Electrification technology is a challenge for us in research to build the safest cars on the market. Many questions about the safety of electrification concern what will happen in the event of an accident: because it's important to have an approach that covers all aspects of 'daily use car.
"In particular, Volvo has done extensive analysis on various scenarios relating to the safety of cars powered by electricity:. From the automatic monitoring of battery status for the encapsulation and protection in a collision event" The starting point of our work on the security of - Ivarsson added - have focused on human and actual traffic conditions.
Thanks to our rich database containing data from real accidents we know where it is necessary to focus in terms of traffic daily. The solutions developed for the V60 plug-in hybrid (which will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show 2011) take into account specific situations in which it may be this type of car.
"Volvo safety tests are carried out on components, entire systems and on 'auto complete. They first played virtually on a computer and then "physically" in the advanced center for crash tests. The full-scale tests with different loading cases (frontal collisions, rear and side) led to the positioning of batteries lithium ion in areas separate from those of absorption and the cockpit.
In order to analyze the traffic situations from the point of view of safety, Volvo has developed a process divided into five phases, ranging from the normal driving situation at the moment after the accident. Based on these five steps, Volvo has developed specific solutions for the battery and the protection of the occupants of the car.
Here they are listed below. A monitoring system monitors and ensures that each cell battery maintains the correct voltage level and the optimal operating temperature by adjusting the cooling system. In case of any deviations, the battery is automatically switched off as a precaution. The battery adds weight, which can create new conditions that affect vehicle dynamics and alter the behavior, for example in the maneuvering to avoid a dangerous situation quickly.
The braking system of the Volvo V60 is capable of handling the increased mass and the DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) system helps the driver to not lose control of the situation. If a collision is imminent and the driver to brake late, the V60 plug-in hybrid is capable of activating systems such as Automatic Collision Warning with automatic braking and complete the City Safety to help prevent or reduce the impact effects.
To reduce the impact of a collision, the battery pack is well protected and separated from the sinks of the car and the cockpit. The battery is also firmly encapsulated. The steel bars and other parts of the structure around the battery are reinforced to better protect against the consequences of a collision.
If the battery is damaged and there is a gas leak, special flue vented the gas in the car. In case of extreme heat, the passengers are protected by encapsulation of the battery. At the precise moment when the collision occurs, the shock sensors connected to the battery to send information about the impact of the car computer, which automatically cut the power to reduce the risk of a short circuit.
The battery has a safety switch that acts as a switch life-saving household: Switch off and isolate the battery when the current travels in the wrong direction, for example, if two wires are pressed against each other following a accident. Volvo is also working with the emergency services by providing them with detailed instructions on how to better manage the various models in the event of an accident.
