False release registering circuit for collision protective devices
First Claim
1. A circuit for registering falsely initiated releases of at least one shock-absorbing protective device, in a vehicle, intended to be released into operative position in case of shock-producing accident, comprising, in addition to a first deceleration sensor (12,13) and at least one normally open switch (14,43) operable in response thereto and connected in series with at least one electrically operated shock-absorbing protective device (11,42) for control of the release thereof:
- a second deceleration sensor (52) responsive to a rate of deceleration exceeding a predetermined minimum rate and a normally closed switch (50) operable in response thereto;
a storage register (49) responsive to a current exceeding a predetermined minimum current connected in a series circuit combination with said normally closed switch (50), said series circuit combination (49,50) being connected in a circuit branch disposed in parallel with said at least one protective device (11,42),whereby registration of a current in said storage register (49) exceeding said minimum is indicative of a falsely initiated release of said protective device, by virtue of the failure of said second sensor (52) to open said normally closed switch (50) in response to deceleration before the release of said protective device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A first deceleration sensor operates switches for energizing the release element of airbags in a vehicle, typically glow wires that will set off an explosive filling of the respective airbag. Connected through diodes to the various airbags is a circuit in parallel with the release elements of all of them which contains a fuse 49 in series with a normally closed switch 50, which last is controlled by a second deceleration sensor 52. If a short circuit or any malfunction causes any one or more of the airbags to release, since the sensor controlling the normally closed switch does not operate, the fuse blows to register a false release. The sensor controlling the normally closed switch may also control a normally open switch in series with all of the switches controlling individual airbags, so that both sensors must operate to release an airbag, and is economically combined into a mercury switch unit in which rapid deceleration moves the mercury to break one circuit and make another circuit, as distinguished from the first-mentioned sensor which operates switching transistors.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A circuit for registering falsely initiated releases of at least one shock-absorbing protective device, in a vehicle, intended to be released into operative position in case of shock-producing accident, comprising, in addition to a first deceleration sensor (12,13) and at least one normally open switch (14,43) operable in response thereto and connected in series with at least one electrically operated shock-absorbing protective device (11,42) for control of the release thereof:
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a second deceleration sensor (52) responsive to a rate of deceleration exceeding a predetermined minimum rate and a normally closed switch (50) operable in response thereto; a storage register (49) responsive to a current exceeding a predetermined minimum current connected in a series circuit combination with said normally closed switch (50), said series circuit combination (49,50) being connected in a circuit branch disposed in parallel with said at least one protective device (11,42), whereby registration of a current in said storage register (49) exceeding said minimum is indicative of a falsely initiated release of said protective device, by virtue of the failure of said second sensor (52) to open said normally closed switch (50) in response to deceleration before the release of said protective device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification