Firing device for a pyrotechnic vehicle-occupant protection device

• US 6,609,463 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2002
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Popp, Peter, Hovet, Kevin, Zelger, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blackner, Henry A.
• Application Number:
  US10/122,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20020135381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 102/202.5, 102/202.9, 102/206, 102/218
• US Class Current: 102/218
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01075 between the airbag control unit and pyrotechnic fuses or equivalent actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0173 Diagnostic or recording means therefor

Abstract

A firing device is described and has an electronic unit which is connected upstream of a firing cap and generates a constant firing voltage. A bypass line is provided for bypassing the electronic unit. A test switching device can be actuated by a test signal and, when a test signal is present, connects a line, which conducts a supply voltage, to the bypass line. In this way, a Brouston test can be carried out.

Claims

1. A firing device for a pyrotechnic vehicle-occupant protection device, comprising:

a terminal for an external supply line;

an electronic unit having a voltage input coupled to said terminal, a control input connected to said terminal, a voltage output, a firing output, and a test output;

a firing switch connected to said firing output;

a firing component connected to said voltage output and to said firing switch;

a test switching device connected between said terminal and said voltage input, said test switching device connected to said test output of said electronic unit; and

a bypass line connected between said test switching device and said voltage output, said test switching device disconnecting a connection between said terminal and said voltage input and connecting said terminal to said bypass line when a test signal is applied to said control input of said electronic unit;

said electronic unit generating a predetermined firing voltage available at said voltage output when a supply voltage is applied to said voltage input, and when a firing signal is applied to said control input, said electronic unit generates a firing pulse available at said firing output, the firing pulse actuates said firing switch with a result that said firing component fires.

2. The firing device according to claim 1, further comprising a charging resistor connected in said bypass line for limiting a current flowing through said bypass line to a value at which said firing component does not fire.

3. The firing device according to claim 1, wherein said test switching device contains a Metal-Oxide semiconductor Field Effect Transistor.