How System Works

HOW THE

FORD AIR BAG

SUPPLEMENTAL

RESTRAINT

SYSTEM WORKS The Ford air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) consists of four major elements:

^ The air bag module; includes an inflator, an air bag, and a trim cover
^ The electronic diagnostic module; monitors the air bag electrical system for faults and disables the system when certain faults are detected

^ Crash sensors; detect sudden deceleration

^ A back-up power supply; provides power to the system in case the battery is damaged before the crash sensors operate

The driver-side air bag module is located in the hub of the steering wheel. The passenger-side air bag module (if the vehicle is so equipped) is in the instrument panel above the glove compartment.

The air bag inflator contains a solid chemical gas generant:
solid pellets or disks of sodium azide and an oxidizer, such as copper oxide. The solid chemicals are safely stored in a metal chamber inside the air bag module. Each inflator is sealed to keep out moisture.

Air bags are designed to deploy in moderate to major frontal crashes. The following four steps show how the air bag system works:
1. In a frontal impact, sensors in the vehicle detect the sudden deceleration. When two of the sensors close at the same time, electricity flows to the inflator and causes ignition of the gas generant.
2. The gas generant then rapidly burns in the metal chamber The rapid burning produces nitrogen gas and small amounts of dust. The nitrogen gas and dust are cooled and filtered, during Inflation of the air bag.
3. The inflating air bag splits open the trim cover. The air bag then rapidly unfolds and inflates in front of the occupant.

NOTE: STEPS 1-3 TAKE PLACE IN A FRACTION Of A SECOND.

4. After inflation, the gas is vented through openings in the air bag. Air bags deflate at once and may be pushed aside for occupant removal.

The surface of deployed air bag(s) and the vehicle interior may be dusted with a powdery residue. The powdery residue is corn starch or talcum powder, which is used to lubricate the air bag as it deploys, and sodium compounds, a by-product of the gas generant combustion. The sodium compounds are mostly sodium carbonates (e.g., baking soda), and possibly a very small amount of sodium hydroxide that may be irritating to the skin and eyes.

NOTE: THIS POWDER IS SLIGHTLY ALKALINE BUT IS NOT CONSIDERED TOXIC.