Head Drop Airbag Demonstration
Project Description
The Autoliv head drop airbag apparatus is designed for demonstration to audiences ranging from K-12 STEM fairs to professional career fairs.
The purpose of this project was to update and improve the existing system to streamline and simplify the demonstration process
Sub-systems:
Lever Arm System:
All components related directly to the physical drop of the head
- Lever bar
- Head form
- Accelerometer
- Electromagnet
- Limit switch and mount
- Spring neck system
Pressure System:
All components connected to the compressive system
- Compressor
- Hoses
- Valves and hard connectors
- Solenoid
- Pressure sensor
- Airbag
- Printed caps
Frame:
Hardware and components of external frame
- T-bar
- Steel plate
- Dampening Foam
- Cap holder
- Rubber feet
Electronics:
The electrical system of the apparatus
- Arduino
- H-bridge
- Wiring
- LED light
- Computer
- Code
Design Description
Physical Changes:
- Airbag Venting
- Release Mechanisms
- Airbag Fastening
- Processorto Arduino
- Accelerometer and Mount
- Physical Plugin Complexity
- Wire Routing & Consolidation
- Pressure Storage/Inflation System
Computerized Changes:
- Arduino Code
- Airbag fill time stabilization/customizability
- Reliability
- Graphical User Interface
- Improved display
- 'Demonstration' menu
Features Added:
- Expressive Light Display
- Sound Suppression
- Processor Case/Mount
- Backwards Compatibility
- Pressure Valve
- "Hard Path" Pressure System
Performance & Testing:
| Input | Output | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Test # | Time Delay (s) | Pressure (psi) | Max Accel (G) |
| 1 | -1 | 32.9 | 26.64 |
| 2 | -1 | 32.9 | 27.25 |
| 3 | -1 | 32.9 | 26.69 |
| 4 | -1 | 32.9 | 29.87 |
| 5 | -1 | 32.9 | 26.07 |
| 6 | -1 | 32.9 | 25.73 |
| 7 | -1 | 32.9 | 25.26 |
| 8 | -1 | 32.9 | 26.97 |
| Mean | 26.81 | ||
| Std. Dev. | 1.401152587 | ||
Conclusion
Improvements Made:
- Simplification
- Professional Looking
- Halved connection points
- Durability
- Aesthetics
- Interactive interface and display
- Repeatability
- Reliability
- Improved venting and changeability
- New accelerometer
- Compressor implementation
- Decreased vibration and impact
- Code debugged based on head drop test results
- Testing for output consistencyunder constanttest conditions
Future Work:
- Electronic pressure valve
- Head cover
- Carrying Case
- T-slot brackets
- Additional indicators (audio & visual)
Takeaways:
- Documentation matters for future success (including code comments)
- Team communication is crucial
- Sometimes the solution is to start over
- Not all project requirements are created equal
- Projects change and evolve with time, so should the design
Blake Barber –Blake.Barber@usu.edu, Anya Nielson –A02072765@usu.edu, Garrett Freestone –A01972394@usu.edu, Zachary Hall –A022275881@usu.edu
Special Thanks to Quin Soderquist at Autoliv for mentoring us through this project.