US4086562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for recording erroneous operations of passenger protecting apparatus for motor vehicles
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
•
Filing: 1976-02-12
•
Granted: 1978-04-25
•
Expires: 1996-02-12
Abstract
Abstract In an apparatus for protecting passengers of a motor vehicle from being injured in the event a collision of the vehicle by utilizing an air cushion bag which is inflated by an electric actuator device operative in response to the collision, an apparatus for recording erroneous inflation of the protection air bag comprises a circuit for detecting the application of electric energy to the actuator device and for determining if such application of electric energy is made through a collision sensing switch which serves to connect the actuator device to an electric energy source upon an actual collision. When the application of the electric energy to the actuator device without the aid of the collision sensing switch is detected upon the inflation of the air bag, such inflation is regarded as the one due to erroneous operation for some reason other than an actual collision and a signal indicative of such inflation is recorded.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Hasegawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/017; B60R21/0173; B60R21/0176
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
532 words
In a control circuit for confiningly protecting a passenger of a motor vehicle in the event of the collision thereof comprising at least an inflatable cushion provided for protecting the passenger from injury in the event of the collision of the motor vehicle, at least one actuating means having first and second terminals, for actuating said inflatable cushion, a d.c. current source having an anode and a cathode, and a collision force detector means for sensing said collision to connect said actuating means to said d.c. current source to thereby actuate said actuating means upon collision of the motor vehicle, the improvement residing in an apparatus for recording an erroneous operation of said control circuit, which improvement comprises an actuation detection circuit for producing an actuation detection signal representing the actuation of said actuating means by detecting a state in which a first terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the anode of said d.c. current source and at the same time a second terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the cathode of said d.c. current source, a collision detection circuit for detecting the collision of the motor vehicle in response to the actuation of said collision force detector means and storing the occurrence of the collision as a collision signal, and a recorder adapted to be driven only when said actuation detection signal is produced by said actuation detection circuit and said collision signal is not stored in said collision detection circuit, whereby the erroneous operation of said actuating means is recorded when no collision actually occurs, and wherein said collision force detector means is composed of first and second collision force detecting switches each having first and second terminals, said first terminals being connected, respectively, to the anode and cathode of said d.c. current source, said actuation detecting circuit is composed of first and second voltage divider resistors respectively connected in parallel to said first and second collision force detecting switches, a third voltage divider resistor connected between the second terminals of said first and second collision force detecting switches, and a plurality of diodes each having cathode connected in common to a junction between said second collision force detecting switch and said third voltage divider resistor and each having an anode connected to the first terminal of a respective actuating means, the second terminal of which is connected in common to a junction between said first collision force detecting switch and said third voltage divider resistor, and said recorder is composed of a determining circuit for monitoring a plurality of monitor points formed by the junction between said actuating means and said first collision force detecting switch as well as anode-side junctions of said diodes, respectively, and serving to detect that at least one of said monitor points has a potential greater than a first predetermined reference potential and that at least another one of said monitor points has a potential lower than a second predetermined reference potential, a recording means, and a driving circuit adapted to be actuated by the output of said determining circuit to thereby drive said recording means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
532 words
In a control circuit for confiningly protecting a passenger of a motor vehicle in the event of the collision thereof comprising at least an inflatable cushion provided for protecting the passenger from injury in the event of the collision of the motor vehicle, at least one actuating means having first and second terminals, for actuating said inflatable cushion, a d.c. current source having an anode and a cathode, and a collision force detector means for sensing said collision to connect said actuating means to said d.c. current source to thereby actuate said actuating means upon collision of the motor vehicle, the improvement residing in an apparatus for recording an erroneous operation of said control circuit, which improvement comprises an actuation detection circuit for producing an actuation detection signal representing the actuation of said actuating means by detecting a state in which a first terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the anode of said d.c. current source and at the same time a second terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the cathode of said d.c. current source, a collision detection circuit for detecting the collision of the motor vehicle in response to the actuation of said collision force detector means and storing the occurrence of the collision as a collision signal, and a recorder adapted to be driven only when said actuation detection signal is produced by said actuation detection circuit and said collision signal is not stored in said collision detection circuit, whereby the erroneous operation of said actuating means is recorded when no collision actually occurs, and wherein said collision force detector means is composed of first and second collision force detecting switches each having first and second terminals, said first terminals being connected, respectively, to the anode and cathode of said d.c. current source, said actuation detecting circuit is composed of first and second voltage divider resistors respectively connected in parallel to said first and second collision force detecting switches, a third voltage divider resistor connected between the second terminals of said first and second collision force detecting switches, and a plurality of diodes each having cathode connected in common to a junction between said second collision force detecting switch and said third voltage divider resistor and each having an anode connected to the first terminal of a respective actuating means, the second terminal of which is connected in common to a junction between said first collision force detecting switch and said third voltage divider resistor, and said recorder is composed of a determining circuit for monitoring a plurality of monitor points formed by the junction between said actuating means and said first collision force detecting switch as well as anode-side junctions of said diodes, respectively, and serving to detect that at least one of said monitor points has a potential greater than a first predetermined reference potential and that at least another one of said monitor points has a potential lower than a second predetermined reference potential, a recording means, and a driving circuit adapted to be actuated by the output of said determining circuit to thereby drive said recording means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
131 words
An erroneous operation recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said collision detector circuit is composed of a first current detection transformer having a primary coil connected in series between the anode of said d.c. current source and said first collision force detecting switch for detecting current flowing through said first collision force detecting switch, a second current detection transformer having a primary coil inserted in series between said cathode of said d.c. current source and said second collision force detecting switch for detecting current flowing through said second collision force detecting switch, a circuit for producing said collision signal when voltages induced in secondary coils of said first and second current detection transformers exceed a third predetermined reference voltage, and a storing and holding circuit for storing said collision signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
An erroneous operation recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said determining circuit comprises respective first transistor switching circuits each of which is connected between a respective one of said monitor points and said driving circuit, and a second transistor switching circuit having a control terminal coupled to each monitor point and input and output terminals connected between the anode of said d.c. current source and said first transistor switching circuits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
An erroneous operation recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said driving circuit comprises a third transistor switching circuit having an input connected to the cathode of said d.c. current source, an output connected to said recording means, a first control terminal connected to said first transistor switching circuits and a second control terminal connected to said storing and holding circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An erroneous operation recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said storing and holding circuit comprises a controlled rectifier switching circuit having a control input connected to said collision signal producing circuit and an output connected to the second control terminal of said third transistor switching circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
An erroneous operation recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said collision signal producing circuit comprises a fourth transistor switching circuit having a pair of control inputs connected to the secondary coils of said first and second current detection transformers and an output connected to the control input of said controlled rectifier switching circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
An erroneous operation recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said collision detector circuit is composed of a current detection transformer having a primary coil connected in series between the anode of said d.c. current source and said first collision force detecting switch for detecting current flowing through said first collision force detecting switch and a secondary coil coupled with said primary coil, a circuit for producing said collision signal when a voltage induced in said secondary coil of said current detection transformer exceeds a predetermined reference voltage, and a storing and holding circuit for storing said collision signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
An erroneous operation recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said determining circuit comprises respective first transistor switching circuits each of which is connected between a respective one of said monitor points and said driving circuit, and a second transistor switching circuit having a control terminal coupled to each monitor point and input and output terminals connected between the anode of said d. c. current source and said first transistor switching circuits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
An erroneous operation recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said driving circuit comprises a third transistor switching circuit having an input connected to the cathode of said d. c. current source, an output connected to said recording means, a first control terminal connected to said first transistor switching circuits and a second control terminal connected to said storing and holding circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
An erroneous operation recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said storing and holding circuit comprises a controlled rectifier switching circuit having a control input connected to said collision signal producing circuit and an output connected to the second control terminal of said third transistor switching circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
An erroneous operation recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said collision signal producing circuit comprises a fourth transistor switching circuit having a control input connected to the secondary coil of said current detection transformer and an output connected to the control input of said controlled rectifier switching circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
440 words
In a control circuit for confiningly protecting a passenger of a motor vehicle in the event of the collision thereof comprising at least an inflatable cushion provided for protecting the passenger from injury in the event of the collision of the motor vehicle, at least one actuating means having first and second terminals, for actuating said inflatable cushion, a d. c. current source, having an anode and a cathode, and a collision force detector means for sensing said collision to connect said actuating means to said d. c. current source to thereby actuate said actuating means upon collision of the motor vehicle, the improvement residing in an apparatus for recording an erroneous operation of said control circuit, which improvement comprises an actuation detection circuit for producing an actuation detection signal representing the actuation of said actuating means by detecting a state in which a first terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the anode of said d.c. current source and at the same time a second terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the cathode of said d. c. current source, a collision detection circuit for detecting the collision of the motor vehicle in response to the actuation of said collision force detector means and storing the occurrence of the collision as a collision signal, and a recorder adapted to be driven only when said actuation detection signal is produced by said actuation detection circuit and said collision signal is not stored in said collision detection circuit, whereby the erroneous operation of said actuating means is recorded when no collision actually occurs, and wherein said collision force detector means is composed of first and second collision force detecting switches for closing paths from the anode and cathode of said d. c. current source in response to the occurrence of a collision, and said collision detection circuit is composed of a first current detection transformer having a primary coil connected in series between the anode of said d. c. current source and said first collision force detecting switch for detecting current flowing through said first collision force detecting switch, a second current detection transformer having a primary coil inserted in series between said cathode of said d. c. current source and said second collision force detecting switch for detecting current flowing through said second collision force detecting switch, a circuit for producing said collision signal when voltages induced in secondary coils of said first and second current detection transformers exceed a predetermined reference voltage, and a storing and holding circuit for storing said collision signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
440 words
In a control circuit for confiningly protecting a passenger of a motor vehicle in the event of the collision thereof comprising at least an inflatable cushion provided for protecting the passenger from injury in the event of the collision of the motor vehicle, at least one actuating means having first and second terminals, for actuating said inflatable cushion, a d. c. current source, having an anode and a cathode, and a collision force detector means for sensing said collision to connect said actuating means to said d. c. current source to thereby actuate said actuating means upon collision of the motor vehicle, the improvement residing in an apparatus for recording an erroneous operation of said control circuit, which improvement comprises an actuation detection circuit for producing an actuation detection signal representing the actuation of said actuating means by detecting a state in which a first terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the anode of said d.c. current source and at the same time a second terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the cathode of said d. c. current source, a collision detection circuit for detecting the collision of the motor vehicle in response to the actuation of said collision force detector means and storing the occurrence of the collision as a collision signal, and a recorder adapted to be driven only when said actuation detection signal is produced by said actuation detection circuit and said collision signal is not stored in said collision detection circuit, whereby the erroneous operation of said actuating means is recorded when no collision actually occurs, and wherein said collision force detector means is composed of first and second collision force detecting switches for closing paths from the anode and cathode of said d. c. current source in response to the occurrence of a collision, and said collision detection circuit is composed of a first current detection transformer having a primary coil connected in series between the anode of said d. c. current source and said first collision force detecting switch for detecting current flowing through said first collision force detecting switch, a second current detection transformer having a primary coil inserted in series between said cathode of said d. c. current source and said second collision force detecting switch for detecting current flowing through said second collision force detecting switch, a circuit for producing said collision signal when voltages induced in secondary coils of said first and second current detection transformers exceed a predetermined reference voltage, and a storing and holding circuit for storing said collision signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
408 words
In a control circuit for confiningly protecting a passenger of a motor vehicle in the event of the collision thereof comprising at least an inflatable cushion provided for protecting the passenger from injury in the event of the collision of the motor vehicle, at least one actuating means having first and second terminals, for actuating said inflatable cushion, a d. c. current source having an anode and a cathode, and a collision force detector means for sensing said collision to connect said actuating means to said d. c. current source to thereby actuate said actuating means upon collision of the motor vehicle, the improvement residing in an apparatus for recording an erroneous operation of said control circuit, which improvement comprises an actuation detection circuit for producing an actuation detection signal representing the actuation of said actuating means by detecting a state in which a first terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the anode of said d. c. current source and at the same time a second terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the cathode of said d.c. current source, a collision detection circuit for detecting the collision of the motor vehicle in response to the actuation of said collision force detector means and storing the occurrence of the collision as a collision signal, and a recorder adapted to be driven only when said actuation detection signal is produced by said actuation detection circuit and said collision signal is not stored in said collision detection circuit, whereby the erroneous operation of said actuating means is recorded when no collision actually occurs, and wherein said collision force detector means is composed of first and second collision force detecting switches for closing paths from the anode and cathode of said d. c. current source in response to the occurrence of a collision, and said collision detector circuit is composed of a current detection transformer having a primary coil connected in series between the anode of said d. c. current source and said first collision force detecting switch for detecting current flowing through said first collision force detecting switch and a secondary coil coupled with said primary coil, a circuit for producing said collision signal when a voltage induced in said secondary coil of said current detection transformer exceeds a predetermined reference voltage, and a storing and holding circuit for storing said collision signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
408 words
In a control circuit for confiningly protecting a passenger of a motor vehicle in the event of the collision thereof comprising at least an inflatable cushion provided for protecting the passenger from injury in the event of the collision of the motor vehicle, at least one actuating means having first and second terminals, for actuating said inflatable cushion, a d. c. current source having an anode and a cathode, and a collision force detector means for sensing said collision to connect said actuating means to said d. c. current source to thereby actuate said actuating means upon collision of the motor vehicle, the improvement residing in an apparatus for recording an erroneous operation of said control circuit, which improvement comprises an actuation detection circuit for producing an actuation detection signal representing the actuation of said actuating means by detecting a state in which a first terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the anode of said d. c. current source and at the same time a second terminal of an actuating means is at a potential substantially equal to the potential of the cathode of said d.c. current source, a collision detection circuit for detecting the collision of the motor vehicle in response to the actuation of said collision force detector means and storing the occurrence of the collision as a collision signal, and a recorder adapted to be driven only when said actuation detection signal is produced by said actuation detection circuit and said collision signal is not stored in said collision detection circuit, whereby the erroneous operation of said actuating means is recorded when no collision actually occurs, and wherein said collision force detector means is composed of first and second collision force detecting switches for closing paths from the anode and cathode of said d. c. current source in response to the occurrence of a collision, and said collision detector circuit is composed of a current detection transformer having a primary coil connected in series between the anode of said d. c. current source and said first collision force detecting switch for detecting current flowing through said first collision force detecting switch and a secondary coil coupled with said primary coil, a circuit for producing said collision signal when a voltage induced in said secondary coil of said current detection transformer exceeds a predetermined reference voltage, and a storing and holding circuit for storing said collision signal.
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) | 1981-04-24 | 1981-10-24 | 1982-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-24 | 1985-10-24 | 1986-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-24 | 1989-10-24 | 1990-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |