Patent ID: 6236301
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B60Q,B60R,G01B,H01C

Abstract:
A horn activation system for use in a vehicle having a steering wheel, a horn, and an inflatable air bag associated with the steering wheel, the horn activation system comprising:a first substrate having a surface with a plurality of first extensions formed to extend away therefrom, each of said first extensions having a first contact surface spaced away from the surface of said first substrate to form a first space adjacent to each of said first extensions;a second substrate having a surface with a plurality of second extensions formed therewith to extend away therefrom, each of said second extensions having a second contact surface spaced away from the surface of said second substrate and at least one of said second contact surfaces being positioned to register with and enter said first space associated with one of said first extensions upon movement of said second substrate toward said first substrate;a steering wheel having a steering wheel hub cover and an air bag attached proximate said steering wheel hub cover, said steering wheel hub cover being deflectable by a user between an at-rest position and an active position with one of said first substrate and said second substrate being affixed to said steering wheel hub cover to be deflectable therewith to move relative to the other of said first substrate and said second substrate;a third substrate which includes a resistive grid for positioning between said first substrate and said second substrate, said resistive grid being comprised of a plurality of flexible potentiometers electrically connected together, each flexible potentiometer of said plurality of flexible potentiometers with one fixed end formed with said third substrate and one free end extending away therefrom and each flexible potentiometer of said plurality of flexible potentiometers having a first portion between said fixed end and said free end to register with said first contact surface of one of said first extensions and a second portion between said first portion and said free end which second portion is cantilevered to extend away from said first portion to register with said first space proximate said first extension for deflection toward and away from said first space to vary the resistance of said flexible potentiometer upon movement of said steering wheel hub cover between said at-rest position and said active position, each of said flexible potentiometers being of the type having an electrical resistance that predictably changes upon deflection thereof;activation circuitry conductively connected to said horn to activate the horn when the activation circuitry receives an activation signal; andanalyzing circuitry conductively connected to said resistive grid and to the activation circuitry, said analyzing circuitry generating and supplying the activation signal to the activation circuitry in response to the change in resistance of the resistive grid upon movement between the said at-rest position and the said active position.