Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for preventing rear end collisions with a vehicle. According to the invention, the distance (d) and/or speed (vrel) of the vehicle in relation to the vehicle in front are determined by means of an environmental sensor (2) oriented towards the front region of the vehicle. In the event of a stopping situation, a longitudinal dynamic value (alphaFP, alpha BP) initiated by the driver is evaluated in order to determine whether there is a risk of collision for the two vehicles in question. In the event of a risk of collision, the drive train (10) and/or the delay devices (11) of the vehicle are engaged in order to reduce the risk of collision and/or driver warning devices (12, 5) are triggered in order to inform the driver about the risk of collision.

Abstract: A device for classifying at least one object with the aid of an environmental sensor system. The device classifies the at least one object on the basis of its velocity and acceleration, the device determining the velocity and the acceleration from a signal of the environmental sensor system.

Abstract: A device is provided in a vehicle for monitoring the environment around the vehicle. The device includes a sensor system such that objects in a detection range of the sensor system are selected as a function of predetermined parameters so that only the selected objects are tracked by the sensor system. This permits adaptive use of reversible restraint means based on the sensor system output.

Abstract: An apparatus for triggering a restraint apparatus, arrangement(s) or structure(s) in which, with a precrash sensor system, the apparatus generates a signal as a function of which the restraint apparatus, arrangement(s) or structure(s) is/are triggered. The precrash sensor system includes a combination of an ultrasound sensor system and a microwave sensor system. The ultrasound sensor system serves to detect objects at a speed of up to 40 km/h, while the microwave sensor system is used to detect objects up to a relative speed of 200 km/h.

Abstract: A radar system for motor vehicles, having a radar sensor and an evaluation device for measuring distances and relative velocities of objects in the surrounding field of the vehicle, and a collision detection device, which, on the basis of the measured distances and relative velocities, recognizes an imminent collision and delivers data on the expected time of collision and the impact velocity to a precrash system. The radar sensor is switchable by the collision detection device to a velocity measurement mode in which a more precise measurement of the relative velocity is made.

Abstract: A device for triggering personal protective means in a vehicle, an inertial sensor system being provided in a first location, a processor being provided in a second location, and a firing circuit control being provided in a third location in the vehicle. The processor processes the signals of the inertial sensor system and as a function of this triggers the firing circuit control.

Abstract: A method and a device for evaluating driving situations, where driving-state data are ascertained and evaluated. The driving-state data are evaluated and numerically represented with regard to their risk potential for vehicle occupants, an overall risk potential (total risk) being determined by ascertaining and/or estimating currently acting forces and/or forces to be expected and a movement of the occupant resulting from them.

Abstract: In order to provide a compact, multifunctional sensor element, a sensor element for acquiring the acceleration of a motor vehicle is additionally equipped with a distance measurement device for measuring the distance between the motor vehicle and a foreign object.

Abstract: A system and a method for distributing and executing program code in a control unit network, in which at least one of the units is able to detect a defect in its hardware and is able to transmit its code to at least one other control unit in the network, the transmitted code being executable on the target control unit.

Abstract: A passenger protection device in a motor vehicle includes at least one airbag, at least one gas generator for filling the airbag, an airbag control device for activating the airbag, means for acquiring the deployment speed of the airbag, and means for regulating the filling quantity of the airbag, taking into account its deployment speed. In order for the passenger protection device to implement a controlled filling of the airbag dependent on its deployment speed, at least one flow-off valve is provided that is situated between the gas generator and the airbag. In addition, controllable actuating means are provided for the sealing of the flow-off valve.

Abstract: Provided is a device for ascertaining an occupant position in a vehicle by measuring the extension of a seat belt, the device conducting the measurement as a function of time.

Abstract: A safety device for vehicles having first sensor arrangement for acquiring the vehicle impact and for outputting first sensor signals, a control device for outputting triggering signals dependent on the first sensor signals, and a restraint system that is triggered dependent on the first sensor signals, second sensor arrangement being provided for the acquisition of obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle and for the outputting of second sensor signals, and third sensor arrangement being provided for the acquisition of environmental influences on the second sensor arrangement, the second sensor signals output by the second sensor arrangement being used in the control unit for the decision concerning the triggering of the restraint system, after an evaluation of the third sensor signals output by the third sensor arrangement.

Abstract: To protect vehicle occupants in dangerous situations, the distance of the vehicle to a roadside object, such as a guardrail, etc., is determined and compared to a critical distance. If the actual distance is less than the critical distance, alarm devices are triggered and/or reversible restraining devices are deployed. The critical distance may be determined as a function of the host vehicle velocity.

Abstract: An occupant-protection system for vehicles, including: at least one sensor, which detects the surrounding area of the vehicle and generates sensor signals therefrom; an evaluation device, which analyzes the sensor signals, detects an approaching hazardous situation in advance according to an algorithm for the early detection of a hazardous situation and generates a trigger signal in this case; a seat-adjustment device having at least one actuator for adjusting a seat, the seat-adjustment device having a first speed for a comfort adjustment of the seat and a second, higher speed for the seating adjustment of the seat in response to triggering by the trigger signal. Also provided is a method for activating an occupant-protection system for vehicles.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising: a plurality of occupant protection devices and sensors associated with them; a processing device that checks whether the occupant protection devices and/or associated sensors are in operation and/or properly functional, and ascertains status information therefrom; and an output device that, in consideration of all the status information, communicates the operating status possessed by each individual occupant protection device and/or sensor. Also described is a method for communicating the status of a safety apparatus of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A device is proposed for determining a relative speed between a vehicle and a crash object, the device being situated in the vehicle itself. The device has one active surround field sensor system and one contact sensor system. The device ascertains the relative speed with the aid of a first signal, the surround field sensor system and with the aid of a second signal of the contact sensor system.

Abstract: A method for protecting a vehicle passenger is provided, in which method the occurrence of a sharp pressure loss in a tire, as it occurs in particular in the case of a tire blowout, is detected and is used for activating a reversible system assigned to a seat, in particular to a belt tensioner, so as to fix the occupant in the seat in this potentially dangerous situation. The detection of this rapid loss can moreover be used for adjusting the triggering thresholds of other, reversible and irreversible, restraint devices.

Abstract: A device is provided in a vehicle for monitoring the environment around the vehicle. The device includes a sensor system such that objects in a detection range of the sensor system are selected as a function of predetermined parameters so that only the selected objects are tracked by the sensor system. This permits adaptive use of reversible restraint means based on the sensor system output.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining inherent vehicle velocity determines the inherent vehicle velocity using the pre-crash sensor suite. The determination is performed on the basis of signals reflected from road surfaces. The determination is performed only when a predefined operating state exists, such as a locked, slipping or suspended wheel.

Abstract: Provided is a device for classifying at least one object with the aid of an environmental sensor system. The device classifies the at least one object on the basis of its velocity and acceleration, the device determining the velocity and the acceleration from a signal of the environmental sensor system.