Testing of Safety Components

The vehicle interior is not only for passengers; it fulfills functions that are essential for survival in case of emergency. It protects the passengers with its exterior inherent stiffness and interior paneling formability. It provides space for active and passive safety devices, as well as for the many support systems that enable you to drive, inform and orient yourself quickly and safely. Tests for all these components ensure that the passengers have the highest level of safety and comfort, even during long-term conditions and under temperatures that occur in daily operations—from arctic, sub-zero temperatures to desert temperatures.

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Seat belts
Airbag fabrics
Airbag connectors
Sealing sensors

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Industry brochure: Automotive

News

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Airbag connection safety ensured by intelligent testing system

Testing of Safety Belts

The seat belt has long been the most important passenger restraint system. It must comply with multiple stringent requirements. Its test is defined in detail in the regulation UN/ECE-R16. In addition to various preconditions for the belt (placement, humidity, temperature, light, drive, etc.) the test must be performed on a testing machine according to very strict specifications. In addition to the maximum force at break, values such as the transverse strain under load are calculated. ZwickRoell testing systems are also used to determine the strength of the produced seat belt system (with and without the seat belt lock).

Extension measurement with videoXtens

Extension measurement with videoXtens
Special specimen grips for safe gripping

Special specimen grips for safe gripping
Testing machines for belt testing are equipped with a safety door

Testing machines for belt testing are equipped with a safety door
Torsion test on belt unwinding system

Torsion test on belt unwinding system
Overview of belt components

Overview of belt components

Testing of Airbag Fabrics

Another important piece of safety equipment is airbags, which are now installed in several locations in the passenger area. In addition to testing the textiles used to make airbags, their seams and adhesive bonds are also tested in a tensile test. Other testing requirements affect sensor technology and switching elements as well as the predetermined breaking point of the cover panels.

Testing of Airbag Connectors

Airbags are one of the most important safety components in an automobile. The demands for a perfect deployment in case of an emergency are correspondingly high. Today, eight to twelve airbags are installed in a vehicle, and it must be ensured that the connectors latch safely and that the necessary electrical contact is made. During the component development phase, Delphi Connection Systems Deutschland GmbH, a leading global manufacturer of connector systems, performs tests to verify the mechanical and electrical properties of the connectors.

Airbag connectors make a characteristic noise (audible feedback) when they are latched. However, this is not sufficient to ensure that electrical contact has also been made. For this, companies rely on synchronized mechanical, electrical, and optical testing. The connection is tested using a ZwickRoell AllroundLine testing machine. The AllroundLine series was developed for demanding testing situations, a key feature being its flexible expansion options. When connecting, a PCIe card installed in testControl II performs time-synchronous measurement of the current, while generating a graphic indicating the presence or absence of electrical contact. In parallel, the moment of latching is recorded optically for safety reasons. In addition, the essential components of the connector, such as springs and clamps, are filmed from two different angles. ZwickRoell's Multi-Capture function was developed for applications such as this and it delivers detailed, synchronized videos from two different angles. If necessary, as many as four video cameras can be connected. All incoming data is processed by the testControl II measurement and control technology. It provides quick, measured value acquisition for monitoring switch contacts and maximum modularity through a large number of free slots.

Testing of Sealing Sensors

Window and door seal testing system

This testing system tests door and window seals with an integrated anti-pinch system. The anti-pinch system switches off window or sunroof motors if a defined force is applied to the seal (in case a passenger's fingers or head is pinched). The system determines the force at which the electrical signal activates the safety system. The electrical signal is measured and displayed in real time in the test sequence. The system also integrates a barcode reader for specimen identification and a horizontal positioning unit for multiple loading.

Testing machine with barcode reader for production integrated testing

Testing machine with barcode reader for production integrated testing
The compression die simulates the clamping force

The compression die simulates the clamping force

Airbag connection safety ensured by intelligent testing system

To ensure fault-free deployment of vehicle airbags it is essential that the plug connectors used function correctly. For testing these, Delphi Connection Systems uses electrical and optical measurement and testing equipment supplied by ZwickRoell, with fast, reliable test-data processing provided by the testControl II measurement and control technology.