Abstract: In the case of a process for monitoring the operability of a weight-sensing system in a vehicle with at least one force sensor (2, 4, 6, 8), the weight-sensing system emits a warning message when a threshold value for the force acting upon the force sensor (2, 4, 6, 8) is exceeded, which warning message points to a possible damage to the weight-sensing system. This measure ensures a reliable detection of a possible failure of the weight-sensing system.

Abstract: A device for determining the seat weight on a vehicle seat assembly, provided with at least one seat rail on which the seat is mounted, and with a weight sensor that interacts with the seat rail. The at least one seat rail is fastened to the vehicle in a fixed manner via the weight sensor and at least one additional fastening device. The seat rail (2) is embedded inside an elastomer structure (5) that serves as a vibration damper while also acting as a step protection and overload protection.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for activating vehicle-occupant protection devices, an approach speed to a collision object is determined within a predefined proximity range of the vehicle surroundings. If the approach speed is above a threshold value, an anticipated impact time for a collision with the object is determined. A time range is determined on the basis of the anticipated impact time, a signal quality of at least one proximity sensor, driving dynamics and the geometry of a collision object being taken into account in this time range. The assigned vehicle-occupant protection devices are activated after occurrence of a positive plausible-confirmation check within the time range.

Abstract: An occupant detection system for a motor vehicle includes at least two occupant detection devices. A first occupant detection device is, for example, a seat occupancy or weight detection device arranged in the vehicle seat. The second occupant detection device comprises a first electrode arranged in the seat, and a second electrode arranged in the adjoining foot well. An electrical coupling variable is detected, and is used to determine a variable which characterizes an occupant, by means of an electrical field which is applied between the two electrodes.

Abstract: An identification device for retrofitting a child seat is provided for detecting the child seat on a vehicle seat in a motor vehicle by means of a child seat detection device. A transceiver component, connected to a control and evaluation device, for transmitting an electromagnetic transmission signal and for receiving an electromagnetic reception signal, is arranged as part the child seat detection device in the vehicle seat or in the direct vicinity of the vehicle seat. The reception of the transmission signal in the identification device causes transmission of the reception signal. The identification device has external wiring. By means of a defined mechanical manipulation which brings about a defined change in the external wiring, the identification device can be changed from an inactive initial state to an active state.

Abstract: The invention relates to an occupant restraining system in a motor vehicle, having a seatbelt and a belt force limiting device, in which the restraining force level can be changed by a control signal. According to the invention, the belt force limiting device (16) is switched by a control signal from a lower restraining force level to a higher restraining force level when a risk-determining stage (12) determines that there is a risk to the occupant in the form of a possible impact of the occupant against a vehicle interior component located in front of him.

Abstract: A device for venting a gas bag made of a textile material includes at least one ignitable pyrotechnic charge which is associated with the gas bag in such a way that, when the pyrotechnic charge is ignited, at least one thread of the textile material is directly destroyed by the explosion of the pyrotechnic charge.

Abstract: A method for triggering a gas generator for an air bag in a motor vehicle having acceleration sensors, air bags, and gas generators uses an air bag control unit for evaluating an impact. Evaluation of the impact takes place by using the signals of the acceleration sensors for triggering a gas generator. The gas generator has a triggerable valve which can be controlled into at least two conditions with a different passage cross-section. The air bag control unit controls the gas generator as a function of the seriousness of an accident such that the position of the valve of the gas generator alternates several times successively between two conditions in order to adapt the inflating operation to the collision.

Abstract: An occupant detection system for a motor vehicle includes at least two occupant detection devices. A first occupant detection device is, for example, a seat occupancy or weight detection device arranged in the vehicle seat. The second occupant detection device comprises a first electrode arranged in the seat, and a second electrode arranged in the adjoining foot well. An electrical coupling variable is detected, and is used to determine a variable which characterizes an occupant, by means of an electrical field which is applied between the two electrodes.

Abstract: A device for deflating a gas bag includes a gas bag having a deflation opening which is closed along a breakable, predetermined line. The predetermined breaking line includes a closure element and is breakable by melting or sublimating the closure element.

Abstract: A method and a device for activating vehicle-occupant protection devices, in particular in a vehicle, are described. In the method, an approach speed to a collision object is determined within a predefined proximity range of the vehicle surroundings and, if the approach speed is above a threshold value, an anticipated impact time with the collision object is determined. A time range is determined on the basis of the anticipated impact time, a signal quality of at least one proximity sensor, driving dynamics and the geometry of a collision object being taken into account in this time range. The activation of the assigned vehicle-occupant protection devices takes place in this time range after a plausibility-confirmation check.

Abstract: An identification device for retrofitting a child seat is provided for detecting the child seat on a vehicle seat in a motor vehicle by means of a child seat detection device. A transceiver component, connected to a control and evaluation device, for transmitting an electromagnetic transmission signal and for receiving an electromagnetic reception signal, is arranged as part the child seat detection device in the vehicle seat or in the direct vicinity of the vehicle seat. The reception of the transmission signal in the identification device causes transmission of the reception signal. The identification device has external wiring. By means of a defined mechanical manipulation which brings about a defined change in the external wiring, the identification device can be changed from an inactive initial state to an active state.

Abstract: An occupant-restraining system has a belt force limiter that limits a restraining force exerted on an occupant via a restraining belt by switching from a relatively higher to a relatively lower level of restraining force depending on predefined parameters. The belt-force limiter is activated only after a predetermined forward displacement of the occupant is reached and only after a predefined air bag inflating time, when an excessive crash intensity and an occupant's weight are recognized as being below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for triggering a gas generator for an air bag in a motor vehicle having acceleration sensors, air bags, and gas generators uses an air bag control unit for evaluating an impact. Evaluation of the impact takes place by using the signals of the acceleration sensors for triggering a gas generator. The gas generator has a triggerable valve which can be controlled into at least two conditions with a different passage cross-section. The air bag control unit controls the gas generator as a function of the seriousness of an accident such that the position of the valve of the gas generator alternates several times successively between two conditions in order to adapt the inflating operation to the collision.

Abstract: An occupant-restraining system has a belt force limiter that limits a restraining force exerted on an occupant via a restraining belt by switching from a relatively higher to a relatively lower level of restraining force depending on predefined parameters. The belt-force limiter is activated only after a predetermined forward displacement of the occupant is reached and only after a predefined air bag inflating time, when an excessive crash intensity and an occupant's weight are recognized as being below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a motor vehicle. The panel is adapted to cover the front passenger air bags with webs in one piece with a support preform of the instrument panel, in which case the webs are situated outside a passage contour of the front passenger air bag. The wall thickness of the support preform is reduced at least in sections in the area of the webs.

Abstract: An active occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle has a central control unit and a plurality of active restraining devices with associated triggering units which are connected to the central control unit for the transmission of ignition information by an ignition bus line system having at least one ring line and/or at least one stub line. The triggering units within a respective ring and/or stub line of the ignition bus line system are arranged as a function of a predeterminable protection significance priority of the restraining devices assigned to the triggering units such that, with a decreasing protection significance priority, they are situated farther away from the central control unit.

Abstract: An air bag module housing for a motor vehicle has an oblong basic housing body which is used for receiving a gas generator and an air bag and which is laterally closed by two side covers. The air bag module housing is deformed in the event of an impact of a part of the body, particularly of the head, of a vehicle occupant. In order to optimize deformation of the air bag module housing, at least one slot respectively is provided in the side covers. The slot extends essentially perpendicularly to the expected impact direction of the body part along the largest part of the respective side cover to the edge.

Abstract: In a method for triggering a two-stage air bag generator in a motor vehicle, an acceleration signal is measured, processed and evaluated with respect to the accident severity according to a first evaluation process. As a function of the determined accident severity, a triggering decision is made at least for the triggering of a first stage of the gas generator. At least until a defined time period T1 has elapsed since the ignition of the first stage, the acceleration signal is evaluated according to a second evaluation process with respect to the accident severity before, on the basis of defined triggering conditions, as a function of the determined accident severity, a triggering decision is made for igniting the second stage of the gas generator.

Abstract: An airbag device for motor vehicles has a housing in which an airbag expandable through a housing opening is located. The housing opening is covered by a flexible protective cover in the resting state of the airbag. The cover is provided with at least one tearing location. The cover flanks the airbag on all sides over at least a portion of its expansion path during expansion. The protective cover is provided with at least two tearing locations offset with respect to one another in the expansion direction such that the protective cover tears open in stages during the expansion of the airbag.