AIRBAG - Description

Description

The Air Bag protection system comprises the following components, in the most comprehensive configuration:

Front protection system:

• driver's and passenger's front Air Bags;
• front seat belts with pretensioner and load restrictors;
• manual swith for disabling passenger Air Bag.

Side protection system:

• side bag, fitted on the outside of the front seat;
• window bag housed along the roof girders.

An electronic control unit manages the entire system by controlling all the components and activating the restraint systems (Air Bags) as necessary.

By processing the signals it receives from various sensors distributed around the car and those installed inside it, it decides which and how many protection devices to activate in the event of an accident. It can also preven their activation when the crash is not sufficiently serious.

There is an accelerometric sensor on the two front door pillars which, in the case of a side impact, transmits a signal to the control unit. This signal is processed inside the control unit which, as a result, decides on the operation of the Side Bag on the side where the impact has taken place.

The control unit is situated in the centre of the dashboard, and is secured rigidly to the bodywork; in this way the deceleration sensors located inside it are near the barycentre and can detect precisely the deceleration of the entire car.

The driver's Air Bag module is located at the centre of the steering wheel; it is fitted on a tilting plate which enables the horn to be operated. The plate houses a metal container which holds the folded air bag and a gas generator that inflates the bag.

A clock spring device allows the air bag module connection leads to turn with the steering wheel without the risk of breakage.

The passenger Air Bag module is located in the dashboard, and is fixed directly to the vehicle crossmember by means of a special bracket.

The passenger Air Bag can be deactivated manually by means of a specific switch, located on the dashboard.

With the key in the OFF position, the control unit also controls the operation of the special 'passenger Air Bag disabled' warning light.

The side Air Bag is housed in the outer part of the front seat. The sensor is located in the centre pillar.

The control unit is self-diagnostic:

• it detects and memorizes any faults;
• it recognizes the various components and the type of fault
• it signals the onset of these faults via the special warning light;

System activations following a particularly serious impact are memorized by the control unit.

The Air Bag control unit supply is protected by a fuse in the junction unit under the dashboard.

Description

The CONNECT receives a direct signal from the Air Bag control unit and, in the case of an impact signal, activates the emergency phonecall procedure (vehicle safety intervention).