Patent ID: 6452486
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
In a motor vehicle airbag system, having amodule with a plurality of igniters for causing an airbag to inflate, a diagnostic monitor that determines if a collision is occurring and initiates the igniters, and first and second wires extending between each of the igniters and the monitor for conveying signals between the module and the monitor, the improvement comprising:a manually operable switch having portions connected to each of the first wires, for selectively providing continuity in the first wires between the monitor and each of the igniters while in an on position and breaking continuity of the first wires between the monitor and each of the igniters while in an off position; a resistor connected to each of the second wires and connected to the switch, so that while in the off position, the switch places the resistors in series between the first and second wires and the monitor, each of the resistors having an impedance similar to that of one of the igniters, so as to provide a false indication to the monitor that the continuity exists with the igniters while the switch is in the off position; a first optical signal device connected to the switch that emits light while the switch is in the on position; and a second optical signal device connected to the switch that emits light while the switch is in the off position; whereby the operational position of the switch is always positively indicated by light emitted from one of the first and second optical signal devices.