SIR System

SIR SYSTEM OVERVIEW




The Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system supplements the protection offered by the occupant seat belt system (2). The SIR system has various inflator modules located throughout the vehicle, i.e. inflatable restraint steering wheel module (1), inflatable restraint IP module (1), and the inflatable restraint side impact module - LF. Each inflator module has a deployment loop that is controlled by the Inflatable Restraint Sensing And Diagnostic Module (SDM), which is mounted inside of the vehicle. The SDM performs continuous diagnostic monitoring of the SIR system electrical components. Upon detection of a circuit malfunction, the SDM will set a Diagnostic Trouble (DTC) and inform the driver by commanding the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) to turn the AIR BAG indicator ON.

The steering column and knee bolsters (3) are designed to absorb energy and compress during frontal collisions in order to limit leg movement and decrease the chance of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Frontal SIR System Description
The frontal SIR system consists of the following components:
^ AIR BAG Indicator In The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC)
^ Driver and front passenger knee bolsters
^ Inflatable restraint Instrument Panel (IP) module
^ Inflatable restraint Sensing And Diagnostic Module (SDM)
^ Inflatable restraint steering wheel module
^ Inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil

A frontal collision of sufficient force will deploy the frontal inflator modules. The SDM contains a sensing device (accelerometer) that converts vehicle velocity changes to an electrical signal. The SDM contains a microprocessor, which performs calculations using the measured accelerations and compares these calculations to a value stored in memory. When the generated calculations exceed the stored value, the SDM will cause current to flow through the frontal deployment loops, deploying the frontal inflator modules. Once the inflator modules are inflated, they quickly deflate through the air bag vent holes and/or the bag fabric. After the inflator modules are deployed, the SDM sets a deployment commanded DTC and then commands the IPC to turn the AIR BAG indicator ON. The SDM, IP module, steering wheel module, steering wheel module coil and the connecting wires make up the frontal deployment loops. The SDM continuously monitors the deployment loops for malfunctions and commands the IPC to turn the AIR BAG indicator ON if a fault is detected.