Patent ID: 6147417
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An actuator for a vehicular passenger protecting member including a power source, comprising:an acceleration sensor for providing an acceleration signal;a determination mechanism configured to provide a vehicle collision signal when said acceleration signal is greater than a predetermined level;a propulsion mechanism configured to actuate said passenger protecting member when energized;an electronic switch unit connected in series to said power source and said propulsion means;a drive circuit for driving said electronic switch unit to connect said power source and said propulsion mechanism when said determination mechanism provides said vehicle collision signal; anda serial signal generator for generating a serial signal composed of a prescribed number of serial bit signals in a prescribed order at least when said determination mechanism provides said collision signal;wherein said drive circuit comprises:a converter for converting said serial signal to a parallel signal composed of the same number of parallel bit signals as said prescribed number of serial bit signals after said serial signal generator provides said serial signal; anda prevention mechanism configured to prevent said electronic switch unit from connecting said power source and said propulsion mechanism when said parallel bit signals do not coincide with a prescribed signal pattern corresponding to said prescribed order.