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Airbag Validation and Occupancy Testing

Vehicle Occupancy Detection Testing

Vehicle occupancy detection testing, or occupancy suppression testing, is an important part of the research and development of new passenger vehicles. Requirements set forth by governments and organizations around the world require or strongly encourage some form of occupancy testing for motor vehicles such as private passenger vehicles and commercial passenger vehicles like trucks or buses.

As OEMs aim to make their vehicles safer (and push their tier one and even tier two suppliers to provide more reliable parts), testing becomes crucial to ensure occupants are safe. There are several aspects of testing standards such as the 49 CRF 571.208 which provide data for this research.

At Cross, we aim to help automotive manufacturers and other suppliers ensure safety, meet regulatory requirements, and maintain end-user confidence. One of the primary ways we achieve this is through accurate and reliable testing services. Using our state-of-the-art testing lab, we can provide you with the testing services you need to meet your goals. Whether it’s airbag validation, occupancy testing, or even airbag deployment in a variety of environmental conditions, we can help.

In-Vehicle Occupancy Detection Standards

There are many instances where in-vehicle occupancy detection standards must be met for production and distribution. Parts S19 and S20 of the 49 CFR 571.208 standard, for example, target safety concerns with infants, children, and 5th percentile adult female occupants regarding injury from safety mechanisms such as air bag deployment. Tests are required to be performed at multiple seating configurations. That way, no matter the seating configuration, an occupant is detected and safe.

With new vehicles requiring a suppression feature to protect against this risk, Cross can provide testing for seat airbag sensor technology to determine the functionality of such equipment. This ensures both future end user safety as well as compliance with any external safety regulations.

For more information about our occupancy detection testing services fill out our contact form to learn more or schedule a test today.

Seat airbag sensor testing

Safety mechanism injury protection

Multiple seating configurations

Occupancy suppression testing

Sensor validation

Laboratory Airbag Validation Procedures

Today, passive safety systems like airbags are integral parts of all newly-manufactured vehicles. As they play such a critical role in operator and occupant safety, they are also subject to strict regulation and must pass a variety of tests before they can be installed in vehicles. That’s why validation of airbag systems is such an important part of research and development for automotive manufacturers.

At Cross, our fully accredited ISO/IEC 17025 testing labs can perform a wide range of airbag validation tests, including airbag deployment and airbag environmental testing. With these tests, we can validate airbag performance and ensure compliance.

We are capable of testing to major international and automotive manufacturer standards. But we can also provide custom tests based on the specifications of individual customers. Whether you need industry-standard testing procedures or custom developed tests, Cross is your airbag validation solution.

Automotive

Consumer Products

Vehicle Distributors

Airbag Safety and Occupancy Requirements

One of the more important components of automotive safety is the ability of the vehicle system to detect the number of occupants in the vehicle. More than that, it may also need to determine the size and position of those occupants. That way, the airbag doesn’t end up harming them upon deployment. These occupancy detection systems are an integral part of the safety system of vehicles, and are often a component in compliance. With our blasting chambers, high-speed cameras, and data capture technology, we can ensure that your airbags are operating as intended and meet all necessary occupancy detection requirements.

As crashes or accidents happen very quickly, airbags need to be able to deploy even more quickly. They may need to deploy within approximately 10 to 20 milliseconds. This is true for all airbags in the vehicle, from driver airbags to side curtain airbags to passenger airbags. But speed isn’t the only requirement. They also must deploy correctly. Cross provides the testing services to make sure that airbags deploy when they need to and how they need to.

Through our airbag testing procedures, we’re able to verify compliance with external regulations and internal quality standards. And make sure that your airbag systems are able to detect occupancy and deploy when they need to.

high speed camera for airbag validation procedures

Airbag Validation and Environmental Testing

Often, the best way to get the full picture of a product’s behavior is to combine testing procedures. Airbag validation is a good example of this principle. Not only do airbags and other safety systems need to deploy very quickly, they may need to also be able to perform as expected in a range of different environments and environmental conditions. This is where environmental testing comes in.

Our environmental testing chambers are capable of simulation temperatures from -40° C to + 95°C, meaning we can replicate many of the conditions vehicles may find themselves in. We also work with all of our customers to make sure that no matter the environment their vehicle finds itself in, the airbags are deploying safely and the airbag occupancy detection systems are operating as intended. This is an important consideration for large manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers.

Partner with Cross to make sure your airbag system will operate as intended, no matter the environment.

greenville testing lab cross company

Why Cross Airbag Validation and Occupancy Testing?

At Cross, the most important thing to us is the success of our customers. That’s why we go out of our way to design custom testing solutions that ensure future production success for every single one of them. All while also offering world-class customer service. And when you combine those two factors with industry-leading expertise and a cutting-edge testing lab, you get a winning combination.

Our ISO 17025 accredited testing facilities in the U.S. and Mexico can provide you with product testing, materials testing, environmental testing, lifecycle testing, and many other testing services. Whether it’s for automotive, aerospace, consumer products, pharmaceutical, or a wide range of other industries, we can help.

There’s a reason so many companies and manufacturers across so many industries choose to work with Cross Testing again and again. Contact us today and we’ll give you a reason to keep coming back, too.

Find Airbag Validation and Occupancy Testing Near Me

Offering a range of testing services from our testing laboratories in the U.S. and Mexico. Learn more about the expert testing procedures performed in our state-of-the-art facilities. We can provide you with actionable data about your parts or materials so that you can make the best decisions for your product, your production process, and your end users. We can also provide calibration services, inspection services, and metrology products through our network of ISO 17025 accredited precision measurement labs.

 

See how our precision measurement team can help improve quality, increase efficiency, and reduce risk.

Contact our Team