Multiple output buckle switch
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising:
- (A) a switch body held within a seat belt buckle;
(B) a switch mounted on said switch body wherein said switch comprises a flexible, dome-shaped metal membrane;
(C) a resistive circuit mounted on said switch body and electrically connected to said switch; and
(D) a control module electrically connected to said resistive circuit wherein said control module detects buckle states selected from the group consisting of buckled, unbuckled, open loop, and shorted.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat belt buckle switch is disclosed. This switch provides multiple discrete output states, including buckled, unbuckled, open loop and shorted. This switch works in association with a control module which uses the buckle switch state to detect a failure condition, execute an appropriate driver warning and, in an adaptive restraints application, to deploy other safety devices based on whether the seat belt is fastened.
113 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising:
-
(A) a switch body held within a seat belt buckle;
(B) a switch mounted on said switch body wherein said switch comprises a flexible, dome-shaped metal membrane;
(C) a resistive circuit mounted on said switch body and electrically connected to said switch; and
(D) a control module electrically connected to said resistive circuit wherein said control module detects buckle states selected from the group consisting of buckled, unbuckled, open loop, and shorted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising:
-
(A) a seat belt buckle having a tongue and a latch, said tongue adapted to be received in said seat belt buckle;
(B) a switch held within said seat belt buckle having a flexible dome-shaped metal membrane positioned to contact said latch; and
(C) a control module electrically connected to said switch. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising:
-
(A) a switch body held within a seat belt buckle;
(B) a switch mounted on said switch body wherein said switch comprises a flexible, dome-shaped metal membrane;
(C) a plurality of resistive components mounted on said switch body and electrically connected to said switch, said plurality of resistive components being arranged in a parallel circuit arrangement when said switch is closed; and
(D) a control module electrically connected to said resistive circuit.
-
-
14. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising:
-
(A) a switch body held within a seat belt buckle;
(B) a dome switch mounted on said switch body, the switch comprising a flexible, dome-shaped metal membrane; and
(C) a resistive circuit mounted on said switch body.
-
Specification