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:
Aug. 10, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 06, 1997
Charles R Cook, Jr, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Horst Belau, Clarkston, MI (US);
Siemens Automotive Corp., Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A switched capacitor circuit for delivering electrical triggering energy to an airbag squib of a supplemental restraint system for a vehicle, or a plurality of such airbag squibs, employs a switching arrangement on both sides of the airbag squib. An energy storage element, which may be a capacitor having stored therein a quantum of energy sufficient to fire the airbag squibs is coupled thereto by a substantially series pair of electronic switches connecting each terminal of the storage capacitor to each terminal of the airbag squib arrangement. A further capacitor is coupled across the airbag squib arrangement, electrically intermediate of the substantially series pairs of electronic switches. A still further capacitor is coupled across the airbag squib arrangement itself. This arrangement can withstand plural short-circuit false conditions, including short-circuits to ground or to supply potential at the terminals of the airbag squib arrangement itself. There is additionally provided a switching arrangement for implementing a predetermined priority of firing of a plurality of airbag squibs and reconfiguring electrically the plurality of airbag squibs.