Circuit arrangement for the actuation of a safety system

• US 4,845,377 A
• Filed: 03/16/1988
• Issued: 07/04/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Swart, Marten
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ip, Paul
• Application Number:
  US07/169,051
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10 R, 307/105 B, 340/52 R, 340/52 E, 340/52 H, 180/268, 180/270, 180/271, 180/272, 180/273, 180/282, 180/283, 180/274, 180/287, 280/734, 280/735, 280/736
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0173 Diagnostic or recording means therefor

Abstract

By way of an energy source, switches controlled by delay sensors activate a logic component. Dependent on the switch positions of the switches, of a seat switch and of a seat belt switch, the logic component controls an electronic ignition switch that connects a trigger for actuating a motor vehicle air bag system.

Claims

1. In a circuit arrangement for actuating a safety system, particularly an air bag system, which system is of the type comprising an energy source connected to at least one load system, in which the load system comprises a trigger for the safety system, in which the trigger is in a housing which is connected to a lead-in capacitor and a lead-out capacitor, and in which at least two series-connected switches are provided and each driven by a mechanical delay sensor, the improvement comprising:

a logic component which is connected to the energy source by way

of the series-connected switches; and

an electronic ignition switch in the load circuit connected to

and driven by said logic component.

2. The improved circuit arrangement of claim 1, and further comprising:

at least one status switch connected to said logic component for causing the logic component to drive the electronic ignition switch dependent on the switch positions of said at least one status switch.

3. The improved circuit arrangement according to claim 1, and further comprising:

at least one additional ignition switch connected in series with

said ignition switch and the trigger.