ISystem Description
SRS Components
Airbags
The SRS is a safety device which, when used with the seat belt, is designed to help protect the driver and frontpassenger in a frontal impact exceeding a certain set limit. The system consists ofthe SRS unit, including safingsensor and impact sensor (A), the cable reel (B), the driver's airbag (C), the front passenger,s airbag (D). seat belttensioners (l), seat belt buckle tensioners (J), and front impact sensors (K).
Since the driver's and front passenger's airbags use the same sensors, both normally inflate at the same ttme.However, it is possible for only one airbag to inflate. This can occur when the severity of a collision is at the margin, orthreshold, that determines whether or not the airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will provide sufficientprotection, and the supplemental protection offered by the airbag would be mininal.
Side Airbags
The side airbags (E) are in each front seat-back. They help protect the upper torso of the driver or front seat passenger
during a moderate to severe side impact. Side impact sensors (F) in each door sill and in the SRS unit detect such animpact and instantly inflate the driver's or the passenger's side airbag. Only one side airbag will deploy during a sideimpacl. lf the impact is on the passenger's side, the passenger's side airbag will deploy even if there is no passenger.
Seat Belt and Seat Belt Buckle Tensioners
The seat belt and seat belt buckle tensioners are linked with the SRS airbags to further increase the effectiveness ofthe seat belt. ln a front-end collision, the tensioners instantly retract the belt and buckle firmly to secure the occupantsin their seats.
OPDS
The side airbag system also includes an occupant position detection system (OpDS). This system consists of sensors(G)and an OPDS unit (H) in the front passenger's seat-back. The OPDS unit sends occupant heighl and position data tothe SRS unit. lf the OPDS unit determines that the front passenger is of small stature (for example, a child) and thefront passenger is leaning into the side airbag deployment path, the SRS unit will automatically disable the passenger'sside airbag. The SRS unit will also disable the airbag when the OPDS detects certain obiects on the seat. When theside airbag is disabled, the side airbag cutoff indicator on the instrument panel alerts the driver that the passenger'sside airbag will not deploy in a side impact. When the object is removed, or the passenger sits upright, the side airbagcutoff indicator will go off after a few seconds, alerting the driver that the passenger's side airbag will deploy in a sideimDact.
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