Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Vehicle mounted systems – Automobile
Patent
1997-05-28
1999-11-23
Elms, Richard T.
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Vehicle mounted systems
Automobile
180282, 280735, B60R 2132
Patent
active
059905697
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for connecting an ignition device to a direct current network.
STATE OF ART AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
When developing a product of modern vehicles, for example, great attention is directed to the safety of the passengers. From a marketing point of view as well as a safety point of view airbag systems have had a great importance during the last years, in addition to safety devices as deformation zones in the car body, suitably designed fittings and safety belts.
A modern airbag system may consist of control electronics, ignition devices and gas generators for one or more airbags and possibly pyrotechnical safety belt tensioner.
An embodiment of the present invention discloses a system for connecting, at deceleration, at least one releaseable safety device, an airbag for example, or a safety belt tensioner, to a vehicle. Preferably, the system comprises an electronic unit including at least one acceleration sensor or the like, which electronic unit is connected to the internal power supply network of the vehicle and to an ignition device for the safety device. The ignition device, including a heating filament, for example, is arranged for triggering the safety device, a gas generator for inflating an airbag, for example, if an acceleration sensor detects a deceleration of a preset amount.
However, the system mentioned often has the disadvantage that the respective ignition device is arranged to be triggered approximately at a direct-current voltage that is the same or even lower than the voltage of battery of the vehicle, and thus, if there is a malfunction the cables or the circuits, for example causing a shortcircuiting of the connections of the ignition device and the power supply network of the vehicle, the safety device is triggered. Even if such an error may be detected it is not assurable that, thereafter, one can prevent triggering of the safety device belonging to it. Thus, the error may consist of, that in an electric ignition device, directly at the connections or in the cabling connecting the electronic unit with the ignition device, one pole is unintentionally brought into contact with the battery supply of the vehicle (e.g., 12-16 volts) and the other pole with the chassis (ground) of the vehicle. Thus, in this situation an airbag can be inflated and if this happens in a traffic situation this implies obvious risks for the driver, the passengers and the road users.
A solution of this problem is shown in Published Patent Document No. WO 90/02673, indicating a system where an electric ignition device can be activated only by an a.c.-signal greater than the internal d.c.-voltage of the vehicle. The ignition device is directly at its connections connected in series with a capacitor. The electric system (12-16 V. d.c.) of the vehicle is not able to activate the ignition device.
The present invention indicates another solution of the problem mentioned, viz. preventing the safety device from being unintentionally triggered if the connections or cabling to the ignition device are short-circuited by mistake.
The novel features of the invention are indicated in the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Now, the invention will be explained in greater detail by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 indicates diagrammatically a safety device connected to the internal network of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 2 indicates diagrammatically an ignition device and a gas generator according to an embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 3 indicates diagrammatically an ignition device according to an embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 4 indicates diagrammatically an electronic unit according to an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 indicates an electronic unit 1 connected to the internal eletrical network 2 of a vehicle at voltage V and to at least one ignition device 3 of a safety device, in this case a gas generator 4 arran
REFERENCES:
patent: 4504082 (1985-03-01), Brown, Jr. et al.
patent: 4740741 (1988-04-01), Andres et al.
patent: 5194755 (1993-03-01), Rhee et al.
patent: 5216284 (1993-06-01), Mattes et al.
patent: 5749059 (1998-05-01), Walton
Elms Richard T.
Nokia Audio & Electronics AB
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