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:
Apr. 04, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 21, 1998
David Martin Spell, Kokomo, IN (US);
Michael K Walden, Noblesville, IN (US);
Johnny Lee Lyons, Kokomo, IN (US);
Delco Electronics Corp., Kokomo, IN (US);
Abstract
An improved automotive supplemental inflatable restraint system featuring a cost-effective approach to driver initiated inhibiting of air bag deployment. A multi-position key-operated switch is coupled to a circuit external to the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) that is interfaced to the vehicle communications bus. The circuit interprets the switch position, and sends a message to the SDM via the communications bus indicating which, if any, of the air bags are to be inhibited. Since the SDM is normally configured for communications over the communications bus, the only cost impact on the SDM is that of a software modification. Additionally, the external circuitry is simple, and the switch can be low cost since it is not connected in the deployment loop of an air bag, and since one switch can be used to signal multiple inhibit selections. The external circuit may include a microprocessor and bus interface as a stand-alone device, or may be up-integrated into an existing vehicle electronic module such as a body computer.