Air Bag Systems: Description and Operation

GENERAL
The airbag system consists of an airbag control module, left and right front sub sensors, an electric sensor and safety sensor built into the control module, driver's and passenger's airbag modules each containing an inflator and airbag, and side airbag sensors and modules each containing an inflator and airbag (Side airbag equipped model).

FRONT AIRBAG SYSTEM:
A frontal impact exceeding the set level causes the safety sensor, electric sensor and one or both front sub sensors to input impact signals to the CPU. The CPU determines whether the airbags should be inflated or not based on these signals.




The airbag system is provided as a driver and front passenger restraint system supplementary to the seat belts. When an impact greater than a set level is applied to the front of the vehicle, the sensors generate an electrical pulse to inflate the airbags in the airbag modules, thus preventing the driver's and passenger's upper bodies from directly hitting against the steering wheel, instrument panel and/or windshield.




FRONT AIRBAG MODULE
The driver's airbag module is located at the center of the steering wheel and the passenger's airbag module is located at upper portion of instrument panel. Each module contains an airbag and an inflator. If a collision occurs, the inflator produces a large volume of gas to inflate the airbag in a very short time.

SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM:
Input of a side impact signal showing shock energy greater than the set level causes the airbag on the corresponding side to inflate.




The side airbags provide the driver and front passenger with a restraint supplementary to that by the seat belts in the event of a side-on collision. When an impact greater than the set level is applied to either side of the vehicle, the relevant side airbag sensor sends an ignition signal to the corresponding airbag control module. The side airbag module operates to inflate the airbag, thus reducing the shock inflicted in the outside upper body (chest) of the driver or front passenger.




SIDE AIRBAG MODULE
A side airbag module is located at the outer side of each front seat backrest, and it contains an airbag and an inflator.

If a side-on collision occurs, the inflator produces a large volume of gas to inflate the airbag in a very short time.

AIRBAG CONNECTORS
The airbag system uses connectors with a double lock mechanism and an incomplete coupling detection mechanism for enhanced reliability. If coupling is incomplete, the airbag warning light comes on in the combination meter.




AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
The airbag control module is installed in front of the front floor tunnel. It detects the vehicle's deceleration by receiving electrical signals from its inside safety and electric sensors as well as the front sub sensors and judges whether to inflate the airbags. This control module has a built-in self-diagnosis function. If a fault occurs inside the system, it lights up the airbag warning light in the combination meter. The fault data is stored in the module. A back-up power supply is provided for possible damage to the battery during an accident, and a boosting circuit is built into the module in case of a battery voltage drop.




FRONT SUB SENSOR
One front sub sensor is installed on each side, in front of the front wheel apron wall. The front sub sensor is a pendulum type sensor. If the sensor receives a frontal impact exceeding a certain limit, the mass in the sensor rotates forward to turn the switch ON.




AIRBAG SENSOR
The safety sensor and electric sensor are incorporated into the airbag control module and the side airbag sensors.

The safety sensor is also a pendulum type sensor. If the sensor receives a frontal or side impact exceeding a certain limit, the mass in the sensor moves in the direction opposite to the impact direction to turn the switch ON.

The electric sensor consists of a semiconductor type sensor which senses the deceleration caused by collision in terms of change in the electrical resistance of the impact sensing circuit.




STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR
The steering roll connector is located between the steering column and steering wheel. The connector contains a spirally wound flat cable. The cable can follow rotational movements of the steering wheel and ensures connection between the airbag module in the steering wheel and the air- bag harness through which electrical signals are transmitted from the airbag control module.




AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT
The airbag warning light is located inside the combination meter. It illuminates if a poor connection in the airbag circuit occurs, or if the airbag control module detects an abnormal condition. When the airbag system is normal, this light comes on when the ignition switch is turned ON and then goes out about 7 seconds later.

WIRE HARNESS
The airbag harnesses are integrated into the body harness as follows:
- Front sub sensor harness: Integrated into the front harness.
- Airbag main harness: Integrated into the bulkhead harness.
- Pretensioner and side airbag harnesses: Integrated into the rear harness.