Honda 2004 Odyssey Service Manual page 2122

SRS Components ('02 Model)
Airbags
The SRS is a safety device which, when used with the seat belt, is designed to help protect the driver and front
passenger in a frontal impact exceeding a certain set limit. The system consists of the SRS unit, including safing
sensor and impact sensor (A), the cable reel (B), the driver's airbag (C), the front passenger's airbag (D), side airbags
(E), seat belt tensioners (I), and front impact sensors (J). Since the driver's and front passenger's airbags use the same
sensors, both normally inflate at the same time.However, it is possible for only one airbag to inflate. This can occur
when the severity of a collision is at the margin, or threshold, that determines whether or not the airbags will deploy.
In such cases, the seat belt will provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental protection offered by the airbag
would be minimal.
Side Airbags
The side airbags (E) are in each front seat-back. They help protect the upper torso of the driver or front seat passenger
during a moderate to severe side impact. Side impact sensors (F) in each door sill and in the SRS unit detect such an
impact and instantly inflate the driver's or the passenger's side airbag. Only one side airbag will deploy during a side
impact. If the impact is on the passenger's side, the passenger's side airbag will deploy even if there is no passenger.
Seat Belt Tensioners
The seat belt tensioners are linked with the SRS airbags to further increase the effectiveness of the seat belt. In a front-
end collision, the tensioners instantly retract the belt and buckle firmly to secure the occupants in their seats.
OPDS
The side airbag system also includes an Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS). This system consists of sensors
(G) and a OPDS unit (H) in the front passenger's seat-back. The OPDS unit sends occupant height and position data to
the SRS unit. If the SRS unit determines that the front passenger is of small stature (for example, a child) and the front
passenger is leaning into the side airbag deployment path, the SRS unit will automatically disable the airbag. The SRS
unit will also disable the airbag when the OPDS detects certain objects on the seat. When the side airbag is disabled,
the Side Airbag Cutoff indicator on the instrument panel alerts the driver that the passenger's side airbag will not
deploy in a side impact. When the object is removed, or the passenger sits upright, the Side Airbag Cutoff indicator
will go off, alerting the driver that the side airbag will deploy in a side impact.
B
D
J
C
A
G
H
E
I
F
I
E
F
(cont'd)
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