Device for enhancing contact closure time of a deceleration sensor switch for use in a vehicle occupant restraint system
First Claim
1. A device for enhancing contact closure time of a deceleration sensor switch having electrical contacts and a mass movable between an unactuated position in which the contacts are open and an actuated position in which the contacts are closed, said device comprising:
- means for biasing the mass to the unactuated position in which the contacts are open;
first means connected with the mass for moving with the mass between the unactuated position and the actuated portion; and
second means cooperating with said first means to create at least a partial vacuum which resists movement of the mass from the actuated position to the unactuated position, thereby enhancing contact closure time of the contacts.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A deceleration sensor switch (10) comprises electrical contacts (50, 52) and a mass (14) movable between an unactuated position in which the electrical contacts are open and an actuated position in which the electrical contacts are closed. The mass is biased towards the unactuated position. A cylinder (30) includes an end portion (44) and a cylindrical wall portion (34) extending from the end portion to define a chamber (35) inside the cylinder. The end portion includes a metering orifice (36) for allowing air to flow between the chamber and outside the cylinder. A shaft (22) interconnects the mass and a truncated cone (24). The cone has a skirt end (26) and is movable in one direction relative to the chamber to displace air from the chamber through the metering orifice to outside the cylinder upon the mass moving from the unactuated position to the actuated position in response to the mass being subjected to deceleration of at least a predetermined magnitude. The cone is movable in an opposite direction relative to the chamber to cause air from outside the cylinder to flow through the metering orifice into the chamber upon the mass moving from the actuated position back to the unactuated position, thereby enhancing contact closure time of the electrical contacts.
14 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device for enhancing contact closure time of a deceleration sensor switch having electrical contacts and a mass movable between an unactuated position in which the contacts are open and an actuated position in which the contacts are closed, said device comprising:
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means for biasing the mass to the unactuated position in which the contacts are open; first means connected with the mass for moving with the mass between the unactuated position and the actuated portion; and second means cooperating with said first means to create at least a partial vacuum which resists movement of the mass from the actuated position to the unactuated position, thereby enhancing contact closure time of the contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A deceleration sensor switch comprising:
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electrical contacts; a mass movable between an unactuated position in which said contacts are open and an actuated position in which said contacts are closed; means for biasing the mass to the unactuated position in which the contacts are open; and means cooperating with said mass to create at least a partial vacuum which resists movement of said mass from the actuated position to the unactuated position, thereby enhancing contact closure time of said contacts.
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4. A deceleration sensor switch comprising:
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electrical contacts; a mass movable between an unactuated position in which said contacts are open and an actuated position in which said contact contacts are closed; means for biasing said mass towards the unactuated position; a cylinder including an end portion and a cylindrical wall portion extending from said end portion and defining a chamber inside said cylinder, said end portion including means defining a metering orifice for allowing air to flow between said chamber and outside of said cylinder; a shaft having a first end connected to said mass and a second end opposite said first end; and a truncated cone connected to said second end of said shaft and having a skirt end, said cone being movable in one direction relative to said chamber to displace air from said chamber through said metering orifice to outside of said cylinder upon said mass moving from the unactuated position to the actuated position in response to said mass being subjected to deceleration of at least a predetermined magnitude, said cone being movable in an opposite direction relative to said chamber to cause air from outside of said cylinder to flow through said metering orifice into said chamber upon said mass moving from the actuated position back to the unactuated position, thereby enhancing contact closure time of said contacts. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device for enhancing contact closure time of a deceleration sensor switch having electrical contacts and a mass moveable between an unactuated position in which the contacts are open and an actuated position in which the contacts are closed, said device comprising:
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first means connected with the mass for moving with the mass between the unactuated position and the actuated position, said first means including a truncated cone and an extension shaft having one end connected with the mass and an opposite end connected with said cone and second means cooperating with said first means to create at least a partial vacuum which resists movement of the mass from the actuated position to the unactuated position, thereby enhancing contact closure time of the contacts, said second means including a cylinder having an open end and a closed end, said cylinder including a wall portion which defines a chamber between said open and closed ends, said cylinder having an inner diameter in which said cone is received in said chamber of said cylinder when said mass is in the actuated position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification