Distance-based adaptive inflation control for external automotive airbags
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: External automotive airbags are a promising countermeasure for mitigating injury risk in imminent collisions. Most existing systems rely on fixed-pressure inflation, neglecting the changing proximity of an approaching obstacle and potentially creating unnecessarily stiff conditions that increase impact forces. This paper introduces a distance-based adaptive inflation strategy, where internal pressure is progressively regulated across three predefined stages determined by obstacle distance. The model selects appropriate compliance: low pressure at larger distances for energy absorption and higher pressure near impact for structural support. Distance thresholds of 2.0 m, 1.0 m, and 0.5 m correspond to target pressures of 130 kPa, 170 kPa, and 200 kPa, respectively, while ambient pressure (101.3 kPa) is maintained beyond 2.0 m.The strategy is evaluated through parametric simulation over a near-field range from 5.0 m to 0 m, compared with a non-adaptive fixed-pressure baseline. The distance domain is discretised in 0.5 m increments, consistent with typical automotive sensor resolution. Results show that distance-scheduled inflation produces smooth, controlled pressure evolution, dynamically selecting compliance based on obstacle proximity. At 2.0 m, the adaptive approach maintains ambient pressure, whereas the fixed-pressure system remains at 220 kPa, a 54% reduction in internal pressure and substantially improved compliance. Pressure increases progressively through the three stages, reaching 200 kPa prior to impact to provide structural stiffness.These findings demonstrate that distance-adaptive inflation enhances energy absorption and impact force mitigation without increasing system complexity.
Source: Results in Engineering
Authors: A. Elaidy, R. Rayner, C. Kalyvas
Institution: University of Hertfordshire
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,940
Funder: University of Hertfordshire
OpenAlex ID: W7139986173