US3668627A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air cushion actuation and monitoring circuit
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1970-09-21
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1990-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A control circuit for actuating an inflatable air cushion in a motor vehicle includes a series network comprising an electrically operated actuator connected between first and second normally open acceleration responsive switches. The series network is connected across the vehicle battery as well as a storage capacitor to provide redundant sources for operating the actuator upon simultaneous closure of the switches in response to acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle in excess of a predetermined magnitude and duration. A diode is connected between the first switch and the actuator and a resistor is connected across the first switch and the diode to thereby establish a normally relatively high potential at a junction between the actuator and the second switch and to reverse bias the diode and establish a relatively low potential at a junction between the diode and the first switch. Logic circuitry is provided for monitoring the voltage at the two junctions and for energizing indicator means and recording means in the event of a malfunction in the control circuit resulting in the voltages at the two junctions assuming substantially the same value.
Inventors
- 👤 Wendell C Brainerd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/017; B60R21/0173; B60R21/0176
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
In a passenger conveyance provided with a safety device actuable by electrically operated actuator means, a control circuit for operating said actuator means comprising a first normally open condition responsive switch means, means connecting one side of said first switch means to a source of direct current, a diode having an anode connected to the other side of said first switch means and a cathode connected to one side of said actuator means, a second normally open condition responsive switch means connecting the other side of said actuator means to a reference potential, resistor means connected across said first switch means and said diode to normally reverse bias said diode and establish a relatively high potential at a first junction between said actuator means and said second switch means and a relatively low potential at a second junction between said first switch means and said diode, indicator means, control switch means responsive to the voltage at said first and second junctions for energizing said indicator means whenever the voltage at said first and second junctions are substantially the same to thereby indicate a malfunction of either of said first or second switch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a passenger conveyance provided with a safety device actuable by electrically operated actuator means, a control circuit for operating said actuator means comprising a first normally open condition responsive switch means, means connecting one side of said first switch means to a source of direct current, a diode having an anode connected to the other side of said first switch means and a cathode connected to one side of said actuator means, a second normally open condition responsive switch means connecting the other side of said actuator means to a reference potential, resistor means connected across said first switch means and said diode to normally reverse bias said diode and establish a relatively high potential at a first junction between said actuator means and said second switch means and a relatively low potential at a second junction between said first switch means and said diode, indicator means, control switch means responsive to the voltage at said first and second junctions for energizing said indicator means whenever the voltage at said first and second junctions are substantially the same to thereby indicate a malfunction of either of said first or second switch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention defined in claim 1 further comprising a storage capacitor, resistor means connecting said capacitor to said source, a diode connected in parallel with said resistor means for discharging said capacitor through said actuator means in response to loss of said source and simultaneous closure of said first and second switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said control switch means comprises inverter means for inverting the voltage at one of said junctions, AND function performing logic gate means responsive to the voltages at said capacitor, at the other of said junctions and at the output of said inverter means, and a transistor having emitter and collector electrodes connected in series with said indicator means and a base electrode connected to the output of said logic gate means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention defined in claim 3 further comprising recorder means, time delay means for energizing said recorder means a predetermined interval of time after energization of said indicator means and latch means for insuring continuous energization of said indicator means upon energization of said recorder means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a passenger conveyance provided with a safety device actuable by electrically operated actuator means, and including a control circuit for operating said actuator means comprising first and second normally open condition responsive switch means connected to opposite sides of said actuator means and across a source of direct current, malfunction detection circuitry comprising a diode connected between said first switch means and said actuator means and poled to permit current flow from said first switch means to said actuator means, a resistor connected across said first switch means and said diode to normally reverse bias said diode and establish a relatively high potential at a first junction between said actuator means and said second switch means and a relatively low potential at a second juNction between said first switch means and said diode, indicator means, control switch means responsive to the voltage at said first and second junctions for energizing said indicator means whenever the voltage at said first and second junctions are substantially the same to thereby indicate a malfunction of either of said first or second switch means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a passenger conveyance provided with a safety device actuable by electrically operated actuator means, and including a control circuit for operating said actuator means comprising first and second normally open condition responsive switch means connected to opposite sides of said actuator means and across a source of direct current, malfunction detection circuitry comprising a diode connected between said first switch means and said actuator means and poled to permit current flow from said first switch means to said actuator means, a resistor connected across said first switch means and said diode to normally reverse bias said diode and establish a relatively high potential at a first junction between said actuator means and said second switch means and a relatively low potential at a second juNction between said first switch means and said diode, indicator means, control switch means responsive to the voltage at said first and second junctions for energizing said indicator means whenever the voltage at said first and second junctions are substantially the same to thereby indicate a malfunction of either of said first or second switch means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |