Pressure responsive switch and vehicular air bag system using the same
US5398965A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H1/242
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An air bag system has an improved temperature compensated, pressure responsive switch of construction adapted to respond to a reduction of vessel gas pressure or to the pressure of gas in the switch itself, to reliably inform the vehicle occupants of an abnormal condition. The pressure responsive switch includes a housing defining a volume that is initially at the same pressure as the pressure of the vessel, and a diaphragm in the switch housing segregating the atmospheres of the housing and vessel from each other. An electrical indication circuit in part composed of a pair of electrodes extending from the switch, helical springs in compression between the electrodes and diaphragm, and a resistor, is maintained normally electrically closed. The diaphragm is so constructed and arranged as to rupture or shear from the switch housing in response to a predetermined pressure differential. In other embodiments, an air motion sensor in the form of a movable disk or a stationary, frangible disk bearing a conductive pattern breaks the breakable element or conductive pattern to provide an indication of switch function.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.