Driver Air Bag Module

Driver And Passenger Air Bag Module Inflator:

The driver, passenger and side air bag modules consist of the following components which cannot be disassembled:
^ Inflator
^ Bag
^ Container
^ Cover

The inflator is screwed into a metal cup-shaped container. The bag is then folded on top of the inflator and the whole subassembly is enclosed by the cover.

The driver air bag module is fitted to the steering wheel, the cover forming the outer surface of the steering wheel boss. The cover has invisible 'split lines' moulded in its surfaces allowing the air bag to easily exit through the cover when the system deploys.

The purpose of the inflator is to generate the gas needed to fill the air bag. It consists of a high strength steel casing filled with a solid propellant charge and an electrically activated igniter. The igniter is activated by a signal from the electronic control module which in turn ignites the propellant charge. The very rapid burning of the propellant produces sufficient gas to fill the air bag(s). As the gases expand they cool, preventing heat damage to the bag. The driver's side air bag module has one inflator and bag, with a filled volume of 55 liters.

The bag is a one piece woven item with a silicon coating to provide flame and heat protection in the vicinity of the inflator.