The frontal Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system (1) supplements the protection offered by the driver and front passenger seat belts (2). The frontal SIR system deploys an air bag (1) from the center of the steering wheel and from the right side of the instrument panel (3).

The knee bolsters absorb crash energy. The driver and passenger knee bolsters are below the instrument panel (3). The steering column is collapsible.

A frontal crash of sufficient force up to 30 ° off the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle will deploy the frontal air bags.

The frontal SIR system consists of the following components:

The inflatable restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM), inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil, inflatable restraint steering wheel module, inflatable restraint I/P module, and the connecting wires make up the frontal deployment loops. The function of the frontal deployment loops is to supply current through the frontal inflator modules, deploying the frontal inflator modules. Deployment occurs when the SDM detects vehicle velocity changes severe enough to warrant deployment.

The SDM contains a sensing device (Accelerometer) that converts vehicle velocity changes to an electrical signal. The SDM compares this electrical signal to a value stored in memory. When the generated signal exceeds the stored value, the SDM performs additional signal processing and compares the generates signals to values stored in memory. When two of the generated signals exceed the stored values, the SDM will cause current to flow through the frontal inflator modules, deploying the frontal inflator modules.

An auxiliary inflatable restraint front end discriminating sensor assists the SDM in determining when a deployment should occur by providing an input signal to the SDM.

The side impact air bag system supplements the protection offered by the driver door, the front passenger door, and the vehicle structure. The side impact air bag system deploys an air bag (1) from the driver or front passenger door (2). A side crash of sufficient force will deploy a side air bag.

The inflatable restraint side impact sensing modules (SISM), the inflatable restraint side impact inflator modules, and the connecting wires make up the side impact deployment loops. The function of the side impact deployment loop is to supply current through the side impact inflator module, which will cause deployment of the side impact air bag. Deployment occurs when one of the SISMs detects a side impact severe enough to warrant deployment.

The SISM contains a sensing device (accelerometer) that converts acceleration into an electrical (analog) signal. This signal is converted by a microprocessor in the SISM into acceleration and velocity data. This data is used by a sensing algorithm and compared to various predetermined boundary conditions. When the acceleration value exceeds the predetermined threshold, and the velocity boundary is crossed, the SISM will cause current to flow through the inflatable restraint side air bag module.