Airbag module on passenger door

An airbag module for a passenger door comprising:

• (a) a door bustle;
• (b) an airbag positioned adjacent the door bustle;
• (c) an inflator positioned adjacent the door bustle, wherein the inflator is configured to release a pressurized gas when activated;
• and
• (d) a pneumatic system coupled to the inflator and the airbag, wherein the pneumatic system comprises a slide lock that is configured to couple a girt bar of an escape slide to a passenger door sill when the inflator is activated.

A method of controlling an airbag module comprising (i) an airbag and (ii) an inflator, and a pneumatic system comprising a slide lock, wherein an outlet of the inflator is coupled to an inlet of the pneumatic system, an outlet of the pneumatic system is coupled to an inlet of a valve, and an outlet of the valve is coupled to an inlet of the airbag, the steps comprising:

• detecting a signal from a sensing circuit;
• determining that a crash has occurred;
• transmitting a signal instructing the inflator to release pressurized gas;
• and
• transmitting a signal instructing the valve to open.

A method of controlling an airbag module comprising (i) an airbag and (ii) an inflator, and a pneumatic system comprising a slide lock, wherein an outlet of the inflator is coupled to an inlet of the pneumatic system, an outlet of the pneumatic system is coupled to an inlet of a valve, and an outlet of the valve is coupled to an inlet of the airbag, the steps comprising:

• detecting a signal from a sensing circuit;
• determining that a crash has not occurred;
• detecting a signal from a door positioning sensor;
• determining that a passenger door is being opened from within an interior of a vehicle;
• transmitting a signal instructing the inflator to release pressurized gas;
• and
• transmitting a signal instructing the valve to close.