Passenger Airbag: Operation

The passenger airbag is deployed by an electrical signal generated by the Airbag Control Module (ACM) through the passenger airbag squib circuits to the initiator in the airbag inflator. The hybrid-type inflator assembly includes a small canister of highly compressed inert gas. When the ACM sends the proper electrical signal to the airbag inflator, the electrical energy generates enough heat to ignite chemical pellets within the inflator. Once ignited, these chemical pellets burn rapidly and produce the pressure necessary to rupture a burst disk in the inert gas canister.

The inflator is sealed to the airbag cushion so that all of the released inert gas is directed into the airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate. As the cushion inflates, the passenger airbag door will split at predetermined tear seam lines integral to the door, then the door will fold up over the top of the instrument panel and out of the way. Following a passenger airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting the inert gas through the porous fabric material used to construct each end panel of the airbag cushion.