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NEW technologies may lead to incorporation of a four-point "belt and suspenders" versus the familiar three-point safety belt, and a possible future safety belt with a built-in airbag.
Responding to the changing demographics of today's driving population, Ford Motor is researching two advanced next-generation safety belt technologies that could help further reduce injury risk in vehicle crashes.
One of Ford's possible next-generation safety belts incorporates a four-point "belt and suspenders" design in lieu of the familiar three-point safety belt, while a second possible future safety belt incorporates an air bag directly into the belt itself.
A number of technical challenges still need to be overcome before such restraint systems could ever be used, but these technologies might one day further enhance safety belt effectiveness.
The inflatable rear safety belt fills with air during a crash, enhancing protection for the rear seat passenger.
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, further helping to reduce the pressure on the chest and helping to control the motion of the head and neck.
