Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
FRONT AND SIDE<br />
AIRBAGS<br />
FRONT AIRBAGS<br />
Description and operation<br />
The front airbag (driver’s and passenger’s)<br />
is a safety device which comes into<br />
action in the event of a head-on collision.<br />
It consists of a cushion that inflates<br />
instantaneously contained in a special<br />
recess:<br />
– in the centre of the steering wheel<br />
for the driver; fig. 137;<br />
– in the dashboard and with a bigger<br />
cushion for the passenger fig. 138.<br />
fig. 137<br />
90 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE<br />
F0D0131m<br />
The front airbag (driver and passenger)<br />
has been designed to protect the<br />
occupants in the event of head-on<br />
crashes of medium-high severity, by<br />
placing the cushion between the occupant<br />
and the steering wheel or dashboard.<br />
In case of crash, an electronic control<br />
unit processes the signals from deceleration<br />
sensor and, when required,<br />
triggers the inflation of the cushion.<br />
The bag inflates instantly and acts as<br />
a protective barrier between the front<br />
seat passengers and the structures in<br />
front of them that could cause injury.<br />
The bags deflate immediately afterwards.<br />
fig. 138<br />
F0D0169m<br />
In case of crash, a person not wearing<br />
the seat belt moves forward and<br />
may come into contact with the cushion<br />
while it is still inflating. Under this<br />
circumstance the protection offered<br />
by the airbag is reduced.<br />
The front airbag (driver and passenger)<br />
is therefore not a replacement of<br />
but is complementary to the use of<br />
belts, which should always be worn, as<br />
specified by law in Europe and most<br />
non-European countries.<br />
In the case of minor head-on collisions,<br />
(for which the restraining action<br />
of the seat belt is sufficient) the airbag<br />
is not triggered.<br />
In collisions against highly deformable<br />
or mobile objects (such as road signs,<br />
heaps of gravel or snow, parked vehicles,<br />
etc.), in rear crashes (such as<br />
bumps from behind by another vehicle),<br />
side impacts, and in case of wedging<br />
under other vehicles or protective<br />
barriers (for example under a truck or<br />
guard rail), the airbag is not triggered<br />
as it offers no additional protection<br />
compared with the seat belts, consequently,<br />
it would be pointless.
Change language