The frontal Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system 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 (1). The knee bolsters (3) and the steering column absorb crash energy. The driver and passenger knee bolsters are below the instrument panel.

A frontal crash of sufficient force up to 30 degrees 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 IP 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 simultaneously. 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 signal to a value stored in memory. When the generated signal exceeds the stored value, the SDM performs additional signal processing and compares the generated 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 air bags.

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

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

The side impact air bag system consists of the following components:

The inflatable restraint side impact sensor (SIS), inflatable restraint side impact inflator modules, inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM), and the connecting wires make up the side impact inflatable restraint system. The SDM contains a sensing device (accelerometer) that converts vehicle velocity changes to an electrical signal. The SIS is treated as a discriminating sensor and is an input to the SDM. If the SIS determines that the side air bags should be deployed, the SIS tells the SDM to deploy the side air bags. The SDM will then check to see if there is enough vehicle acceleration to warrant a deployment. If so, the SDM will send current to the side air bag deploying the side air bag module. Deployment occurs when the SDM receives vehicle velocity changes through the SIS that are severe enough to warrant deployment.