Abstract: An apparatus for detecting impact of a moving object, in particular of a vehicle, having a first sensor device for acquiring an acceleration in a direction of motion of the moving object, an evaluation device for evaluating the first acceleration signal, and at least one second sensor device for acquiring an acceleration in an acquisition direction that is different from the direction of motion of the moving object, a classification of an impact by way of a classification signal being made available as a function of accelerations in at least two directions of motion or three acceleration directions.

Abstract: A collision prevention method for motor vehicles is provided, in which method obstacles in front of the vehicle are detected by an on-board positioning system, a collision probability is calculated from the position data, and one or more responses to prevent a collision are triggered as a function of the collision probability. At least one of the responses is a preparatory measure accelerating the implementation of a command, which may be output later, to decelerate the vehicle, without the preparatory measure itself having any significant decelerating effect on the vehicle.

Abstract: A radar sensor platform for clearance measurement in a vehicle has at least four radar sensors, an input being entered if necessary using an input device indicating that a width measurement of a parking space is desired and the four radar sensors then enlarging their horizontal beam angle and the arrangement for acoustic and/or visual output emitting a signal as a function of the measurement of the parking space width. This signal is, for example, the parking space width or a warning. The horizontal beam angle for the parking space measurement is at least 170°. The side clearances of the vehicle in the parking space may also be displayed. Furthermore, centered parking is possible using the acoustic and visual aids. The radar sensor platform may be installed either in the front and/or rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device and a method for calibrating a sensor, e.g., a force sensor such as a belt-force sensor, which allow reliable calibration of the sensor in a simple manner to counteract age-related distortion of measured values. The device for calibrating a sensor includes an arrangement for detecting at least one defined state of the sensor. When the sensor is in a defined state thusly detected, a corresponding adjustment of the measured value of the sensor may be implemented within the framework of the method.

Abstract: A device for wireless transmission of a deployment signal. The device includes two processors on both the primary side and the secondary side, which exchange data with one another. A high degree of redundancy is thereby achieved. The wireless transmission is preferably carried out as inductive transmission.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining physiological data is provided for determining age of a vehicle passenger in the context of safety apparatus deployment. For picking up the physiological data, a sensor is used. In particular, the apparatus is configured for measuring the pupil size, which is a good parameter for distinguishing age. This parameter may be correlated with further measured values, in order to put the age determination on a reliable basis.

Abstract: A device, using which signals and energy may be transmitted without contact between an electrical device on or in the vehicle body and an electrical device on or in a vehicle seat, reliable signal and energy transmission being ensured even in the event of frequent changes of the seating configuration, without the vehicle user having to take special precautions for this purpose. The two electrical devices are each assigned a transmission module. These transmission modules form a high-frequency wireless transmission path. The transmission module on or in the vehicle body is integrated into the rail system for the vehicle seat, while the transmission module on or in the seat may be coupled into the rail system in such a way that the signal and/or energy transmission occurs via the displacement current generated in the rail system.

Abstract: A protection device for a pregnant person in a vehicle is described, a sensor being provided for detecting the pregnant person and restraint means being configured in such a way that the usability of the restraint means is influenceable as a function of a signal of the sensor. Restraint means may be disabled in the event of an accident or their deployment force may be reduced or they are usable depending on the situation.

Abstract: A device for detecting rollover includes a stereo camera in the direction of travel. The camera allows the distance to an object outside the vehicle to be measured, and, in each instance, image vectors to this object are calculated. If the vertical component of these image vectors now changes over time, then a rollover event is detected as a function of this change.

Abstract: A vehicle upfront sensor is described that has a cavity and a sensing element therein. A collision is detected as a function of the deformation of the cavity. The sensing element may be designed as a pressure or temperature sensor, the cavity then being largely closed, so that an adiabatic pressure or temperature increase is measurable.

Abstract: To reduce the outlay needed to calibrate a combination sensor having at least one rate-of-rotation sensor component and at least one acceleration sensor component, the combination sensor is subjected to a defined rotation about its rate-of-rotation sensitivity axis and, in the process, the combination sensor is positioned in such a way that the centrifugal force occurring in response to this rotation acts along its acceleration sensitivity axis.

Abstract: A belt lock (8) for receiving an attachment element (2) of a safety belt (1) has an insertion opening (10) for the attachment element (2). In the belt lock (8), a connection element (20) is provided, which penetrates a locking opening (3) on the attachment element (2). The connection element (20) is disposed on a flat spring-type carrier (17), via which an insertion movement (24) of the connection element (20) into the locking opening (3) of the attachment element (2) takes place, when the attachment element operates a locking lever (12) by its insertion movement. The insertion movement (24) of the connection element (20) is monitored via a magnetic circuit containing a magnetic field-sensing sensor (31). A component (11, 20) of the belt lock (8) that fixes the attachment element (2) of the safety belt (1) is associated with a measuring element (20), with which a force operating on the belt lock can be determined via the magnetic circuit (16, 31).

Abstract: A device for protecting a pedestrian from bone fractures in the event of a fall, including an airbag, an impact sensor, a cold gas generator, an igniting agent, a processor, an energy store, a charging circuit for recharging the device, and electronic and/or electrical components, which may be predominantly located on a flexible printed-circuit board. Accelerations in both the horizontal and the vertical directions may be measured by the impact sensor, which may include, for example, an acceleration sensor.

Abstract: A method for activating a passenger safety application in a vehicle involves a rotational acceleration sensor device which is used to obtain a measurement of the rotational acceleration &agr;x of the vehicle, e.g., about an axis of rotation x parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The results of this measurement are analyzed by a computing unit for evaluating the vehicle situation with respect to its surrounding. Activation of a suitable safety application is performed in the event that the analysis indicates that a rollover event of the vehicle is imminent.

Abstract: A temperature sensor having sturdy construction is simple to install and to package, is uncomplicated to manufacture, and suitable for reliably detecting rapid temperature changes. The temperature sensor (1) includes a silicon substrate (2) in which at least one porous area (3) is formed, the degree of porosity and the thickness of the porous area (3) being chosen so that the porous area (3) is thermally isolated from the silicon substrate (2). In addition, the temperature sensor (1) includes temperature measuring elements (6, 7) for detecting the temperature difference between the silicon substrate (2) and the porous area (3). The temperature sensor may also include heating elements for testing the sensor function.

Abstract: A protective motorcycle suit has at least one airbag, power being supplied and data communication with the motorcycle being carried out via a wireless connection. To allow power to be transferred, coils are provided in the seat areas of the protective motorcycle suit, and radio stations in the microwave range are provided to allow data transmission.

Abstract: A method of deciding with a high reliability whether an impact with the front side of a vehicle has been caused by a pedestrian is described. Two decision criteria are formed, and only if both decision criteria are met is it decided an impact with a pedestrian has occurred. The first decision criterion is determined by the fact that the pressures or deformations measured by a sensor on the bumper and a sensor in the area of the front edge of the engine hood are compared with reference quantities typical of impact with a pedestrian. The second decision criterion is determined by the fact that the changes in velocity and/or acceleration of the vehicle caused by an impact are determined, and then the changes in velocity and/or acceleration are compared with reference quantities which are typical of impact with a pedestrian.

Abstract: In order to counteract age-related distortion of measured values, the present invention proposes a device and a method for calibrating a sensor in general and a force sensor and a belt-force sensor (5), in particular, which allow reliable calibration of the sensor in a simple manner.

Abstract: A collision prevention method for motor vehicles (10) in which obstacles in front of the vehicle are detected by an on-board positioning system (16), a collision probability (P) is calculated from the position data (D) and one or more stepped responses to prevent the collision are triggered as a function of the collision probability (P), wherein at least one of the responses is a preparatory measure accelerating the implementation of a command (B), which may be output later, to decelerate the vehicle, without itself having any significant decelerating effect on the vehicle.

Abstract: Data bus for constraint devices, which connects a control unit to the constraint devices, which are connected to the data bus via transformers. The data is then transmitted over the data bus using frequency shift keying signals. The constraint devices are each provided in removable seats. Upon activation of the constraint devices, a deployment signal is sent to the constraint devices over a power supply line.