The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 03, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 09, 1996
Charles R Cook, Jr, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Horst Belau, Clarkston, MI (US);
Mark A Parsons, Rochester, MI (US);
Siemens Automotive Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A control arrangement for a deployable airbag of a vehicle is provided with a squib for firing in response to a deployment command signal whereby the deployable airbag is deployed. Bilateral communication is effected between the control arrangement and an airbag electronic controller. Electrical energy and data, including the deployment command signal are conveyed to the control arrangement, and at least self-diagnosis information is conveyed to the airbag electronic controller. The squib is configured to require a predeterminable minimum quantum of energy to effect the firing thereof in response to the deployment command signal. A heater provides a radiated preheat to the squib, whereby the predeterminable minimum quantum of energy applied to effect firing of the squib is exceeded by a combination of the first electrical energy and the radiated preheat energy. The squib and the preheater preferably are both formed on a silicon substrate using a conventional integration process. The radiated preheat energy is monitored and controlled, and the energy required to effect firing of the squib is proportional to the difference between temperature of the squib, in response to the radiated preheat energy, and the predeterminable firing threshold temperature of the squib.