I‐VALVE technology advances in the use of adaptive valves for Airbags retention systems
The feasibility study ‘I‐VALVE’, led by MAGOM, has confirmed that adaptive valves help improve the safety of vehicles in the event of an accident.
The airbag manufacturers and the OEMs use complex programming for different airbag firing strategies, to achieve a good protection for different size occupants with the same airbags. This solution has been smartly designed to optimize the airbag functioning independently of the specific characteristics of the occupant. Thanks to a smart mechanical rubber device that inverts the logical behavior of the gas contained in the airbag, closing it while the pressure is too small and opening it while the pressure is too high. With this solution, there is no need of advanced sensors to detect and classify the occupants regarding their size. This solution would save an important amount of money to the manufacturers erasing complex sensors and will avoid possible detecting sensors malfunction.
The I-VALVE concept has already been validated through physical and simulation tests, at level of component and has been integrated in a generic airbag, tested for different load cases. For one of the dummies according to the Euro NCAP protocol. However, due to the demands of the different markets, we need to adapt it to them. Also, the regulations are evolving concerning the dummies size trying to adapt to reality (95 percentile dummies weight has increase to adapt to the population distribution). Moreover, we must therefore take into account different test types, specially for the validation of the autonomous vehicle.
The forecast of the airbag market is to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.14% during the period 2016-2022 and the major drivers of growth for this market are governmental regulations on safety standard, increasing number of traffic fatalities and increasing awareness on vehicle safety.
Success of I‐VALVE in Phase 1 of the Horizon 2020 program, SME Instrument
Success of MAGOM Phase 1 of the Horizon 2020 program, SME Instrument (H2020‐SMEINST‐1‐ 2017‐2018) with the project with the I‐VALVE project: INTELLIGENT VALVE FOR PERSONALIZED SAFETY AIRBAG.
The I-VALVE project aims to offer the automotive sector innovative valves made of silicone based on patented systems, which will allow Airbags to adapt to crash and occupant conditions.
This product is intended for the automotive sector and is aimed increasing the safety and performance of the vehicle, and reducing the damage in the event of an accident. The I-VALVE project represents a clear investment opportunity in which we seek to strengthen our position in the automotive market by making a qualitative leap to the security systems segment, in which there is a sustained growth of 10% and a potential estimate of 400 € million for 2019, achieving a turnover of over € 10 million and a profitability (ROI) of 421%.
