
off the principal axis of the sensor. Therefore, use of
the Essex sensor will require several sensors, possibly as
many as six or seven, mounted in different parts of the
vehicle. While this adds complexity and cost it also offers
the potential for improved fail-safe redundancy, i.e., greatly
reduced likelihood of inadvertent deployment due to sensor
failure. A detailed description of the existing dashboard
and front bumper sensors and of the proposed Essex sensor
is given below.

Dashboard Sensor and Front Bumper Detector

The typical current dashboard sensor is essentially a

velocity interpreter which senses a true crash as differ-
entiated from a sudden stop or road impulse, i.e., pothole.
As shown in Figure 2-3, the sensor consists of a pendulum
held in place by a magnet and contact points. When a crash
of significant G forces occurs, the pendulum, overcoming the
magnetic field, swings across and hits the opposite side.
An electrical contact is then made which activates the air
bag system.

FIGURE 2-3. EXISTING DASHBOARD SENSOR DESIGN

2-6
 In a similar fashion, the current front bumper detector
senses the degree of deformation of the bumper of a vehicle
in a crash. As shown in Figure 2-4, the front bumper de-
tector is based on a principle similar to the dashboard
sensor. Here, however, the weight or contact mass is held
in place by a tensioned leaf spring instead of a magnet.
As with the dashboard sensor, as soon as a crash of suffi-
cient deceleration rate occurs, the weight overcomes the
force of the spring, and makes an electric contact. The func-
tion of the diagnostic resistor shown in the diagram is to
permit verification that the system is operating.

CONTACT MASS

FIGURE 2-4. EXISTING FRONT BUMPER DECTECTOR DESIGN

As described previously, if electric contact is made

both by the dashboard sensor and front bumper detector, the
bag is deployed. Usually a two to three-millisecond delay
is programmed into the electronic triggering system to
provide for maximum gas deployment volume, to occur at the
time of maximum occupant deceleration.*

* The precise calibration of air bag deployment rate is also a strong

function of reliable, repeatable performance of the gas generation
portion of the cushion and inflator assembly. The development and
testing costs necessary to ensure this have been and will continue
to be substantial. Also the potential product liability implications
of air bags require a high degree of manufacturing quality control
which adds to manufacturing costs as will be discussed later in
this report.

2-7
 .

Essex Sensor

The Essex sensor, unlike the dashboard and front bumper

sensors, is a "true" velocity integrator. That is, the sen-
sor measures velocity change duration as well as G forces
experienced in a crash and combines them to determine whether
the air bag should be deployed. The sensor accomplishes this
based on the principle of dampening.

As shown in Figure 2-5, the sensor is essentially a

sealed tube with a set of contacts at one end and a magnet
at the other. A gold-plated ball inside the tube remains
at the magnet end until a crash occurs. The ball then moves
toward the set of contacts. Gas in the tube, however, dampens
its forward motion. Thus, the deceleration of the impact must
be long enough to permit the ball to overcome the dampening
effect of the gas. Once contact is made, a signal would be
generated. If the appropriate number of signals is generated
the deployment pulse will be set to trigger the air bag system.

A gold-plated ball is used in this design because of

gold's excellent conductivity and corrosion-resistant charac-
teristics. Once again, the advantage of this design is that
it measures velocity change, direction, and G forces and
thus reduces the probability of inadvertent deployment of
the bags as compared to the current two-sensor system which
measures only deceleration (G forces)

It is typical that sensors are supplied to the vehicle

manufacturer from a different supplier than the one which
supplies the cushion and inflator assembly. Final system
integration is performed by the vehicle manufacturer.

MAGNET

GOLD-PLATED BALL

FIGURE 2-5. ESSEX GAS DAMPENED SENSOR

2-8
2.3.3 Readiness Monitor and Indicator Assembly

The readiness monitor and indicator assembly is a sys-

tem designed to continuously check the electronic integrity
of the air bag. As shown in Figure 2-6, the assembly is
simply a light bulb encased in a plastic housing. The bulb
is connected to the sensors described above which in turn
contain the necessary logic to determine whether or not the
system is functioning. The monitor in essence acts as an
informant on the electronic and sensor system’s "readiness."
This is an extremely important function since it may be as
much as five to ten years before the bag is needed.* A
summary of the monitor's operation is as follows.

FIGURE 2-6. READINESS MONITOR AND INDICATOR ASSEMBLY

Note: There exists no practical test of the readiness of the

inflator and cushion assembly. The propellant unit is a her-
metically sealed device which presumably has a long storage and
dormant use life. Only statistical quality control techniques
featuring sampling and destructive testing of these assemblies
can assure (in a statistical sense) "readiness." Because of
this, if a high level of readiness assurance is required for
product liability reasons a high percentage of the manufactured
assemblies must be destructively tested to assure that those not
tested will actuate when triggered.

2-9
 ® When the car ignition switch is turned on, the
readiness monitor automatically performs a check
of the air bag system electrical components to.
determine readiness.

® During this diagnostic check, which lasts five to

ten seconds, an indicator light on the instrument
panel goes on. When the diagnosis is completed
and the system is found in satisfactory condition,
the light goes off automatically.

® If the indicator fails to light or continues to

light beyond the short diagnostic check-out, or
lights while driving, the system may have a mal-
function. This is an indication to the motorist
that the electrical or sensor portion of the sys-
tem should be serviced for correction of the fault.
Periodic servicing of the inflator and cushion
assembly is not appropriate.

2.3.4 Knee Restraints

Knee restraints are used to prevent front seat occupants,

who are not wearing their optional lap belts, from sub-
marining or sliding under the inflating air bag during a
crash. The restraints provide a cushion for the legs and
knees and thereby hold the lower portion of the body so that
the head and upper torso are suitably positioned during bag
inflation. There are two types of driver knee restraints.
One type is reusable and regains its shape after an impact.
The other type is sacrificed and permanently deformed upon
major impact with the occupant's knees. On the passenger
side the knee restraint function is provided by a knee
restraint air bag.

2.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESSES INVOLVED IN THE MANUFACTURER

OF AIR BAGS

Manufacture of the air bag componentry and subassemblies

described above is a relatively straightforward process. It
employs traditional manufacturing techniques. No specialized
or particularly sophisticated machinery is required at present,
although specially made automated equipment may be required
in the future as increased volumes of air bags are required.
Presently, the low volumes of air bags that are required are
produced with inexpensive machinery in a very labor intensive
fashion.

2-10
 :

The following sections describe the manufacture and

vehicle installation of the air bag and its associated
components
© Manufacture of the Cushion and Inflator Assembly

© Manufacture of the Electronic Sensors

@ Manufacture of the Readiness Monitor and Indicator
Assembly
® Manufacture of the Driver Knee Restraints
® Installation of the Air Bag and Its Associated
Components.

Figure 2-7 displays the integration of the major com-

ponents into the final installed vehicle system. Note that
there are typically three separate portions of the system
that are supplied by:

® Cushion and Inflator Assembly Supplier

© Specialist Sensor (Decelerometer Supplier
)

® Readiness Monitor Vendor.

The vehicle manufacturer in performing final integration and

installation must add the trim cover, wiring, fasteners and
some electronics in most cases.

2-11
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2-12
 .

2.4.1 Manufacture of the Cushion and Inflator Assembly *

Figure 2-8 presents a diagram of the basic processes

involved in the manufacture of the cushion and inflator
assembly. This is the most complex portion of the overall
system and basically involves four very different design
and manufacturing technologies as follows:

© Solid rocket/gas generator technology (gas

generator cartridge)
® Textile manufacturing technology (nylon air bags)

© Ignition squib technology (electrically activated

initiator)

@ Traditional metal fabrication and assembly tech-

nology (containers and housings)

The following discussion of the manufacturing processes

employed for the cushion and inflator assembly is intended
as an overview. Detailed discussion of specifics as to
plant layout, equipment, and labor requirements are pre-
sented later in a discussion of the "typical" air bag manu-
facturing plant.

It may be useful for the reader to refer back to pic-

torial representations of the passenger side air bag sys-
tem (Figure 2-2B) to better relate the physical portions
of the system to the process descriptions.

Gas Generator

The manufacturing overview of the gas generator involves

the combination of two chemicals (sodium azide/oxidizer)
with appropriate supporting interior structures into a
propellant cartridge. Figure 2-8 (left side) describes the
basic process for manufacturing the cylindrical cartridge
used in the passenger side system. Because the manufacturing
process involves extensive handling of toxic chemicals it is

This section discusses manufacture of the bag, gas generator, and

housing. Manufacture of the cover is not discussed since this
would normally be performed by the automobile manufacturer for
consistency with interior trim.

2-13
GA~ GENERA T 1

<R AIR
CARTRIDGE INFLATE ASSEMBLY BAGS

Store or Ship
To Auto Manufacturer

FIGURE 2-8. OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESSES INVOLVED IN

THE MANUFACTURE OF THE CUSHION AND INFLATOR ASSEMBLY*
(PASSENGER SIDE)

At this time no plant exists for the volume production of cushion and
inflator assemblies. Therefore, this diagram represents a description
of the processes that are likely to be employed during the next few
years when air bag systems begin to be produced in quantity.
2-14
automated to the extent feasible to reduce hazards to plant
workers, A typical facility includes special features such
as remote and/or controlled storage of chemicals, extra high
ventilation volume fans/filter systems for portions of the
plant, building construction with blast doors, and appro-
priate related alarms and firefighting equipment.

As shown in Figure 2-8, the chemicals are initially

ground to powder, sieved, and weighed. In volume production
an automated powder sieve apparatus is employed. Blending of
the powdered chemicals takes place in propellant blending
cells and is performed in a propellant blender controlled by
a suitably protected worker in the cell. Quality checks for
moisture are performed at this point in the process. The
blended mixtures are then pressed into pellets of the desired
size in automated pelletizing machines located in exterior
facing propellant press bay cells equipped with blast doors.
Pellet composition is certified in initial sample lots and
periodically checked each day that the line is operating.
The diagram in Figure 2-8 is simplified in that it implies
that a single mixture of sodium azide/oxidizer and a single
size pellet is used in the entire cartridge. In fact, all
air bag systems now being considered employ two to six dif-
ferent types of pellets (size, composition) in each cartridge.
This is the key to generating gas at the appropriate rate
after ignition.

Once all the chemical pellets are weighed, packaged,

and certified, they are inserted into a cartridge along
with wire mesh screens and filters to separate the various
types of pellets from each other in the appropriate configura-
tion. This is done in large specially designed propellant
loading line machines involving six to ten different stations.
Because the final cartridge of propellant is potentially
toxic and susceptible to contamination by the environment,
it is sealed hermetically within a metal foil wrap which is
a permanent feature of the cartridge. To protect the fragile
foil from puncture in handling, the last step is to encase
the cartridge in a storage package (cardcoard type tube with
end caps in the case of the cylindrical passenger's side
cartridge ) The cartridge can then be stored or shipped to
.

the inflator assembly area.

Air Bags

The overview of the manufacturing processes for air bags

is shown on the right side of Figure 2-8. The processes

2-15
are somewhat unique to automotive applications and are more
typical of textile manufacturing. The first step is to weave
nylon yarn into porous nylon cloth such as 24 x 24, 5h ounce
per square yard type. The appropriate pattern is then cut
out. Initial production will probably employ industrial-
type textile machinery and conduct cutting and critical heat
sealing operations separately. Long-range potential exists
for the use of laser cutting/sealing machines, but these re-
quire high production to justify costs. Air bags are sewn
on industrial- type sewing machines. This is a highly labor
intensive operation and will be very difficult to automate
even at very high volume production rates. Meticulous manual
inspection of the stitching of each bag is then performed.
It is a rough preliminary estimate that one stitching in-
spector will be required for each two people sewing air bags.
It is conceivable that holes may be punched in certain por-
tions of the bags. Folding and attachment of the air bags
to the assembly containing the gas generator cartridge is a
performance critical step. To assure consistency of folding,
it is conceivable that "folding machines" will be developed
and utilized.

Inflator Assembly

The overview of the manufacturing process for the in-

flator assembly is shown in the middle of Figure 2-8. As
shown in Figure 2-2B (the passenger's side air bag), this
assembly forms a sealed housing for the propellant, a diffuser
for gases generated, and an attachment point for torso and knee
air bags. Manufacture of the inflator assembly is generally
in accordance with traditional automotive manufacturing ap-
proaches. The following discussion refers to the passenger's
side system, although the manufacture of the driver's side
system is similar.

As shown on Figure 2-8, a first step is wrapping suit-

able structural and filter material around the gas generator
cartridge and then inserting gas generator cartridge/filters
within a steel tube. This tube contains strategically drilled
gas orifices which are taped shut. The initiator squib i's in-
serted and the entire package is sealed. In the case of the
passenger's side air bag system such sealing is accomplished
in a large press, by crimping the ends of the steel tube
enclosing the gas generator cartridge over the end caps. A
second, slightly larger steel tube with two sets of stra-
tegically drilled holes is used as a diffuser and an attach-
ment point for the air bags. This is most clearly shown in

2-16
the sectional view at the bottom of Figure 2-2B. The basic
manufacturing processes for making the diffuser tube are
similar to that for the smaller cartridae housing tube, i.e.,
cutting tubing to length, deburring, finishing, drilling holes
and in this case welding mounting points for attaching air
bags and heat shields. Heat shields are made of high strength
rubber cut to size. These shields keep the bag from burning
after firing by separating the bag from the hot metal cylinders.

Cushion Inflator Assembly Housing

The manufacture of the cushion/inf lator assembly housing

is a fairly straightforward process primarily involving
blanking and stamping. The housing is mounted eventually to
the under portion of the automobile's dashboard. Because the
geometry of the housing is critical to the appropriate ex-
pansion geometry (and performance) of the air bag, some
welding operations are typically necessary. Deburring and
finishing of the housing are also necessary to assure that
the bags wrapped around the diffuser are not ripped upon
insertion into the housing. After the cushion and inflator
assembly is completed, it is typically bagged and sealed
before being shipped to the automobile manufacturer.

2.4.2 Manufacture of the Electronic Sensors

Manufacture of the electronic sensors involves the basic

manufacturing processes of stamping/forming, casting, and/or
joining/assembly and, depending on the type of sensor, also
the processes of electroplating, electromagnetizing and
,

cutting. The following is a description of the manufacturing

processes associated with the three basic types of sensors
discussed previously:

• Dashboard Sensor
© Front Bumper Detector
m Essex Gas Dampened Sensor.
The appropriate number of sensors for each vehicle system
would typically be purchased to specification by the vehicle
manufacturer. The only special manufacturing area would be
the provision of mounting brackets or surfaces on the part
of the sensor supplier compatible with the specific vehicle
application.

2-17
 .

Dashboard Sensor

The manufacturing processes involved in the production

of dashboard sensors are summarized in block diagram form in
Figure 2-9. As shown, both the pendulum weight and housing
are die cast metal products. The housing is die cast zinc
for extra corrosion resistance while the pendulum weight is
die cast iron. Iron is used because of its high density and
good conductivity. The pendulum shaft may be extruded and
is made of a good conductive metal. The pendulum shaft and
weight are joined either by epoxy or are set together during
the casting process.

The magnet is cast non-alloyed iron which is then elec-

tromagnetized The magnet is joined to the wall of the
.

housing by epoxy. Similarly, the contacts are also joined

to the wall of the housing by epoxy. The contacts, as shown
in the figure, are made by stamping and then cutting rolled
stock of copper. The wiring is soldered to the electrical
contacts

As with all sensors, a relatively high level of manu-

facturing quality control, inspection, and testing is re-
quired to ensure high reliability levels specified by the
vehicle manufacturer.

2-18
 WE 1GHT CONTACTS
MAGNET

PENDULUM PENDULUM
MAGNET WEIGHT SHAFT HOUSING CONTACTS

Metal Metal Metal Rolled

Iron Stock Stock Stock Stock Wiring

FIGURE 2-9. MANUFACTURING PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM

FOR DASHBOARD SENSOR

2-19
 .

Front Bumper Detector

Figure 2-10 shows the basic processes involved in the

manufacture of the front bumper detector. As shown in the
diagram at the top of the figure, the major components of
the front bumper detector are the housing, leaf spring,
contact mass, diagnostic resistor and wiring.

As shown in the diagram, the housing is injection molded

plastic while the leaf spring is conductive metal, such as
spring steel or copper alloy, which is stamped and cut into
metal strips. The contact mass is cast metal which is also
conductive

Joining of the contact mass to the leaf spring is

simply a bonding operation, while assembly of the leaf spring
and diagnostic resistor into the housing involves either
press fitting or soldering. Wiring of the unit involves
soldering. The cover to the housing is either press-fit or
mechanically fastened.

Mounting surface configuration and the size/position of

mounting holes drilled in the mounting plate base would be
specified by the vehicle manufacturer and would be specific
to the particular vehicle in most cases.

Again a high reliability performance level and ability

to withstand severe environmental conditions would be speci-
fied by the vehicle manufacturer. This would require con-
siderable inspection and testing on the part of the sensor
supplier in support of the sensor manufacturing operation.

2-20
 CONTACT MASS

CONTACT
HOUSING LEAF SPRING MASS

Plastic Conductive Molten Diagnostic

Pellets Metal Metal Resistor

FIGURE 2-10. MANUFACTURING PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM FOR

SPRING MASS SENSOR DESIGN, THE FRONT BUMPER DETECTOR

2-21
Essex Gas Dampened Sensor*

The Essex sensor described earlier is a relatively

simple device consisting of a metal tube, magnet, gold-
plated ball, electrodes and associated wiring. As shown
in Figure 2-11, the tube is made by the process of extru-
sion while the magnet is made through the two processes of
casting and electromagnet! zing The gold-plated ball is
.

made under very close tolerances through the processes of

forging, machining, polishing, and electroplating with gold.
Gold is used as discussed previously because of its ex-
cellent conductivity and corrosion-resistance characteris-
tics. Only perfectly formed balls of metal are selected
and electroplated. The reason is that the gap between the
outside diameter of the ball and inside diameter of the
tube determine the G force sensitivity of the sensor.

Final assembly of the sensor involves bonding the mag-

net to one end of the tube and either press fitting or
soldering the electric contacts to the other end of the
tube. Prior to fitting the electric contacts, however, the
ball is manually inserted into the tube. Wiring of the
sensor involves soldering.

Because of tight tolerances on the gold balls, this

process would appear to require fairly sophisticated sta-
tistical quality control and have the potential for high
scrappage rates of expensive materials. Features for
mounting sensors are not shown in Figure 2-11, but would
vary from one vehicle to the other and might require various
mounting surfaces to be added to the sensor, or these could
be provided by the vehicle manufacturer.

The gas dampened sensor design developed by the Essex Group of

United Technologies is not at present a production unit. Rather,
it is still in the conceptual design stage. Thus, the processes
associated with the manufacture of this sensor are not well-defined.

2 -22
 MAGNET

GOLD-PLATED BALL

TUBE MAGNET METAL BALL

Wiring
Metal Alnico V* Molten Electric
Stock Metal Contacts

Alnico V is a carefully heat-treated alloy of nickel, iron,

aluminum, cobalt, and copper.

FIGURE 2-11. MANUFACTURING PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM FOR

ESSEX GAS DAMPENED SENSOR DESIGN

2-23
 .

2.4.3
Manufacture of the Readiness Monitor and Indicator
Assembly
The readiness monitor and indicator assembly 'bonsists
of a plastic housing (lens/f lange) bulb, receptacle, and
,

cable. Except for the bulb, all parts are made from injec-
tion molded plastic. The small light bulb used as part of
the assembly is similar to present day bulbs used on instru-
ment panels. These are mass-produced in great volume from
thin gauge tin and molten glass in highly specialized machin-
ery. Assembly of the unit consists of screwing the bulb
into the receptacle and then manually placing the housing
over
2.4.4 the bulb.

Manufacture of Driver Knee Restraints

The manufacture of the driver knee restraints involves

the injection molding of plastic on traditional machinery.
Two general types of plastic are under consideration for
knee restraint manufacture, a type that regains shape after
impact and a type that is permanently deformed. The type
that is permanently deformed may offer superior energy-
absorbing characteristics, but would require replacement
once it is damaged. Regardless of the type of plastic used,
the same
2.4.5 manufacturing processes and machinery would be
employed. Knee restraints would probably be supplied
through the vehicle manufacturer as part of the overall
interior trim package.

Installation of the Air Bag and Its Associated

Components
Installation of the cushion and inflator assembly, sen-
sor system, readiness monitor and warning system, and knee
restraints are performed at the automobile manufacturers'
assembly plants. All of the components of the air bag sys-
tem are very accessible during assembly and all would be
installed manually.*

The air bag system, however, may not be very accessible to the
service mechanic after the vehicle is completed. The passenger
side air bag is mounted in the lower portion of the dashboard,
with wiring and triggering electronics behind it. On certain
car models, cars with air conditioning and other electronics
convenience items, access to the air bag could be somewhat
difficult

2-24
 Typically the three parts of the system, i.e., cushion/
inflator assembly, sensors, and readiness monitor, would be
purchased from different suppliers by the automobile manu-
facturer. Final integration, assembly, and inspection of
the total air bag system would be performed by the automo-
bile manufacturer. The vehicle manufacturer would also ex-
perience cost to modify the vehicle to accommodate the air
bag, which would vary by make/model and type of interior
option package.

The changes in vehicle interior design required to

accommodate the introduction of air bag systems include:

® Changes in the steering column angle to optionally

accommodate the driver cushion and inflator assem-
bly including the addition of support bracketry
to hold the air cushion assembly and steering
column in place

@ Changes in the dash and instrument panel to ac-

commodate the passenger air cushion and inflator
assembly, readiness monitor and warning system,
and dashboard sensor system.

The costs of making such changes would of course be

minimal if the automobile manufacturer were changing over
the particular model line of vehicles at the same time air
bags were introduced. This will not typically be the case,
since as discussed later in Chapter 4, standards potentially
requiring air bags would become effective on a specific date
for specific classes of vehicles on the basis of wheelbase
length. Therefore, for those models which would not other-
wise require interior trim changes, the introduction of an
air bag system would require substantial additional engi-
neering, and manufacturing changeover costs for the vehicle
manufacturer in making the changes listed above.

2-25
2 . 5 CHARACTERISTICS OF A TYPICAL AIR BAG MANUFACTURING PLANT

At present no integrated facility exists which manufac-

tures all of the components of an air bag system nor do any
production plants exist which manufacture in volume only the
air cushion and assembly system.* Production facilities are
in the planning stage, but continuing uncertainty regarding
the size of the potential market for air bags, required pro-
duction start-up time, and other factors have delayed deci-
sions on capital expenditures for constructing such facilities.

The description of a typical air bag plant which follows

(see Figure 2-12) is therefore hypothetical. The discussion
will focus on an integrated plant with single shift capacity
of about 75,000 passenger side cushion inflator assemblies per
year. If pushed, maximum plant capacity is about twice single
shift capacity. Plant expansion would be required in the
final assembly area to increase capacity beyond 150,000 units
per year.

2.5.1 Overview of Typical Plant

In Figure 2-12,
the facilities required to manufacture
the cushion and inflator assembly for the passenger side are
shown as Building No. 1 and Building No. 2. This physical
separation of propellant manufacturing/propellant assembly
facilities from those involved in subassembly construction/
final assembly is expected to be typical because:

m Manufacturing technology specialization may re-

quire two separate companies

© If one company performs all manufacturing, the

facility requirements of propellant manufacturing
(hazardous materials) favor physical separation.

The squib assembly plant is shown as Building No. 3 for

completeness. In fact the initiator squib is a purchased
part requiring a specialist manufacturer and is unlikely to
ever be produced in an air bag manufacturer's plant. Simi-
larly, the sensor assembly plant (Building No. 4— Figure
2-12) requires a specialist manufacturer and provides a

Facilities do exist for the manufacture of pre-production proto-

types which are used for testing and system verification.

2-26
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2-27
 .

purchased part or parts directly to the automobile manufac-

turer. An overview of manufacturing processes for possible
sensors was provided earlier. It is not possible to detail
specific "typical" plants until specific types of sensors
are selected. In general, the bulk of the resources re-
quired for air bag system manufacturing (capital, facilities,
equipment, labor, and energy) will be utilized by the cushion
and inflator assembly manufacturers (passenger's side and
driver s side)
1
.

At the level of detail shown in the illustration (Fig-

ure 2-12) the inflator and cushion assembly plant is generic;
i.e., it describes the basic facilities required for either the
the driver's or passenger's side device. At the next level
of detail, some significant differences would be apparent
between the subassembly and final assembly portions of the
plants. This is because the driver's side air bag system
design utilizes a much higher degree of stamped parts, while
the passenger's side is constructed from axially symmetric
tubing

2.5.2 Typical Propellant Manuf acturinq/Assembly Facility

Building No. 1 shown on Figure 2-12 occupies about

35.000 square feet. The portion of this building directly
involved with propellant manufacturing would be 15,000 to
20.000 square feet. This portion of the building contains
the following major pieces of process equipment:

@ A power grinder for grinding propellant material

to powder

® Propellant blending machines (2 to 3) (see Figure

2-13)

^ Power sieve machine to sieve powders/blends of

propellant (see Figure 2-14)

© Propellant presses/pelletizers (5 to 7) to create

pellets of appropriate size from powders (see Figure
2-15)

© Pellet dusters to remove residual powder from

pellets

© Related process equipment such as: a large drying

oven, 5 or 6 scales for weighing propellant charges,
and a chemical lab/quality control facility

2-28
 :

Division of Firestone.
Source Courtesy of Hamill Manufacturing Company,
Note worker protection from toxic powder.

FIGURE 2-13. A TYPICAL PROPELLANT BLENDING INSTALLATION

2-29
Source: Courtesy of Hamill Manufacturing Company, Division of Firestone.

FIGURE 2-14. A TYPICAL POWER SIEVE MACHINE

2-30
 Company, Division of
Courtesy Hamill Manufacturing
V of Ham and
Source:
6 bui lding construction
Hazardous
warning^ystems required for potentially
pelletization operation.

PRESSING AND
FIGURE 2-15. A TYPICAL PROPELLANT
pelletizing operation

2-31
 @ Related materials handling equipment such as:
hoists, numerous in-process storage racks, trays,
tables, and transfer trucks.

The remainder of Building No. 1 is the propellant

assembly area, which with storage space occupies about
12,000 to 15,000 square feet. Current plans call for this
to be a highly automated facility. The machines which
perform the packing of the various types of pellets into
the propellant cartridge along with separator screens and
filters are shown in Figure 2-16 for the passenger's side,
i.e., the cylindrical cartridge. This specially-designed
propellant load line machine, which is located in the gas
generator cartridge assembly area, represents a major cap-
ital investment. This investment is not recoverable if
markets for air bags fail to materialize because of the
customized nature of the machine. A fairly substantial
portion of the propellant assembly portion of Building No. 1
is devoted to packaging (temporary) and storing the gas gen-
erator cartridges, before they move on to Building No. 2.

2.5.3 Typical Cushion/Inf lator Subassembly/Final Assembly

Facility
Building No. 2 shown on Figure 2-12 is the facility
which merges the gas generator cartridge, the initiator
squib, the air bag(s) and the metal parts of the canisters
and housings into a complete cushion and inflator assembly
for shipment to the automobile manufacturer. At the level
of detail shown in Figure 2-12 the facility is more or less
generic, i.e. typical of either the driver's side or pas-
senger's side air bag system. Building No. 2 will vary in
size from 50,000 square feet to 85,000 square feet for
producing 75,000 units per year. Expansion to meet demands
of twice that annual volume in single shift operation would
require an additional 30,000 to 40,000 square feet primarily
in the final assembly area as shown with dotted lines in
Figure 2-12.

Building No. 2 has two major parts as follows:

© An area for manufacturing subassemblies and

housing support facilities for quality control,
inspection and destructive testing of samples
drawn from the production line

• A final assembly area, which includes the air bag

manufacturing area, finished and raw goods storage,
and shipping/receiving.

2-32
Source: Courtesy of Hamill Manufacturing Company, Division of Firestone.
Drawings are intended for illustrative purposes only; the de-
tails of these specially built machines are considered pro-
prietary by the manufacturer, since they are specific to pas-
senger's side cartridge assembly process and Hamill design
for cushion and inflator assembly.

FIGURE 2-16. TYPICAL PROPELLANT LOAD LINE PROCESSING

EQUIPMENT FOR PASSENGER'S SIDE GAS GENERATOR CARTRIDGE

2-33
The relative size of these two portions of Building No. 2
is a strong function of the specific air bag system design.
For the driver's side air bag about 25,000 square feet would
be set aside for manufacturing of stampings, which are in-
herent to the construction of that design. Construction of
subassemblies for the passenger's side air bag was described
previously in detail in Figure 2-8. In this case, sub-
assemblies are made from cylindrical steel tubes, wire mesh
and filter material, which are cut to size, deburred, finished
and drilled as required. The space requirement in this case,
even with allowances for the squib subassembly and separa-
tion of the manufacturing of inflator assemblies into three
separate rooms, is about half that required for stamping,
finishing, and preparing equivalent pieces for the driver's
side air bag. A substantial portion of the subassembly/
support facility space is devoted to support facilities such
as quality control/inspection, tool room, and test labs.
This space, which is well in excess of 10,000 square feet,
primarily results from the high level of quality and relia-
bility required by the automobile manufacturer. As a conse-
quence fully one-third of the total manufacturing staff
complement in Building No. 2 are devoted to inspection,
sampling and destructive testing of components in process
or finished assemblies. The percentage of finished systems
that must be tested destructively to assure reliability of
the system as installed in the vehicle remains a subject of
discussion between suppliers and various automobile manufac-
turers at this time. It is, however, relatively safe to
speculate that consumers who receive one air bag set in
their car, will be paying for the manufacture of more than
one set, since destructive testing of samples is the only
way to assure statistically that the installed device will
be safe and reliable.

In Figure 2-12 the final assembly area includes an

area of 5,000 to 8,000 square feet devoted to air bag con-
struction and related raw goods and material in process
storage. This area may be larger for the passenger side sys-
tem (two bags per unit) but probably smaller for the driver's
side air bag. Overall space requirements for final assembly,
as shown in Figure 2-12, including hold areas and rework
areas could be about 30,000 to 50,000 square feet. In final
assembly separate lines are maintained for each automobile
manufacturer, who will mandate complete separation of their
component throughout the assembly process and can be ex-
pected to station in-plant quality control personnel at the
supplier's plant.

2-34
 Although it will vary by system design, final assembly
will be labor intensive. Similarly, air bag construction
even in volume quantities will be labor intensive. A typical
air bag construction area might contain two or more larger
layout/cutting tables, 10 to 15 industrial grade sewing
machines, edge-sealing equipment, and areas for stitching
inspectors as well as folding and storage space. If the
market for air bags is assured and designs stabilize, sup-
pliers may invest in automated sophisticated cutting and heat
sealing equipment and other automation approaches being
pioneered in the textile industry. Estimates of capital
investment in equipment projected at this time do not in-
clude such costs. The final assembly process is fairly
straightforward (see Figure 2-8 for overview) It in-
.

volves constructing the final inflator assembly housing

(diffuser) and mating with the inflator and squib subassem-
blies. Perhaps the most specialized equipment required is
that for attaching the air bag(s) and folding it to the manu-
facturer’s specification.* The final steps involve adding
the assembly's overall housing/reaction plate and packaging
the device for shipment.

2.5.4 Capital Requirements

The capital investment required for the typical inflator

and cushion assembly plant shown in Figure 2-12 has been
estimated to be seven to nine million dollars. This in-
cludes both building/land costs and equipment costs, and
assumes purchase of new land, building new facilities, etc.
In reality, manufacturers would attempt to lease facilities
and utilize excess plant capacity if any were available.

Building /Land Costs

Building/land costs are a function of many variables

including geographic location, type and quality of mate-
rials, and size. Building and land costs for the inflator
and cushion assembly facility shown in Figure 2-12 are
estimated to be five to eight million dollars. This is
based on a plant size of 150,000 square feet located

Air bag performance depends on folded configuration; automobile

manufacturers have patents pending on various folding techniques
and will each specify different folded configurations.

2-35
 .

in a suburban Michigan area. It is also based on a building

constructed of steel and reinforced concrete both in the
walls and floor. Substantial land costs are associated with
the plant because of remote storage required for certain
chemicals. Also, portions of the plant which package chem-
icals require explosion contingency- type construction and
evacuation fans/filters to remove toxic particulates. Table
2-1 presents a detailed breakdown of costs for both the
driver’s side and the passenger’s side air bag inflator/
cushion manufacturing costs.

Equipment Costs

Equipment costs are also a function of many different

variables including the number of different operations/
functions the equipment is capable of performing, the sophis-
tication of the machinery (i.e„, computer versus manually
controlled) and the amount of customized equipment utilized.
,

A summary of the types of equipment that could be employed

in a high volume air bag system manufacturing plant is
shown in Table 2-2. Total equipment costs for the plant
shown in Table 2-1 are estimated to range from $1.0 to $2.3
million by potential manufacturers. Detailed equipment
cost build-ups were not attempted to verify these estimates,
because these depend upon type of air bag system design and
the amount of customized automated processing equipment
utilized. A review of Table 2-2 indicates that equipment
costs estimated by potential manufacturers appear to be
reasonable

Not included in Table 2-2 are such equipment as laser

beams and minicomputers which could be used to cut the nylon
fabric before it is sewn into bags. This technique/equip-
ment is currently used in the apparel industry to cut com-
plex patterns in high volume, but air bag production levels
at least initially do not justify this major development in-
vestment .

2-36
 2
. ,, s

TABLE 2-1. ESTIMATE OF BUILDING AND LAND COSTS

1 Inf lator/Cushion
Size Cost Comments
I Assembly Type

|
Driver ' s Side "

2
35,000 ft * 2,450,000 Special blast-proof
I - Building No.l $ 1

construction
ventilation, etc.; (1

assume $70/ft 2
2
85,000 ft * 4,250,000 Standard light shop!
- Building No.
facility; assume
$30/ft 2

- Land 30 acres 1 , 300,000 Large land area

required to keep
Building No. 1
remote

- Equipment — 1,000,000* Manufacturer'

estimate

TOTAL | $ 9,000,000 1

Passenger's Side
2
- Building No.l 21 , 300 ft ** $ 1,491,000 Special blast-proof J

construction
ventilation, etc.; j

assume $70/ft 2
2
- Building NO. 45,000 ft 2,250, 000 Standard light shop
t0 to facility, assume
2 * *
80,000 ft 4,000,000 $50/ ft 2

- Land 30 acres 1,300,000 Large land area

required to keep
Building No. 1
remote

- Equipment — 1,800, 000** Manufacturer '

to estimate
2,300,000

TOTAL $ 6,841,000
to
$ 9,091,000

* Estimated by potential manufacturer.

* Estimated by Booz, Allen based upon data provided by potential

manufacturer

NOTE: It is believed that summary level facility site requirements ob-

tained from a potential driver's side supplier and used directly
are high.

2-37
 , , ,

TABLE 2-2. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS OF A TYPICAL

AIR BAG PRODUCTION MANUFACTURING PLANT

Building or Type of
Portion of Plant Equipment

Building No.l:
Propellant

. Manufacture . Power Sieve One or two required at

Propellant $25,000 each (see Figure
i
2-14).
. Power Grinder One required
. Propellant One to three required at
Blender $20,000 to $35,000 each
(see Figure 2-13).
. Pelletizer Probably require 5 or more
Presses at a cost of $30,000 to
$40,000 each (see Fi jure
2-15) .

. Miscellaneous Ovens, scales, chemical labs,

material racks and materials
handling equipment .

;
. Propellant . Wire Cloth
Cartridge Weaver
i Assembly . Wire Cloth
Winder
. Wire Cloth
Slitter/Die
Cutter
. Automated See Figure 2-16; customized
Propellant equipment portions of loading
Load Line or line could cost $200,000 to
Various As- $300,000 installed, or more.
sembly Fixtures

Building No. 2:
. Subassembly/ . Cloth Weaving Usually purchase cloth
Final Assembly . Cloth Coating Vulcanize (neoprene) driver
bag only
. Cloth Cutters, Manual, but could be done
Heat Sealers later by laser
. Industrial
Sewing Machines 10 to 1 5 required
. Presses for 30, 60, 80 and 140 ton
Stamping presses required
Crimping
. Lathes Amount of machining
depends on design
. Drill Presses
. Various Degreaser, Phosphatizer
Finishing and Paint Booths
Surface Treat-
ment Equipment
. Bag Folding Customized machines.
Machines at least 3 required
. Pipe Cutters For passenger side only
. Miscellaneous Varies with layout of plant.
Transfer and primarily on final assembly
Materials line
Handling
Equipment
. Welders Limited usage
. Inspection Extensive inspection re-
Gauges quired, at many process
Scales, Tools stations
. Quality Destructive testing re-
Test Lab quired on line samples

2 -38
 ,

2.5.5 Labor Requirements

Potential manufacturers of air bags supplied the fol-

lowing rough estimates for personnel required in manufacturing:

Driver's side air bag: Only about 50 people

initially (1981 production)

® Passenger's side air bag: About 75 people in

Building No. 2, of which 20 to 25 are related
to quality control.

If a total complement of about 100 people is utilized for

the typical plant shown in Figure 2-12 (Buildings 1 and 2)
then Table 2-3 provides a rough breakdown of personnel by
skill level, process area, or function.

The above estimates are based upon a traditional type

of manufacturing organizational hierarchy typical to Detroit
and the auto supplier industry. The fairly high percentage
of laboratory and inspector personnel is typical of the air
bag industry, which must package hazardous materials and
assure an extremely high level of product reliability.

2 -39
 TABLE 2-3. LABOR REQUIREMENTS OF A TYPICAL AIR
BAG PRODUCTION MANUFACTURING PLANT

r— Title, Function/Process Area

^
Workforce

|
Plant Manager 1

Supervision (Production/ 4
Quality)

Chemical Laboratory and 4

Quality Test Laboratory

Inspectors* 15

I
Propellant Manufacture and 8-12
Assembly Workers

Air Bag Production Workers 10-15

Metal Subassembly Worker 8-10

Final Assembly Line Worker 12-18

Skilled Tradesman/Maintenance 3-5

of Equipment

Materials Handling/Shipping 4-6

|

i
General Maintenance 4-6

Staff Personnel** 4

TOTAL 77-100

Some of these may be from automobile manufacturer.

Safety officer, production staff engineer, quality control

analyst, etc.

2 -40
2.6 ECONOMIES OF SCALE IN AIR BAG MANUFACTURING

There has been much discussion of the potential econ-

omies of scale that would result after model year 1981, as
air bag production rates would increase from perhaps
50,000 vehicle units per year (1981) up to and perhaps exceeding
1 000,000 units per year.
, In a letter of March 8, 1979 to NHTSA,*
Talley Industries, a potential supplier of the driver air
bag module, presented the information employed to construct
Figure 2-17 . The estimate was based on the following:

® A driver module similar to that shown in Fig-

ure 2-2A

© A simple basic configuration module, i e all .

automobile manufacturers utilize same hub-mounted

configuration

@ Radio Frequency Interference RFI/EMI ( ) issue of

electrical initiators not addressed

® No adjustment for future inflation, June 1978

economics used to establish base prices

© Quantity of 5,000 units per year used to esiaulish

base price.

The plot displays a ratio of 4:1, in part due to Talley’s

presumably conservative estimate of a 5,000 unit per year base-
line. However, even if first year shipments were 30,000
units, which would be more consistent with "typical" plant
discussions of this report, a price ratio of 3:1 is shown
between first year price and the very high volume production
price. A very important point is the fact that this plot
is appropriately labeled as price, not manufacturing cost .

The reason for the sharp decline in price with increased

production is really twofold as follows:

® Actual economies of scale in manufacturing learn-

ing curve improvements as the new process becomes
more familiar; potential for higher levels of
automation at higher production volume.

From John A. Drexler; Director, Program Management/ACRS, Talley

Industries of Arizona, Inc. to Guy Hunter, Office of Vehicle
Safety Standards, Crashworthiness Division, NHTSA.

2-41
UMSTS/YEAR

5000

OF

RATE

PRODUCTION

2-42
 .

@ The level of risk and uncertainty that were

assumed in arriving at an initial baseline price.
If risk is high a prudent businessman seeks a
high rate of return on invested capital.

A detailed financial analysis of manufacturing cost related

resource data presented earlier in this report might, de-
pending upon assumptions made, yield a much flatter economies
of scale curve. This would be misleading.

It is very frankly the level of risk and uncertainty

with regard to the air bag market and potential product
liability risks that would inevitably cause a prudent busi-
nessman to price initial production quantities at the levels
currently being discussed. From the potential air bag sup-
plier's viewpoint the following are some of the key risks:

@ M arket Uncertainty Both in Terms of Size and

T iming: The potential air bag market is based
on Government regulation, sale trends of auto-
mobiles by size class and normal competitive
factors. Skepticism of potential suppliers is
based upon the following:

Uncertainty about Government regulatory will

or at least timing given the major contro-
versy being expressed in current public
debate about the costs and benefits of air
bags

The lack of a specific significant quantity

order for air bags from any automobile manu-
facturer for air bags for 1981 models

Recent sales trends indicating a strong shift

to four and five passenger vehicles which can
likely meet passive restraint requirements
with a passive belt system, because such ve-
hicles can be equipped with twin front bucket
seats

• Potential Product Liability Problems: There is

general agreement that air bags have the potential
for generating at least a few potentially costly
product liability suits as a result of the fol-
lowing:

Failing to deploy in a crash

Deploying when there is no crash

2-43
 .

Deploying or exploding when improperly main-

tained

Being tagged as a health hazard (sodium

azide dust is toxic)

The relatively small supplier firms are concerned by

two factors given the potential hazards of the devic

The rate of escalation of cash judgments

awarded to plaintiffs in automotive-related
product liability suits such as the Ford
Pinto case and others

The lack of strong assurances from the

Federal Government and/or the automobile
manufacturers in the form of limitation of
liability or pooled risk underwriting.

Start-up Costs Associated With a Completely New

Product: Almost inevitably manufacturers under-
estimate start-up difficulties for new production
lines and products. Air bags are so new and dif-
ferent that potential suppliers probably feel that
such costs could be substantial.

Extremely High Levels of Reliability and Quality

Control: These built-in inherent costs are dis-
played in the relatively high level of inspection,
test, and quality control personnel requirements
for air bag manufacturing. But it appears at
this point that considerable uncertainty exists
as to the success of suppliers in being able to
meet extremely rigid statistical quality testing
certification requirements of the automobile
manufacturers. These levels are apparently so
high that an initial manufacturing problem that
might cause a few f irst-of f-the-line inflator
and cushion assemblies to fail, would in a sta-
tistical sense require the air bag supplier to
destructively test a very high percentage of all
subsequent units produced just to "prove" reli-
ability and meet automobile manufacturers' specifi-
cations. This risk that quality specifications
can become a very onerous stick in the hands of
the customer in this particular case should be of
great concern to suppliers of air bags.
 © Continued Problems in Meeting Performance
Specifications: While testing and experience to
date have significantly improved the understanding
of factors which influence air bag performance,
there remain a number of basic technical require-
ments difficulties with such factors as repeatable
onset rate and burn rate performance, repeatable
bag inflation configuration as strongly influenced
by bag folding, RFI/EMI problems with initiators,
and a number of other concerns which are not to-
tally solved in a technical sense.

In summary, potential air bag suppliers face a high risk

venture situation. A basic principle of a successful busi-
ness is that rate return on investment should be balanced
with level of risk across all endeavors or product lines.
From an air bag supplier's point of view there are clearly a
number of significant risks. If initial pricing constraints
do not provide for adequate, rapid return, potential sup-
pliers could seek other endeavors.

The above discussion was included in this report in the

hopes that it could contribute to the discussion of issues
related to air bag system prices. The detailed technical

*****
data on manufacturing resource requirements could form a
basis for financial calculations, but these are beyond the
scope of this report.

2 - 45 / 2-46
 .

3. MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR PASSIVE BELT SYSTEMS

3.1 GENERAL

A significant amount of work has gone into the develop-

ment of passive belt systems. In most of the belt concepts,
automatic donning and doffing of the belts with minimum
occupant participation is the primary concern. Passive
belts of a simple design are currently available on some
cars, while design improvements continue to be developed
to improve both comfort and performance of passive belt
systems

The major increase in complexity and cost could occur

if belt system designs must use pretensioners and motorized
retractors to provide occupant protection required to meet
regulations. Short of going to pretensioner s it is antic-
,

ipated that significant performance improvements can be made

by utilizing modified belt webbing and an independent grip-
ping of the webbing (the so-called belt grabber) At pres-
.

ent, no configuration of a passive belt system using a

pretensioner has been marketed or developed beyond the pro-
totype stage. Discussions with current seat belt suppliers
indicated a general belief that passive belt systems meeting
standards for the foreseeable future would not require
complex devices such as pretensioners.

3.2 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE PASSIVE BELT SYSTEM DESIGNS

Passive belt systems can be classified into two-, three

or four-point connection systems. Each is described below.

3.2.1 Two-Point Connection System

The two-point system consists of a single automatic
upper torso belt, connected to the door and the retractor.
As shown in Figure 3-1, the shoulder belt encloses the
occupant as soon as the door is closed. This configuration
is found in both the Volkswagen Rabbit and the General
Motors Chevette.

With this type of design, the driver or passenger is

protected only to the extent of the belt system's capability
This configuration does not prevent sliding underneath the
webbing (submarining) In order to prevent this effect and
.

minimize knee injury, the two-point systems are used with

knee pads.

3-1
 „ .

FIGURE 3-1. VOLKSWAGEN TWO-POINT PASSIVE

RESTRAINT SYSTEM

In addition to the configuration illustrated in Figure

3-1 where the retractor is located inboard on the floor,
alternative designs utilize outboard retractors and D-rings
attached to the door (see Figure 3-2) Placing the retrac-
tor outboard allows the webbing to fit more comfortably across
the body of the occupant. The inboard retractor, on the
other hand, with the fixed anchor on the door, causes the
webbing to rub the occupant's shoulder whenever he leans
forward
D Ring
on Door

FIGURE 3-2. TWO-POINT PASSIVE BELT DESIGN

WITH RETRACTOR AND D-RING ON DOOR

3-2
 . . ] / , .

3.2.2 Three-Point Connection System

The three-point system consists of a combined automatic

torso belt and lap belt. In most cases, the two automatic
belts are permanently attached at some point so that the
belts move together. Although this system would appear to
inhibit submarining, some of the three-point systems are
also used with knee pads. As shown in Figure 3-3, this
system is connected at the door, roof rail, and floor pan.

The three-point system illustrated in Figure 3-3,

shows the advanced passive, mechanically actuated belt
designed by General Motors. The belt slides into place
when the car door is closed. Extensive modification of
the door and roof rails will be required in order to house
the electrical motor and the two sets of sliding rails for
this system. Because of its complexity and cost such a
system would likely find first application and perhaps only
to a limited production in General Motors luxury, performance
model automobile.
Various alternative combinations of retractors and
their location have been considered for the three-point
systems. The sketches in Figure 3-4 show some of these
designs

In Figure 3-4 (a) where the retractor is located

inboard on the floor, the continuous loop passing through
the D-ring tends to cause an increase in pressure on the
occupant's body. in Figure 3-4 (b) the retractor has been
switched to the door side, but this change does not signif-
icantly improve belt comfort. Relocating the retractor
to the upper door location helps, although it tends to
create head interference [see Figure 3-4 (c)]

One of the more successful combinations features a

double retractor with a fixed webbing juncture. [See
Figure 3—4 (d) This system improves the
. fit and the
pressure on the occupant, as long as the D-ring is properly
designed

3-3
FIGURE 3-3 THREE-POINT CONNECTION
«,

PASSIVE BELT SYSTEM

Fixed Anchor
Fixed Anchor
on Door Inboard

(a) (b)

Retractor
on Door ORing
on Door

(d)

THREE-POINT SYSTEM
ALTERNATIVE COMBINATIONS

3-4
3.2.3 Four-Point Connection System

While the two- and three-point systems include the con-

figurations considered by most manufacturers, there are also
other designs now in the prototype stage. The four-point
system provides upper torso and lap belt restraints utilizing
three retractors. As shown in Figure 3-5, the inboard lap
belt and shoulder belt retractors are located on the floor,
and the outboard lap-belt retractor is connected to the door.
The third connecting point, the outboard shoulder belt anchor,
is also connected to the door.

The fourth point of connection is on the steering wheel

or column. Once the occupant has been seated, the clips are
detached and fastened temporarily by using a magnet, stow
ring, or stow clip. When detached, the excess webbing is
retracted into the two housings and the occupant is restrained.

DOOR CONNECTION

FIGURE 3-5. FOUR-POINT, THREE-RETRACTOR PASSIVE

LAP/SHOULDER BELTS

Even if the occupant did not unclip the webbing, the system
would still work. On impact the retractor motors would
rapidly detach the webbing and hence passively restrain the
occupant. This second prototype passive belt system by
General Motors does not have the potential for track-sliding
failures of the system shown in Figure 3-3, but is also
complex.

3-5
3»3 MAJOR COMPONENTS OF PASSIVE BELTS

Existing passive belt systems have three major compo-

nents :

0
Belt webbing
@ Belt retractor
® Buckle or emergency release.

In addition to these components, advanced design passive

belt systems presently in the prototype stages feature com-
ponents to improve belt tightness during a crash. Major
passive belt components are shown in Figure 3-6 and their
operations are described below.

AUTOMATIC / t/'amP’’'
RETRACTOR / fl

VW AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT

FIGURE 3-6. MAJOR COMPONENTS OF

PASSIVE BELT SYSTEMS

3-6
3.3.1 Belt Webbing

The belt webbing is the part of the passive belt system

which directly touches and, upon impact, restrains the body
of the motorist. It is made of a continuous band of tough
flexible material designed to bear weight but not to cause
injury or discomfort to the motorist.

The webbing operates as a harness. The ends are attached

to the frame and/or door of the car, and the mid-part fits
diagonally across the motorist’s chest from the shoulder to
the waist. Thus, the webbing very lightly yokes the motorist
into the car. In the event of a sudden stop or accident,
the belt prevents the motorist from being propelled forward
through the windshield or sideways out of the car.

3.3.2 Belt Retractor

The retractor is a small, spring-powered device which

serves two important functions in the passive belt system.
First the retractor reels the webbing in and out as the
motorist enters the car. Second, it locks the webbing into
position when sudden force is applied. As shown in Figure
3-7, the retractor has five components: spool, ratchet
wheels, springs, pendulum and pawl, and housing. Each is
discussed below.

FIGURE 3-7. DIAGRAM OF PASSIVE

BELT RETRACTOR

3-7
 <8
Spool The spool is the heart of the retractor.
.

It is a smooth hollow cylinder approximately 2h

inches long and 1% inches in diameter and forms
,

a base around which the webbing is anchored and

wound. It is usually made of steel.

9 Ratchet Wheels The ratchet wheels are circular

.

steel plates with inclined teeth around their

perimeters. They are welded to both ends of the
spool and control its motion.

® Spring. The spring provides energy to the belt

retractor. It is firmly connected to the ratchet
wheel and provides the force and pressure needed
to rotate the spool and retract the webbing.

© Pendulum/Pawl. The pendulum is a small lead weight

which is suspended from a wire and swings freely,
detecting any sudden motion in the vehicle. When
the pendulum swings suddenly, it moves a short
prong or "pawl" into the teeth of the ratchet
wheel thus preventing further motion of the wheel,
spool and webbing.

® Housing. The final retractor component is the

housing. This is essentially a hard plastic case
to protect the retractor mechanism from dirt or
other injury.

3.3.3 Buckle

What most motorists know as the "buckle" on seat belts,

has become an "emergency release" on passive belts. The
whole point of the passive belt system is that the motorist
does not have to "buckle up." However, the basic function of
the buckle is still served, that of joining the two ends
of the webbing together while providing a point of voluntary
exit for the motorist. After the webbing, the buckle is
the most standardized component of the passive belt system.

The buckle, or emergency release, consists of two parts,

the clasp and the prong. Either part, or both may be fitted
with a plastic grip. The prong is a narrow smooth projectile
which fits into the clasp. It is held in place by a spring
activated latch which locks into place upon insertion of
the prong. Figure 3-8 shows a diagram of a passive belt
buckling device.

3-8
 FIGURE 3-8. PASSIVE BELT
BUCKLING DEVICE

3.3.4 Pretensioner and/or Belt Grabber

A major problem with future passive lap and shoulder

belts utilizing retractor spools is belt slack. In this
respect the manual belt length adjuster of static belts is
optimal as it is mechanically simple and lightweight. But
since people do not like to be tightly restrained they avoid
properly adjusting static belts. Because belt length is
inherently longer on passive systems, slack becomes a problem.

The retractor belt, in principle, provides for auto-

matic length adjustment without slack. But it has one basic
deficiency: when it is crash-loaded, not only the webbing
on the occupant’s body but also the webbing portion between the
D-ring and retractor is elongated. Furthermore, the portion
which normally is rather loosely wound up on the retractor
reel must first be driven tight around the locked reel before
a restraint force can develop. This "spool-out" and addi-
tional elongation result in some 10 to 20 cm of webbing
running out which means an equivalent additional forward
displacement of the occupant's shoulders and head, and con-
sequently an additional injury risk. in general passive belt
systems with substantial additional webbing wound up in the

3-9
 : .

retractor tend to be more subject to spool-out and elonga-

tion .

There are basically two approaches to reducing this

problem. In order of increasing complexity and cost these
are

@ —
A belt grabber A device built into the retractor
mechanism, which senses belt "spool-out" and clamps
the belt not the spool. This is a relatively simple
and inexpensive safety performance enhancing feature.

© A pretensioner-— A somewhat more complex device, which

automatically tightens belt system around occupant
very shortly after accident begins.

The pretensioner can be added to retract a certain length

of webbing during the first few milliseconds of a crash to
compensate for the "spool-out" and indirect static slack
due to, for instance, thick clothes or extra space between
the belt and the human body. As shown in Figure 3-9, pre-
tensioner assembly consists of a crash sensor and a propul-
sion unit, such as a gas generator, both known from air bag
technology
Clamping Solid
Cylinder Propellant
Capsule

Projectile-Type
Piston
/
Gas Generator
Fluid-Filled Tube
Housing

FIGURE 3-9. DIAGRAM OF A

PELTON WHEEL PRETENSIONER

3-10
 .

Pretensioners are not presently manufactured for passive

belts. They have been included in certain prototypes which
have been suggested for mass production. The following dis-
cussion of pretensioners is presented for completeness only.
As will be seen such devices are somewhat complex and prob-
ably expensive. One design applies a rapid backward rota-
tion of the retractor reel thus not only anticipating the
"spool-out" but also absorbing additional indirect static
belt slack.
Two propulsion mechanisms have been proposed:

® One similar to a rotary engine driven directly by

admitted gas which is rapidly generated from a
solid propellant

© One similar to a Pelton turbine wheel driven by

water which is propelled toward the wheel by a
gas generator as mentioned above.

The whole system has to be designed to survive vibra-

tion, mechanical shocks, thermal stresses, humidity and
corrosion. A permanent automatic control (self-monitoring)
of all electric circuitry during car operation can also be
provided

As shown in Figure 3-9, the Pelton wheel pretensioner

has several components:

m Gas Propulsion Unit

Clamping cylinder
Propellant capsule
Generator housing
Projectile

© Fluid-Filled Tube

© Pelton Wheel

Wheel
Shaft.

The pretensioner is activated when a sensor in the vehicle

firewall detects an impact. Solid propellant contained in
a capsule is ignited by a squib. The explosion forces
a round pro j ectile-type piston into the fluid-filled tube.
The moving piston pushes the fluid through the tubing until
it is ejected and hits the blades of the Pelton wheel. The
wheel then turns a reel to retract the belt firmly against
the body of the motorist.

3-11
 Although it has yet to be definitively proven in develop-
ment testing on specific pre-production prototypes of 1983 and
1984 models, it appears at this time that passive belt system
performance standards may be achievable on many models with-
out the need for pretensioner devices For completeness in
.

the manufacturing cost analysis which follows, however, a

summary description of manufacturing processes required for
such a component are included.

3.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESSES USED TO MANUFACTURE PASSIVE

BELTS
This section explains the detailed processes which are
used in the manufacture of four passive belt components:

© Webbing
© Retractor
® Buckling Mechanism
<© Pretensioner (may not be required) .

In final assembly, these components are joined, assembled and

permanently attached to the car. The first component, webbing,
is the simplest and most standardized of the belt components.
The next simplest component is the buckling mechanism. The
retractor and pretensioner vary considerably in design and
manufacture among different suppliers. There are also subtle
variations between make/model applications from the same
supplier to fit the specific needs as specified by automotive
manufacturers. This "tailoring" of seat belt systems to spe-
cific makes/models makes it difficult for seat belt manufac-
turers to achieve significant economies of scale in mass pro-
duction manufacturing of seat belts. For example, the geo-
metric, mounting and performance constraints lead to the need
for a large number of different retractor designs, although
all are functionally similar.

3.4.1 Manufacture of the Belt Webbing

Manufacture of the belt webbing begins with a nylon com-
pound which is extruded through a die with a small aperture to
form nylon fiber. As shown in Figure 3-10, the nylon fiber
is then stretched to give it the necessary high tensile strength.
The stretched fibers are woven into long webbed nylon strips, and
finally cut into separate webbed belt lengths and the cut ends
are heat sealed.

3.4.2 Manufacture of the Retractor

The passive belt retractor has four principal components:

© Spool
© Ratchets
® Pendulum
® Housing.
3-12
 WEBBING

Nylon Compound

Nylon Fiber

Stretched Fibers

Webbed Nylon Strips

Webbed Belts

FIGURE 3-10. MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR

BELT WEBBING

These are manufactured from steel, lead, and plastic using,

among others, the processes of blanking, stamping, die casting
and blow molding. The processes used in manufacture of the
retractor are outlined in Figure 3-11 and are explained in
detail below.

Spool

The retractor spool serves as a reel around which the

belt webbing is wound. The spool is manufactured by shaping
steel into a hollow cylinder approximately 2h inches long
and lh inches in diameter. One of the most common techniques

3-13
 SPOOL WEBBING

RETRACTOR

Spool Ratchet Pendulum Housing

Cold-rolled steel Cold-rolled steel Lead Plastic Pellets

FIGURE 3-11. FLOW DIAGRAM OF PASSIVE BELT RETRACTOR

MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

3-14
for shaping the spool, as outlined in Figure 3-11, begins
with sheets of cold-rolled steel which are blanked into small
rectangular plates or sheets. Each sheet is then stamped so
that niches or recesses are made along the two short edges
of the rectangular plate. The plate is then upset into a
cylindrical shape and the niched edges pressed or bonded
together. The spool is now ready for attachment of ratchets
to the cylinder openings.

Ratchets

The retractor ratchets are round metal plates with

jagged teeth, which are attached to both ends of the spool.
As outlined in Figure 3-11, the ratchet is manufactured
by first blanking thin cold-rolled steel sheets into round
plates. The plates are stamped so that teeth are cut com-
pletely around the perimeter. A grinding process is then
performed to make the teeth jagged so that they will "catch"
when sudden force is exerted. The completed ratchets are
permanently joined to the spool through spot welding or
other joining techniques.

Pendulum

The third component of the retractor, the pendulum, is

the part which "catches" the teeth of the ratchet. The
pendulum is a small metal weight suspended from a wire which
activates a prong or pawl The pawl is caught in the rat-
.

chet teeth whenever sudden force swings the pendulum. As

shown in Figure 3-11, the pendulum is made of die cast
lead. It is attached to the ratchet and spool, and the
entire assembly is then bolted to the vehicle floorpan
or frame.

Housing

The housing for the retractor is a plastic casing which

protects the mechanism inside. It is made by blow-molding
thermoplastic pellets into a housing mold. The completed
housing is snap-fit onto the spool-ratchet-pendulum assembly.

3.4.3 Manufacture of the Buckling Mechanism

The two components of the passive restraint buckle,

the clasp and the prong, are both manufactured from steel
using the processes of stamping, joining and finishing.

3-15
The clasp is covered by a plastic grip, and both the clasp
and the prong are attached to the belt webbing. The manu-
facturing processes are diagrammed in Figure 3-12.

Clasp

The clasp is made by stamping sheets of cold-rolled

steel into a double-sided clasp, using approximately six
stampings with progressive dies in a single press. The
stamped clasp is then folded over and both sides are joined,
usually by spot welding. The metal clasp is cleaned and
polished to remove burrs or rough spots and then it is
chrome-plated. Quality assurance standards require the
clasp to be able to withstand a sixty-hour salt spray test
without damage from corrosion. After finishing, the clasp
is snap-fit with an injection-molded plastic grip, and
assembled onto the webbing.

Prong

As shown in Figure 3-12, the prong is manufactured

using the same processes as the clasp. Cold-rolled steel
is stamped to form the basic prong piece. Each piece is
cleaned, polished and chrome-plated, and then assembled
onto the belt webbing. The webbing is looped through a
hole in the prong, folded back and sewn.

3-16
 Buckling Mechanism

CLASP PRONG

Steel Stee 1

Grip

Plastic
Pellets

FIGURE 3-12. DIAGRAM OF

BUCKLE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
 : :

3.4.4 Manufacture of the Pelton Wheel Pretensioner

The Pelton wheel pretensioner is the most complex pas-

sive belt component. The basic concept of the pretensioner
is to add an active device to the belt retractor so that the
belt webbing is automatically pulled taut over the motorist
upon detection of an impact. The following sections describe
a hypothetical manufacturing process for a Pelton wheel
pretensioner having the following components

m Gas Propulsion Unit

® Tube
@ Pelton Wheel.
Tne electrical sensor system which senses the impact and triggers
the pretensioner is similar to sensors used in air bag technology,
discussed in Chapter 2. The belt retractor used with the pre-
tensioner is the same type of retractor discussed earlier in this
chapter. Figure 3-13 summarizes a possible set of manufactur-
ing processes for the pretensioner. This component is net likely
to be in even limited production for some time so Figure 3-13
should be viewed as very preliminary.

Gas Propulsion Unit

The gas propulsion unit combines four steel components

which are principally forged and machined:

© Clamping Cylinder
© Propellant Capsule
© Gas Generator Housing
• Piston Ball.

The propellant capsule, gas generator housing, and piston

ball are assembled and enclosed within the clamping cylinder,
as outlined in the process flow diagram in Figure 3-13.
The clamping cylinder is then joined to a liquid-filled
tube. The manufacturing processes for each of the gas pro-
pulsion unit components outlined in Figure 3-13 are as
follows

9 Clamping Cylinder. Steel is extruded or forged

to form a hollow cylinder open at both ends. The
cylinder is then threaded so that it can be joined
to the liquid-filled tube.

© Propellant Capsule Steel is extruded or forged

.

to form a small steel capsule. Solid propellant

is injected into the interior, and the capsule is
sealed closed.

3-18
 1

.as P ropul s i o n Unit Pulton Wheel

r
C lamping Cylinder pr opel l ai it Capsule Genera tor Housin g l isten Ha 1
Steel

FIGURE 3-13. MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR A PELTON WHEEL

PRETENSIONER

3-19
 .

© Gas Generator Housing Steel is upset-forged

.

into a cylindrical shape with a slightly larger

diameter than the propellant capsule. The pro-
pellant capsule is fitted into the gas generator
housing

® Piston Ball. Steel is cold-forged into the shape

of a ball and then machined to obtain a smoother
surface. The ball is polished before being fitted
between the gas generator housing and the liquid-
filled tube.

The gas propulsion unit is screwed into the liquid-filled

tube and connected to the electrical sensor system by wires.
Once it has been activated,, the entire unit must be replaced.

Liquid-Filled. Tube

The tube section of the pretensioner contains an inert

liquid which is forced out onto the blades of the Pelton
wheel by the propellant and piston ball. To manufacture the
tube, steel is extruded into long poles of hollow tubing.
The tubing is cut into individual lengths which are threaded
at one end. The tube is pressed into an S-shaped curve with
a narrow opening at one end. The opening is fitted with a
foil fluid seal and the tube is filled with glycerine or
some other inert fluid. The other end of the tube is screwed
into the clamping cylinder of the gas propulsion unit.

Pelton Wheel

The Pelton turbine wheel has curved vanes on a central

rotating spindle. It is actuated by the impulse of a current
of fluid propelled toward the vanes by the gas generator.
The wheel is die cast from zinc to provide the thin vanes
with close tolerances and high strength, and is press-fit
with a shaft which is also fitted to the retractor spool.

Assembly of the Pretensioner

In final assembly, the gas propulsion unit is screwed

into the fluid-filled tube. This assembly is then bracketed
to a platform which is bolted to the retractor housing. The
Pelton wheel and shaft are press-fit into the retractor
spool and housing and the entire apparatus is bolted into
the interior of the mid-door pillar of the car.

3-20
 .

3 . 4 e 5 Vehicle Installation of the Passive Belt System

There are many different designs of passive belt systems.

The foregoing discussion explained the types of materials and
processes used in the manufacture of a typical passive belt
system but does not provide an exhaustive description of all
systems. Variations may exist particularly in the design and
manufacture of the buckling mechanisms and retractor. Simi-
larly, the installation of different passive belt systems
varies

In the final assembly of a typical belt system, the

webbing is looped around the retractor spool and tightly
stitched or glued in place. The retractor is bolted to the
floor pan of the car and the webbing is fed through a guide
ring to position it diagonally across the seat. The prong
of the belt is locked into the clasp which may be bolted to
the door. In the case of a belt system with a pretensioner,
the pretensioner would be bolted inside the mid-door pillar
and the webbing would be fed along guide rings inside the
pillar to be attached to the retractor spool. Thin paneling
would be press-fit over the pillar.

3.5 CHARACTERISTICS OF A TYPICAL PASSIVE BELT MANUFACTURING

PLANT
The typical passive belt manufacturing plant will have
the same characteristics as a present-day seat belt/shoulder
harness plant. Manufacturing processes, as previously des-
cribed, include weaving, stamping, and finishing of the
individual belt components. The assembly of a passive belt
system is a semi-automated process using a conveyor belt
system where each belt fixture moves along the line and
short operations are performed. The process is labor inten-
sive and requires large numbers of semi-skilled workers.
Most of the production workers in current safety belt plants
are members of the United Auto Workers. Seatbelt and passive
belt manufacturers must meet the requirements of Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 209 - Seatbelt Assemblies,

3.5.1 Capital Requirements

In discussions with existing seat belt system manufac-

turers a strong indication was obtained that some excess capacity
capacity exists in current facilities. Capital requirements
for introduction of the additional components for passive

3-21
belt systems are very dependent on the specific configura-
tions chosen. As shown in Figures 3-1 through 3-5 a multi-
tude of configurations are possible. There is no single
dominant "typical" configuration, hence there is no "typical"
plant modification that can be defined. In fact, the change-
over to passive belts could probably be accomplished within
a typical product improvement cycle.

Building /Land Costs

Introduction of passive belt system manufacturing to

replace current seat belt system manufacturing is unlikely
to have a measurable impact on overall industry building
and land costs, since excess capacity exists today.

Equipment Costs

Many of the processes for manufacturing passive belt

systems take place in the factories of vendor firms. These
include weaving the nylon on looms into webbing and some
stamping operations. The additional parts and tooling needed
to accommodate installation of certain passive belt system
configurations are the responsibility of the auto manufac-
turer, not the passive belt supplier.

These costs are highly dependent on specific installation

configurations chosen in relation to vehicle interior trim
packages and vehicle structural configuration. Thus, there
is no "typical" equipment cost and additional costs exper-
ienced by the automobile manufacturer are incremental and
very difficult to estimate.

Labor Requirements

Changeover to passive belt systems will probably have

a minimal effect on labor requirements of the belt supplier.
The impact on the installer (automobile manufacturer) will
vary substantially by belt configuration and vehicle make/
model/body design. Additional requirements would be reflected
as additional installers on the vehicle assembly line and
in some cases as an additional station. Of course, automo-
bile manufacturers will seek., especially on high volume models,
to minimize additional personnel. If they are successful
additional labor requirements for passive belt changeover
may be minimal.

3- 22
 .

3.5.2 Summary

The changeover to passive belts could have very little

impact on the resources of the existing seat belt manufacturing
industry. The only sure increase in resources is the increase
in nylon belt quantities because belts will be longer. Other
changes will occur but probably not at a rate much more rapid
than continuing product improvement trends of the past few
years

3-2 3/3-24
 .

4. OUTLOOK FOR PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

4,1 GENERAL

With passive restraint systems planned for introduction

beginning in model year 1982 the auto manufacturers and
,

their suppliers are moving toward fulfilling the FMVSS

208 mandate. In fact, three of the auto manufacturers (GM,
Ford, and Chrysler) have publicly announced plans to volun-
tarily install air bags in at least one car line in the 1981
model year, one year ahead of the time when passive restraints
will be required by FMVSS No. 208. Similarly, passive belts
will be introduced as regular options by major U.S. manufac-
turers and several foreign manufacturers well ahead of the
date required by the 208 standard.

Thus, it appears that progress is definitely being made

toward full implementation of the standard. Nonetheless,
questions/concerns still remain. One concern is the capa-
bility of the supplier industry to meet the demands of the
auto manufacturers within the timetable established. Other
issues include such items as the effectiveness/reliability
of passive restraint systems, the safety of the chemical sodium
azide, public acceptance of passive restraints, the problems
surrounding cost and maintenance of passive restraint systems
and disposal of air bag systems when automobiles are ultimately
scrapped
The purpose of this chapter thus is to discuss these
and other factors which affect the outlook for passive re-
straints. The chapter is divided into the following sections:

• Manufacturers’ Plans Regarding Introduction of

Passive Restraint Systems

• Material and Component Requirements Dictated by

Manufacturers' Plans

• Capability of the Supplier Industries to Meet

Manufacturers' Plans

• Other Factors Affecting the Outlook for Passive

Restraint Systems.

4-1
4.2 MANUFACTURERS' PLANS REGARDING INTRODUCTION OF PASSIVE
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

Assessment of the supplier industries' capability to

meet auto manufacturers' demands requires knowledge of the
auto manufacturers plans with respect to the introduction
of passive restraint systems. A summary of these plans based
on discussions with a major supplier of inflator modules
(i.e., gas generators) is presented below. Also presented
is a summary of the introduction schedule for passive re-
straints required by FMVSS 208. Based on the information
provided in this section, the next section estimates passive
restraint system material and component requirements.

4.2.1 Introduction Schedule for Automobiles with Passive

Restraint Systems

The schedule for introduction of passenger vehicles with

passive restraint systems is clearly specified in the 208
standard. The standard calls for passenger vehicles with
wheelbases over 114 inches to have a passive restraint device
in model year 1982 and passenger vehicles with wheelbases of
100 inches or more to have passive restraint devices in model
year 1983. All passenger motor vehicles, regardless of wheel-
base size, are to have passive restraints in model year 1984.

Based on this schedule, it is estimated that (see Table

4-1) :

® Approximately 50 percent of the passenger auto-

mobiles sold in model year 1982 will be equipped
with a passive restraint device

® Approximately 70 percent of the passenger automo-

biles sold in model year 1983 will be equipped
with a passive restraint device.
In model year 1984, it is estimated that 11,170,000 vehicles
will be sold with passive restraint devices.

4-2
 TABLE 4-1. ESTIMATED VEHICLE SALES* AND VEHICLES
REQUIRING PASSIVE RESTRAINTS BY VEHICLE CLASS AND
MODEL YEAR (THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES)

Model Year
Wheel Base
Vehicle Class
(inches) 1982 1983 1984

Mini Less than 100 1,109 1,197 1,240

Subcompact Less than 100 1,933 2,009 2,088

Compact Less than 100 2,379 2,352 2,324

Intermediate 100 - 114 3,2 30 3,334 3,440

Full More than 114 2,115 2,097 2,078

TOTAL VEHICLE — 10,766 10,964 11,170

Vehicles -- 5,345 7,783 11,170

Requiring
Passive
Restraints

Percentage 50 70 100
of Vehicles
with Passive
Restraints
- 1

Includes both sales of domestic and foreign cars,

4.2.2 Automotive Manufacturers 1

Anticipated Plans

The manufacturers’ decision as to which passive restraint

— —
system air bag or passive belt to employ to meet the 208
standard is a complex problem involving the consideration of
many factors, including styling, comfort, cost, performance
and public acceptance.

® Styling/Comfort The decision of whether to use

.

passive belts or air bags on a given model car can

almost be viewed as a styling/comfort decision.
For example, many cars today, especially the
subcompacts and compacts, come equipped with bucket

4-3
 . : ,

seats. To meet the 208 standard on these models,

it is logical that the industry would lean toward
use of passive belts, principally based on the
lower costs associated with the system. Similarly,
many of the larger cars today come equipped with
bench seats. Thus, it is also logical to assume
that industry would lean toward the use of air bags
on these models since only air bags will restrain
the middle occupant of the front seat.

® Cost Air bags have been estimated at a price to the

.

consumer between $131. (NHTSA) and $650 (GM) *

,

while passive belts have been estimated to cost

the consumer approximately $83. Because of the
higher cost associated with air bags, it is likely
that the manufacturers will first introduce air
bags on full-size cars where the percentage impact
(i.e., increase) on cost is least. Air bags on
intermediate and smaller size cars are expected to
be offered as options.

© Public Acceptance Public acceptance is another

.

key factor in the manufacturers' decision process

since it is the public to whom the manufacturers
are selling their vehicles. Thus, the manufac-
turers are faced with the problem of selecting
the passive restraint option for each model that
(1) consumers of that model will be willing to
accept, and (2) will have the least number of im-
pacts (i.e., cost, styling, etc.).

Given the above factors, Table 4-2 outlines the manu-

facturers' introduction schedule for passive restraint sys-
tems by type. The figures shown in the table for vehicles
with air bags are based on discussions with a major supplier
-•of inflator modules to the auto industry. The figures shown
for vehicles with passive restraints were derived by sub-
tracting the figures shown for vehicles with air bags from
the figures shown for vehicles requiring passive restraints.
The table assumes no delays or modifications to the standards
timetable

Cost differences are due to design details, assumed production

volumes, contractual arrangements with suppliers and other
factors. These price estimates were presented in the following
documents
© (NHTSA) Occupant Protection Program Progress Report
:

No. 2, April 1979.

® (Allstate) Automotive Occupant Protective Safety Air
:

Cushion Expenditure /Benefit Study for the Allstate

Insurance Company by the John Z. DeLorean Corporation.
® (DOT) Analysis of Cost, Leadtime and Production Capabilities
:

for Implementation of Passive Restraint Systems in Automobiles.

4-4
 TABLE 4-2. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF VEHICLES WITH AIR
BAGS AND PASSIVE BELTS BY MODEL YEAR: 1981 - 1984
(NUMBERS IN THOUSANDS)

Model Year

1981 1982 1983 1984 1

Total Vehicle Sales 10 ,255 10,766 10 ,964 11,170

Vehicles Requiring 0 5,345 7,783 11,170

Passive Restraints

Vehicles w/Air Bags** 50 600 900 1,500

Vehicles w/Passive * 4 , 745 6,883 9,670

Belts

Unknown at this time. Passive belts are now included on

certain VW Rabbits as standard equipment and are available
as options on Chevettes.

A sales shift to smaller cars would substantially reduce

the size of the market for air bags shown here.

4-5
4.3 MATERIAL AND COMPONENT REQUIREMENTS DICTATED BY
MANUFACTURERS PLANS
'

This section estimates the annual material and component

requirements dictated by the auto manufacturers' plans with
respect to passive restraint system introduction as discussed
in the previous section.

4.3.1 Materials Requirements

Table 4-3 summarizes annual material requirements for

passive restraint manufacture (both passive belts and air
bags) for model years 1982 to 1984, the phase-in period for
passive restraint systems. The figures are based on:

# The estimated number of vehicles with air bags and

passive belts as shown in Table 4-2.

TABLE 4-3. ESTIMATED ANNUAL MATERIAL

REQUIREMENTS FOR PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
(MILLIONS OF POUNDS)

Model Year

Material 1982 1983 1984

Plastic 17 24 35

Metal Alloy 53 78 118

Nylon 6 8 12

Explosive Charge 0.9 1.4 2.3

® A total air bag system weight of approximately

42.1 pounds composed of 83 percent steel, ten
percent plastic, three percent nylon, and four
percent explosive charge, as shown in Table 4-4.

4-6
 TABLE 4-4. MATERIAL COMPOSITION
OF AN AIR BAG SYSTEM

* Includes passenger and driver combined.

** Includes housings for the components.

4-7
 .

© A total passive belt system weight of approximately

10.8 pounds composed of 63 percent steel, 9.2 per-
cent nylon, and 27.8 percent plastic, as shown
in Table 4-5.

Not included in Table 4-3 are those material reauire-

ments associated with any modifications to the vehicle which
are necessary to accommodate passive belts or air bags*
Also not included are material requirements associated with
the componentry of advanced passive belts or air bag systems,
such as pretensioners and advanced sensors (i.e., Essex gas
dampened sensor) Thus, the material requirements estimates
shown in Table 4-3 are conservative. Adding material
requirements associated with vehicle design changes would
substantially increase some of the figures shown in Table 4-3.

4.3.2 Component Requirements

A summary of the component requirements associated with

the estimated introduction of passive restraint systems in
model years 1982 through 1984 is provided in Table 4-6.
The figures are based on:

® The estimated number of vehicles with air baqs

and passive belts shown previously in Table
4-2.

® The number of components required per vehicle

shown in the second column of Table 4-6.

While it is generally known that certain vehicle modifications

will be necessary, the net weight effect of these modifications
is not known.

** It is still questionable whether pretensioners will be required

to meet near term safety performance standards. From the lack
of earnest development ongoing in the industry there appears to
be a belief that pretensioners will not be needed for some time
to come. Simpler belt grabbers may be adequate.

4-8
 58 ) 2
0

TABLE 4-5. MATERIAL COMPOSITION

OF A PASSIVE BELT SYSTEM

| Material/Component Weight Per Percent of

Vehicle Total
(Pounds

S PLASTIC

Retractor Housings 2.5

[

Buckle Grip 0 .

Total Plastic 3.0 27.8

METAL ALLOYS

Buckle Assembly 4.4

Emergency Lock 2.4

Retractor
f

Total Steel 6 . 63.0

!
NYLON

Webbing 1.0

Total Nylon 1.0 9 .

TOTAL 10.8 100 .

4-9
 TABLE 4-6. PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM PARTS AND
COMPONENTS REQUIREMENTS (NUMBERS IN THOUSANDS)

- 1

r~
Passive Restraint Quantity Model Year
System/ Componentry Per
Vehicle 1982 1983 1984

Air Bag System

Readiness Monitor/ 1 600 900 1,500

Indicator Light

Cushion and 2 1,200 1,800 3,000

Inf lator
Assembly

Dashboard Sensor 1 600 900 1,500

Front Bumper 1 600 900 1,500

Detector

Canisters of 2 1,200 1,800 3,000

Sodium Azide

Passive Belt
System
j

jj
Webbing 34.2* 1.6 X 2.3 X 3.3 X
10 8 * 10 8 * 10 8 *

Belt Retractor 2 18,980 27,532 38,680

Buckling 2 47,450 68,830 96,700

Mechanism

Quantities shown are in feet.

4-10
 .

4.4 CAPABILITY OF THE SUPPLIER INDUSTRIES TO MEET

MANUFACTURERS PLANS
'

Two supplier industries are critical to the ability of

the auto manufacturers to meet DOT’S mandate for passive
restraints beginning in 1982 -- the materials suppliers and
the component manufacturers. The following sections discuss
the capability of these industries to supply the necessary
parts and materials for installation of passive restraints.

4.4.1 Capability of the Materials Industries to Meet

Passive Restraint Requirements

The materials used in the manufacture of both air bags

and passive belts listed in Table 4-3 are conventional
materials,, none of which are in short supply. The principal
material requirements for the air bag system are nylon, steel,
plastic, heat shield silicon, sodium azide and various primers
and chloromates, all of which are readily available to the
manufacturers. The principal material requirements for the
passive belt systems are plastic, steel and nylon. More
sophisticated systems in the future may require sodium azide
or some other explosive chemical as well, but no difficulty
is anticipated in supplying the needed materials.

4.4.2 Capability of the Seat Belt Manufacturing Industry to

Meet Passive Restraints Requirements

A second area of concern in assessing suppliers' capa-

bility is the ability of the component suppliers to manu-
facture sufficient passive restraint systems to meet the
auto makers needs. Both air bag and passive belt manufac-
8

turing firms have developed their product designs and indicated

a willingness to produce the necessary components. The next
step requires the companies to begin to equip their production
facilities

Passive Belt Systems

In the case of passive belts, little special tooling

or other preparation is required on the part of the suppliers
since the processes are essentially the same as those used
in the manufacture of current seat belts. Seat belt suppliers
will be able to gradually substitute the passive belt systems
for their existing products.

If more complex passive belt systems are manufactured

in the future, modification to the doorframe and mid-door
post of the affected automobiles may be necessary.

4-11
These changes, however, will be the responsibility of the
auto manufacturers and will doubtless be combined with
other considerations relating to comfort,, cost and interior
styling. Should pretensioner-powered passive belt systems
be needed to meet performance standards, a production capa-
bility for this component will have to be developed. At
present, however, production facilities for pretensioners
and other advanced passive belt components are not contem-
plated .

The current major suppliers of seat belt systems are

Hamill, American Safety Equipment, Irvin and Pontineer.
These companies as shown in Figure 4-1 are expected to be
the principal suppliers of passive belt systems. The only
major sub-component is the webbing, which is made largely
by Southern Weaving. Other basic materials will be supplied
by companies such as Dupont and Monsanto.

Air Bags

In the case of air bags just about every component is

new and unique to the automobile. The troubling fact is
that, to date, no air bag mass-production facility is in
place.* The suppliers have developed designs and indicated
their willingness to produce air bags, but have not committed
funds to develop the necessary production capability. Since
the available production leadtime before the manufacturers
must begin full scale production of air bags is waning, the
absence of this capability is of some concern to the industry.

The explanation of this lack of production capability

lies in the potential risk facing the suppliers. Manufacturers
cannot justify spending corporate funds to evolve a mass
production capability without the assurance of a significant
and long-term market. The very concept of mass production
provides economies of scale to the manufacturers only after
a large volume of standardized production has been reached.
Thus, when sufficient orders are assured, the air bag manu-
facturers will begin to put the. production facilities in
place. At the current time, investment in new plant and
equipment is restrained by product liability issues, lack of
firm orders from the automobile manufacturers, and the rela-
tively large business risk o.f plant and equipment investment
for a market (air bags) that might be substantially delayed
and/or smaller than predicted.

Plans are, however, underway to build such plants.

4-12
 SUPPLIERS

COMPONENTS

PRINCIPAL AND

MATERIALS

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4-13
 Figure 4-2 shows the key potential air bag component
suppliers. The air cushion and inflator assembly, the major
air bag component, will be manufactured by Hamill Manufac-
turing Company, and Talley Industries. Hamill will make the
passenger-side system and Talley will make the driver-side
system. These companies will make the bag, the housing, and
associated parts, and assemble them with the gas generator
to form the cushion and inflator assembly.

The gas generator will be made elsewhere. Thiokol Chem

ical Corporation and Rocket Research, Inc. are the likely
manufacturers of these units. The sodium azide propellant
will be produced by Canadian Industries, Ltd., and PPG Indus
tries, Inc. These companies are presently producing sodium
azide, and they have indicated they would be capable of ex-
panding their processing capability should this be required
for large numbers of air bags. This can be accomplished
within one year, and a new plant can be constructed within
two years to greatly expand capacity.

Uniroyal will be the major supplier of the nylon cloth

used for the air bags, and Dupont will be the major sup-
plier of nylon yarn. Various other materials are needed to
make air bags. As indicated in Figure 4-2, these suppliers
will include Monsanto, Dupont, Rocket Research, and Thiokol.

4-14
Heat Shield! Uniroyal
Rubber

Numerous
Suppliers Cushion and
Inflator Assembly!

Oxidizer Hamill
Chemicals Talley

Rocket
Research
• Thiokol

Rocket Research
Thiokol
Talley
Canadian In-
dustries Ltd. Vehicle
PPG Installation

Steel GM
SAE 1010 Ford
Chrysler
Numerous
Suppliers Sensors

Plastic Del co
Pellets Essex
Breed
Dupont
Monsanto
FIGURE 4-2. ANTICIPATED PRINCIPAL SUPPLIERS FOR
AIR BAG MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

4-15
4.5 OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING THE OUTLOOK FOR PASSIVE
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
In addition to the supplier industries capability to
meet auto manufacturer demand, there exist a number of other
key issues affecting the outlook for passive restraint sys-
tems. These include:

© The effectiveness and reliability of passive

restraint systems

© The toxicity of sodium azide

® Maintenance of passive restraint systems in the

aftermarket

© Product liability.

Each is discussed below.

4.5.1 Passive Restraint System Effectiveness

Approximately 60 percent of all auto injuries involve

the driver, and a high percentage of fatal accidents involve
impacts to the left frontside of the car. Clearly, the
driver's position must be adequately protected if highway
fatalities are to be reduced through the use of passive
restraints. Neither air bags nor passive belts are completely
effective in protecting the driver during a collision, but
each offers some advantage over the other.

Air Bag

Air bags offer a considerable advantage over the passive

belt system in that the driver's face and neck are cushioned
and protected from pieces of flying glass and impact with the
steering wheel. The major weakness of the bag system is that
it is designed to deploy only upon a frontal impact. It will
not protect the driver in an accident involving a side impact,
rear collision, or rollover. For complete effective protec-
tion under all possible accident conditions, both a lap and
shoulder harness must be worn in a vehicle equipped with an
air bag.

4 -16
 .

Passive Belt

The passive belt is superior to the air bag system in

that it will hold the driver securely in the car under all
—
conditions of impact side, rear, front, or rollover. There
is some possibility, however that the driver's head will whip
,

forward onto the steering wheel, or his face will be cut with
glass, depending upon the severity of the accident. Another
danger facing the user of a passive belt system is that he
will be forcibly contained within his seat during a direct
impact to the area where he is sitting. If the emergency
release can be activated in time the motorist may be released,
but not all accidents have a sufficient time margin for this
action to be taken. A compensating factor is that compara-
tively few accidents involve impacts of this type.

4.5.2 Passive Restraint System Reliability

Considerable research and inquiry has surrounded the

question of passive restraint system reliability. The major-
ity of investigations have been directed at air bags, but
some reliability problems affect passive belt systems as
well

Aiv Bags

Critics of air bags are concerned that the bags will

not function as designed. That is, they will deploy inad-
vertently, or will not deploy upon impact. Experience to
date, however, does not bear out these concerns.

Of the 11,000 cars with air bags built by GM during

the three-year period 1973 to 1976, the bags deployed in
crashes in which they were designed to open. Furthermore,
of approximately one dozen inadvertent openings, all but
one were traced to security oversights or willful attempts
to trigger the bags. None of the non-crash deployments
caused an accident, injury, or loss of control. Neverthe-
less, because of product liability potential, very strict
quality control inspection and test requirements which add
to production cost will be required by automobile manufac-
turers of air bag system component suppliers.

4-17
Passive Belts

Passive belts are designed to always be in position to

protect the passenger in case of an accident and, when used,
offer superior reliability over the air bag. Passive belt
systems are not immune to reliability problems, however.
They may be subject to tangled webbing, malfunctioning re-
tractors, or other hardware breakdowns that now contribute
to non-usage of belts. The much greater complexity of future
passive belt systems with pretensioners would cause belt
reliability problems to increase.

4.5.3 Toxicitv of Sodium Azide

Considerable controversy surrounds whether or not the

use of sodium azide in air bags will present a hazard to
motorists. Proponents of air bags argue that the chemical
is stable in its pure form and converts to harmless nitrogen
gas when ignited by a spark. They point out that the rate
of expansion of the gas can be controlled by mixing other
agents with the sodium azide, and that the gas deteriorates
harmlessly when exposed to the atmosphere. In addition,
recently developed air bags have improved filtering of partic-
ulates and better controlled complete burning of the sodium
azide. These factors contribute to reduced undesirable gaseous
and particulate effluents during bag deployment.

Opponents of air bags point out that the chemical is in-

deed dangerous. The greatest potential threat stems from
experiments which have shown sodium azide to cause gene muta-
tions in living organisms. There is some expectation, they
say, that exposure of humans to this chemical may cause pre-
mature aging, cancer, and even induce birth defects. Infor-
mation on the minimum safe level of exposure has not been
developed, however, nor is data available which proves or
disproves this hypothesis. A second concern is that sodium
azide in combination with battery acid produces hydrazoic
acid, a very toxic and highly explosive material.

Officials of the EPA and the OSHA* have determined that

sodium azide, as used in the air bag inflators, does not ap-
pear to present a significant environmental or occupational
hazard. The reason cited is that the chemical is essentially
inaccessible to the motorist in hermetically sealed heavy
steel containers deep in the steering wheel hub or under the
dashboard. When a crash occurs, the sodium azide is completely
burned in producing the nitrogen gas to inflate the bag, and
no exposure to the chemical is risked.

DOT, NHTSA Occupant Protection Program Progress Report No. 2,

April 1979.
4-18
4.5.4 Passive Restraint System Maintenance

Maintenance and replacement of passive restraint systems

is a serious problem facing the repair industry and a critical
issue in the government's mandate for the systems. The
greatest concern is whether or not a mechanic will be able
to effectively replace the air bag system.

Air Bags

Research on repair of air bags by Vale Laboratory tech-

nicians concludes that although Detroit is refining the system
that will become common on many cars in the next decade, most
service shops and dealers are either unprepared or unwilling
to fix damaged vehicles with air bags. The main problem seems
to be the training of mechanics to replace and test the re-
placed systems. Even in the first few years that the bags
are offered, so few will be on the road that there will be
no incentive for a mechanic to become skilled in this repair.

The requirements for working on the air bag system do

not appear, at first, to be greater than for many other
parts. No specialized expensive equipment is needed to re-
place or maintain the system. However, the location of the
sensors and passenger air bag will not be easily accessible
to the mechanic. The driver's side bag will be more acces-
sible. Removal of the passenger's side air bag will involve
reaching up under the instrument panel with potentially
difficult accessibility problems.

The principal maintenance problem associated with the air

bag has to do with the electronic diagnostic system. When the
electronic sensor indicates that the integrity of the system
has been compromised, there is a question as to whether the
auto mechanic should attempt to diagnose and correct the
problem given the limited diagnostic information or merely
replace the entire system. This factor, coupled with the
potential liability of the repair garage should it undertake
such a repair, combine to make repair of the system unattrac-
tive to most repair businesses.

4-19
 .

Replacement costs to the consumer have been estimated

by manufacturers to be as high as 2.5 times the initial
sales price due to accessibility issues. Mr. James Wasylik,
Director of Research for Vale Laboratory, has also stated
that air bags pose a signficiant inflationary threat to auto
damage claims and costs.

Passive Belt Systems

Passive belt systems do not present as great a problem

in the aftermarket as air bags due to the readily discernible
status of passive belt operability. A mechanic can readily
inspect most passive belt components (webbing, D-rings, re-
tractor spool, ratchet wheels, and pendulum) and may be able
to correct minor mechanical problems. Failure of the re-
tractor will necessitate replacement.

Replacement costs for the current Chevette passive

belt system are $9.00 for parts for each front side and $50.00
for labor.

Future Pelton wheel pretensioner belt systems like air

bags may not be considered serviceable. Once the propellant
is expelled from the propellant capsule and the Pelton wheel
has been activated, the unit will require complete replace-
ment. Testing such a system for readiness would require
sacrificing the sodium azide (or other propellant) content.

4 -5.5 Manufacturer's Product Liability

Current product liability law holds a manufacturer liable
for injuries caused by defective products. Field experience
with passive restraint-equipped cars has demonstrated that
air bags and passive belts are highly dependable and effective
Even if the passive restraints are nearly 100 percent reliable
however, there will still be a number of accidents each year
in which persons will be injured. It is not possible to pre-
dict how many suits will be brought against the manufacturers
in these instances or what the cost of such settlements will
average

4-20
 The manufacturers and component suppliers are concerned
that they will be held liable for injuries even if the passive
restraints operate as designed. Persons suffering injuries
in these cases may attempt to show that the passive restraints
—
did not serve the purpose intended preventing injury during
an impact.

The problem of manufacturer's product liability is a

serious issue facing the Government, the manufacturers, and
their suppliers, but it is difficult to solve the problem
of the suits before they occur. Crash testing and research
is therefore continuing on passive restraint systems.

205 copies
4 - 21 / 4-22
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