Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Description and Operation

The air bag sliding contact is designed to carry signals between the electronic air bag control module and the driver air bag module. The air bag sliding contact is fitted to the steering column multifunction switch mounting bracket, and consists of fixed and moving parts connected by a coiled Mylar tape with integral conducting tracks. The Mylar tape is able to 'wind up' and 'unwind' as the steering wheel (to which the moving part is attached) is turned, maintaining electrical contact at all times between the electronic air bag control module and the air bag module. The air bag sliding contact is used in order to achieve the high degree of circuit integrity required by such a critical safety system as the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).