Sprinter 2500 V6-3.0L DSL Turbo VIN 45 (2007)
Air Bag: Description and Operation
Seat Airbag
Description
DESCRIPTION
The injection molded, thermoplastic seat airbag trim cover (2) on the upper outboard sides of either front seat back (1) is the most visible part of the
optional seat (also known as thorax) airbag. An embossed SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) AIRBAG logo near the base of the trim cover identifies
that an airbag is contained beneath this cover. The mounting provisions and electrical connections for these airbags are concealed behind the front seat
back rear trim cover on the back of the seat. The seat airbag trim cover is permanently retained to the seat airbag housing.
The molded plastic seat airbag trim cover (1) and housing (2) contain the folded seat airbag cushion and the airbag inflator. The inflator initiator
connector receptacle (3) extends through an opening near the base of the housing. Two integral catch hook tabs located near the forward edge of the
housing engage slots in the forward edge of the seat back frame, while two stamped metal mounting brackets near the back of the housing are secured
with screws to the rearward surface of the seat back frame.
The airbag inflator is a single-initiator, hybrid-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing. The seat airbag is connected to the
vehicle electrical system through a dedicated jumper wire harness with a connector insulator that connects directly to the inflator initiator. The connector
insulators are uniquely keyed and color-coded to ensure they can only be connected to the initiator.
The seat airbag cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged.
Operation
OPERATION
Each seat airbag is deployed individually by an electrical signal generated by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) (also known as the highline
airbag control unit/ARCADE) to which it is connected through left or right seat airbag line 1 and line 2 (or squib) circuits. The hybrid-type inflator
assembly for each airbag contains a small canister of highly compressed inert gas. When the ORC sends the proper electrical signal to the airbag inflator,
the electrical energy creates enough heat to ignite chemical pellets within the inflator.
Once ignited, these chemicals burn rapidly and produce the pressure necessary to rupture a containment disk in the inert gas canister. The inflator and
inert gas canister are sealed and connected so that all of the released gas is directed into the folded seat airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate. As
the airbag cushion inflates it will split the airbag trim cover at a predetermined breakout line on the outboard side of the seat back frame and expand into
the area between the outboard side of the front seat and the front door to form a cushion to protect the front seat occupant during a side impact collision.
