Ford introduces seatbelt-airbag hybrid
November 6, 2009 by Matt Brogan
These days airbags are expected in all new cars, from dual airbags in the front, front seat side airbags and curtain airbags to cover the side windows. Now Ford has designed an airbag incorporated into the seat belt for passengers in the back seat.
The belt is the same width as a regular belt, but is slightly thicker because the inflatable bag is inside. The seat belt and buckle operate the same as a normal belt does even though the gas travels through the buckle into the belt, this has been patented by Ford.
In an impact of a certain force the bag inflates splitting the belt down the side, the air bag is approximately the size of a loaf of bread.
“The belt is designed to spread the crash forces across an area five times larger than that of a regular seat belt,” said Mr Paul Mascarenas, Ford vice president of engineering and global product development.
Ford hasn’t released the price of this optional safety device, or which cars it will be available in. Sue Cischke, Ford vice president of safety engineering, said that it would be affordable and that Ford plan to offer it in Europe and Asia.
The engineers at Ford have spent the last eight years developing this system.
by Adam Marshall
Print it: 
Thats pretty nifty…..
Ive seen people who have a nasty burn from seat belts in accidents and it aint nice
It highlights the importance of booster seats doesn’t it. They will be mandatory in most (if not all) states mid 2010.
I can imagine that there are quite a few technical issues to deal with for a seatbelt airbag, eg seatbelt used to hold a child seat, different sized seat occupants etc.
very nicely done ford. I won’t be surprised if this trickles into the mainstream in 5 years.
Still need our ceiling airbag, rear window airbag… floor airbag.. oh wait.. why not make everything an airbag.
toyota launched the rear window air bag with their iQ
don’t understand how it work for kids but well done ford!
I’m impressed and i don’t like the ford company.
Ha Ha Ha…. You don’t like the Ford company yet you love Mazda????? I find this amussing, you are aware that mazda would be absolutely nowhere if Ford hadn’t bought into it all that many years ago?? Also look at Mazda’a standing now that Ford has pulled out from being the biggest bank roll to them… (don’t just look at Australia as we are the only shinning light in a dark tunnel at present).
educate yourself about Mazda before making pointless comments. Luckily fords small share of Mazda never had enough influence to stuff it up, like they did with volvo or their own company. Mazda will continue to profit from selling ford their old technology and engines.
Hmmmmmmm,
Perhaps you should educate yourself.
Ford actually had the controlling share of Mazda, And you can bet your house nothing has changed in their relationship even after ford reduced their share.
Ford stuffed up their own company hey??
well why are they looking rock solid at the moment on the way up starting to show good profit and share prices???
I understand you must be biased (hence the name), but dont get too carried away.
I own a Mazda too (awesome car, love it, best in class) but I can even see you are getting a bit carried away
no you educate yourself. Mazda was basicallty bankrupt when ford stepped in . The major reason for there bunkruptcy was all the time, effort, skills, and money went into R&D into the rotory engine. The acutaly wanted to fit rotoried to everything once they got it right …….. but before the did they where out of cash. Mazda cars only gained credibility when ford took over.Everything prior to the blue oval was…..rubbish
Mazda would not even exist today if it were not for Ford’s cash, engineering and business restructuring.
Ford had the CONTROLLING interest in Mazda for years.
How ironic that the blind ignorant accuse others of being uneducated.
Bugger!!! I was looking forward to responding but everyone else stepped in… :-(
Then there are those that are actively campaigning for ever vehicle ocupant to have a 5 point harness and wear helmets – and they are serious
Interesting this coming from Ford,though Volvo would have come up with it first ha ?
On another note I must say Tomas you do look dashing in Chambray :)
Go away and grow up.
PLAY NICE GIRLS!
back of the front seat airbag(a la subaru) is a much better idea,and won’t fray…
Doesnt help the front seat passengers though…..
This solves the nasty seat belt burns from accidents which is quite a big problem.
andrew,
did you read the article,its for the BACK seat passengers.as for the FRONT occupants,its called a front airbag(funnily enough).the point i made was that an airbag (for the rear passengers)housed in the back of the front seat is far less trouble than a airbag equipped seat belt.but lets talk dollars,a rear seat belt for a holden is about $120.whats an airbag equipped one worth(and a guess will do…say$1000 to $2000 min).seatbelts have been known to fray(my front one didn’t last 12 mths).what about if you were to slam a door on one….please spare me.
So are you saying this technology couldnt be adapted for front passengers???
Im talking about the technology/concept as a whole, not just for where they plan to introduce it first.
Also an airbag in the seat wont replace this bags purpose.
Even with frontal airbags this seat belt bag still serves a purpose.
Ive never had any issues with fraying seat belts.
What car did you have that only lasted 12 months???
Also the only seatbelts that ive ever noticed getting caught in the doors are those where the retracting device is stuffed. If the retractor is stuffed you have a bigger safety concern than shutting the belt in the door
your missing my point.what does an airbag do?(stop forward momentum)ditto a seatbelt.sure,in a severe crash,one can can a belt bruise(burn).this can also be as a result of the pyro seat tensioners(which are actually a small explosive charges designed to pull you back in the seat),but a back seat front airbag does the same thing as a seat belt airbag,one is just easier and less trouble,won’t fray,won’t get a door smammed on it,won’t get a drink poured all over it(i hope you get what i’m saying,i think the car makers will too,its just one less thing to go wrong…)
andrew,been in the auto game over 25 years,seen hundred’s of frayed seatbelts fail rego’s.not just gm product though,and yes,you are right about the retractors stuffing up first,i bet you would winge loud and long over $2k for a seatbelt.
Job well done Ford. Seatbelt airbag sounds interesting, it’s cool. In years to come, this would be in in most cars.
If its built by Ford it won`t work, as the saying goes BUILT FORD ROUGH
Don’t get carried away with praising Ford just yet as this invention is 6 years old and looks alot like the one patented in 2005 by Universal Propulsion company in America. The patent was first lodged in 2003. On top of that The Lexus LFA has them standard and Merc has been experimenting with them for over a year.
i have a better idea, let’s just make a bouncing castle inflate inside the car when it crashes!
i saw a guy in a red vn in brisbane driving around on his own wearing a helmet a few years back!
Lets just stop driving ????????????????????????????
Joking of course.