Ford has announced that the 2015 Mustang will be equipped with an industry-first active glovebox knee airbag as a standard feature.
The knee airbag is integrated into the glove box door and provides front passenger knee protection similar to a conventional knee airbag mounted under the instrument panel.
Unlike a traditional fabric airbag, the new system consists of a pliable, injection-molded plastic bladder sandwiched between the inner and outer glove box door panels. After an applicable vehicle impact is detected by the crash sensor system and classified, an inflator fills the bladder, extending the entire glove box outer door panel toward the front passenger’s legs. Once deployed, the outer door helps to provide cushioning in a manner similar to a traditional knee airbag.
Since the glove box-integrated airbag extends straight out from the instrument panel, it doesn’t have to travel as far as a conventional airbag, which deploys toward the floor before curving upward. Since the glovebox door distributes the impact load over a larger area than a traditional airbag, it is able to operate at a lower inflation pressure.
The resulting design is 65% lighter with an inflator that is approximately 75% smaller than a conventional knee airbag inflator, while providing protection to the passenger. The improved packaging of the system is more discreet, with no visible seams or airbag cover. This has given designers more flexibility to move the dashboard closer to the windshield, enhancing the feeling of roominess in the cabin.
Check out the video below to learn more about Ford’s active glove box knee airbag.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4QcF350pjU
