Supplement restraint system having deployment inhibit apparatus
US6045156A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/0104
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved automotive supplemental inflatable restraint system featuring a cost-effective approach to driver initiated inhibiting of air bag deployment. A multi-position key-operated switch is coupled to a circuit external to the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) that is interfaced to the vehicle communications bus. The circuit interprets the switch position, and sends a message to the SDM via the communications bus indicating which, if any, of the air bags are to be inhibited. Since the SDM is normally configured for communications over the communications bus, the only cost impact on the SDM is that of a software modification. Additionally, the external circuitry is simple, and the switch can be low cost since it is not connected in the deployment loop of an air bag, and since one switch can be used to signal multiple inhibit selections. The external circuit may include a microprocessor and bus interface as a stand-alone device, or may be up-integrated into an existing vehicle electronic module such as a body computer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.