Trw Limited

Thomas Modzelewski

Derrick G Titus

Jeffrey W Stahlbaum

A vehicle occupant safety apparatus includes an air bag (12) and an actuatable inflator (14). The apparatus includes vehicle electric circuitry (18) having a first condition enabling actuation of the inflator (14) and a second condition disabling actuation of the inflator. A disable switch (10) includes an optical transmitter (90) for providing a signal in the form of a light beam (92) and an optical receiver (100) for receiving the light beam from the transmitter. Movement of a key (66) into a position between the optical transmitter (90) and the optical receiver (100) prevents at least a part of the light beam (92) from being directed to the optical receiver, thus modifying the signal. The vehicle electric circuitry (18) changes between the first condition and the second condition in response to the modification of the signal.

Passenger air bag disable switch

The present invention provides an apparatus (10) for selectively enabling or disabling an actuatable vehicle occupant protection device (18). The apparatus (10) includes a cylindrical housing (80) having an inner sidewall portion (88), which has an annular ledge (90) adjacent the first end (82). A locking rib (102) extends axially a predetermined distance from the ledge (90) toward the second end (84) of the housing (80). The inner sidewall portion (88) has a pair of spaced apart locking channels (104 and 106) along opposed sides of the locking rib (102). An elongated shaft member (40) is disposed within and rotatable relative to the housing (80). The shaft member (40) has at least one slot (50) extending axially from a first end (42) portion of the shaft member (40). A blade member (56) is disposed within and axially movable relative to the shaft member (40). The blade member (56) has at least one arm (60) extending radially through the slot (50) and into one of the locking channels (104 or 106). The arm (60) is moveable between locking positions through rotation of the shaft member (40) with an appropriate key (32). Selective movement of the arm (60) from one locking position to another results in enabling or disabling the protection device (18).

Apparatus for selectively enabling or disabling an actuatable occupant

A vehicle seat belt webbing retractor (10) including a pretensioner (61), includes a length of seat belt webbing (16) and a spool (50) on which the seat belt webbing is wound. The spool (50) is rotatable in a belt retraction direction (56) and in an opposite belt withdrawal direction (58). The retractor (10) includes a member (70) having a chamber (100), a fixed portion (98), and a movable portion (88). The fixed portion (98) of the member (70) is fixed in position relative to the spool (50). The member (70) has a first condition in which the movable portion (88) of the member is twisted in a first direction of rotation about an axis (72) relative to the fixed portion (98) of the member. The movable portion (88) of the member (70) untwists in a second direction of rotation about the axis (72) relative to the fixed portion (98) of the member in response to the introduction of fluid under pressure into the chamber (100) of the member. The retractor (10) includes a mechanism (64, 66, 68) for transmitting torque from the movable portion (88) of the member (70) to the spool (50) to effect rotation of the spool in the belt retraction direction (56).

Growing community of inventors

Brighton, MI, United States of America

Thomas Modzelewski