With active head restraints had to be found not every motorist. You can see such a security element only on the most modern cars. Many drivers mistakenly consider active head restraints of meaningless money. However, their main purpose is to ensure the safety of the driver (passengers), which active head restraints benefit from the usual (passive) analogues. However, the active head restraints have their drawbacks. About this further in the article.

Active headrests what it is

Imagine such a picture. In the back of your car enters another car. By inertia, your body begins to move back. Head and neck, like a whip, accelerates and rush to hit the head restraint. At this time, an invisible hand appears behind the head, picking his head and holding it in the most safe position.

In fact, all car owners are accustomed to passive variations of head restraints, which, for some time ago, there was simply an alternative. Of course, passive head restraints every car enthusiast can be tuned to themselves - lift them or lower them. However, when driving, this component remains completely passive, which does not always make it possible to protect against unpleasant consequences.

Therefore, the designers developed a system of active head restraints, not just holding the head when hit, and approaching it during a strong collision. Thanks to this, the risk of getting a spinal injury is decreasing ten times. In their favor, the real numbers collected in the results of real emergencies and crash tests.

What tasks are facing active head restraints

The main task of active head restraints - as quickly as possible to provide your head with a support that reduces the possible injuries of the spine and neck to zero when an emergency occurrence. According to its device, active head restraints are two types:

• Electric.
• Mechanical.

Mechanical active headrests, device and principle of operation

Mechanical variations of active head restraints are simple enough. The seat is built into the lever, which is connected to the headrest. During the accident, the spin of a person is strongly pressed into the seat, which is why this lever is pressed and the head restraint begins to move towards the head. When the pressure is weakened on the seat back, the spring returns the head restraint back. The larger the pressure will have a spin chair, the faster the system will work.

Electric active head restraints, device and principle

Electrical active headrests require the presence of a system control unit, shock sensors and a lever mechanism that leads the head restraint into action. The basis of the lever mechanism is a sopatron. The shock sensors are located in the back of the car. Signals from the sensors come to the control unit, which, based on the direction and strength of the blow, performs the adjustment of the operation of the lever mechanism. Electrical type systems are more expensive than mechanical fellow, but their effectiveness is much higher. Although even the most simple active head restraints significantly increase the level of passive safety of the vehicle.

What is the passive safety of the car

Modern vehicle is a source of increased danger. The steady increase in the speed and power of the car, as well as the density of the movement of automotive streams, significantly increase the likelihood of an emergency. To protect passengers in the conditions of the accident, technical safety devices are actively developed.

The combination of the structural components used to protect people in the cabin, from injuries with an accident, forms a system of passive vehicle safety. The system provides protection not only for a particular car and passengers in it, and other participants in the road.

The most important elements of the car passive security system are:

1. Seat belts.
2. Active headrests.
3. Safety belts tensioners.
4. Airbags.
5. Emergency battery broker.
   
6. Safe body design.
7. Pedestrian protection system (modern development).
8. Emergency call system.
9. Other devices (protection when tilting in the cabriolet, security systems for children - seat belts, chairs, fasteners).

Advantages and disadvantages of active head restraints

The great advantage of active head restraints is no need to constantly adjust them, in comparison with fixed analogues in need of diligent tuning in height. The active head restraints are calculated on ordinary human dimensions and set them up in height only in the case when a thin man sits down in the chair or, on the contrary, a diluted and low.

However, despite the benefit that they bring, active head restraints can deliver and trouble. For example, many car owners complain that with the smallest presses on the back of the seat, the lever mechanism works and they get a headrest on the head. Or the guides of this mechanism are resting in the back. Dealers actually always recognize the defect "not warranty", motivating that "they have so on all cars." Some drivers get used to the gentle behavior of the mechanism, while others are forced to eliminate the breakdown at their own expense.

Another frequent problem is a breakdown of the retainer or knots of the lever mechanism. As a rule, this happens as a result of the use of low-quality materials. The reason may also serve as an incorrect assembly technology. To cure such a defect is most likely, you will not succeed. Therefore, if the car is warranty, require a dealer to replace the seat.

Council Prof.

The average cost of active head restraints varies within 2000-5000 rubles. According to statistics, head restraints are able to save injuries in thirty percent of an accident with a collision from behind. And now think how much you evaluate the safety of your own neck? Do not save on your health. If you have the ability to equip your car with such a system - do it.