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. 10, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 09, 1996
Horst Belau, Clarkston, MI (US);
Charles R Cook, Jr, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Marten Swart, Obertroeugling, DE;
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 first and second airbag controllers for receiving a fault signal at the first airbag controller, and for producing at the second airbag controller a deployment command signal that indicates that the deployable airbag is to be deployed. The second airbag controller receives the deployment command signal, and is provided with a communication controller for receiving the deployment command signal, a squib for firing in response to the deployment command signal whereby the deployable airbag is deployed, and an energy transfer arrangement coupled to the communication controller and the squib for transferring a deployment energy to the squib in response to the deployment command signal. 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 is coupled to an energy transfer arrangement for receiving a second electrical energy from the energy transfer arrangement and providing preheat to the squib in response to the second electrical energy, 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 preheat energy, which is monitored and controlled.