The deployment time of the front airbag is 40 to 60ms, the side airbag is 20ms.
Pic. 1.6. Passenger seat sensor pad
Sedan and T-model station wagons are equipped with a pressure sensitive sensor pad located in the right front seat trim (pic. 1.6), which automatically detects if there is a passenger in the seat. The electrically conductive strips of the gasket are connected to the controls of the seatback adjustment system. If the passenger seat is loaded with a mass of more than 12 kg, the sensor pad sends a signal to the airbag electronics, which, depending on the nature of the collision, activates the right airbag, seat belt or side airbag.
A weight limit of 12 kg is required to ensure that sensors do not mistakenly perceive shopping bags or «diplomat» in the front seat as a passenger.
Side airbags
Pic. 1.7. Side airbag
The Mercedes E-class is equipped with side airbags (pic. 1.7), which makes side impact protection more effective.
The side airbag is located in the front door, has a volume of 15 liters and, when inflated, reaches a thickness of about 7 cm.
For 7 ms, the sensitive element - the sensor - in the event of an accident determines whether the airbag should be deployed.
If the microcomputer issues a pulse to operate, then after 2 ms the side airbag breaks through the door trim, after another 13 ms it is brought into operation, thereby protecting the driver or passenger. In general, about 20 ms elapse before the formation of an air bag between the door and the person sitting in the cabin. to track the deployment of the side airbag, a high-speed camera was used, taking 4,000 shots per second.
T-model options
The luggage compartment of the E-Class T-Model is just as high quality as the interior. The bottom and side walls are sheathed with carpet velor. On the left side are the spare wheel, jack and tools. The warning triangle and the first aid kit are located in the valve pocket of the trim on the right side of the trunk. On the left side of the cabin there is a 12-volt socket built into the trim, closed for safety by a cover. The niche in the cargo compartment serves as an additional compartment and is locked. In this compartment, if desired, an additional row of seats for two passenger seats equipped with three-position automatic seat belts can be installed.