Airbag actuating arrangement

• US 6,329,911 B1
• Filed: 06/05/2000
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Lehnst, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/587,447
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/438, 307/10.1, 280/735, 180/282, 180/271, 701/45, 701/29
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01122 Prevention of malfunction
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0173 Diagnostic or recording means therefor

Abstract

An arrangement for actuating an airbag includes an airbag control unit, an actuating switch, a visual display device and an intermediate electronics unit. The intermediate electronics checks the visual display device and the actuating switch for functionality.

Claims

1. An arrangement for actuating at least one airbag comprising:

an airbag control unit;

at least one actuating switch for supplying an activating signal to the airbag;

visual display means; and

intermediate electronics means connected in parallel with the airbag control unit and connected to the visual display means, the airbag control unit being connected through an error line bypassing the actuating switch to the intermediate electronics means, and the intermediate electronics means being connected through a test line by passing the actuating switch to the airbag, the intermediate electronics means also providing an input resistance to the airbag control unit corresponding to a firing pellet resistance of the airbag when the airbag is deactivated.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the actuating switch and/or the visual display means are each associated with at least one identification resistance.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the actuating switch and/or the visual display means forma an integral unit with an associated identification resistance.