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Restraint technologies
In a collision, Volvo’s restraint technologies interact to help reduce
the impact. The safety belts with pre-tensioners activate
within a few thousandths of a second in the event of a collision
or roll-over and tighten the belt to help keep the occupants
securely restrained. The front seat safety belts then release
a little so that the driver and passenger are cushioned by the
airbags in a controlled manner. Helping to optimize protection,
the dual-stage airbags adapt the level of inflation depending
on the force of the collision. The driver’s airbag also interacts with
the deformation of the collapsible steering column. Side airbags
in the front seats help reduce the risk of serious injuries in a side
collision. In a collision or roll-over, the Inflatable Curtain (IC)
helps protect the heads of both front and rear outboard occupants.
It also stays inflated for some seconds to provide prolonged
protection in multiple accidents. And to help protect children in
the rear seat, IC interacts with the two-stage integrated booster
cushions and the belt load limiters.
Whiplash Protection System
(WHIPS)
Integrated in the front seats, Volvo’s
WHIPS cradles the occupant to help
reduce the risk of whiplash injury
(one of the most common types of
traffic injury and often the result of
a low-speed rear impact collision).
The function is activated by a collision
of sufficient force from behind.
Independent research has shown
that WHIPS is one of the most
effective systems in the world and
can reduce the risk of long-term
invalidity by 50%.
Energy-absorbing frontal structure
In developing this Volvo’s protective qualities, we have focused on frontal collisions at both higher
speeds and with heavier vehicles. The patented frontal structure with its sizeable deformation zones
in different kinds of steel will yield to help absorb crash energy. The compact power train is designed
to help optimize deformation. The unique geometry of the frontal structure and longitudinal steel struts
in the doors help disperse crash energy away from the front to the rear of the car, further helping to
reduce the strain on the occupants. A steel cross-member under the dashboard further helps keep the
cabin intact.
Side Impact Protection System (SIPS)
SIPS is a Volvo unique safety system that has been developed to help protect where occupants are most
exposed to the crash forces. The steel framework of the car – including the front seats – is designed
and reinforced to help displace the impact of a side-collision away from the occupants to other parts of
the car body and help prevent intrusion into the cabin. The extremely strong side structure contains
ultra-high strength steel and softer grades of steel to help withstand a severe side impact – even with a
larger vehicle. The Inflatable Curtain (IC) for all the outboard occupants and the front seat side airbags
interact with the SIPS to help provide further protection. In the rear seat, the combination of extended IC
and Volvo’s integrated two-stage booster cushion with progressive safety belt load limiters helps protect
children who have grown out of their rearward facing child seat.
SAFETY Protective
