Deceleration sensor switch for use in a vehicle occupant safety system
US5373126A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H1/18
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A deceleration sensor switch comprises a base (12d) including a plate portion (15d) and a rod portion (18d) having a longitudinal central axis (99d). In one embodiment (FIGS. 11-15), a rectangular mass (20d) is mounted on the rod portion. The mass is spaced apart from the plate portion at a distance which prevents rotation of the mass about the axis of the rod portion. When the mass moves from an unactuated position to an actuated position, the mass moves away from a releasable tab portion (42d) of a contact (40d) to allow a contact portion (52d) of the contact to move into engagement with an electrical terminal (34d). The contact portion is spaced apart a predetermined distance (D) from the terminal when the mass is in the unactuated position. The tab portion includes a pair of contact ears (334) having convex-shaped arcuate edge surfaces (338) which allow the contact portion to maintain the same predetermined distance from the terminal upon movement of the mass in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rod portion. The mass has a protection tab (306) which prevents a cover (11d) from striking the contact when the cover is moved into engagement with the base.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.