The anti-whiplash system WHIPS Volvo celebrates its 10 years
The anti-whiplash (WHIPS) system, designed by Volvo Car Corporation, was launched 10 years ago. Since then it has been proven that it reduces by about 50% the risk of injury (most common during road accidents) soft tissues of the neck.
"The Volvo S80 was the first car fitted WHIPS system, precise Lotta Jakobsson, security specialist who has participated in the elaboration of WHIPS at Volvo Cars. It was in 1998. In 2000, the WHIPS system fitted to the series of seats before all Volvo vehicles. This system has been continuously improved over the years and this year we are celebrating its tenth anniversary. "
In the event of rear collision, a huge force can be exerted on the neck of the occupants. Their body is propelled forward and if the head does not follow the body tissues of the neck may be too stretched. Symptoms of whiplash are pain in the neck, headaches and tension in the neck muscles. They usually disappear after a few weeks, but in some cases can last much longer.
"Adequate protection against the whiplash should limit the movement of the head relative to the upper body, says Jakobsson. The relative movement of different parts of the body should be as limited as possible. Our exclusive WHIPS system has been designed to leave the impact forces on the entire back and head, and to dampen the flow of force by moving the seat with the body. "
The front seat backrest accompanies the movement of the body to the rear relative to the seat cushion. This reduces the force exerted on the back and neck. The headrest is positioned high enough, near the head, which allows for better support.
"It has been proven that the system WHIPS offers very effective protection in rear crashes, precise M. Jakobsson. Our own surveys reveal that the risk of pain for long term as a result of a rear impact is halved. Several external studies have produced similar results. "
Decades of research
Since the early 1970s, the team of researchers Volvo specialists accidents analyze collisions in real life around the world to improve automobile safety. They soon realized that the neck injuries were frequent during rear collisions. They have launched a project to develop a system that would protect the occupants of the vehicle against injuries caused by the whiplash. The result? A robust headrest positions high enough against the head. Since the 1970s, Volvo vehicles are always equipped with head restraints front seats.
During the 1980s and 1990s, several analyzes of collisions and several studies have been conducted in conjunction with health professionals to determine how the vehicle could provide better protection for the neck in case of rear impact.
"In the early 1990s, we developed what, at the time, was a unique computerized model of the human body, says Jakobsson. Using this model and our knowledge about collisions real, we could study the effects of different parameters of the seats on the types of movements back. We relied on the results of this research to develop the WHIPS system. "
Of crash test dummies specially adapted help researchers
Lotta Jakobsson also said that Volvo Cars has been one of the manufacturers who have created a special model for a test set of rear collisions. BioRID baptize, this model reproduces the reactions of the human body undergoes forces a rear impact. Measures taken on the neck of the dummy enable engineers of security specialists to determine the probable risk of injury in a similar collision.
The BioRID has been elaborated by the members of the Swedish automotive industry and Chalmers University of Technology in the late 1990s. This unique model, which has since become a standard in the industry, has already been produced to nearly 100 copies.
"Our crash test dummy has had a considerable effect on research, since we can now conduct tests very genuine collision, precise M. Jakobsson, who was the project manager BioRID design. The insurance industry uses this model for five years to evaluate the seats. Recently, even the body EuroNCAP began to use it to assign grades to the protection offered by the seats against injuries due to whiplash. "
The preventive security systems are also very effective
"The low speed rear impacts are very frequent, says Jakobsson. Statistics reveal that more than 75% of reported collisions occur below 30 km / h. In more than 50% of cases, the driver of the vehicle to rear does not brake before hitting one of Forth. This presents enormous opportunities for improvement. If we can help the driver slow down when distracted, we succeed in saving many necks. We offer City Safety system of series in our latest model, the XC60. If the driver is about to strike the vehicle in front and not react in time, the XC60 brakes automatically. This system is functional at temperatures below 30 km / h speeds. Ultimately, we are to develop vehicles that will never have an accident. Until this vision materializes, however, we are proud to offer the most efficient in the world against the whiplash protection systems. "
The Volvo Cars of Canada is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Corporation in Gothenburg, Sweden. It offers 42 Volvo automobile retailers in the country support in the following areas: marketing, sales, parts, maintenance services, technology and training. The Volvo C30 range includes the stylish and sporty, the elegant C70 hardtop convertible has the compact S40 sedan, the S60 sports sedan, the S80 sedan, the spearhead of the brand, and the versatile V50 and V70 . For customers looking for an all-terrain vehicle, the Volvo XC70 and XC90 offers versatile models. In addition, the company has added to its range of vehicles from the new XC60 crossover team of premium series of City Safety system.
View the gallery
