초록 ▼

A seat belt buckle switch is disclosed. This switch provides multiple discrete output states, including buckled, unbuckled, open loop and shorted. This switch works in association with a control module which uses the buckle switch state to detect a failure condition, execute an appropriate driver wa

A seat belt buckle switch is disclosed. This switch provides multiple discrete output states, including buckled, unbuckled, open loop and shorted. This switch works in association with a control module which uses the buckle switch state to detect a failure condition, execute an appropriate driver warning and, in an adaptive restraints application, to deploy other safety devices based on whether the seat belt is fastened.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising: (A) a switch body held within a seat belt buckle; (B) a switch mounted on said switch body wherein said switch comprises a flexible, dome-shaped metal membrane; (C) a resistive circuit mounted on said switch body and electrically connected to

We claim: 1. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising: (A) a switch body held within a seat belt buckle; (B) a switch mounted on said switch body wherein said switch comprises a flexible, dome-shaped metal membrane; (C) a resistive circuit mounted on said switch body and electrically connected to said switch; and (D) a control module electrically connected to said resistive circuit wherein said control module detects buckle states selected from the group consisting of buckled, unbuckled, open loop, and shorted. 2. A seat belt buckle assembly, as recited in claim 1, further comprising one or more wire terminals for connecting said resistive circuit to said control module. 3. A seat belt buckle assembly, as recited in claim 1, wherein said switch is a deflectable dome switch. 4. A seat belt buckle assembly, as recited in claim 1, wherein said resistive circuit further comprises a plurality of resistive components. 5. A seat belt buckle assembly, as recited in claim 4, wherein said plurality of resistive components are arranged in a parallel circuit arrangement when said switch is closed. 6. A seat belt buckle assembly, as recited in claim 4, wherein said plurality of resistive components have approximately equal resistance values. 7. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising: (A) a seat belt buckle having a tongue and a latch, said tongue adapted to be received in said seat belt buckle; (B) a switch held within said seat belt buckle having a flexible dome-shaped metal membrane positioned to contact said latch; and (C) a control module electrically connected to said switch. 8. A seat belt buckle assembly, as recited in claim 7, further comprising a resistive circuit electrically connected to said switch. 9. A seat belt buckle assembly, as recited in claim 8, wherein said resistive circuit further comprises a plurality of resistive elements. 10. A seat belt buckle assembly, as recited in claim 9, wherein said plurality of resistive elements are electrically connected together in a parallel circuit arrangement when said switch is closed. 11. A seat belt buckle assembly, as recited in claim 10, wherein said switch is closed by deflection of said membrane. 12. A seat belt buckle assembly, as recited in claim 8, wherein said control module detects buckle states selected from the group consisting of buckled, unbuckled, open loop and shorted. 13. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising: (A) a switch body held within a seat belt buckle; (B) a switch mounted on said switch body wherein said switch comprises a flexible, dome-shaped metal membrane; (C) a plurality of resistive components mounted on said switch body and electrically connected to said switch, said plurality of resistive components being arranged in a parallel circuit arrangement when said switch is closed; and (D) a control module electrically connected to said resistive circuit. 14. A seat belt buckle assembly, comprising: (A) a switch body held within a seat belt buckle; (B) a dome switch mounted on said switch body, the switch comprising a flexible, dome-shaped metal membrane; and (C) a resistive circuit mounted on said switch body.