Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – Of collision or contact with external object
Patent
1996-11-22
1999-03-02
Hofsass, Jeffery A.
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
Of collision or contact with external object
340666, 340667, 280734, 280735, 180282, B60Q 100
Patent
active
058776770
ABSTRACT:
An automotive air bag system and a method are provided which restrict activation of an air bag to situations in which the weight of the vehicle occupant meets or exceeds a predetermined amount, e.g., 50 pounds. Occupant weight is determined using a weight pressure sensor positioned underneath the vehicle seat such that it bears pressure from the weight of the seat occupant. The sensor comprises (a) a vessel containing fluid with at least one wall of the vessel defining a first opening; (b) a ram in contact with the fluid, with the ram extending in a substantially linear fashion from the fluid contact inside the vessel to a point outside of the vessel, with the ram capable of being pushed against the fluid contact by the weight of the seat occupant, thereby increasing the fluid pressure; (c) a pressure sensor in fluidic communication with the fluid inside the vessel via a conduit connected to the first opening, with the pressure sensor capable of sensing the fluid pressure, comparing the fluid pressure to a set pressure, and issuing a control signal based upon the comparison; and (d) a switch connected to the pressure sensor for receiving the control signal, with the switch connected in series with the control electronics, the control signal directing the switch to assume either an open state or a closed state and thereby controlling whether the air bag is activated by the control electronics.
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Description of existing equipment as known by inventors.
Fleming Jo A.
Fleming Joseph A.
Fleming Lawrence E.
Christopher Shoulders, L.L.C.
Hofsass Jeffery A.
Lieu Julie B.
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