Occupant restraint system having serially connected devices, a method for providing the restraint system and a method for using the restraint system

A method for providing a vehicle occupant restraint system for a vehicle, said method comprising:

• providing a plurality of controllable occupant restraint system devices, each of the restraint system devices having programmable means, which is programmable, to permit control of the respective restraint system device;
• providing central control means, the central control means provides programming signals and control signals for receipt by the restraint system devices;
• connecting a connection line to the central control means and the restraint system devices for providing communication between the central control means and the restraint system devices;
• connecting a plurality of communication regulation means in series along the connection line, each of the communication regulating means being associated with one of the restraint system devices and regulating communication along the connection line between the central control means and any restraint system devices down-stream of the associated restraint system device;
• providing a plurality of enable means, each of the enable means being associated with one of the restraint system devices, and each of which cause the communication regulation means associated with the one restraint system device to permit communication between the central control means and any restraint system devices down-stream of the one restraint system device in response to the central control means providing a programming signal to the one restraint system device via the connection line.

An occupant restraint system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

• a plurality of controllable occupant restraint system devices, each of said restraint system devices having programmable means, which is programmable, for permitting control of the respective restraint system device;
• central control means for providing programming signals and control signals for receipt by said restraint system devices;
• a connection line, connecting said central control means and said restraint system devices, for providing communication between said central control means and said restraint system devices;
• a plurality of communication regulation means, connected in series along said connection line, each of said communication regulation means being associated with one of said restraint system devices and for regulating communication between said central control means and any restraint system devices down-stream of said associated restraint system device along said connection line;
• and
• a plurality of enable means, each of said enable means being associated with one of said restraint system devices and for causing said communication regulation means associated with the one restraint system device to permit communication between said central control means and said any restraint system devices down-stream of said one restraint system device in response to said central control means providing a programming signal to said one restraint system device via said connection line;
• each of said communication regulation means including an electronic switch having a closed state for permitting communication between said central control means and said any restraint system devices downstream of said associated restraint system device and an open state for preventing communication between said central control means and said any restraint system devices downstream of said associated restraint system device, said electronic switch of each communication regulation means including an N-channel MOSFET having its source and drain connected in said connection line, and wherein said MOSFET of each electronic switch has its gate connected to an associated one of said enable means.

An occupant restraint system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

• a plurality of controllable occupant restraint system devices, each of said restraint system devices having programmable means, which is programmable, for permitting control of the respective restraint system device;
• central control means for providing programming signals and control signals for receipt by said restraint system devices;
• a connection line, connecting said central control means and said restraint system devices, for providing communication between said central control means and said restraint system devices;
• a plurality of communication regulation means, connected in series along said connection line, each of said communication regulation means being associated with one of said restraint system devices and for regulating communication between said central control means and any restraint system devices down-stream of said associated restraint system device along said connection line;
• and
• a plurality of enable means, each of said enable means being associated with one of said restraint system devices and for causing said communication regulation means associated with the one restraint system device to permit communication between said central control means and said any restraint system devices down-stream of said one restraint system device in response to said central control means providing a programming signal to said one restraint system device via said connection line;
• each of said communication regulation means including an electronic switch having a closed state for permitting communication between said central control means and said any restraint system devices downstream of said associated restraint system device and an open state for preventing communication between said central control means and said any restraint system devices downstream of said associated restraint system device, said electronic switch of each communication regulation means including a P-channel MOSFET having its source and drain connected in series with said connection line, said electronic switch also including a PNP transistor having its emitter and collector connected between said connection line and a gate of said MOSFET, said PNP transistor having its base connected to said associated enable means.

An occupant restraint system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

• a plurality of controllable occupant restraint system devices, each of said restraint system devices having programmable means, which is programmable, for permitting control of the respective restraint system device;
• central control means for providing programming signals and control signals for receipt by said restraint system devices;
• a connection line, connecting said central control means and said restraint system devices, for providing communication between said central control means and said restraint system devices;
• a plurality of communication regulation means, connected in series along said connection line, each of said communication regulation means being associated with one of said restraint system devices and for regulating communication between said central control means and any restraint system devices down-stream of said associated restraint system device along said connection line;
• and
• a plurality of enable means, each of said enable means being associated with one of said restraint system devices and for causing said communication regulation means associated with the one restraint system device to permit communication between said central control means and said any restraint system devices down-stream of said one restraint system device in response to said central control means providing a programming signal to said one restraint system device via said connection line;
• each of said communication regulation means including an electronic switch having a closed state for permitting communication between said central control means and said any restraint system devices downstream of said associated restraint system device and an open state for preventing communication between said central control means and said any restraint system devices downstream of said associated restraint system device.