US5134306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detonation circuit for a vehicle air bag
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
•
Filing: 1988-09-09
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Granted: 1992-07-28
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Expires: 2008-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A detonation circuit for an inflation capsule (10) of a vehicle air bag has a capacitor (20) which supplies energy to the capsule during a crash condition. The circuit has a transformer (12), the energy source (20) being electrically connectible to the primary coil (P) thereof by two transistors (30, 48) which assume a conducting state when associated control means (16, 18) determine that a crash condition has occurred. Only when both transistors conduct can the energy source (20) cause a change in the current flow through the primary coil (P), which in turn induces a change in current in the secondary coil (S) to which the capsule (10) is connected. It has been found that by monitoring the voltage and current characteristics in the primary coil (P), the state of the capsule (10) can be monitored. For example, it can be determined whether the capsule has fired, and if so further firing pulses may be suppressed.
Inventors
- 👤 Hartmut Schumacher
- 👤 Norbert Crispin
- 👤 Bernhard Mattes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:06
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/017; F; F42; F42D; F42D1/00; F42D1/04; F42D1/045; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/005; G01R31/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A detonation circuit for supplying electrical energy to an inflation capsule for inflating a restraining device, comprising: an electrical energy source; connection means for supplying electrical energy to the capsule from the energy source in response to detection of a crash condition; a transformer having primary and secondary coils, the energy source being electrically connectible to the primary coil by the connection means and the inflation capsule being electrically connected to the secondary coil; and sensing means for sensing at least one characteristic in the primary coil and comparing the sensed characteristic with stored characteristics.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A detonation circuit for supplying electrical energy to an inflation capsule for inflating a restraining device, comprising: an electrical energy source; connection means for supplying electrical energy to the capsule from the energy source in response to detection of a crash condition; a transformer having primary and secondary coils, the energy source being electrically connectible to the primary coil by the connection means and the inflation capsule being electrically connected to the secondary coil; and sensing means for sensing at least one characteristic in the primary coil and comparing the sensed characteristic with stored characteristics.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of switch means connected in series with the energy source, each switch means being closable independently of the others upon determination of a crash condition by an associated control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 2, wherein each switch means comprises a transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 3, wherein one of the switch means comprises a MOSFET.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic is selected from the group including a voltage characteristic in the primary coil and a current characteristic in the primary coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
A detonation circuit for supplying electrical energy to an inflation capsule for inflating a restraining device, comprising: an electrical energy source; connection means for supplying electrical energy to the capsule from the energy source in response to detection of a crash condition; a transformer having primary and secondary coils, the energy source being electrically connectible to the primary coil by the connection means and the inflation capsule being electrically connected to the secondary coil; and voltage sensing means adapted to sense voltage characteristics in the primary coil and compare the sensed characteristics with stored characteristics.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A detonation circuit for supplying electrical energy to an inflation capsule for inflating a restraining device, comprising: an electrical energy source; connection means for supplying electrical energy to the capsule from the energy source in response to detection of a crash condition; a transformer having primary and secondary coils, the energy source being electrically connectible to the primary coil by the connection means and the inflation capsule being electrically connected to the secondary coil; and voltage sensing means adapted to sense voltage characteristics in the primary coil and compare the sensed characteristics with stored characteristics.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connection means is adapted to supply discrete pulses of electrical energy, the voltage sensing means sensing the characteristics before one or more pulses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the voltage sensing means is adapted to suppress the supply of energy to the primary coil if the detected characteristics are unsatisfactory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 6 further comprising current sensing means adapted to sense current characteristics in the primary coil and compare the measured characteristics with stored characteristics.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the current sensing means is adapted to suppress the supply of energy to the primary coil if the detected characteristics are unsatisfactory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the voltage sensing means is adapted to suppress the supply of energy to the primary coil if the detected characteristics are unsatisfactory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
95 words
A detonation circuit for supplying electrical energy to an inflation capsule for inflating a restraining device, comprising: an electrical energy source; connection means for supplying electrical energy to the capsule from the energy source in response to detection of a crash condition; a transformer having primary and secondary coils, the energy source being electrically connectible to the primary coil by the connection means and the inflation capsule being electrically connected to the secondary coil; and current sensing means adapted to sense current characteristics in the primary coil and compare the sensed characteristics with stored characteristics.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
A detonation circuit for supplying electrical energy to an inflation capsule for inflating a restraining device, comprising: an electrical energy source; connection means for supplying electrical energy to the capsule from the energy source in response to detection of a crash condition; a transformer having primary and secondary coils, the energy source being electrically connectible to the primary coil by the connection means and the inflation capsule being electrically connected to the secondary coil; and current sensing means adapted to sense current characteristics in the primary coil and compare the sensed characteristics with stored characteristics.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the connection means is adapted to supply discrete pulses of electrical energy, the current sensing means measuring the characteristics before one or more pulses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the current sensing means is adapted to suppress the supply of energy to the primary coil if the detected characteristics are unsatisfactory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the current sensing means is adapted to suppress the supply of energy to the primary coil if the detected characteristics are unsatisfactory.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
A detonation circuit for supplying electrical energy to an inflation capsule for inflating a restraining device, comprising: an electrical energy source; supply means for supplying electrical energy to the capsule from the energy source in response to detection of a crash condition, the supply means being adapted to supply electrical energy in discrete pulses; and sensing means for monitoring the condition of the inflation capsule during a crash condition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
A detonation circuit for supplying electrical energy to an inflation capsule for inflating a restraining device, comprising: an electrical energy source; supply means for supplying electrical energy to the capsule from the energy source in response to detection of a crash condition, the supply means being adapted to supply electrical energy in discrete pulses; and sensing means for monitoring the condition of the inflation capsule during a crash condition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a plurality of switch means connected in series with the energy source, each switch means being closable independently of the others upon determination of a crash condition by an associated control means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 17, wherein each switch means includes a transistor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the switch means includes a MOSFET.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
100 words
A detonation circuit for supplying electrical energy to an inflation capsule for inflating a restraining device, comprising: an electrical energy source; supply means for supplying electrical energy to the capsule from the energy source in response to detection of a crash condition, the supply means being adapted to supply electrical energy in discrete pulses; sensing means for monitoring the condition of the inflation capsule during a crash condition; and a transformer having primary and secondary coils, the energy source being electrically connectible to the primary coil by the supply means, and the capsule being electrically connected to the secondary coil.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
100 words
A detonation circuit for supplying electrical energy to an inflation capsule for inflating a restraining device, comprising: an electrical energy source; supply means for supplying electrical energy to the capsule from the energy source in response to detection of a crash condition, the supply means being adapted to supply electrical energy in discrete pulses; sensing means for monitoring the condition of the inflation capsule during a crash condition; and a transformer having primary and secondary coils, the energy source being electrically connectible to the primary coil by the supply means, and the capsule being electrically connected to the secondary coil.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 20, wherein the sensing means comprises means for sensing voltage characteristics in the primary coil of the transformer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 21, wherein the sensing means is adapted to compare the detected characteristics with stored characteristics and suppress the pulses supplied by the supply means upon detection of unsatisfactory characteristics.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 21, wherein the sensing means includes means for sensing current characteristics in the primary coil of the transformer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 23, wherein the sensing means is adapted to compare the detected characteristics with stored characteristics and suppress the pulses supplied by the supply means upon detection of unsatisfactory characteristics.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 20, wherein the sensing means comprises means for sensing current characteristics in the primary coil of the transformer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
A detonation circuit as claimed in claim 25, wherein the sensing means is adapted to compare the detected characteristics with stored characteristics and suppress the pulses supplied by the supply means upon detection of unsatisfactory characteristics.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-28 | 1996-01-27 | 1996-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-28 | 2000-01-27 | 2000-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-28 | 2004-01-27 | 2004-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |