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Injuries in side impact collisions constitute one fourth of the serious or fatal injuries sustained by occupants in ordinary passenger cars. The Volvo Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) provides a substantially enhanced protection for car occupants in side collisions. The protection level of the SIPS system has been further increased by the addition of the Sipsbag, a quick-deploying side impact airbag system integrated in the seat backrest. The design of the non-electrical Sipsbag system is explained, as well as the advantages with a completely seat-integrated system. The process to industrialise the side airbag concept is summarised. Laboratory test results are discussed. Using methodology to correlate laboratory test data with accident data, an estimate of the injury-reducing effectiveness of the SIPS and Sipsbag system is made.

The geometry and behavior of several front-seat passive belt configurations have been studied and evaluated. General design criteria are discussed. The preferred solution is a three-point belt with two ends attached to the door. The belt straps automatically, and for comfortable exit, the occupant may make a slight manual operation. Crash tests indicate that the belt performs approximately as a standard three-point belt. Door strength, retractor strength, strap strength and tension, seat influence, etc., have been tested. Curves are given for recorded and computed data, including old and new severity index.