PASSENGER AIRBAG SWITCH

• US 20140136022A1
• Filed: 10/28/2013
• Published: 05/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Heurlin, Fredrik, Persson, Johan
• Granted Patent: US 9,061,642 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01564 Manually or key-actuated inhibition switches

Abstract

A passenger airbag system includes a control unit connected to a switch for switching a passenger airbag between an active and a non-active state. The system also includes a first radio frequency unit arranged in the vehicle and may include a second radio frequency unit arranged in a vehicle remote key, so that when the radio frequency units are brought in contact with each other one of the units is arranged for sending a signal to the control unit for changing a setting of the switch.

Claims

1. A passenger airbag system comprising:

a control unit;

a switch connected to the control unit, the switch for switching a passenger airbag between an active and a non-active state;

a first radio frequency unit arranged in the vehicle; and

a second radio frequency unit arranged in a vehicle remote key, wherein when said radio frequency units are brought in contact with each other one of the units is arranged for sending a signal to the control unit for changing a setting of the switch.

2. A passenger airbag system according to claim 1, further comprising a console with the vehicle radio frequency unit arranged in the console.

3. A passenger airbag system according to claim 1, further comprising a switch status indicator.

4. A passenger airbag system according to claim 3, wherein the indicator comprises an LED.

5. A passenger airbag system according to claim 1, further comprising an overhead console indication.

6. A passenger airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the first radio frequency unit is arranged on a side of a dashboard on a passenger side such that the unit is only accessible when a passenger vehicle door is open.

7. A passenger airbag system according to claim 1, wherein an acoustic signal indicates a status switch.

8. A passenger airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the first radio frequency unit arranged in the vehicle is a passive unit and the second radio frequency unit arranged in the vehicle remote key is an active unit.

9. A passenger airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the first radio frequency unit arranged in the vehicle is an active unit and the second radio frequency unit arranged in the vehicle remote key is a passive unit.

10. A vehicle comprising the passenger airbag system of claim 1.

11. A passenger airbag system comprising:

a control unit;

a switch connected to the control unit, the switch for switching a passenger airbag between an active and a non-active state; and

a first radio frequency unit arranged in the vehicle;

wherein when said first radio frequency unit is brought in contact with a second radio frequency unit arranged in a vehicle remote key, one of the units is arranged for sending a signal to the control unit for changing a setting of the switch.

12. A passenger airbag system according to claim 11, further comprising a console with the vehicle radio frequency unit arranged in the console.

13. A passenger airbag system according to claim 11, further comprising a switch status indicator.

14. A passenger airbag system according to claim 13, wherein the indicator comprises an LED.

15. A passenger airbag system according to claim 11, further comprising an overhead console indication.

16. A passenger airbag system according to claim 11, wherein the first radio frequency unit is arranged on a side of a dashboard on a passenger side such that the unit is only accessible when a passenger vehicle door is open.

17. A passenger airbag system according to claim 11, wherein an acoustic signal indicates a status switch.

18. A passenger airbag system according to claim 11, wherein the first radio frequency unit arranged in the vehicle is a passive unit and the second radio frequency unit arranged in the vehicle remote key is an active unit.

19. A passenger airbag system according to claim 11, wherein the first radio frequency unit arranged in the vehicle is an active unit and the second radio frequency unit arranged in the vehicle remote key is a passive unit.

20. A vehicle comprising the passenger airbag system of claim 11.