312001157 - E7030 AIR BAG - DESCRIPTION (Side Bag)

DESCRIPTION

The vehicle is equipped with an electronic control system that governs the activation of specific containment devices in the event of frontal or side impact.An electronic control unit manages the entire system.
The Air Bag control unit (NAB) connectors differ depending on the versions available. This is necessary to prevent fitting an incorrect control unit from the Parts Dept. (foolproof logic).
In the most complete configuration the frontal protection system includes:

  • driver and passenger front air bags with two-stage activation;
  • single-stage driver''s kneebag;
  • passenger and driver side pretensioners with double retaining action;
  • additional impact detection sensor on front crossmember (ECS).
In the most complete configuration the side protection system comprises:

  • Side Bag;
  • Window Bag;
  • side impact detection sensor on central pillars.
The front protection system features new Air Bag Smart 2 activation software that automatically adapts activation parameters according to impact severity.Driver and passenger front airbags feature two-stage activation:

  • when the impact is of moderate severity, the electronic control unit controls the airbag first activation stage and then the second stage after a certain delay to ensure that the energy discharged onto the occupant is not harmful;
  • - for very severe crashes, the control unit activates the first and second stage with a very slight delay in order to absorb the occupant''s greater kinetic energy before he strikes the steering wheel or dashboard.
A supplementary ECS (Early Crash Sensor) on the front crossmember near the engine cooling radiator also helps the electronic control unit to operate more quickly than a conventional system so that the airbag activation stage is completed before the occupant''s body begins to move towards the steering wheel or dashboard.The control unit is located under the centre console and is securely fastened to the body: in this way the deceleration sensors located inside the unit are near the centre of gravity and detect deceleration accurately for the entire vehicle.The Air Bag module is fitted in the centre of the steering wheel: it is fitted on a rocker plate that allows the horn to be operated. The plate houses a metal container that contains the folded bag and the gas generation device that inflates the bag.A clock spring allows the connecting cables for the Air Bag module to follow the rotation of the steering wheel without danger of breaking.The passenger Air Bag is located on the dashboard, and is fastened directly to the vehicle crossmember by means of a special bracket.The driver''s side knee bag module is located in the lower part of the dashboard, beneath the steering wheel. This single-stage activation module, in addition to protecting the lower limbs, increases protection for the driver, particularly by preventing him/her from sliding forward, which is a possible cause of injury, particularly to the chest.The Side Bags are incorporated directly into the seats, located in a special housing on the outside of the backrests.The Window Bags are made up of two bags, one on the right side and one on the left side of the vehicle, housed behind the roof side linings and covered by special trims.The passenger and driver side pretensioners with double retaining action are built in to the seat belt reel and the three way seat belt anchorage (pyrotechnic pretensioners) close to the running board area. Their simultaneous activation is designed to take up slack in the seat belt to ensure it holds the occupant against the backrest and cushion from the first moments of impact, thus reducing movement inside the passenger compartment.The seat belts are also equipped with a load limiter which makes it possible to adjust the force acting on one''s chest and shoulders during the retaining action of the belts in the case of a frontal impact.The vehicle is equipped with a S.B.R. (Seat Belt Reminder) system consisting of a buzzer that notifies the driver and the passenger (if present) that their seat belt is unfastened, complemented by a flashing seat belt unfastened warning light in the instrument panel.The control unit is equipped with a self-diagnostic function:

  • it detects and stores faults;
  • it recognises the various components and the fault type;
  • it indicates the onset of faults by means of the special warning light.
The activation of the system following a particularly serious impact is memorized by the control unit.When the system autodiagnostic function detects a fault or an impact is recorded, the control unit sends a signal, via the CAN, to activate the Air Bag fault warning light located in the instrument panel.Similarly, it lights up the passenger Air Bag disabled warning light and the seat belts not fastened warning light.This warning light signals that the driver''s and the passenger''s (if present) seat belt is not fastened, coming on constantly from the key on; the warning light in the panel starts to flash and the instrument panel buzzer sounds intermittently if the vehicle speed exceeds 20 km/h or a distance of more than 400 m is travelled when the front seat belts are not correctly fastened.
The latter warning light uses information from the two switches in the front seat belt buckle and a passenger presence sensor under the cushion: this information does NOT affect the Air Bag activating logic.
It is possible to deactivate the passenger side Air Bag (front and Side Bag) by using the specific adjustments supplied by the multifunctional display and by pressing the keys on the right of the instrument panel.
The passenger side Air Bag deactivation function is activated from the setup menu on the instrument panel, via the keys on the right of the same panel, not using the key!! When it is deactivated the warning light in the instrument panel comes on.
For more details,    See descriptions 5580C AIR BAG SYSTEM The system control unit supply line is protected by a specific Body Computer fuse.
When operations are carried out on the Air Bag system, the following safety recommendations must be closely followed. For more details,
    Op. 5580C AIR BAG SYSTEM