Vehicle safety airbag control system

• US 6,273,461 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2000
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Stouppe, James S, Harbaugh, Michele K, Kaiker, Patricia S
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US09/641,829
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 280/731, 280/732
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/205 in dashboards

Abstract

Deployment of a vehicle airbag can be prevented in situations where the vehicle occupant has a hand, or other body part, in direct physical contact with the airbag cover. This can be achieved by a membrane switch or capacitive touch membrane incorporated into the outer exposed surface of the airbag cover.

Claims

1. A control system for a vehicle airbag deployment mechanism, comprising:

an electrical circuit for normally triggering the airbag deployment mechanism to inflate the airbag in a crash event;

an airbag cover; and

means responsive to direct vehicle occupant contact with an exposed surface of said cover for generating a control signal that prevents said electrical circuit from triggering the airbag deployment mechanism;

said signal generating means being effective only while there is direct occupant contact with said airbag cover, whereby said electrical circuit is enabled to instantaneously trigger the airbag deployment mechanism to the deployed state after the vehicle occupant is out of direct physical contact with the airbag cover.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein said signal generating means includes a capacitive circuit means responsive to direct physical contact with an exposed surface of the airbag cover.

3. The control system of claim 2, wherein said capacitive circuit means includes a touch-responsive membrane on said cover and a capacitance electrically connected to said membrane, whereby a person in electrical contact with said membrane becomes part of a capacitive control circuit for the signal generating means.

4. The control system of claim 3, wherein said touch-responsive membrane is coextensive with the exposed surface of the airbag cover.