DEARBORN, Mich. - The all-new 2012 Ford Focus will launch exclusive
airbag technologies that enhance protection for front seat occupants in
the most common frontal and side crashes.
The suite of new
innovations includes Ford's next-generation driver-front airbag with
enhanced chest protection technology. The new airbag uses a reconfigured
curve-shaped tether system that pulls in the lower section to create a "pocket" to help lessen the impact of the airbag on the driver's chest
and ribs in frontal crashes.
Ford's innovative side airbags
feature unique shoulder vents that stay open and reduce pressure for
smaller occupants who typically benefit from reduced forces. Taller
occupants whose shoulders block the vent could benefit from the higher
pressures.
Focus also will be Ford's first car ever to feature
front passenger airbags with adaptive venting technology that diverts
some of the gas from the airbag inflators through vents outside of the
airbags. The restraints control module - the control center of Ford's
advanced safety systems - adjusts the level of venting based on seat
position.
The new passenger airbag is designed to help enhance
head and neck protection by better matching deployment force with
occupant size. This innovative system uses a small pyrotechnic device to
force open the vent and can provide less pressure in the airbag when
it's sufficient to help protect the occupant.
"This is our most
advanced airbag system ever in a Ford car, and is designed to enhance
protection for front occupants in the most common types of crashes,"
said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment
and Safety Engineering. "Each of these airbags uses innovative
technologies to help customize airbag protection to the occupant."
The
new airbag technologies debut as standard equipment on the all-new 2012
Ford Focus, which goes on sale early next year in North America. They
will be rolled out to other Ford vehicles in the next few years.
Data
drive new airbag design
Ford's new driver-side airbag was designed
to enhance chest and rib protection based in part on Ford's
biomechanical research. In particular, Ford found this type of enhanced
chest protection technology would be especially helpful in more serious
crashes.
"While seat belts and airbags provide proven protection
for drivers of all ages, elderly drivers remain at higher risk of
injury than younger drivers due to the nature of collision forces," said
Frank Heitplatz, Ford supervisor of occupant safety integration. "Decades of biomechanical research at Ford continue to spur refinement
of the safety technologies in our vehicles to further reduce the risks
of severe injuries."
Focus's strength on safety
In addition
to the new airbags, the new Focus's vehicle structure provides enhanced
crash protection as well as improved vehicle dynamics.
High-strength
steels comprise 55 percent of the Focus's body shell, and
ultra-high-strength and boron steels make up more than 31 percent of its
skeletal structure. These advanced materials help the structure meet
crash regulations across world markets, while minimizing the vehicle's
weight to help maximize fuel economy.
"High-strength steels were
key to delivering the lighter weight and higher strength we needed for
structural efficiency," said Shawn Morgans, Ford technical leader in
body engineering. "We believe the materials used on the new Focus are
setting a new benchmark in the small car segment."
Ford was the
first automaker to begin airbag research five decades ago. It fielded an
airbag test fleet in 1971, offered a driver-side airbag in 1985 and
standardized driver and front passenger airbags in most vehicles by
1993. In recent years, Ford has introduced a variety of crash protection
systems - ranging from canopy airbags to knee bolsters - designed to
improve occupant protection. Ford has the most Top Safety Picks from the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety of any automaker.
Source:
http://www.ford.com/about-ford/news-announcements/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-allnew-ford-focus-launches-33250
