Knee Airbag Modules - Alfa Romeo 159 Training Material

ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM
Supplementary Early Crash Sensor (ECS)
The supplementary Early Crash Sensor (ECS) located near the bonnet lock helps the ECU to anticipate airbag
deployment with respect to a traditional system and avoids the risk of minor injuries caused by airbag deployment by
inflating the airbags before the occupant starts advancing towards the steering wheel or dashboard. It also decreases
sensitivity in the case of collisions under the body for which airbag deployment is not necessary because they do not
cause risks to occupants.
Manual airbag deactivation switch
The switch, located on the right-hand side of the dashboard (left-hand side on right-hand drive models), can be used
to deactivate the passenger's airbag to safely install a back-facing child seat. A LED will light up on the instrument
panel when the airbag is deactivated. Deactivation is only possible when the car is stationary.

9.7.3 Knee airbag modules

Features
Two airbag modules are fitted in the lower part of the dashboard in front of the passenger's knees and under the
steering wheel. These modules protect the lower limbs and increase protection for the driver and front passenger,
especially by preventing forward slipping that can cause chest injuries.
Construction
The knee airbag module consists of a metallic casing housing a gas generator and a nylon bag.
The container is fastened to a supporting plate and a safety anchoring that fastens it rigidly to the lower part of the
dashboard.
1. External cover
2. Bag
3. Gas generator
4. Generator support
5. Support plate
6. Safety plate
Seat belts with pretensioner on buckle
The same system of sensors that controls the airbags also activates the seat belt pretensioners. The pretensioners
recover belt slackness and hold the occupant against the vehicle from the first instants of the collision to reduce
movements inside the passenger compartment. Furthermore, the pretensioner on the buckle allows to control hip
movement limiting forward movements and loads on thighbones in the event of collisions.
The belts are also equipped with progressive load limited which decrease the force to two decreasing thresholds for
releasing the belt.
This along with the protection offered by the airbags integrates the occupant's safety more gradually and efficacy.
The load limiter force levels considerably reduces the risk of fractures to shoulder bones and ribs also for the most
delicate bones (e.g. the elderly). Four position height adjuster are fitted on the front seats to ensure maximum comfort
and optimal safety.
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