Saab Active Head Restraints

Saab Active Head Restraints or SAHR is a system to protect against automotive whiplash injuries introduced by Saab in 1997.[1] It was launched when the Saab 9-5 was released for the 1998 model year and had been part of the standard equipment on the Saab 9-3 and 9-5 since.

SAHR II in Saab 9-3

Details

SAHR is mounted at the top of a frame, inside the seat-back, which is designed to pivot at its mid point. In a rear-end impact, the occupant’s lower back is forced rearwards by inertia against the bottom portion of the seat-back. A mechanical linkage in the frame then forces the upper half, carrying the head restraint, upwards and forwards to catch the occupant’s head and help minimise the amount of whiplash movement.[2] The Benefit of the SAHR's system is that the headrest doesn't require replacement once used, unlike BMW and Volvo's WHIPS systems.[3]

SAHR 2 was introduced for the 2003 model year standard on the Saab 9-3. SAHR 2 was designed for even faster activation in rear impacts at lower speeds. The head restraint is activated as soon as the lower back is pressed into the setback by the occupant’s inertia during a rear impact.[3]

Statistics

In 2002 a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that investigated property damage insurance claims found that Saab's active head restraint design produced a 55 percent reduction in claim rates for women and a 31 percent reduction for men. This is when compared to traditional head restraints.[4]

Awards
  • Technology Award for the Saab Active Head Restraint - Prince Michael Road Safety Awards, Great Britain - 1997 [5]
  • Industry Award For the Saab Active Head Restraint - The Windscreens O'Brian Safety Award, Australia - 1997[5]
  • Special Prize for the Saab Active Head Restraint - The Danish Association of Polio, Traffic and Accident Victims (PTU), Denmark - 1996[5]

See also

References
  1. Wiklund, Kristina; Larsson, Håkan (1 February 1998). "Saab Active Head Restraint (SAHR) - Seat Design to Reduce the Risk of Neck Injuries in Rear Impacts". Journal of Passenger Cars. 107 (6): 11. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  2. "Top Safety Rating For Saab Active Head Restraints". autoweb.com.au. Autoweb. Archived from the original on 1 February 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  3. Sam Memmolo, Sam. "IIHS STUDY TOUTS SAAB's ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT". shadetreemechanic.com. Shade Tree Mechanic. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  4. "New vehicle seat and head restraint designs are reducing neck injuries in rear-end crashes". Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  5. "Saab Awards". Saab Thailand. Saab Automobile AB. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
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