Air Bag: Description and Operation

PURPOSE
Crash-inflated airbag modules reduce the severity of injury to the head and upper part of the body during head-on collisions.

CONSTRUCTION
The airbag module consists of:
- Impact shell and padded cap
- Airbag
- Integrated gas generator and ignition pill

OPERATION
During deployment an electric circuit is made and the gas generator ignited. In the process, flash combustion of solid-propellant mixture causes non-toxic gases to be released, which fully inflate the folded airbag in the steering wheel within approx. 30 ms.

Deflation takes place immediately through two vent holes in the side of the airbag facing away from the driver.

The volume of the airbag is approximately 70 liters, approx. 2.5 cu. ft.