Occupant Classification System (OCS)

The OCS classifies the size of the front passenger seat occupant and provides this information to the RCM.

Pressure is applied to the OCS bladder when weight of any occupant or object in the front passenger seat is present. The pressure is then transferred through a tube and sensed by the OCS pressure sensor within the OCSM. The OCSM sends information concerning the weight of any occupant or object on the front passenger seat to the RCM via the HS-CAN. The RCM uses this information when determining if the passenger airbag or side airbag needs to be deployed in the event of a crash.

The OCS is also used for operation of the passenger Belt-Minder ®.

Passenger Airbag Deactivation (PAD) Indicator 

The RCM controls the PAD indicator through a direct, hard-wired connection, based on information provided by the OCS. The PAD indicator illuminates to indicate the passenger airbag is disabled. An exception to this is when the front passenger seat is determined to be empty and indication of a deactivated passenger airbag is not necessary. In all other cases, the PAD indicator is off when the passenger airbag is enabled.

The RCM briefly activates the PAD indicator to prove out the indicator function and verify proper functional operation of the PAD indicator to the front occupants.

The following table indicates the passenger airbag and PAD indicator status based on the size of the front passenger occupant.