General Description

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbag, together with the seat belt, is designed to help protect the driver. In a collision, the airbag sensors detect the shock, and if the front to rear shock is greater than a specified value, an airbag stored in the steering wheel pad is inflated instantaneously to help reduce the shock to the driver.

When the vehicle is involved in a frontal collision and the shock is larger than a predetermined level, the airbag is automatically activated. Safing sensors are designed to go on at a smaller deceleration rate than the front and center airbag sensors. Airbag deployment is caused when a safing sensor and a front airbag sensor and/or center airbag sensor go on at the same time. When a deceleration force acts on the sensors, it causes the squib to ignite. Gas is then generated, increasing the pressure inside the bag rapidly. The inflated bag breaks open the steering wheel pad. Airbag inflation then ends, and the gas is discharged through discharge holes provided behind the bag. The bag becomes deflated as a result.