Colorado 2WD L5-3.5L VIN 6 (2005)
Air Bag: Description and Operation
Dual Stage Inflator Modules
DUAL STAGE INFLATOR MODULES
Dual stage inflator modules contain a housing, inflatable air bag, two initiating devices, canister of gas generating material and, in some cases, stored
compressed gas. The two initiators are part of the frontal deployment loop. The function of the frontal deployment loops are to supply current through
the steering wheel and instrument panel (I/P) inflator modules to deploy the air bags. The inflator modules have two stages of deployment, which varies
the amount of restraint to the occupant according to the collision severity. For moderate frontal collisions the inflator modules deploy at less than full
deployment (low deployment) which consists of stage 1 of the inflator module. For more severe frontal collisions a full deployment is initiated which
consists of stage 1 and stage 2 of the inflator module. The current passing through the initiators ignites the material in the canister producing a rapid
generation of gas and is some cases, the release of compressed gas. The gas produced from this reaction rapidly inflates the air bag. Once the air bag is
inflated it quickly deflates through the air bag vent holes and/or the bag fabric.
Each dual stage inflator modules is equipped with a shorting bar located in the connector(s) of the module. The shorting bar shorts the inflator module
deployment loop circuitry to prevent unwanted deployment of the air bag when it is disconnected.
