Test circuit for detection of malfunctions in an electric triggering device

• US 5,515,027 A
• Filed: 06/02/1993
• Issued: 05/07/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AB Volvo
• Original Assignee: AB Volvo
• Inventors: Billig, Jan, Svedoff, Goran
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US08/064,086
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/436, 340/511, 340/514, 340/516, 340/663, 340/665, 340/635, 280/728 R, 280/735, 280/734, 307/10.1, 307/121, 180/274, 180/271, 180/282, 364/424.05 R, 324/161
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0173 Diagnostic or recording means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00

Abstract

A test circuit for detection of malfunctions in an electric triggering device (10, 11) for protection of vehicle occupants. The triggering devices (10, 11) are arranged with a first connector (12) connected to earth (13) and a second connector (14) connected to a control unit for supply of a triggering current to the triggering devices when detecting a triggering condition. The test circuit comprises a voltage regulator (17), a current generator (18,19) connected in series between the voltage regulator and the connection of the triggering devices (10,11) to the control unit for generating a test current to the triggering devices, and two voltage comparators (24,25) connected between the earth connection (13), the connection (14) to the control unit and the voltage regulator for detecting the voltage across the triggering devices (10,11).

Claims

1. A test circuit for detection of malfunctions in electronic triggering devices for protection of vehicle occupants, comprising:

two or more of triggering devices connected in parallel, said triggering devices arranged with a first connector connected to ground and a second connector connected to a control unit for supplying a triggering current to said triggering devices upon detection of a triggering condition;

a voltage regulator for supplying a constant reference voltage;

a current generator for generating a constant current connected in series between said voltage regulator and said second connector for generating a test current to said triggering devices; and

two voltage comparators connected between ground, said second connector and said voltage regulator for detecting the voltage across said triggering devices.

2. A test circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current generator includes an operational amplifier and a current amplifier.

3. A test circuit as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a diode arranged between said current amplifier and said second connector.

4. A test circuit as claimed in claims 2 or 3, further comprising at least one resistor connected between said voltage regulator and said current generator, said resistor being selected so that each of said triggering devices can be subjected to said test current of approximately 40 mA.