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Triggering mechanism for a safety device in a vehicle, particularly for a side airbag

  • US 5,419,407 A
  • Filed: 03/28/1994
  • Issued: 05/30/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A triggering mechanism for a safety device in a vehicle having a structural element, comprising:

  • a deformation sensor formed of at least one pressure-sensitive sensor element arranged directly under an outer skin of the vehicle, said deformation sensor emitting electric deformation signals in an event of a deformation of the outer skin;

    an evaluation circuit which receives the deformation signals and determines a rate of deformation in order to trigger the safety device if a threshold value is exceeded;

    a carrier plate arranged substantially parallel to the outer skin, said at least one sensor element being secured on the carrier plate;

    spacer elements for supporting the carrier plate on said structural element in the vehicle, said structural element extending parallel to the outer skin;

    wherein, in the event of the deformation of the outer skin due to an outer force effect, a first sensor signal of the sensor element having its pressure-sensitive side facing the outer skin is generated; and

    wherein said spacer elements are constructed so as to yield if said outer force effect increases above a predetermined threshold in a manner such that the carrier plate is brought toward the structural element, a second sensor signal is emitted when the carrier plate presses against the structural element.

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