Toyota 4Runner: System Description

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

1. GENERAL

(a) In conjunction with the impact absorbing structure for a front collision, the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) steering pad, instrument panel passenger airbag, lower No. 1 instrument panel airbag, lower No. 2 instrument panel airbag, front seat side airbag and curtain shield airbag are designed to supplement seat belts in the event of a front collision in order to help reduce shock to the head, chest and knees of the driver and front passenger. This system is a 3-sensor type airbag system which detects the impact during a front collision using the center airbag sensor and front airbag sensors. It also operates the airbag system and seat belt pretensioners.

(b) This vehicle is equipped with electrical-type deceleration sensors for the front airbags in order to detect details about the extent of a collision during the initial stages of the collision. Therefore, the deployment of the driver airbag and instrument panel passenger airbag is controlled in two stages according to the severity of the impact.

(c) In conjunction with the impact absorbing structure for a side collision, the front seat side airbag, curtain shield airbag and front seat outer belt are designed to help reduce shock to the driver, front passenger and rear outer passengers in the event of a side collision.

(d) The curtain shield airbag helps reduce shock to the front and rear seat occupants. In conjunction with the curtain shield airbag, side airbag sensors are installed at the bottom of the front doors and rear airbag sensors are installed at the bottom of the rear pillars.

(e) In this system, a front side collision is detected by the side airbag sensor in order to simultaneously deploy the front seat side and curtain shield airbags. A rear side collision is detected by the rear airbag sensor and the center airbag sensor in order to deploy the curtain shield airbag.

(f) The center airbag sensor sends the airbag deployment signal to the ECM through the CAN (Controller Area Network) to operate the fuel pump control.

2. CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION

(a) FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR

(1) The front airbag sensors are installed on the right and left radiator supports respectively.

(2) The front airbag sensor consists of a deceleration sensor.

(3) The deceleration sensor is built into the front airbag sensor and the distortion that is created in the sensor is converted into an electric signal based on the vehicle deceleration rate during a front collision. Accordingly, the extent of the initial collision can be detected in detail.

(b) SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR

(1) The side airbag sensors are installed on the bottom of the right and left front doors respectively.

(2) The side airbag sensor consists of a deceleration sensor.

(3) The deceleration sensor is built into the side airbag sensor and the distortion that is created in the sensor is converted into an electric signal based on the vehicle deceleration rate during a front side collision. Accordingly, the extent of the initial collision can be detected in detail.

(c) REAR AIRBAG SENSOR

(1) The rear airbag sensors are installed on the right and left rear pillars respectively.

(2) The rear airbag sensor consists of a deceleration sensor.

(3) The deceleration sensor is built into the rear airbag sensor, and the distortion that is created in the sensor is converted into an electric signal based on the vehicle deceleration rate during a rear side collision. Accordingly, the extent of the initial collision can be detected in detail.

(d) REAR FLOOR SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR

(1) The rear floor side airbag sensor is installed in the center of the floor between the rear pillars.

(2) The rear floor side airbag sensor consists of a deceleration sensor.

(3) The deceleration sensor is built into the rear floor side airbag sensor and the distortion that is created in the sensor is converted into an electric signal based on the vehicle deceleration rate during a side collision. Accordingly, the extent of the initial collision can be detected in detail.

(e) CENTER AIRBAG SENSOR

(1) General

(2) Deceleration sensor and ignition control circuit

(3) Safing sensor

(4) Electronic safing sensor

(5) Backup power source

(6) Diagnostic circuit

(7) Memory circuit

(f) SRS WARNING LIGHT

(1) The SRS warning light is located in the combination meter. It comes on to inform the driver of system trouble when a malfunction is detected in the self-diagnosis of the center airbag sensor. Under normal operating conditions when the ignition switch is turned to ON, it comes on for approximately 6 seconds and then goes off.

3. DEPLOYMENT CONDITION

If the vehicle is in a collision and the shock is more than the specified value, the SRS is activated automatically. The center airbag sensor includes the safing sensor and deceleration sensor. The safing sensor is designed to turn on at a lower deceleration rate than the deceleration sensor.

(a) The center airbag sensor determines whether ignition is necessary based on signals from the deceleration sensor and the front airbag sensor. If the safing sensor turns on simultaneously, current flows to the squibs to deploy the SRS as shown in the illustration below.

HINT:

In case of a front collision, the ignition signal may be output with the deceleration sensor on signal even without a signal from the front airbag sensor.

(b) The center airbag sensor determines whether ignition is necessary based on signals from the side airbag sensor. If the safing sensor turns on simultaneously, current flows to the squib to deploy the SRS as shown in the illustration below.

(c) The center airbag sensor determines whether ignition is necessary based on signals from the side airbag sensor and rear airbag sensor. If the safing sensor turns on simultaneously, current flows to the squib to deploy the SRS as shown in the illustration below.

(d) The center airbag sensor determines whether ignition is necessary based on signals from the rear airbag sensor. If the safing sensor turns on simultaneously, current flows to the squib to deploy the SRS as shown in the illustration below.

HINT:

If the front seat side airbag deploys, the curtain shield airbag will also deploy, regardless of whether the signal is output from the rear airbag sensor.