Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Vehicle mounted systems – Automobile
Patent
1992-07-17
1994-11-29
Pellinen, A. D.
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Vehicle mounted systems
Automobile
280735, 180282, B60L 300
Patent
active
053693051
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
THIS INVENTION relates to a safety device and more particularly relates to a safety device which incorporates an electrical arrangement adapted to be used in combination with a sensor to activate a safety device in a motor vehicle, for example, when an accident occurs.
2Description of Related Art
It is to be understood that when a vehicle is involved in an accident it is often necessary to trigger a safety device, such as, for example, an air-bag, which may be rapidly inflated to provide a "cushion" to protect a person travelling in the vehicle, or to apply a "pre-tension" to a safety belt. A sensor is provided which senses deceleration of a predetermined nature consistent with the deceleration experienced during accident conditions, and controls the operation of the air-bag. The present invention relates to an electrical arrangement for use with such a sensor in a safety device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided a safety device for use in a vehicle comprising a sensor, adapted to provide an electrical output corresponding to a physical quantity related to the vehicle, the output comprising a signal which includes an off-set component and a further component corresponding to the physical quantity, the signal being passed to a subtracting circuit, the output of the subtracting circuit being fed to a further circuit arrangement which is adapted to derive a signal value corresponding to the off-set component and supply the value to the subtracting circuit to subtract the signal value from the original signal supplied to the subtracting circuit, the output of the subtracting circuit initiating the operation of safety means.
A safety device in accordance with the invention may be primarily intended for use in a vehicle such as a motor car. The sensor, which is adapted to provide an electrical output corresponding to a physical quantity related to the vehicle is intended to provide a signal which can be monitored to ascertain when an accident is occurring. Thus the physical quantity may be the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle, or may comprise the deformation of part of the outer skin of the vehicle and even may even comprise a sensor responsive to the speed of deformation of the outer part of the vehicle. Many different sensors, responsive to different physical quantities related to the vehicle have been proposed before and are known to one skilled in the art.
The signal, when it has been appropriately processed, is intended to initiate the operation of safety means within the vehicle. The safety means may comprise, for example, an air-bag or a seat belt pre-tensioner or any other safety means that it is desired to activate under accident circumstances. Thus, the safety means may, for example, disconnect a significant part of the electrical circuitry present in a motor vehicle, in order to minimise the risk that a fire may occur when the vehicle is involved in an accident.
Preferably the output of a subtracting circuit, in a digital form, is compared with a reference, by a comparator means which produce a positive output signal or a negative output signal but is dependent upon whether the output signal is greater than or less than the reference, the output being added to the total in a register, a value corresponding to the signal stored in the register being subtracted, from the original signal, by the subtracting circuit.
Advantageously the subtracting circuit is an analogue circuit, means being provided for digitising the output of the subtracting circuit before it is passed to the comparator, and means being provided for converting the signal from the register to an analogue signal before it is supplied to the subtracting circuit.
Alternatively the subtracting circuit is a digital circuit, means being provided to digitize the original signal before it is passed to the subtracting circuit.
Preferably a clock pulse generator is provided, the output of the comparator being added to the register whenever the
REFERENCES:
patent: 3993362 (1976-11-01), Kamins et al.
patent: 4164263 (1979-08-01), Heintz et al.
patent: 4198677 (1980-04-01), Brunner et al.
patent: 4672566 (1987-06-01), Asano et al.
patent: 4715003 (1987-12-01), Keller et al.
patent: 4765342 (1988-08-01), Urman et al.
patent: 4918262 (1990-04-01), Flowers et al.
patent: 5034891 (1991-07-01), Blackbum et al.
Electronic Design, Sep. 22nd, 1988, vol. 36 ho. 21, "Tiny Accelerometer . . . " Richard Nass.
Givare Automation Special 78, "Piezoresistiva givare" Roger Alven.
Givare Automation Special 78, "Piezoelektriska accelerometrar" Dag Hartman.
Duhan Tommy
Nilsson Stig-Hakan
Ganjoo Peter
General Engineering (Netherlands ) B.V.
Pellinen A. D.
LandOfFree
Safety device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Safety device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Safety device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-75685