Airbag horn switch with temperature compensation
First Claim
1. A temperature compensated pressure activated switch assembly positioned in a steering wheel of a motor vehicle comprising:
- a cover mounted on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle;
a sensor mounted on said cover, said sensor having means for generating a signal indicative of pressure exerted to cause deflection of said cover;
a temperature sensing device associated with said cover for generating a signal indicative of temperature of the cover; and
means for receiving said signals and controlling an activation pressure on said sensor required to activate said sensor based on the signal indicative of the temperature of said cover to compensate for changes in the cover stiffness due to temperature changes of said cover.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure activated switch is positioned for actuation of a horn in the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The switch is mounted on an airbag cover and generates a signal when the switch is activated by the deflection of the cover. A temperature sensing device is positioned on the cover for generating a signal indicative of the cover temperature. The temperature signal is utilized for changing the actuation pressure or deflection required on the pressure or deflection activated switch to compensate for changes in cover stiffness due to the temperature changes of the cover. The invention is thus directed to providing a consistent horn actuation force regardless of the temperature of the airbag cover to which such force is applied to actuate the horn of the motor vehicle.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A temperature compensated pressure activated switch assembly positioned in a steering wheel of a motor vehicle comprising:
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a cover mounted on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle; a sensor mounted on said cover, said sensor having means for generating a signal indicative of pressure exerted to cause deflection of said cover; a temperature sensing device associated with said cover for generating a signal indicative of temperature of the cover; and means for receiving said signals and controlling an activation pressure on said sensor required to activate said sensor based on the signal indicative of the temperature of said cover to compensate for changes in the cover stiffness due to temperature changes of said cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21)
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6. A temperature compensated pressure activated horn switch assembly positioned in a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, which steering wheel houses an airbag module, said switch assembly comprising:
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an airbag module cover mounted on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle; a sensor mounted on said cover, said sensor having means for generating a signal indicative of pressure exerted to cause deflection of said cover; a temperature sensing device associated with said cover for generating a signal indicative of temperature of the cover; and means for receiving said signals and controlling an activation pressure on said sensor required to activate said sensor based on the signal indicative of the temperature of said cover to compensate for changes in the cover stiffness due to temperature changes of said cover. - View Dependent Claims (7, 10, 13, 18, 19)
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Specification