Force activated electrical switch
AssigneeJoyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
InventorDavid WILSON
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A force activated electrical switch including a conductor that is screen printed on a first base and a conductor that is screen printed on a second base. The switch includes a plurality of nodes of dielectric material printed in a spaced apart pattern on at least one of the bases. The first base is positioned over the second base so that when a downward force is applied to the first base, the distance between at least a portion of the conductors decreases. The switch may be employed in a system that includes a controller operatively connected to the conductors. The controller includes a sensing circuit or processor configured to detect the presence of the occupant when the force is great enough to cause the conductors to contact one another, thereby activating the electrical switch.
Claims20
An electrical switch configured to be used in a vehicle, the electrical switch comprising:
- a first base;
- a second base;
- and
- a plurality of nodes of dielectric material located on at least one of the first base and the second base, wherein
- the plurality of nodes extend away from the at least one of the first base and the second base to thereby create a gap between the first base and the second base;
- the plurality of nodes are arranged in a pattern on the at least one of the first base and the second base, the pattern including space between adjacent nodes;
- and
- when a predetermined force is applied to the first base or the second base, the gap between the first base and the second base decreases to allow at least a portion of the first base to contact a portion of the second base in the space located between the plurality of nodes;
- and
- the switch is configured so that when the first base contacts the second base, the electrical switch is activated.
An occupant detection system comprising an electrical switch and a controller;
- wherein the electrical switch comprises:
- a first base;
- a second base;
- and
- a plurality of nodes of dielectric material located on at least one of the first base and the second base, wherein
- the plurality of nodes extend away from the at least one of the first base and the second base to thereby create a gap between the first base and the second base;
- the plurality of nodes are arranged in a pattern on the at least one of the first base and the second base, the pattern including space between adjacent nodes;
- and
- when a predetermined force is applied to the first base or the second base, the gap between the first base and the second base decreases to allow at least a portion of the first base to contact a portion of the second base in the space located between the plurality of nodes;
- and
- wherein the controller is configured to output an occupant detection signal when the first base contacts the second base causing the switch to be activated.
An electrical switch comprising:
- a first conductor screen printed on a first base;
- a second conductor screen printed on a second base;
- and
- a plurality of nodes of dielectric material located on at least one of the first base and the second base, wherein
- each of the plurality of nodes extend to create a gap between the first base and the second base;
- the plurality of nodes are arranged in a pattern on the at least one of the first base and the second base that provides spaces between each node;
- when a predetermined force is applied to the first base or the second base, the gap between the first base and the second base decreases to allow at least a portion of the first conductor to contact a portion of the second conductor in the spaces between the plurality of nodes;
- and
- when the first conductor contacts the second conductor, the electrical switch is activated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.