Distributed vehicle safety with bus connection components having a remotely-located initiation electronics arrangement and a bus tap arrangement
First Claim
1. A distributed vehicle safety system comprising:
- an actuatable safety system device;
a central controller for outputting communication regarding actuation of said device;
bus means for conveying the communication; and
connector/control means for interrupting a normally through-connected portion of said bus means to enable communication reception from said bus means by said connector/control means, and for controlling actuation of said device in response to communication received at said connector/control means.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed vehicle safety system (10) includes an actuatable safety system device (e.g., 16) and a central controller (14) for outputting communication regarding actuation of the device. A communication bus (36) extends from the central controller (14) toward the device (16) and conveys the communication. A bus plug unit (68) of a connection assembly (e.g., 50) is located remote from the device (16). The bus plug unit (68) is connected to the bus (36) and controls actuation of the device (16) in response to communication on the bus. Preferably, the bus plug unit (68) includes a portion (78) that interrupts a normally through-connected portion (84) of the bus (36), and includes portions (72 and 74) that connect to a conductor (38) of the bus on two sides of the interrupted portion upon connection of the bus plug unit to the bus.
16 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A distributed vehicle safety system comprising:
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an actuatable safety system device;
a central controller for outputting communication regarding actuation of said device;
bus means for conveying the communication; and
connector/control means for interrupting a normally through-connected portion of said bus means to enable communication reception from said bus means by said connector/control means, and for controlling actuation of said device in response to communication received at said connector/control means.
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2. A distributed vehicle safety system comprising:
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an actuatable safety system device;
a central controller for outputting communication regarding actuation of said device;
a communication bus extending from said central controller toward said device and conveying the communication, said bus including a conductor; and
a connector, associated with said device, for connection to said bus and receiving the communication, said connector including means for interrupting a through-connected portion of said conductor upon connection of said connector to said bus. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. A connector plug of a vehicle safety system for connection into an communication bus that includes an electrical conductor, said connector plug comprising:
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means for interrupting a through-connected portion of the conductor during connection of said connector plug to the bus;
means for connecting to the conductor on one side of the interrupted portion; and
means for connecting to the conductor on the other side of the interrupted portion. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A distributed vehicle safety system comprising:
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an actuatable safety system device;
a central controller for outputting communication regarding actuation of said device;
a communication bus extending from said central controller toward said device and conveying the communication, said bus including a conductor; and
a connector, associated with said device, for connection to said bus and receiving the communication, said connector including means for interrupting a through-connected portion of said conductor upon connection of said connector to said bus;
wherein said bus includes a connection unit for mating with said connector upon connection to said bus, said through-connected portion of said conductor includes a movable portion housed with said connection unit, said connector includes a projection for extension into said connection unit and for moving said movable portion.
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8. A distributed vehicle safety system comprising:
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an actuatable safety system device;
a central controller for outputting communication regarding actuation of said device;
a communication bus extending from said central controller toward said device and conveying the communication, said bus including a conductor; and
a connector, associated with said device, for connection to said bus and receiving the communication, said connector including means for interrupting a through-connected portion of said conductor upon connection of said connector to said bus;
wherein said connector includes means for connecting to said conductor on one side of said interrupted portion, means for connecting to said conductor on the other side of said interrupted portion, and circuitry connected to said means for connecting to said conductor on one side of said interrupted portion and connected to said means for connecting to said conductor on the other side of said interrupted portion, such that electrical continuity along said conductor can be established through said circuitry.
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9. A connector plug of a vehicle safety system for connection into an communication bus that includes an electrical conductor, said connector plug comprising:
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means for interrupting a through-connected portion of the conductor during connection of said connector plug to the bus;
means for connecting to the conductor on one side of the interrupted portion; and
means for connecting to the conductor on the other side of the interrupted portion;
wherein the conductor is a first conductor, the bus has a second conductor, said connector plug includes means for connecting to the second conductor.
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10. A connector plug of a vehicle safety system for connection into an communication bus that includes an electrical conductor, said connector plug comprising:
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means for interrupting a through-connected portion of the conductor during connection of said connector plug to the bus;
means for connecting to the conductor on one side of the interrupted portion;
means for connecting to the conductor on the other side of the interrupted portion; and
circuitry connected to said means for connecting to the conductor on one side of the interrupted portion and connected to said means for connecting to the conductor on the other side of the interrupted portion, such that electrical continuity along the conductor can be established through said circuitry.
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11. A distributed vehicle safety system comprising:
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an actuatable safety system device;
a central controller for outputting communication regarding actuation of said device;
a communication bus extending from said central controller toward said device and conveying the communication; and
connector/control means, located remote from said device and remote from said control controller, for connection to said bus and for controlling actuation of said device in response to communication on said bus. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification