Self Study Program 353 – Occupant Protection – Passive Systems

VAG SSP 353. The performance of motor vehicles has increased continuously in pace with their technical development. In combination with the simultaneous increase in vehicle density on the roads, this positive development has also led to increased driver attentiveness requirements.

Despite the multitude of good ideas implemented, particularly in recent times, in the field of active road safety, accidents can never be ruled out or avoided entirely. Increasing research has therefore been conducted into technical possibilities for protecting vehicle occupants within the vehicle in the event of an accident. One initial step – implemented at the end of the 50s – was to restrain the occupants in their seats by means of seat belts in the event of a crash. At the beginning of the 80s, this progressed with the installation of airbags, which cushion the vehicle’s occupants during a crash. These systems have been constantly extended and their functions improved.

The interior equipment fitted in modern vehicles differs significantly from that of previous vehicle generations. In the illustration above, this can be clearly seen from the dash panel and the steering wheel, which are designed accordingly in addition to the integrated airbags.

CONTENTS

  • In brief
    • The occupant protection system
    • Historic outline of seat belt and airbag system development in automobiles
  • General basics
    • The passive occupant protection system
    • System component networking
    • Types of collision
    • Impact situation
    • Temporal sequence of a frontal collision
    • Temporal sequence of a lateral collision
  • Passive occupant protection systems
    • Airbags
    • Seat belt pre-tensioners
    • Belt tension limiters
    • Head restraints
    • Child seats
    • Roll-over protection
    • Battery cut-off elements
    • System management
    • Market-specific features
  • Overview of self-study programmes
  • Test yourself

The self-study programme shows the design and function of new developments.
The contents will not be updated.
For current testing, adjustment and repair instructions, refer to the relevant service literature.

Language: English
Format: PDF
Pages: 84

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