Quick look at the 2013 Dodge Charger body structure.
Archives for 2012-models
Here is one for the extrication folks in Italy. Ecco uno per la gente estricazione in Italia. The 2012 Opel Astra GTC Safety and Body Structure.
No Emergency Response Guides (ERG) have been released for the 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid. In the mean time, just use the images below to get a brief overview of the HV cables and battery locations.
Check out the Fisker Karma Body Structure and Battery location. You can find a bunch of useful information in the Fisker Automotive Emergency Response Guide and take a quick look at the Rescue Card below.
Sixteen battery-powered Fisker Karma automobiles self-combusted in New Jersey during Hurricane Sandy, apparently in an attempt to generate heat to warm up the electricity-less victims of the town of Port Newark, New Jersey. Surprised? The salt water storm surge got into the batteries.
Also take note of the gear shifter that is a push button style located on the center console.
Here’s a quick look at the the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class body structure and safety features. Three of the 4 models (Coupe, Cabriolet, and Sedan) are covered in the information below. The body structure and airbag location for the wagon model can be found on an earlier post here. Take a quick look, especially at the airbag locations and the inflators.
The roof frame structure and the A-pillars are also built to be particularly stable. The A-pillars have been reinforced with tubing. The roof frame structure and the A-pillars are also built to be particularly stable. The A-pillars have been reinforced with tubing, offering effective occupant protection together with the roll-over bars in case of an overturn. The roll-over bars’ cassettes are fully integrated in the head restraints on the rear seats and fastened to the area behind the rear seat backrest in the body shell. They can be extended in fractions of a second as soon as the airbag control system’s crash sensors detect the risk of an accident.
Below are the airbag and inflators locations on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan. Nine air bags that include; pelvic air bags complement side-impact air bags for each front seat. A driver´s knee air bag augments dual-stage front air bags. Side curtain air bags are provided at the outboard seating positions in both the first and second rows.
Laminated glass is not just for laminated glass occupant mitigation it is used on vehicles to reduce the noise inside the passenger compartment. Take a look at the 2012 Buick Verano below.
Buick offers Quiet Tuning elements that help provide a quiet, comfortable ride by blocking or absorbing sound and dampening or eliminating vibrations. On the Verano, this includes:
· Two damping mats that sandwich the steel front-of-dash panel
· An acoustically designed headliner composed of five layers of thermal fiber material
· Triple-sealed, beta-braced doors
· A 5.4mm-thick acoustic laminated windshield and 4.85mm-acoustic laminated side glass
The 2012 Dodge Challenger is available in three models and rides on a shortened version of the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 platform. One important note is the the Challenger is from four-door architecture on the L-platform which was shortened to a two-door. Keep in mind that the C-Pillar of this vehicle is very large and has the roof curtain airbag inflators located in the C-Pillar as seen in the screenshot below from Moditech’s Crash Recovery System (CRS).
Below is a screen shot from Moditech’s Crash Recovery System (CRS) for the 2012 Honda CR-V. The standard safety features in the CR-V inlcude a body structure that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Safety feature include automatic tensioning front seat belts, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor and dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags (SRS).
The body structure of the 2012 Honda CR-V Body Structure is shown is several images below.
The ratings that the 2012 Honda CR-V received should also give you a little insight into the body structure and safety features.
- 5-Star Safety -The CR-V was not fazed at all when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made their crash-safety tests tougher than ever. Even with more stringent testing in place, the 2013 CR-V earned a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score.
- Top Safety - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the CR-V a 2012 Top Safety Pick. The CR-V received top ratings in all four IIHS tests, including the front and side crash tests, a rollover test, and an evaluation of the seat and head restraints for protection against neck injuries in the event of a rear-impact collision
The 2012 (actually since 2009) Mercedes Benz S-Class is made from a bunch of Ultra High Strength Steel. The B-Pillar and rockers are made from Mega High Strength Steel. Make sure you take a look at the screen shot below from Moditech’s Crash recovery System (CRS) and compare it to the other images. Crash Recovery System would have provided some useful information on scene of a MVA that involved a S-Class.
Check out the body structure and safety features in the 2012 Jeep Patriot.
- Advanced multistage front airbags that adjust airbag output to crash severity
- Supplemental side-curtain front and rear airbags+ offer side protection for all of the outboard occupants
- Available supplemental front seat-mounted side airbags
- Engineered crush zones divert and dissipate impact energy away from the passenger compartment
- Safety cage structure and front crumple zones absorb energy during a front impact
- Door guard beams help protect occupants during side impact
- Ultra high-strength roll-formed steel crossbeam helps transfer side-impact energy from one side of the car to the other
So just how many plug-in electric cars are expected to be sold in the U.S. in 2012? (This doesn’t include hybrid vehicle) Last year in the U.S., just under 18,000 electric plug-in cars were sold. Halfway through 2012, here are the projections for the whole year:
| Chevrolet: | 20,000 |
| Nissan: | 15,000 |
| Toyota: | 14,600 |
| Ford: | 3,000 |
| Tesla: | 5,000 |
| BMW: | 700 |
| Mitsubishi: | 1,000 |
| Coda: | 1,000 |
| Honda: | 1,100 |
| Fisker: | 1,000 |
| TOTAL: | 62,400 |
That would easily more than triple the 2011 sales level, but still constitute just under half of 1% of the total U.S. car market in 2012. It would take 140,000 electric plug-in vehicles to make 1% 0f the 2012 U.S. car market. Check out the article on TheStreet.com; 2012 Electric Car Sales Forecast that breaks down the different models per automaker. You can also look at Top 10 Electric Car Makers on CleanFleetReport.com.
If you include hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles the number of vehicles sold increase!
Leave it up to the automakers to have new names for the different types of Hybrid and electric vehicles.
- Electric vehicles (EVs)
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
- Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs)
- Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)
Keep in mind that the hybrid and electric vehicle market closely follows gas prices. When gas prices fall, so do the sales of hybrid and electric vehicles. This demonstrates that while there is consumer interest in hybrid and electric vehicles, demand is heavily influenced by the economic environment, rather than pure interest in the technology. Hybrid and electric vehicle sales are expected to account for 3.2 percent of total light-vehicle in 2012.
Just because the Jeep Wrangler has a removable soft-top and/or hardtop doesn’t mean this vehicle is cut and dry sample for an extrication. Well, there is nothing out of the ordinary. The Jeep Wrangler is a body-on-frame construction and the sport bar (roll-bar) uses high-strength steel and is integrated into the B-Pillar that runs into the floor. Very minimal airbags with standard front multistage and optional seat airbags.
Keep in mind that Jeep Wranglers owners like to customize and change their vehicles. Don’t be surprised if you encounter additional batteries to supply power to items like off-road lights. You never know what changes have been made! Remember your situational awareness and expect the unexpected!
Below is a screenshot from Moditech‘s Crash Recovery System (CRS).
If you noticed in the title’s question – Where’s the High-Voltage Service Disconnects - that disconnects is plural than you understand that the 2012 Ford Focus Electric has more than one! The Electric Focus has an upper battery and lower battery service disconnect, so it also has two High Voltage Batteries. Both are removed in the same fashion. However, to gain access to the lower battery high-voltage service disconnect, the 2012 Ford Focus Electric Emergency Response Guide tells you to raise the rear of the vehicle using a suitable jack. Scratching your head yet? I am! Not too sure how we are going to access the lower disconnect. Make sure you review the ERG and the pictures at the bottom of this post that show both disconnects. Stay safe out there!
| # | COMPONENT | DESCRIPTION/LOCATION | FUNCTION |
| 1 | High-Voltage Service Disconnects | Upper disconnect is located behind the rear seatback. Lower disconnect is below the upper pack near the right hand rear tire. Orange in color with a square body design. Uses a two stage release tab. |
Provides means to disconnect high-voltage batteries for safely servicing vehicle. |
| 2 | High-Voltage Battery | Located behind the rear seatback and under vehicle. Liquid cooled/heated lithium ion. | Provides high-voltage storage for vehicle’s electric motor. |
| 3 | High-Voltage Wiring | Runs along the vehicle’s floorpan from the high-voltage battery to the underhood compartment.
All high-voltage wiring has |
Provides physical connection between high-voltage battery and vehicle’s high-voltage equipment. |
| 4 | 12-Volt Battery | Located under the hood on the driver side of the vehicle.
Typical automotive 6-cell lead/acid design. |
Provides 12-volts for vehicle accessories. |
| 5 | Single Speed Automatic Transmission (Gearbox) | Transverse-mounted design, similar to the non-Electric Focus vehicles.
Attached to the traction motor |
Provides rotational force to the wheels for vehicle propulsion. |
| 6 | DC/DC Converter | Located under the hood on the passenger side, next to the washer solvent reservoir.
Has orange high-voltage wires |
Provides 12 volts to charge the 12-volt battery and run vehicle accessories. |
| 7 | Electric Motor | Liquid cooled 3-phase AC permanent magnet motor.
Attached to gearbox,centrally located in the engine compartment. |
Turns energy from the high-voltage traction battery into movement that is applied to the transmission for vehicle propulsion. |
| 8 | Transmission Control Module (TCM) |
Module located on top of the electric motor.
Hall effect sensor type module. |
The TCM controls the motor/ inverters to produce the desired torque output to the wheels. |
| 9 | Electric Air Conditioning Compressor | Located in front of the motor.
Has an orange high-voltage wire attached to it using an interlock connector. |
Replaces the belt driven air compressor. |
| 10 | PTC Heater (Cabin CoolantHeater) | Located on the RH side of the motor near the DC/DC converter.
Has both low and high voltage electrical connections. |
Used to raise the temperature of the coolant to normal operating temperature |
High Voltage Service Disconnects
Upper HV Battery Disconnect
Lower HV Battery Disconnect
Here is an interesting topic, how do you open the hood of a Ford Transit Connect? You would think by using the hood release under the IP on the driver side. However, that would be wrong. To open the hood a Ford Transit Connect you need the key. Next lift the Ford hood badge and turning the badge back. To release the first latch insert the key and turn it left. Turn the key right, which releases the second latch, then lift the hood.
The GMC Acadia, Chevy Traverse, and the Buick Enclave share the same vehicle platform. The battery location is behind the passenger seat under the floor. Also be on the look out during the fall of 2012 for the 2013 models. The 2013 models will have a center seat airbag in the driver seat that deploys to protect the driver and the passenger from each other.
2012 Chevrolet Traverse Body Structure
2008 Chevrolet Traverse Side Impact Crash
2008 GMC Acadia Front Offset Crash Test
2008 GMC Acadia Front Offset Crash Test
Buick Enclave Left and Right Roof Curtain Air Bags
Here are several posts on this vehicle platform:
- 2010 GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook body structure
- Steels used in the Acadia, Outlook, Enclave, and Traverse
Yet another electric vehicle on the road! CODA Automotive re-engineered an existing gasoline-powered vehicle, the Chinese Hafei Saibao. The CODA is a rolling-chassis Chinese sedan with some Chinese-made lithium-ion cells that are installed along with the drivetrain in California. CODA Automotive is a privately held company headquartered in Southern California that designs, manufactures and sells electric vehicles and lithium-ion battery systems, purpose-built for transportation and utility applications.
AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power, added the CODA sedan to their fleet and will use the vehicle on their gridSMART® Demonstration Project, located in the northeastern part of Central Ohio.
Below are the 2012 Dodge Avenger body structure and airbags. Also take note of the location of the 12 volt battery. The Avenger also has double-laminated glass on the front doors and windshield. Another safety feature are the active front head restraints move forward and upward during a rear-end collision to decrease the space between the headrest and head, helping reduce the risk of head and spinal injuries.
Here is a quick look at the driver side airbag in the Dodge Ram Truck model year 2008-2012.
Ford Expedition is equipped with six standard airbags, strategically placed to help protect you and your passengers.* There are dual-stage front seat airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, and side curtain airbags (part of the Safety Canopy® System)* that deploy from the headliner on both sides of the vehicle. A rollover sensor directs side curtain and side airbag deployment in the event of a rollover or certain side-impact collisions. The airbag inflators for the side curtain are on the rail rail between the C-pillar and the D-pillar.
Body Structure
Avalon’s body structure is strengthened to help meet the latest side impact standards, accounting for higher-riding vehicles such as SUVs. In the event of collision, reinforced members, pillars, panels and doors absorb impact energy, then distribute it around and away from the passenger cabin for enhanced impact protection.
Airbags
Avalon’s Dual-stage Front Airbags are designed to deploy with the most appropriate amount of force – lower and less forceful in the event of a moderate collision; higher energy level for more severe impacts. Front Seat-mounted Side Airbags, built into the seat and not the door pillar for enhanced protection, have been designed to provide a greater coverage area. In addition, standard front and rear Side-curtain Airbags help provide protection for all passengers in side impacts. Avalon also features a driver’s knee airbag as standard equipment.
Notice where the side airbag inflator is located?
What’s different about the Veolster compared to a typical vehicle?
One design technique automakers use is common parts that can be used in different places in the vehicle, but are the exact same part. Another commonly used technique is design a part that is symmetrically opposite, or in better words, a mirror image. This is the reason most side airbags and inflators are generally located in the same location from driver side to passenger side. However, that is not always the case. Take a look at the body structure of the 2012 Hyundai Veolster. Not only are the side airbag inflators in a different location on the driver compared to the passenger side. The B-Pillar is completely different from driver to passenger. Now on the Hyundai Veolster, a quick inner survey should reveal that the passenger side has a rear door. Always keep in made the vehicle could be pinned up next to a jersey barrier or another vehicle that could hide features of the vehicle. While the 2012 Hyundai Veolster is a uniquely designed body structure and definitely not typical. We need to add the body structure design and asymmetrically airbag location into our mental toolboxes!
First off, if you haven’t liked the Boron Extrication page on Facebook, please do that now to make sure stay up to date with all the extrication information that is shared by global extrication technicians. Second, since Ron Moore has created the University of Extrication Facebook page it should be a no brainier to like that page as well. Otherwise, you would miss out on a sneak peek from a University of Extrication article in Firehouse magazine below!
The University of Extrication article in the March issue of Firehouse Magazine looks at changes in the structural design of new vehicles.. I had a chance to photograph a brand new Cadillac body structure while in Michigan recently. Pictures of that vehicle were used in the article. What we need to make sure that rescue personnel are aware of is how the bottom of A-pillars and B-pillars are going to get "fatter." Look at this close-up view of the driver's side A-pillar, 2012 Cadillac ATS. If you were "rolling" or "jacking" this dash, because of this design, you will have to cut almost all four sides of the base of the pillar before it will move.
Here are a few picture of the safety systems in the 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata has six airbags and a reinforced unibody design. Also take a look at the 12 volt battery location in the typical location in the front under the hood.
My trip started off at the Fremont Fire Department Administrative offices for some classroom training. The picture of the hydrant below was a gift from the Recruit Class of 01-1 in appreciation for the time, knowledge and training given. Something I thought was really cool!
I have said this many times on this site. Ron Moore is one fire service instructor you need to see in person whenever you get the chance. Ron has a passion for extrication and informing firefighters with useful knowledge to stay up to date with the continuous changes in vehicle technology. Wednesday was a full day in the classroom where Ron covered airbags, hybrids and electric vehicles, and the advanced steels in vehicle body structures.
Here is a question Ron asked during the airbag portion of class. What is the maximum number of airbags possible in a vehicle? What’s your answer? 9, 12, 15, 25 or infinity. There is no easy answer! Seatbelt airbags, center mounted seat airbags, door airbags, and the list goes on and on! Also remember that the “airbag” advertisement on plastic trim and seats is just that, an advertisement. The location of the airbag and or gas inflator has no direct relation to the advertisement.
The lead instructor, Brock Archer, arranged for a BMW ActiveE electric vehicle to be displayed after lunch for everyone to review and look at. I have a bunch of the pictures of the BMW ActiveE on the Boron Extrication Facebook Page. Make sure you check the images out and if you don’t already like our Facebook page, please do!
Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 of the West Coast Extrication trip! Part 2 will be on school bus extrication and Part 3 on advanced extrication techniques.
