Adaptive systems use various vehicle sensor inputs to adjust parameters of the restraint system.  Thus, the vehicle restraint performance can be “tailored” to the crash and the individual driver/passenger occupant situation at the time of the accident. The vehicle sensors may include crash-severity sensing, occupant weight/size categorization and seat position.  Dependent upon the vehicle, the adaptive aspects may include any of the following in many different combinations: active and/or passive airbag vents, variable volume airbags, variable airbag opening time, fixed or variable seat belt force limiters, adjustable load force steering columns, variable pretensioning force, single/dual stage inflators, and fixed/asymmetric driver airbags.

Figure 1
The different weights of the objects cause the airbags to vary in size and pressure.

Figure 2
With TRW’s adaptive front restraint airbags, the airbags detect the weight of the object and adjust the pressure accordingly, providing improved protection