Air Bag, Driver: Description
The injection molded, thermoplastic Driver AirBag (DAB) protective trim cover (2) is the most visible part of the DAB. The DAB is secured to an integral combination floating horn switch and fixing plate unit. The DAB is located in the center of the steering wheel (1), where it is secured by a spring wire retainer integral to the fixing plate to three hooks of the steering wheel armature within the hub cavity of the steering wheel. An injection molded emblem with the Ram logo is applied to the center of the trim cover.
Concealed beneath the DAB trim cover are the folded airbag cushion, the airbag inflator and the retainers that secure the inflator to the housing. The airbag cushion, housing and inflator are secured within a molded plastic case (1) to which the trim cover is secured. The back of the DAB case incorporates a retainer spring (4) and fixing plate unit which is used to secure the unit to the steering wheel armature. The DAB case also includes integral horn switch wiring, the horn switch connector (3) and four horn switch contacts.
The DAB used in this vehicle is a Single-stage type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some prior vehicles. A radial deploying fabric airbag cushion with internal tethers is used. The airbag inflator is a single-initiator, non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit and is secured to the airbag housing. A keyed connector receptacle (2) on the DAB inflator connects the inflator initiator to the vehicle electrical system through a jacketed, two-wire pigtail harness from the clockspring. A second connection is for the horn switch. These connections are completed to the vehicle electrical system through the clockspring.
The DAB cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective or in any way damaged. The DAB trim cover and the horn switch are serviced only as a unit with the DAB.