Commander 2WD V8-5.7L (2008)
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 to the armature within the hub cavity of the four-spoke steering wheel. An injection molded, bright
emblem with the Jeep logo is applied to the center of the trim cover.
Concealed beneath the driver air bag trim cover are the folded airbag cushion, the airbag housing, the airbag inflator and the retainers that secure the
inflator to the housing. The airbag cushion, housing (3), and inflator (2) are secured within an integral receptacle molded into the back of the trim cover
(1). The vertical walls of this receptacle have numerous integral latch features that are inserted through numerous openings around the perimeter of the
airbag housing. After the trim cover latches are fully seated in the housing a blocking tab integral to the housing is bent down to block the latch feature of
the trim cover, locking the trim cover securely into place on the airbag housing. Three wire loop snap retainers (5) extend from the housing to secure the
airbag to the steering wheel armature. The snap retainer at the 6 o'clock position has a distinctive V-shape to ensure proper orientation of the airbag when
it is installed onto the steering wheel.
The airbag used in this vehicle is a multistage-type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some
prior vehicles. A radial deploying 67.3 centimeter (26.5 inch) diameter fabric airbag cushion with internal tethers is used. The airbag inflator is a
dual-initiator, non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit and is secured to the stamped metal airbag housing using four flanged hex nuts. Two keyed and
color-coded connector receptacles (4) on the driver airbag inflator connect the two inflator initiators to the vehicle electrical system through two
yellow-jacketed, two-wire pigtail harnesses of the clockspring.
The driver airbag cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged.
Operation
OPERATION
The multistage driver airbag is deployed by electrical signals generated by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) through the driver airbag squib 1
and squib 2 circuits to the two initiators in the airbag inflator. By using two initiators, the airbag can be deployed at multiple levels of force. The force
level is controlled by the ORC to suit the monitored impact conditions by providing one of several delay intervals between the electrical signals provided
to the two initiators. The longer the delay between these signals, the less forcefully the airbag will deploy.
When the ORC sends the proper electrical signals to each initiator, the electrical energy generates enough heat to initiate a small pyrotechnic charge
