BMW Introduces Next Generation of Intelligent Airbag System
21 May 1999
BMW Introduces Next Generation of Intelligent Airbag SystemWOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., May 21 -- Beginning this month, BMW 5 and 7 Series cars will be equipped with the next generation of "intelligent" airbag protection. The new system will automatically assess the severity of an impact and choose between two inflation rates for the front airbags. This feature, combined with the marque's "intelligent" dual-threshold technology and Head Protection System, further reinforces BMW's position as a leader in safety technology. Inflation Philosophy of BMW Intelligent Airbags: As Gentle as Possible, as Powerful as Necessary The cornerstone of the new system is a two-stage gas generator (as opposed to a conventional single-stage unit) which inflates the airbags. In less severe accidents only the first stage is activated whereas at higher severity also the second stage is activated either with a time delay or simultaneously. Generator power and response in all cases are adjusted to best protect front-seat occupants from coming into contact with the steering wheel or instrument panel. An Integrated Approach to Occupant Safety The new, more intelligent front airbag system is part of a holistic approach to occupant safety that is inherent in every BMW automobile. For example, every BMW comes standard with two front and front-side-impact airbags. Moreover, automatic front safety belt tensioners that "cinch" the belts tighter in a severe frontal impact are standard. BMW's airbag/tensioner deployment system is so sophisticated that it differentiates between an impact in which only the tensioners are needed, or both tensioners and airbags. This "intelligent safety system" also recognizes whether or not the passenger seat is occupied; if not, its airbag is not deployed, possibly saving repair (and ultimately insurance) costs. All BMW sedans and new 3 Series coupes also have an innovative door anchoring system that further increases the body's protective effect, significantly reducing the forces on occupants in side-impacts. BMW also led the industry through the introduction of the world's first Head Protection System in 1997. Today, all BMW sedans and new 3 Series coupes come standard with this innovative safety device. HPS, which is integrated in the vehicle's roofline, supplements the effect of the door-integrated side airbags by stretching diagonally across the front side windows -- cushioning the head in an impact. A further benefit of the Head Protection System is that the unit acts as a structural element of the car. In case of a rollover the system can reduce the likelihood of occupants being thrown out of the car. Another innovation pioneered by BMW in 1994 was the introduction of airbags with Dual Threshold Deployment, a technology where the airbag control unit interacts with a belt latch detector allowing different deployment thresholds. This technology automatically adjusts the airbag deployment threshold based on the severity of impact and whether the front occupants are wearing seat belts. If they haven't buckled up, the airbag will deploy at a lower crash severity. Dedicated To Leading the Industry in Safety Innovation In a recent crash test analysis of the BMW 5 Series sedan performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS President Brian O'Neill then concluded that, "If all cars performed this well, we would stop this kind of testing." BMW is committed to building not only the ultimate driving machine, but also delivering the ultimate in safety technology. The new "intelligent" dual-inflation rate airbag technology, when combined with the balance of BMW's safety innovations, will again set the standard in the industry. The new "intelligent" dual-inflation rate airbag technology will be introduced in the BMW Z3 and 3 Series sedan and coupe models later this year. BMW of North America, Inc. was established in 1975, when the company assumed marketing and distribution responsibilities of BMW vehicles in the U.S. from a private distributor. Since then, the company's North American operations have grown to include marketing, sales and financial services organizations in the United States and Canada; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; a design firm in California; and various other operations throughout the U.S. and Canada. BMW is represented in North America through a network of more than 375 automobile and 190 motorcycle retailers in the United States and Canada. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the marque's North American headquarters, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. BMW Safety Timeline 1999 Dual Stage Deployment for front airbags The system deploys the front airbags depending on crash severity: As gentle as possible, as powerful as necessary. Introduced in March 1999 with the 5 and 7 Series. 1998 Navigation/Mayday System First in the market to offer automated distress call system with navigation system. A touch of a button transmits the location of the vehicle and automatically opens up a direct line to a live person at BMW's Roadside Assistance Group for emergency response. 1997 Head Protection System Entirely concealed behind the headliner, above the front doors and within the A-pillar, the Head Protection System offers increased head protection in side impacts. When deployed, the Head Protection System inflates to become a structural part of the car by forming a straight line diagonally across the side window. When inflated, each unit forms a hollow, flexible, essentially airtight tube about 5 feet long and 5.1 inches in diameter. Introduced with the 1998 7 Series models it meanwhile comes standard also on all 5 Series as well as on the 3 Series sedans and coupes. Rear side airbags In extension of ASAP (Advanced Side Airbag Protection) BMW offers optional side impact protection for the rear passengers. Available beginning with the 1998 7 Series models. Meanwhile available as an option on all 5 and 7 Series and the new 3 Series sedans and coupes. Battery safety terminal The battery safety terminal (BST) will avoid short circuiting of the high amperage starter circuit in an event of a collision. BST is actuated by the airbag control unit and uses a pyrotechnical charge to separate the starter cable from the battery in a crash. 1996 Driver and passenger side airbags BMW's ASAP (Advanced Side Airbag Protection) system employs a large-area inflatable bag in each front door. Front side airbags protect the thorax in side impacts. Introduced with the 7 Series side airbags are meanwhile standard on all BMW. 1994 Dual Threshold Deployment of front airbags BMW was the first in the United States to offer an "intelligent" safety system, the dual-threshold deployment system. When the safety belt is used, the airbag will not deploy at a lower crash severity, but only at the higher crash severity, where airbags are more effective. The "intelligent" safety system also knows if the passenger seat is occupied; if not, its airbag will not deploy, saving repair and insurance costs. Passenger seat occupancy recognition A sensor in the passenger seat recognizes if the seat is occupied or not. If the seat is not occupied, the airbag won't go off in the event of a collision, thus saving the expense of unnecessary replacement. Interlocking door anchoring system In each of the four doors is a diagonal aluminum reinforcement bar. The rear end of this bar is anchored to a hook-like member that, in the event of a serious side impact, "grabs" the body pillar. Thus the front door is "hooked into" the B-pillar, the rear door into the body's rear quarter -- helping hold the body side together as a unit for significantly increased strength. The system is designed so that after most impacts, elastic "snap-back" of the system releases the hooks and the doors can be opened. 1992 Front passenger airbag The passenger's airbag is positioned in the top of the instrument panel. It has dual gas generators and inflates to more than twice the volume of the driver's airbag to provide restraint in the event of a frontal collision. 1990 Automatic front seat belt tensioners This system automatically tightens the front belts in a collision, further improving the restraint of occupants. It is integrated into the belt latches, mounted to the inboard side of each front seat. Upon impact the pyrotechnic charge fires (mechanical actuation in 3 Series models) and the mechanism pulls the latch downward to tighten both the shoulder and lap belt portions directly. 1989 Seat integrated belt system (SBS) By anchoring the entire belt system to the seat itself, SBS provides an optimum, consistent belt run. The shoulder belt, being anchored in a locking/clamping reel just behind the shoulder, is significantly shorter than one anchored to the lower body or B-pillar, so there's less belt stretch when the belt is restraining the occupant. Thus there is no need for a belt tensioner. 1986 Antilock braking system (ABS) BMW was the first manufacturer in the U.S. to offer ABS across the model line in 1986. The system minimizes wheel lock-up which can occur in inclement weather (like rain, ice or snow) but can also occur on a dry road. No matter how hard the driver brakes, the wheels do not lock up and skid. So, whether driving in a curve or straight, rough or smooth road, slick or dry -- the driver can safely steer the car under braking, potentially avoiding an accident. 1985 Driver's side front airbag Introduced the driver's airbag, which in a severe frontal impact inflates in less than 40 milliseconds and helps prevent the driver from being thrown against the steering wheel and dash. The airbag is a supplement to the use of the safety belt, the primary restraint system in the vehicle. Impact Sensor In the event of a collision, the impact sensor automatically unlocks the doors and turns on the four-way flashers and interior lights to facilitate rescue of the occupants. Adjustable seat belt anchoring points Front seat belt anchoring points are adjustable for height, either manually or automatically so that regardless of the size of the occupant, the ideal belt positioning can be established.