US3745523A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diagnostic system for inflatable safety bag firing circuit
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-20
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A circuit for firing the gas generating system of an inflatable safety bag device includes a capacitor which is charged from the battery at such time as the ignition switch is closed. A light emitter is connected to the capacitor so as to be energized during the charging of the capacitor. A sensor detects output from this light and controls the energization of a second light emitter. In the event the first light emitter emits light following the closure of the ignition switch, indicating proper operation of the circuitry, the second light emitter will be deenergized. Fiber optic bundles lead from both of the light emitters to a visual indicator assembly mounted on the dashboard of the vehicle. An alternate embodiment of the invention employs only a single light emitter diode which is normally energized and is deenergized in the event an inductive sensing means does not detect the proper operation of the charging circuitry.
Inventors
- 👤 D Lewis
- 👤 W Gordon
- 👤 R Wulbrecht
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:41
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/017; B60R21/0173
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
Diagnostic circuitry, adapted for use in a gas inflatable safety bag system of a motor vehicle for signalling to the driver of the vehicle the condition of a firing circuit havinG a capacitor adapted to be charged from the vehicle''s battery upon closure of the vehicle''s ignition switch, comprising a light emitting device connected to said firing circuit and operable to be energized at such time as said capacitor is being charged from said battery; visual signal means disposed adjacent to the vehicle driver position and remote from said light emitting device; and light conductive means coupling said light emitting device to said visual signal means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
Diagnostic circuitry, adapted for use in a gas inflatable safety bag system of a motor vehicle for signalling to the driver of the vehicle the condition of a firing circuit havinG a capacitor adapted to be charged from the vehicle''s battery upon closure of the vehicle''s ignition switch, comprising a light emitting device connected to said firing circuit and operable to be energized at such time as said capacitor is being charged from said battery; visual signal means disposed adjacent to the vehicle driver position and remote from said light emitting device; and light conductive means coupling said light emitting device to said visual signal means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The diagnostic circuitry of claim 1 including a sensor physically disposed adjacent to said light emitting device and being operative to sense its state of operation and a second light emitting device operative to be energized by the sensor in the event of failure of the aforesaid light emitting device to be energized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a vehicle having an inflatable safety system including a firing circuit for initiating the inflation of said system having a capacitor adapted to be charged from the vehicle''s battery upon closure of the vehicle''s ignition switch, diagnostic circuitry comprising a light emitting device operative to be energized during such time as said capacitor is being charged from said battery; a visual signal device disposed in said vehicle at a location remote from said light emitting device so as to be visible to the driver of the vehicle; and light conductive means extending between said light emitting device and said signal device operative to change the state of said signal device at such time as the light emitting device changes state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a vehicle having an inflatable safety system including a firing circuit for initiating the inflation of said system having a capacitor adapted to be charged from the vehicle''s battery upon closure of the vehicle''s ignition switch, diagnostic circuitry comprising a light emitting device operative to be energized during such time as said capacitor is being charged from said battery; a visual signal device disposed in said vehicle at a location remote from said light emitting device so as to be visible to the driver of the vehicle; and light conductive means extending between said light emitting device and said signal device operative to change the state of said signal device at such time as the light emitting device changes state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The firing circuit of claim 3 including a sensor means disposed adjacent to and responsive to energization of said light emitting device, and a second light emitting device associated with said sensor means, said sensor means being operable to prevent energization of said second light emitting device upon energization of the aforesaid light emitting device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
158 words
Diagnostic means, adapted for use in a gas inflatable safety bag system of a motor vehicle for signalling to the driver of the vehicle the condition of firing circuitry having a capacitor adapted to be charged from the vehicle''s battery upon closure of the vehicle''s ignition switch, comprising a first light emitting device operative to be energized at such time as said capacitor is being charged from said battery; a sensor physically disposed adjacent to said first light emitting device and being operative to sense its state of operation; a second light emitting device operatively connected to said sensor so that the second light emitting device is operable to be energized in the event of failure of the first light emitting device to be energized; visual signal means disposed adjacent to the driver position and remote from said first light emitting device; and light conductive means coupling each of said light emitting devices to said visual signal means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
158 words
Diagnostic means, adapted for use in a gas inflatable safety bag system of a motor vehicle for signalling to the driver of the vehicle the condition of firing circuitry having a capacitor adapted to be charged from the vehicle''s battery upon closure of the vehicle''s ignition switch, comprising a first light emitting device operative to be energized at such time as said capacitor is being charged from said battery; a sensor physically disposed adjacent to said first light emitting device and being operative to sense its state of operation; a second light emitting device operatively connected to said sensor so that the second light emitting device is operable to be energized in the event of failure of the first light emitting device to be energized; visual signal means disposed adjacent to the driver position and remote from said first light emitting device; and light conductive means coupling each of said light emitting devices to said visual signal means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The diagnostic means of claim 5 wherein said light conductive means constitute a bundle of optically conductive fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a vehicle having an inflatable safety system including a firing circuit for initiating inflation of said system and a vehicle battery, an electric power storage device connected to the vehicle battery during the normal operation of the circuitry and disconnected therefrom at other times; means for discharging said power storage device; means for sensing the potential difference between said battery and said power storage device including a light emitting device; a signal device disposed adjacent to the vehicle driver position and remote from said first light emitting device; and light conductive means coupling said light emitting device and said visual signal means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a vehicle having an inflatable safety system including a firing circuit for initiating inflation of said system and a vehicle battery, an electric power storage device connected to the vehicle battery during the normal operation of the circuitry and disconnected therefrom at other times; means for discharging said power storage device; means for sensing the potential difference between said battery and said power storage device including a light emitting device; a signal device disposed adjacent to the vehicle driver position and remote from said first light emitting device; and light conductive means coupling said light emitting device and said visual signal 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) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |