US4573706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Passenger compartment sensor requiring substantial velocity change
Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology Inc
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Filing: 1984-02-15
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Granted: 1986-03-04
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Expires: 2004-02-15
Abstract
Abstract A passenger compartment mounted sensor senses crashes when located outside of the crush zone in response to velocity changes. The velocity change needed to fire the sensor is much greater than the velocity change associated with overcoming the sensor bias.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Breed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:38
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/33; G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/03; G01P15/032; G01P15/036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A mechanical sensor with a low bias for mounting within a vehicle passenger compartment operable without electrical power for igniting the pyrotechnic element of an air bag safety restraint system for the vehicle, said sensor comprising a sensor train which includes: a primer; a spring biased firing pin; a means responsive to sustained acceleration above the bias for releasing the firing pin to strike the primer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A mechanical sensor with a low bias for mounting within a vehicle passenger compartment operable without electrical power for igniting the pyrotechnic element of an air bag safety restraint system for the vehicle, said sensor comprising a sensor train which includes: a primer; a spring biased firing pin; a means responsive to sustained acceleration above the bias for releasing the firing pin to strike the primer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention is accordance with claim 1, wherein lock means are provided for locking the sensing mass and rendering the sensor safe prior to mounting the sensor on the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention in accordance with the claim 1, wherein the sensor is provided with means for mounting the sensor in the passenger compartment of a vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sensor has biasing means providing a relatively low g bias.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention in accordance with claim 4, wherein the means responsive to sustained acceleration comprises a movable sensing mass, a rotatable shaft, means for translating movement of the sensing mass to rotation of the shaft, the spring biased firing pin being maintained in a retracted position by the shaft and being released to strike a primer upon predetermined rotation of the shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5, wherein the sensing mass is adapted for limited movement within a cavity in the sensor and the biasing means is a spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5, wherein damping means is also provided for resisting the movement of the sensing mass within the cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention in accordance with claim 7, wherein the damping means includes a sharp edge orifice in the mass through which fluid is adapted to flow upon movement of the mass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5, wherein the means for translating movement of the sensing mass to rotation of the shaft includes a radially extending pin on the shaft which is adapted to engage the mass and be biased so as to resist movement of the sensing mass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention in accordance with claim 9, wherein the pin is provided with a diametrically opposed extension extending beyond the shaft, the biasing means includes a biasing spring and means on the end of the extension in engagement with the spring whereby the pin is urged against the sensing mass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5, wherein the shaft is a "D-shaft" including a face which provides clearance for the firing pin when the shaft is rotated a predetermined amount.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein two sensor trains in parallel are used to provide redundant sensing trains for sensing a crash and initiating air bag inflation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention in accordance with claim 4, wherein the bias of the biasing means is less than 7 g.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention in accordance with claim 13, wherein the maximum bias of the biasing means is about 4 g.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sustained acceleration is sustained for a period ranging from 5 to 100 milliseconds.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
US4116132A
Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-03 | 1989-09-02 | 1990-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-03 | 1993-09-02 | 1994-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-03 | 1997-09-02 | 1998-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |