Timing circuit for air bag disable switch

• US 5,892,433 A
• Filed: 07/15/1997
• Issued: 04/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Fulda, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Jr., Thomas J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US08/892,876
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/435, 340/436, 340/425.5, 340/426, 280/734, 280/735, 280/732, 180/273, 180/282, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01564 Manually or key-actuated inhibition switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition

Abstract

A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (22) and an inflator (20) actuatable in response to sensing a condition indicative of a vehicle collision. A disable switch (40) has a first condition enabling actuation of the inflator (20) and a second condition disabling actuation of the inflator. An electrically energizable indicator (50), when energized, indicates that the disable switch (40) is in the second condition. The indicator (50) is energized when the ignition (58) of the vehicle is on and the disable switch (40) is in the second condition. The indicator (50) is also energized for a predetermined period of time, when the vehicle ignition (58) is off, in response to movement of the disable switch (40) from the first condition to the second condition. The indicator (50) is also energized in response to a vehicle event (70), for a predetermined period of time, when the vehicle ignition (58) is off and the disable switch (40) is in the second condition.

Claims

1. A vehicle occupant safety apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

an inflator electrically actuatable to inflate said inflatable device in response to sensing a condition indicative of a vehicle collision;

a disable switch spaced apart from and separate from the vehicle ignition switch and having a first condition enabling actuation of said inflator and a second condition disabling actuation of said inflator;

an electrically energizable indicator for, when energized, indicating that said disable switch is in the second condition;

means for energizing said indicator when the vehicle ignition switch is on and said disable switch is in the second condition; and

means for energizing said indicator for a predetermined period of time when the vehicle ignition switch is off in response to movement of said disable switch from the first condition to the second condition when the vehicle ignition switch is off.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for energizing comprises a timer electrically connected between a vehicle power source and said indicator for supplying electric current to said indicator for the predetermined period of time when the vehicle ignition is off.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for energizing comprises means responsive to a vehicle event for supplying electric current to said timer.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means responsive to a vehicle event comprises power-up circuitry for enabling flow of electric current from the vehicle power source to said timer, thereby to enable flow of electric current from the vehicle power source to said indicator for the predetermined period of time as determined by said timer.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means responsive to a vehicle event comprises a door switch of the vehicle.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means responsive to a vehicle event comprises a remote keyless entry receiver of the vehicle.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means responsive to a vehicle event comprises a burglar alarm system of the vehicle.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the predetermined period of time is selected to be long enough to enable a driver of the vehicle to enter the vehicle and to operate the disable switch and to turn on the vehicle ignition.

9. A vehicle occupant safety apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;

an inflator electrically actuatable to inflate said inflatable device in response to sensing a condition indicative of a vehicle collision;

a disable switch located inside the vehicle and separate and apart from the vehicle ignition switch, said disable switch being manually actuatable and having a first condition enabling actuation of said inflator and a second condition disabling actuation of said inflator;

an electrically energizable indicator for, when energized, indicating that said disable switch is in the second condition;

means for energizing said indicator when the vehicle ignition switch is on and said disable switch is in the second condition; and

means responsive to a vehicle event for energizing said indicator for a predetermined period of time when the vehicle ignition switch is off and said disable switch is in the second condition.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means for energizing said indicator comprises a timer electrically connected between a source of electric current for the vehicle and said indicator for supplying electric current to said indicator for the predetermined period of time.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for energizing said indicator comprises power-up circuitry for supplying electric current to said timer in response to the vehicle event.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means responsive to a vehicle event comprises a door switch of the vehicle.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means responsive to a vehicle event comprises a remote keyless entry receiver of the vehicle.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means responsive to a vehicle event comprises a burglar alarm system of the vehicle.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the predetermined period of time is selected to be long enough to enable a driver of the vehicle to enter the vehicle and to operate said disable switch and to turn on the vehicle ignition.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said disable switch is located on the vehicle instrument panel.