Air Bag, Passenger: Description
The horizontal surface of the instrument panel cover above the glove box is the most visible part of the Passenger AirBag (PAB). The PAB door is integral to the instrument panel cover forward of and above the glove box on the instrument panel in front of the front seat passenger seating position.
Located below the PAB door area of the instrument panel cover, the molded thermoplastic PAB retainer or chute is secured to the underside of the cover. The retainer defines the airbag door breakout area of the cover and serves as the receptacle for the PAB cushion and housing. Numerous small window openings on the forward and rearward flanges of the receptacle receive mating hook formations stamped into the airbag housing, which locate and secure the housing to the cover.
The PAB unit also includes an integral lower bracket (6) that is secured by two screws to the instrument panel structural support. The PAB unit used in this vehicle is a three-stage type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some prior vehicles. The PAB unit consists of a stamped metal housing (1), the airbag cushion (3) and the airbag inflator (2). The airbag inflator is secured to the housing by four screws and nuts. The airbag housing contains the folded airbag cushion. An approximately 66 centimeter (26 inch) wide by 76 centimeter (30 inch) high rectangular split fabric cushion with safety vents, an active vent and as single tether is used.
The airbag inflator is a non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing. Two dedicated take outs and yellow connectors of the instrument panel wire harness with keyed, color-coded (black and orange) insulators connect the two inflator initiators (5) to the vehicle electrical system. The third stage of deployment is provided a non-azide, pyrotechnic-type active vent tether cutter (4) that is connected through a third dedicated take out and connector of the instrument panel wire harness.
The PAB cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective or in any way damaged. The PAB door and retainer are serviced only as a unit with the instrument panel cover. If the PAB is deployed, the instrument panel cover must also be replaced.