Sensor for monitoring airbag deployment
First Claim
1. A sensor for monitoring airbag deployment comprising:
- a cartridge containing a quantity of tape stored within the cartridge;
an airbag, the quantity of tape having a first end attached to the airbag, such that deployment of the airbag draws tape out of the tape stored within the cartridge;
a selectively engageable structure mounted to the cartridge, the selectively engageable structure preventing withdrawal of tape in a first position, and allowing tape withdrawal in a second position; and
a mounting bracket to which the cartridge can be mounted only when the selectively engageable structure is in the second position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag deployment sensor stores a quantity of tape which is drawn out of a cartridge during airbag deployment by one end of the tape which is attached to the inside surface of an airbag. To facilitate assembly of an airbag system, the cartridge is designed with a key for locking the tape against premature extraction from the cartridge during the assembly process. The cartridge is used in combination with a mounting bracket which assures that the tape is free to be extracted from the cartridge once the cartridge is mounted to the bracket because, either the cartridge cannot be mounted to the bracket with the key in place, or the mounting bracket causes the key to move to a non-locking position.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor for monitoring airbag deployment comprising:
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a cartridge containing a quantity of tape stored within the cartridge;
an airbag, the quantity of tape having a first end attached to the airbag, such that deployment of the airbag draws tape out of the tape stored within the cartridge;
a selectively engageable structure mounted to the cartridge, the selectively engageable structure preventing withdrawal of tape in a first position, and allowing tape withdrawal in a second position; and
a mounting bracket to which the cartridge can be mounted only when the selectively engageable structure is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A sensor for monitoring airbag deployment, comprising:
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a cartridge containing a quantity of tape stored within the cartridge;
an airbag, the quantity of tape having a first end attached to the airbag to draw tape stored in the tape storage within the cartridge when the airbag deploys; and
a removable locking key mountable to the cartridge and operable to lock the tape against withdrawal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A sensor for monitoring airbag deployment comprising:
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a cartridge containing a quantity of tape stored within the cartridge;
an airbag, wherein the quantity of tape has a first end attached to the airbag so that deployment of the airbag draws tape from the tape stored within the cartridge;
a means for preventing withdrawal of tape from the cartridge; and
a means for mounting the cartridge such that the cartridge can only be mounted when the means for preventing withdrawal is in a non-operative position which does not prevent tape withdrawal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification