| Ford is researching
a four-point “belt and suspenders” safety belt design that
could replace the familiar three-point safety belt, and an inflatable
rear seat safety belt that incorporates an air bag. The group says that
technical challenges need to be overcome before such restraint systems
could ever be used.
The inflatable rear safety belt fills with air during a crash. A strap
of air bag material is hidden in the seat belt webbing. The strap inflates
into a cylindrical shape when frontal air bags deploy.
The concept of inflatable belts is to spread forces from a vehicle crash
over a broader section of the body than traditional safety belts, helping
reduce pressure on the chest and control the motion of the head and neck.
Early research has shown that the inflatable belt may enhance protection
for rear seat occupants. Preliminary consumer research also indicated
that the thicker safety belt (when not inflated) seemed more comfortable
to some people, compared with a standard safety belt, because customers
said it felt like it was padded.
Ford says that customer research also showed some felt four-point belts
were safer, as well as more comfortable and, depending on design, easier
to use than traditional three-point belts. The four-point safety belt
is not allowed by US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, but Ford
has two patents for the new technology and says it is working with lawmakers
to demonstrate the benefits of the technology.
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