Seat belt latch sensor

• US 5,672,916 A
• Filed: 02/08/1996
• Issued: 09/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated), Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Morton International Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated), Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Mattes, Bernard, Schumacher, Hartmut, Nitschke, Werner, Henne, Ralf
• Primary Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US08/598,361
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/121, 180/282, 180/271, 180/272, 340/436, 340/438, 340/669, 340/457.1, 280/734, 280/735, 280/801.1, 280/802, 280/806, 200/61.53, 200/61.45 R, 324/162
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4891 preventing use of the vehicle when the seatbelt is not fastened
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/017 including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

In an electronic device, in particular a piece of safety equipment for vehicle occupants, a switching element (13) which characterizes the operational position of an insertable seat belt is connected in parallel with a firing element (10, 11). The switching element (13) has a break contact which is broken when the seat belt is activated correctly.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising a piece of safety equipment for vehicular occupants, having an output stage (32a, 32b, 32c) which comprises a firing element (10, 11), having an insertable seat belt with a fastening device comprising a belt lock that is fastened by inserting a portion of said seat belt in said belt lock, said seat belt having an operational position which is indicative of whether or not said seat belt is correctly inserted into said belt lock, and having a switching element (13) which characterizes the operational position of said seat belt, wherein said switching element (13) is connected in parallel with said firing element (10, 11).

2. The device of claim 1, wherein a resistor (16) is connected in parallel with the switching element.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein connection lines (15, 15'"'"') connect said switching element (13) to said firing element (10, 11), which connection lines (15, 15'"'"') are of symmetrical design.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein a resistor (16) is connected in parallel with the switching element.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the switching element (13) is configured for current loading which is less than that necessary to activate said firing element (10, 11).

6. The device of claim 5, wherein a resistor (16) is connected in parallel with the switching element.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein connection lines (15, 15'"'"') connect said switching element (13) to said firing element (10, 11), which connection lines (15, 15'"'"') are of symmetrical design.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein a resistor (16) is connected in parallel with the switching element.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the switching element (13) is a switch with a break contact.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein a resistor (16) is connected in parallel with the switching element.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein connection lines (15 15'"'"') connect said switching element (13) to said firing element (10, 11), which connection lines (15, 15'"'"') are of symmetrical design.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein a resistor (16) is connected in parallel with the switching element.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the switching element (13) is configured for current loading which is less than that necessary to activate said firing element (10, 11).

14. The device of claim 13, wherein a resistor (16) is connected in parallel with the switching element.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein connection lines (15, 15'"'"') connect said switching element (13) to said firing element (10, 11), which connection lines (15, 15'"'"') are of symmetrical design.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein a resistor (16) is connected in parallel with the switching element.