List of content

Task1 page

1. Explain the purpose of passive restraint system ………………………………………… 2/3

2. Decide if the seat belt is active or passive system with explanation of the difference between
the two systems …………………………………………………………………………….. 4/5

3. Check the pretensioner and classify its type (describe the purpose and operation of each
type)……………………………………………………………………………….………. 5/6/7

4. Evaluate the condition of the seatbelt and suggest the required repair and service…….. 7/8/9

5. Diagnose the air bag and identify the expected error for each part of the air bag system. List
the types of the air bag sensors. Show how you can check the clock spring and describe the
function of it…………………………………………………………………..………... 9/10/11

6. Explain in detail the sequence of events that occur during air bag deployment………. 11/12

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1. Explain the purpose of passive restraint system

 The Main purpose of passive restraint system : -

1. Protect the occupants (Passengers) of a vehicle and other road users if a crash occurs
2. Reduce the impact of an accident or the level of injury
3. Mitigate (Soften) the consequences of an accident during and after impact

Figure.1

- There are only three major passive restraint systems: air bags and seat belts and Crumple zones it are
quite effective in reducing the risk of death and serious injury

1. Seat Belts

 Function : it is designed to secure occupants in their seats and restrain their movement during a
crash. it distribute the forces generated by a collision across the stronger parts of the body, such
as the shoulders, chest, and hips, reducing the risk of severe injuries

Figure.2
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  Operation of Seat Belts :

when the car stops suddenly a weighted pendulum swings forward,causing a metal bar to jam into a
toothed gear attached to the spool. Unable to unwind any further, the belt holds the passenger tightly in
place.In belt-activated systems, centrifugal force, because by a sudden jerking of the belt, causes a
lever attached to the spool to move outward. The extended lever activates a device that catches the
toothed gear attached to the spool, stopping its spinning motion. In both systems, the point is to tighten
the belt so that its stopping power is spread across the sturdiest parts of your body

2.air bag

 Function : It are supplemental safety devices that work in conjunction with seat belts. They are
designed to rapidly inflate in the event of a collision, creating a cushioning effect to reduce the
impact forces on the occupants. Airbags are typically located in the steering wheel, dashboard,
side panels, and sometimes in the seat belts themselves. They help protect the head, chest, and
other vulnerable body parts from striking hard surfaces inside the vehicle.
 Operation :

impact Sensor Detects the crash and sends a signal to the airbag control module Receives the signal
from the sensor and triggers the inflation of the airbag.

Figure.3

3. crumple zones

take out the kinetic energy of a crash in a controlled way.This is done through specifically designed
areas of the vehicle that deform and crumple during an accident to absorb the impact. It dissipate most
of the impact energy For the protection of vehicle occupant

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2. Decide if the seat belt is active or passive system with explanation of the difference
between the two systems

 The seat belt is a passive safety system in a car : The seat belt relies on human action to be
activated (buckling up). It doesn't use sensors or take any automatic actions.It becomes
functional only when a crash occurs, offering restraint to the occupant.

- Passive seat belt : uses electric motors to automatically move shoulder belts across the driver and
front seat passenger. The upper end of the belt is attached to a carrier that moves in a track at the top of
the doorframe. The other end is secured to an inertia lock retractor mounted to the center console.
When the door is opened, the outer end of the shoulder belt moves forward to allow for easy entry or
exit. When the doors are closed and the ignition is turned on, the belts move rearward and secure the
occupants.

- the active belt : is manually fastened and should be worn with the passive belt. Most vehicles have
two active belts. One is a lap belt that goes across the occupant’s lap; the other is a shoulder belt that
goes across the shoulder and chest. The two belts join together at a single point where they are inserted
into a buckle anchored to the vehicle’s floor.

Figure.4

-Active safety systems: These systems are designed to prevent accidents from happening in the first
place. They use sensors and computers to detect potential hazards and take corrective actions.
Examples include:

1. Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

2. Electronic stability control (ESC)
3. Forward collision warning
4. Lane departure warning
5. Automatic emergency braking

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-Passive safety systems: These systems come into play during a collision to minimize injuries to
occupants. They don't prevent the accident itself but rather mitigate the impact. Examples include:

1. Seat belts
2. Airbags
3. Crumple zones
4. Rollover protection

3. Check the pretensioner and classify its type (describe the purpose and operation of each
type).
- The pretensioner is a system that effectively restrains an occupants by instantly retracting the seat belt
during a frontal collision

 Checking the seat belt pretensioner :

1- Fasten your seat belts and check to see if the dashboard seat belt light goes out

2 - After that, jerk strongly the seat belt to see if it locks or not. A pull test is an example of one.

 The purpose
when unbuckled, seat belts are stowed away by the seat belt retractors. The retractors may also work as
pretensioners to take up the belt’s slack during an accident to limit the forward movement of the
occupant’s body. Inertia lock retractors prevent the belt from coming out of the retractor when there is
a sudden pull on the belt. Some vehicles have electric or pyrotechnic-type pretensioners. Both of these
are designed to quickly tighten the belt at the start of a crash.

Figure.5

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  Operating pretensioners.

- Shoulder-belt pretensioner When activated, the shoulder-belt pretensioner eliminates the belt slack
and the “film-reel effect” by rolling up and tightening the belt webbing. Here, the system electrically
fires a pyrotechnic propellant charge (in the following Figure). The gas charge released in this process
acts on a plunger, which turns the belt reel via a steel cable in such a way that it is held tightly against
the occupant’s body. The belt webbing is therefore tightened already before the occupant starts their
forward movement. With these belt pretensioners the belt webbing can be pulled back within a period
of 10 MS by up to 12 cm. Electromechanically actuated belt pretensioners are reversible and can
therefore already be activated early in a hazardous situation without there being a collision.

 Types of pretensioners

1.Mechanical Tensioner Purpose : A mechanical pre-tensioner generally makes you feel the seat belt
gradually getting tighter while driving

- Operation: The electric pretensioner replaces the pendulum with an electrical sensor. The electrical
sensor can also be interconnected with other systems on the vehicle, such as rollover sensors or airbag
sensors. This connectivity ensures that the seatbelts will lock even if the sudden deceleration that is
needed to lock a mechanical pretensioner does not occur.

2. Electrical Tensioner Purpose : The electronic pre tensioner usually works together with the airbag
and may even use the same ECU as the airbag and that increases its effectiveness..

- Operation : This pre-tensioner operates with an ECU and a gas generator system in a similar way to
the airbag. An explosive charge is used and causes the gas generator to produce a volume of gas. This
volume of gas produces a pressure which acts on a mechanical linkage to pull the seat belt. This pre
tensioner is usually located in the B-pillar. Both pre tensioners are designed to slacken off slightly
around the same time the airbag deploys, this can be around 30 milliseconds after the collision. This
slight lapse allows the passenger to have a controlled contact with the airbag.

Figure.6

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3. Pyrotechnic Tensioner Purpose : The electronic pre tensioner usually works together with the
airbag and may even use the same ECU as the airbag and that increases its effectiveness..

- Operation : Currently, the pyrotechnic pretensioner is the most common version found in modern cars. This
is because they are considered the most reliable of the three. The pyrotechnic tensioner is also connected to the
ECU, and uses an accelerometer found elsewhere in the vehicle. When it receives an electric pulse, an explosive
charge is used to set off a gas generator. The volume of gas applies pressure to a mechanical linkage with pulls
on the seat belt. The benefit of this technology is that it is currently the fastest option. However, the downside of
this one is that it is a one-time use, meaning it needs to be replaced after it is activated.

Figure.7

4. Evaluate the condition of the seatbelt and suggest the required repair and service.

Condition Suggest repair

 Webbing Inspection(visual inspection)  If you spot any damage, replace the belt.

Figure.8

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  Buckle Inspection :  Make sure there is no dust obstructing it
-If the buckle cover is cracked, the push button should be service by cleaning the inside of
is loose, or the pressure required to release the the seat belt buckle and being lubricated by
button is too high. using silicone spray It helps to keep the
buckle mechanism working smoothly and
prevents any sticking or jamming issues or
replace the buckleIf destroyed, replace it

Figure.9

Figure.10
 Malfunctioning Retractor :  If any of these functions don’t work
- Gently pull out all the webbing, then slowly let it properly, you need to replace the retractor,
retract. All of the webbing should go in and out which usually includes a new belt and
smoothly and all the way, with no binding or tongue as well.
resistance. Next,
- pull out some webbing and give it a sudden, hard
yank. The retractor should lock when you pull on
the webbing hard. This is the same motion that
locks the belt and holds you in place during a
crash.

Figure.11

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  Warning Light and Sound Systems :  When the ignition is turned to the on or run
position, the Fasten Seat Belt light should
come on. There should also be a buzzer or
chime.
 If these warning light and sound systems do
not come on, check for a blown fuse or
circuit breaker.
 If that checks out fine, and there is sound
but no light, check for a damaged or
Figure.12 burned-out bulb.
 If the bulb lights but there is no sound,
check for damaged or loose wiring,
switches, or buzzer (voice module)
5. Diagnose the air bag and identify the expected error for each part of the air bag system.
List the types of the air bag sensors. Show how you can check the clock spring and
describe the function of it.

Note : make sure the ignition has been off for at least 2 seconds Then turn the ignition on. The SRS
warning lamp should turn on and remain on for about 6 seconds if the system detects a problem, the
SRS warning light will remain on.
 air bag warning lamp on
If the lamp flashes or turns off and then turns on again :
⮚low source voltage may be indicated
If the warning lamp on:
⮚defective sensor, damaged wiring or (Clock spring ) or Loose connections or Air bag fuse or
The seat belt buckel socket is not connected
 Deployment Failure Airbag (case study) :
If incorrect airbag launch, delayed launch, or no launch at all
⮚accedient applied on not sensor zone or Software malfunction Consult manufacturer for
potential software updates
 List the types impact sensors :

1.Mass-Type Sensor :
work on the principle of detecting a decrease
in acceleration of a moving vehicle and
generating an electrical impulse

Figure.13

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2. Roller-type Sensor
The roller-type sensor consists of a weight
connected to a coil spring component. Like
the mass-type sensor, during impact with an
oncoming vehicle, the metal weight is
forced forward which alters the tension on
the coil spring to manipulate the electrical
circuit that closes off the sensor contact
3. Micro Electromechanical sensor :
A MEMS sensor is an accelerometer, which
measures the magnitude of inertia, then
converts it to an electrical signal. The signal
the RCM receives from the MEMS crash
sensor varies depending on the rate of
deceleration created by the crash.

4. Piezoelectric Sensor
Certain materials tend to accumulate electric
charges when a mechanical stress is applied
to them. The piezoelectric effect is an effect
that simply describes the fact that a pressure
applied to a piezoelectric material will
generate a voltage.

List the types of the air bag sensors

1. Passenger detection sensor : The picture
at the right side represents a sensor that
detects the presence of a person on the seat.
This can be used to decide whether the
passenger airbag actuates or not in case of
accident.
2.Frontal sensors: These sensors are located at the front of the vehicle, one on each side of the
radiator. Each sensor has a accelerometer that detects a quick variation of speed, and that sends a signal
to the ACU for the frontal airbags deployment. If the force of
3. Side sensors: These sensors are normally located at doors of the vehicle. In the case of an side
accident the sensor sends a signal that activates the airbags. This is an deformation type of system.
4. Seat position sensor: This sensor is located
under the seat; it uses the seat rail to calculate and
inform the ACU about the position of the seat
(closer or further away from the steering wheel).
In this way, the ACU calculates the best inflation
rate of the airbag.

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  To check the clock spring in your airbag system, follow these steps : Before check
disconnect battery cable 10 minutes

1.Remove the Clock Spring : Take out the clock spring from its position (usually located behind the
steering wheel). Place it on a stable surface.

2.Use a Digital Multimeter :

 Set your digital multimeter to the resistance reading mode

 Test the two probes on the multimeter by touching them together to ensure they are working
correctly.
 While testing, gently turn the clock spring to see if the resistance changes

3.Test the Clock Spring :

 Connect the multimeter probes to the clock spring connector

 Check for continuity (electrical connection) between the pins. Check for any open circuits or
shorts

- Function of clock spring : The clock spring establishes the connection between the rigid steering
column and the moving steering wheel. It contains a wound-up wire which allows the car’s steering
wheel to be rotated while keeping an electrical connection to the airbag, steering wheel buttons, and car
horn. It also ensures the connection between the airbag control unit and the gas generator when the
steering wheel rotates. The conductor foil is wound so that it can follow the rotation for 2.5 revolutions
in each direction

6. Explain in detail the sequence of events that occur during air bag deployment.
1. Collision Detection : When a collision or rapid deceleration is detected, the airbag control unit,
receives signals from These sensors can include accelerometers, crash sensors

2. Signal Processing : The airbag control unit analyzes the signals from the sensors to determine if the
conditions warrant airbag deployment. or no

3. Deployment Command : If the airbag control unit determines that airbag deployment is necessary,
it sends an electrical signal to the airbag module. The deployment command triggers the deployment
process to initiate.

4. Ignition of Inflator : The airbag module consists of an inflator and a fabric bag. The inflator
contains a chemical propellant, typically sodium azide , which is designed to rapidly generate gas when
ignited. The deployment command activates an electric current or an igniter that ignites the propellant.

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5. Gas Generation : The ignition of the propellant causes a controlled explosion . This releases a large
volume of gas, typically nitrogen, within milliseconds. The rapid gas generation fills the airbag
quickly, causing it to inflate almost instantaneously.

Figure.19

 Airbags activation time sequence

Moment (milliseconds) Occurrence
0 The collision occurs
30 The bag begins to fill, causing it to exit from under
the cover of the steering wheel, while the driver
begins to be thrown forward
40 The passenger airbag begins to fill
45 The driver has moved about 12 cm forward;
however, the belt slowed the movement of the
body, absorbing some of their energy
50 The driver’s airbag is completely full.
60 The passenger’s airbag is also completely full
90 The airbag receives the impact of the head and
chest of the driver
100 The airbag receives the impact of the head and
chest of the passenger
140 Both airbags are empty and the driver and
passenger returned to their initial positions
(leaning on the seats

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