Bend sensor horn switch assembly
US5625333A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/21658
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A horn switch assembly including an airbag module cover, a bend sensor and a backing plate. The module cover has a front outer face and a rear inner face deformably depressible from the front face. A plurality of parallel, spaced-apart, elongated force concentration ribs are located on the rear inner face of the cover. The bend sensor is positioned under the force concentrators and includes a flexible substrate and a variable resistance circuit connectable to a horn control circuit. The variable resistance circuit has a plurality of spaced-apart resistive elements connected by a plurality of conductive strips. The variable resistance circuit is arranged in a plural of parallel spaced-apart columns adhered to the substrate so that the columns are generally perpendicular to the force concentration ribs and each resistive element is positioned under a force concentration rib. The generally rigid backing plate has a forward surface positioned under the bend sensor. A plurality of parallel spaced-apart elongated support ribs extend forwardly from the backing plate so that the support ribs are generally parallel to and offset from the force concentration ribs and are generally perpendicu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.