| 20090121466 | Releasable holding mechanism and method of use - The invention relates to a releasable holding mechanism which may be used to hold and release a roll bar in a roll over protection system. The roll bar is often made part of the seat structure of vehicle, or a part of the chassis of the vehicle. The releasable holding mechanism will be fastened rigidly or slightly loose to the roll bar frame, seat frame or the chassis of the vehicle. Between the roll bar and the releasable holding mechanism there will be a connection element that is rigidly or slightly loosely fastened to the roll bar. The arrangement of fastening the connection element rigidly or slightly loosely depends on the tolerances for positioning the actuator towards the roll bar. The connection element is locked or released by the releasable holding mechanism. The releasable holding mechanism is locked/-engaged when the roll bar is pushed downwards whereby the connection element is forced into the releasable holding mechanism. The releasable holding mechanism is to release the connecting element when a signal is sent to the release element of the holding mechanism. The releasable holding mechanism can be activated by one short duration pulse, for instance a pulse from an electronic control unit for activation of airbags in a vehicle. The system can be activated with low energy demands. | 05-14-2009 |
