Trw Technar Inc.

James Purves

Saroj Manandhar

Long T Su

Robert J Bolender

Thomas Antonucci

A deceleration sensor switch (10) comprises a base (12) and a mass (60) pivotable from an unactuated position to an actuated position when the mass is subjected to deceleration of at least a predetermined magnitude. A first electrically conductive portion (70) is connected to a first electrical terminal (46) mounted on the base (12). A support structure (40) supports the mass (60) on the base (12) to pivot from the unactuated position to the actuated position. The support structure (40) comprises a second electrical terminal (42) mounted on the base (12) and a second electrically conductive portion (50) interconnecting the second electrical terminal (42) and the mass (60). The second electrically conductive portion (50) comprises a spring portion (52) which deflects into electrical contact with the first electrically conductive portion (70) to electrically connect the first and second electrical terminals (46, 42) when the mass (60) pivots to the actuated position.

Deceleration sensor switch for use in a vehicle occupant safety system

A deceleration sensor switch comprises a base (12d) including a plate portion (15d) and a rod portion (18d) having a longitudinal central axis (99d). In one embodiment (FIGS. 11-15), a rectangular mass (20d) is mounted on the rod portion. The mass is spaced apart from the plate portion at a distance which prevents rotation of the mass about the axis of the rod portion. When the mass moves from an unactuated position to an actuated position, the mass moves away from a releasable tab portion (42d) of a contact (40d) to allow a contact portion (52d) of the contact to move into engagement with an electrical terminal (34d). The contact portion is spaced apart a predetermined distance (D) from the terminal when the mass is in the unactuated position. The tab portion includes a pair of contact ears (334) having convex-shaped arcuate edge surfaces (338) which allow the contact portion to maintain the same predetermined distance from the terminal upon movement of the mass in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rod portion. The mass has a protection tab (306) which prevents a cover (11d) from striking the contact when the cover is moved into engagement with the base.

A deceleration sensor switch comprises a base including a plate portion, a pedestal portion projecting from the plate portion, and a rod portion spaced from the plate portion and projecting from the pedestal portion. The plate, pedestal, and rod portions comprise a single continuous piece of plastic molded material. A mass is mounted on the rod portion and is movable relative to the rod portion between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The mass moves from the unactuated position to the actuated position when the mass is subjected to deceleration of a predetermined magnitude. A helical coil spring provides a restoring force which acts on the mass to move the mass relative to the rod portion from the actuated position back to the unactuated position after the mass has moved to the actuated position. An adjustable calibration screw is disposed at one end of the rod portion. The calibration screw is adjusted to adjust the restoring force of the helical coil spring acting on the mass.

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Alta Loma, CA, United States of America

James Purves