A heads up to all owners of older vehicles.
A new regulation comes into force on 1/4/2021 which requires all vehicles on Australian roads to have an effective airbag system in place. This has received little publicity as most cars and trucks already comply with the regulation and only a much smaller number of older vehicles are affected.
The regulation has made one concession to owners of old vehicles by allowing them to dispense with side airbags, but they insist a central airbag must be in place. Some classic car enthusiasts have modified their vehicles by removing the original steering wheel and replacing it with one containing a built-in airbag. However, an Italian company, Pesce D'Aprile, has come up with a system that allows owners of vintage cars and trucks to retain the original steering wheel and still comply with the regulation.
In a conventional airbag arrangement, an accelerometer sends a signal to a sensor when it detects a collision force equal to striking a brick wall at approximately 10 ks per hour. The sensor immediately sends an impulse to the inflation device, where a small explosion mixes sodium azide (NaN3) with potassium nitrate (KNO3) and produces a large volume of nitrogen gas. This gas rapidly inflates the airbag, forming a cushion to protect the driver from injury. The Pesce D'Aprile system also requires an accelerometer and a sensor to be fitted to the vehicle, but they are quite unobtrusive. The big difference, however, is that the inflation device and the airbag are stored in a separate pack, instead of within the steering wheel. This pack is similar in size to a child’s back-pack and the driver wears it strapped to his chest. There is a small connector built into the pack and the driver attaches the cable from the sensor when he gets into the vehicle. Once hooked up, he can proceed in complete safety.
During the development of this system there were a few teething troubles. Some drivers suffered mild chest burns from the explosion when the inflation device activated but this small problem has been solved by fitting an asbestos shield between the explosive charge and the back of the pack. Also, there were some instances of the chemicals mixing accidentally and the airbag unintentionally deploying with the vehicle in motion. But the manufacturers now attach a small flick knife to the pack, so the driver may quickly deflate the bag in an emergency. The new system is now fully tested and about to go onto the market. The manufacturer is offering club members the chance to jump in quickly and purchase a pack at a special 25% discount.
To find out more and to place your order please visit their website: www. Airbag-aprilfool.com.au
