Side Air Bag Module Construction/Operation; Curtain Air Bag Module Function - Mazda RX-8 2004 Service Highlights

SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CONSTRUCTION/OPERATION

Construction
• Side air bag modules are installed on the outboard sides of the front seat backs.
• The side air bag module is composed of an inflator, module cover and air bag.
• When an air bag deploys, the side air bag module cover is spread apart by the generation of argon gas from
the inflator, inflating the air bag.
Operation
Air bag module deployment operation
• Refer to the SAS CONTROL MODULE DESCRIPTION, Air Bag Module and Pre-tensioner Seat Belt
Deployment Operation. (See 08–10–4 SAS CONTROL MODULE CONSTRUCTION/OPERATION.)
Inflator operation
1. The igniter built into the inflator begins to build up heat when the operation (deployment) signal is sent from the
SAS control module. The inflation agent is ignited by the build up of heat in the igniter.
2. The argon gas expands due to the heat of the ignited inflation agent.
3. The expanding argon gas breaks the discharge barrier, is cooled and filtered by the filter, and then injected into
the air bag.
INFLATION AGENT
IGNITER
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CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULE FUNCTION

• During a lateral collision to the vehicle, the air bag operates (deploys) after receiving an operation signal from
the SAS control module, defusing impact to the side of the head of the driver and other passengers
(passenger-side and rear outboard-seated passenger).
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AIR BAG SYSTEM
SIDE AIR BAG
MODULE
INFLATOR
MODULE
COVER
AIR BAG
ARGON GAS
COMBUSTION OF
INFLATION AGENT
AIR BAG
ARGON GAS
EXPANSION
DISCHARGE
BARRIER
CHU081000147S02
AIR BAG
CHU0810S023
08–10
TO AIR BAG
TO AIR BAG
CHU0810S222
CHU081000171S01
08–10–9