9000 Hatchback Driver Side Air Bag Description | Restraint Systems
Air Bag: Description and Operation
Passenger Side Air Bag
PURPOSE
The passenger side airbag protects the passenger(s) in case of a frontal impact.
CONSTRUCTION
The passenger airbag module contains a gas generator and an airbag which is twice the size of the steering wheel airbag. The gas generator is
screwed to the airbag housing which in turn is screwed to the dashboard. The gas generator in the passenger air bag works in the same way as that
in the steering wheel airbag module. It consists of an aluminium casing divided into an inner chamber, a center chamber and two outer chambers.
Gas Generator
1. Fuel
2. Explosive charge
3. Filter
4. Electric detonator
5. Electrical connection
The inner chamber contains an electric detonator and an explosive charge. Passages connect the inner chamber with the center chamber.
The center chamber contains fuel in tablet form that generates a gas when it burns. Passages fitted with a filter connect the inner chamber with the
two outer chambers. The filter separates particulate impurities from the gas.
The outer chambers contain an additional filter through which the gas passes before it reaches the airbag.
OPERATION
The system is powered from the ignition switch when the switch is in the ON or START position.
If the car is subjected to a frontal impact equivalent to crashing into a steel barrier at, the contacts in the front sensor and safety sensor in the
control module will close. Current then flows through the contacts in the safety sensor to the electric detonator via the contact unit.
The detonator is grounded to the car body via the contact unit through the front sensor. The electric detonator fires the explosive charge which
ignites the fuel in the gas generator, causing gas to be generated at high pressure.
The passenger airbag inflates in about 50 ms.
