Front airbags, together with seat belts, provide protection for the head and upper body of the driver and front passenger in frontal collisions.
In addition to their primary protective function, seat belts ensure that the driver and front passenger are positioned during a frontal impact in such a way that the effectiveness of the protective action of the airbag is maximised.
Inflatable airbags do not replace seat belts and are an integral part of the overall passive safety system.
The frontal inflatable cushion system includes:
- electronic control unit;
- two frontal inflatable cushions (air bag and gas generator);
- signal lamp in the instrument panel.
The performance of the airbag system is constantly monitored. After the ignition is turned on, the signal lamp lights up for a few seconds (self-diagnosis).
The system is faulty when the indicator lamp:
- when the ignition is turned on it does not start to burn;
- four seconds after turning on the ignition it does not go out;
- after turning on the ignition it goes out and lights up again;
- lights up or flickers while driving.
The front airbags do not deploy when:
- ignition off;
- mild frontal impacts;
- light side impacts;
- impacts to the rear of the car;
- car overturning.
Action of frontal airbags
The airbag system is activated in the event of a severe frontal impact that could cause injury to the driver and front passenger.
In certain types of accidents, frontal and side airbags, as well as side air curtains, are deployed.
When the system is activated, the air bags of the airbags are filled with a special gas and deployed. When the airbags are fully deployed, the energy of the driver and front passenger's forward movement is dampened, and the likelihood of injury is reduced.
Under the influence of the body weight load, the gas from the bag is released in a controlled manner to soften the impact of the head and upper body. After the impact, the air bag is so empty that it does not interfere with the forward view.
The air bag fills at high speed in a matter of seconds, which ensures reliable protection. When the air bag is emptied, some dust appears. This is quite normal and should not be a cause for concern.
The covers of the inflatable cushion modules open when the cushions are deployed (fig. 1.101). The covers remain attached to the steering wheel and the dashboard.
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