Driver Airbag

Driver Airbag:

The driver airbag protective trim cover is the most visible part of the driver airbag system. The driver airbag is mounted directly to the steering wheel. Located under the airbag trim cover are the horn switch, the folded airbag cushion, and the air-bag cushion supporting components. The resistive membrane-type horn switch is secured within a plastic tray between the driver airbag cover and the backer plate which is heat staked on to the driver airbag cover.

The driver airbag cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged. The horn switch, located underneath the driver airbag trim cover, is available for service replacement.

The driver airbag includes a stamped metal housing to which the cushion and an inflator unit are attached and sealed. The conventional pyrotechnic-type inflator assembly is mounted to studs on the back of the airbag module housing. The inflator seals the hole in the airbag cushion so it can discharge the gas it produces directly into the cushion when supplied with the proper electrical signal. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting this gas towards the instrument panel through the porous fabric material used on the steering wheel side of the airbag cushion.

The protective trim cover is fitted to the front of the airbag and forms a decorative cover in the center of the steering wheel. The inside of the trim cover has locking blocks molded into it that engage a lip on the airbag metal housing. One stamped metal retainer is fit over the inflator mounting studs. On the back of the airbag housing the stamped steel retainer is engaged in slots on the inside of the cover, securely locking the trim cover into place. The trim cover will split at predetermined breakout lines, then fold back out of the way along with the horn switch and tray unit upon airbag deployment.