PRE-RELEASE
Side airbag
| Side airbag |
The side airbags are concealed under the backrest upholstery fabric on the front seats. The side airbags are connected to control module pins 10 and 11 (driver's seat) and 13 and 14 (passenger's seat).
The purpose of the side airbag in the event of a side collision is to reduce the force of the impact on the person sitting on that side. This is achieved by the inflation of an airbag between the occupant's chest and the side of the door.
The side airbag contains a gas generator. The airbag has a volume of about 25 litres. The airbag and gas generator are protected by a plastic cover with fracture lines.
The side airbag is specific to the seat and car in which it is mounted. There are 4 different side airbags:
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Driver, LHD and RHD
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Passenger, LHD and RHD
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| The side airbag's gas generator |
The gas generator consists of a steel housing, a detonator with an explosive charge and a pressurized vessel. The pressure vessel contains 98% argon and 2% helium. The gas pressure is 250 bar. On receiving an activation command, the control module supplies the detonator with current. This initiates ignition of the fuel and the pressure developed by the detonator breaks the seal on the pressure vessel. The pressurized gas flows out via the filter and fills the airbag.
