System for deactivating an airbag firing device

• US 6,672,615 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2002
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Mattes, Bernhard, Malicki, Siegfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DRAPER, DEANN L
• Application Number:
  US09/936,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20030006593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 180/282, 180/271, 180/287, 180/274, 307/10.1, 340/438, 340/440, 340/436, 340/669
• US Class Current: 280/735
• 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

So that, given a desired deactivation of an airbag, a triggering cannot take place under any circumstances, a firing device of the airbag is bypassed using an electrically controllable switch. This switch short-circuits the electric circuit of the firing device during the deactivation time.

Claims

1. A system for deactivating a firing device for an airbag installed in a vehicle, comprising:

a switch for bypassing the firing device; and

a circuit arrangement for preventing a current flow through the firing device during a desired deactivation time, the circuit arrangement electrically controlling the switch, the switch short-circuiting an electric circuit of the firing device during the deactivation time.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for signaling situations in which the firing device must not be triggered.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the means for signaling includes a switch operable by hand.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the means for signaling includes a sensor mechanism which detects a type of seat occupancy.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the means for signaling cooperates with a detent device by which a child seat is able to be located in position on a front passenger seat of a vehicle, and the means for signaling signals a non-triggering case when the detent device is engaged.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the circuit arrangement keeps the switch closed continuously, so that the firing device is short-circuited, and the circuit arrangement opens the switch only when one of a triggering and a diagnosis of the firing device is to be carried out.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein, for the diagnosis of the firing device, the circuit arrangement opens the switch at predefined time intervals for a duration of about 20 μ

s.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the switch includes a field-effect transistor.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a visual display for lighting up in response to a short circuit of the electric circuit of the firing device.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a visual display for lighting up in response to a malfunction of the switch.