Occupant restraint system having serially connected devices, a method for providing the restraint system and a method for using the restraint system
US5964815A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 21, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 21, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/01075
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An occupant restraint system (10) for a vehicle (22) has a plurality of controllable occupant restraint system devices (12). The plurality of devices (12) includes sensor devices (e.g., 12E) and/or occupant restraint devices (e.g., 12A). Each restraint system device (12) has programmable control circuitry (18) for permitting control of the respective restraint system device by a central controller (38). A control interconnection (44) connects the central controller (38) and the restraint system devices (12). Electronic switches (54) are connected in series along a line (46A) of the control interconnection (44). Each of the switches (54) is associated with one restraint system device (12). Each of the switches (54) regulates communication between the central controller (38) and any device(s) (12) (e.g., devices 2-N) downstream of the associated device (e.g., device 1). The control circuitry (18) causes the associated switch (54) to "close" and permit communication between the central controller (38) and the device(s) (e.g., device 12-N), if any, downstream of the one restraint system device. The permitted communication is in response to the central controller (38) programming the co…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.