Sprinter 3500 V6-3.0L DSL Turbo VIN 45 (2007)
Air Bag: Description and Operation
Driver Airbag
Description
DESCRIPTION
The injection molded, thermoplastic driver airbag protective trim cover (2) is the most visible part of the driver airbag. The driver airbag is located in the
center of the steering wheel (1), where it is secured by two screws within the hub cavity of the four-spoke steering wheel. An emblem with a bright
Dodge Ram logo is applied to the center of the trim cover.
Concealed beneath the driver airbag trim cover are the folded airbag cushion, the airbag housing (1), the airbag inflator (3), the retainers that secure the
inflator to the airbag housing and the horn switch. The airbag cushion, housing, and inflator are secured within an integral receptacle molded into the
back of the trim cover. The horn switch armature (6) is secured to the back of the driver airbag housing by four screws. On vehicles equipped with the
optional steering wheel switches (5), these switches are secured by screws to two integral mounting tabs located at each outboard side of the driver
airbag housing. The horn switch and optional steering wheel switches are connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated pigtail harness
of the clockspring.
The airbag used in this model is a Next Generation-type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in
some prior models. A radial deploying fabric cushion with internal tethers is used. The airbag inflator is a solid fuel, non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit
with four mounting studs and is secured to the metal airbag housing by four hex nuts. A keyed connector receptacle (4) on the driver airbag inflator
connects the inflator initiator to the vehicle electrical system through a yellow-jacketed, two-wire pigtail harness of the clockspring.
The driver airbag and trim cover unit cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged.
Operation
OPERATION
The driver airbag is deployed by electrical signals generated by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) (also known as the lowline or highline airbag
control unit/ARCADE) through the driver airbag squib circuits to the initiator in the airbag inflator.
When the ORC sends the proper electrical signal to the initiator the electrical energy generates enough heat to initiate a small pyrotechnic charge which,
in turn ignites chemical pellets within the inflator. Once ignited, these chemical pellets burn rapidly and produce a large quantity of inert gas. The inflator
is sealed to the back of the airbag housing and a diffuser in the inflator directs all of the inert gas into the airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate.
As the cushion inflates, the driver airbag trim cover will split at predetermined breakout lines, then fold back out of the way. Following an airbag
deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting the inert gas towards the instrument panel through vent holes within the fabric used to
