Diagnosing apparatus for passenger protective systems
US6185488A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/2621
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A diagnosing apparatus for a passenger protective system has transistors connected in series to both ends of a squib. Each of the transistors is made up of a plurality of transistor cells connected in parallel. A part of the transistor cells is utilized as a check transistor, which allows a small current incapable of igniting the squib to flow into the squib. The diagnosing apparatus turns on only the check transistor and detects a potential of the squib. Check transistor malfunction can be diagnosed on the basis of the detected potential. Because the check transistor is formed by a part of the transistor cells, if any trouble occurs therein, it can be considered that the power transistor formed by the remainder of the transistor cells also has any trouble. Therefore, the power transistor can be diagnosed from the detected potential of the squib.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.