2001 - Jaguar Uses High-Tech Environmental Chamber From TAS to Test Airbag Reliability

To ensure that vehicle airbags operate reliably across a variety of environmental conditions, Jaguar Cars commissioned a sophisticated environmental chamber from West Sussex based Temperature Applied Sciences Limited (TAS) to form a vital part of a new test facility. The facility, located at Jaguar's Whitley Engineering Centre, Coventry, will be used for all current and future models of Jaguar car, and automatically tests airbags for correct deployment within a wide range of temperatures, humidity, and solar radiation conditions.

Sited within a sound-proofed room, the insulated 23,100 litre (816 cu ft) Airbag Deployment Chamber is designed to simulate exterior climatic conditions world-wide, and also the extreme conditions which can be found within vehicle interiors.

The variable environmental parameters within the chamber include a temperature range of -40°C to + 120°C, humidity from 10 to 98%, as well as variable solar load simulation provided by infrared lamps. The lamps are mounted on an adjustable framework, which can be used either inside or outside of the chamber. An automated handling system arranges for the airbag assemblies under test to be deployed under the set conditions.

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