Abstract: A device for warning occupants in a vehicle is proposed which is connectible to a passenger-compartment sensory system and which has has a warning device for an occupant, the warning device being activated as a function of signals from the passenger-compartment sensory system. As a warning device, a display, and/or a loudspeaker, and/or haptic means can be used. The vehicle occupant is warned, in particular, if he/she is in the so-called out-of-position situation. In the process, it is checked whether the occupant has been in the out-of-position situation, without interruption, for a predefined time period. Only then does a warning also follow.

Abstract: A method for detecting rollover occurrences in a motor vehicle and activating appropriate restraining devices, the rate of rotation of the vehicle about at least one axis of rotation, in particular its longitudinal axis and/or its transverse axis, being measured with the aid of at least one rotation-rate sensor, and evaluated. The translational acceleration of the vehicle is considered in evaluating the rotation-rate sensor signal, in order to prevent malfunctions of the rotation-rate sensor caused by extreme translational accelerations from erroneously triggering restraining devices for a rollover event.

Abstract: In order that the circuit arrangement ensures a high availability of the protective functions of all necessary passenger protection devices, it includes multiple double-layer capacitors connected in series and an electrolytic capacitor, which obtains its charge from the double-layer capacitors, which have a higher capacitance but a lower nominal voltage than the electrolytic capacitor. The electrolytic capacitor exclusively supplies the triggering voltage necessary for the trigger power modules of the protective devices.

Abstract: A device and a method, respectively, are proposed to detect side collisions, in which a temperature sensor is located in a motor-vehicle side section. In case of a side collision, the temperature sensor measures the short-term adiabatic temperature increase and a control device detects a side collision as a function of the measured temperature increase and the temperature gradient. A triggering decision is made by plausibility testing using an acceleration sensor.

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: An airbag that can be removed from its receiving shaft in the vehicle and reinserted again without any special tools is described. The airbag module (2) is provided with a locking device (8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15) and electric contacts (23, 24, 25, 26) which cause the airbag module (2) to be mechanically locked when inserted into a receiving shaft (1) provided in the vehicle and cause an electric connection to be established between at least one ignition device (6, 7) and a controller. The locking device (8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15) and the electric contacts (23, 24, 25, 26) are designed so that when the airbag module (2) is inserted into the receiving shaft (1), it is first locked mechanically and then the electric contact is established, and on removal of the airbag module (2) from the receiving shaft (1), the electric contact is released first and then the mechanical lock is released.

Abstract: In order to perform a simple plausibility check of a rollover decision which is as reliable as possible, an arrangement is provided which signal plausibility of the rollover decision if an acceleration measured in the direction of the vertical axis of the vehicle is either above a preset upper threshold or below a preset lower threshold, or if the acceleration measured in the direction of the vertical axis is between the two thresholds, but an acceleration measured in the direction of the transverse axis of the motor vehicle simultaneously exceeds a threshold which depends on the acceleration measured in the direction of the vertical axis.

Abstract: The system is intended to have the ability to differentiate between various characteristic driving maneuvers, so that a special triggering algorithm of restraint devices can be initiated for each class of driving maneuvers. This system has an acceleration sensor that measures the acceleration of the vehicle in the direction of its vertical axis. A classifier is provided which, when the measured acceleration is above a threshold of 1 g, decides on a driving maneuver in which the vehicle lifts upward on one side, as when driving on a ramp. If the measured acceleration is between 0 g and 1 g, then the classifier decides on a driving maneuver during which the vehicle tips downward on one side, as when driving on a slope.

Abstract: So that, given a desired deactivation of an airbag, a triggering cannot take place under any circumstances, a firing device of the airbag is bypassed using an electrically controllable switch. This switch short-circuits the electric circuit of the firing device during the deactivation time.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting mechanical deformation of a component, in particular in the automotive field, has a deformation device, which has a deformable polysilicon part that undergoes a change in electric resistance in deformation; and an electric line arrangement for analog transmission of the change in resistance data of the polysilicon part from the deformation device to a central unit.

Abstract: A drive circuit for an AC ignition circuit, which has at least one capacitor and at least one trigger element, which is used to deploy a restraint system in a motor vehicle, has a bridge circuit with four electronically controllable switches, of which two switches are connected in series between a supply voltage and ground, and the ignition circuit forms a bridge shunt between both pairs of switches connected in parallel. If a fault occurs in the bridge circuit, the individual switches are triggered so that charging and discharging of the capacitor in the ignition circuit is guaranteed in spite of the fault.

Abstract: The arrangement is to allow timely rollover recognition in the event of tipping over an embankment. For this purpose, the arrangement determines a predictive value of the yaw rate of the vehicle after a fictitious impact of the wheels on one longitudinal side of the vehicle against the ground from a yaw rate prevailing prior to the fictitious impact, the momentum of the vehicle in the direction of its vertical axis, and the angular momentum of the center of gravity of the vehicle prior to the fictitious impact. In addition, using the currently measured angle of inclination of the vehicle, it determines a critical yaw rate of the vehicle about its longitudinal axis instantaneously measured by the arrangement, which would be required to cause the vehicle to roll over. A conclusion is drawn about an imminent rollover if the predictive value of the yaw rate exceeds the critical yaw rate.

Abstract: A bus driver circuit which permits input of data, which can be identified reliably by modules on the bus line, onto the bus in the event of a short circuit on a conductor in a two-conductor bus system without requiring complicated circuitry is composed of several electrically controllable switches which form an H-bridge configuration, at least one switch being present in each of the five H-bridge branches. The two bus conductors are each connected to one end of the shunt arm of the H-bridge. The individual switches in the longitudinal branches of the H-bridge can be switched to at least two positions which are at different voltage levels.

Abstract: A firing element and a belt operating sensor are connected via a common wiring pair to a control unit. The belt operating sensor is either a mechanical switch, which is activated in response to the snapping of a belt tongue into the buckle, or it is composed of an electrically controllable switch, which is controlled by a magnetic-field-sensitive element, which reacts to a magnetic field that is influenced by a belt tongue that is inserted into the buckle. Only via a wiring pair can the control unit both diagnose the firing element as well as determine the operating state of the belt.

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 means 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 is advantageously installed either in the front and/or rear of the vehicle.

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 device and a method, respectively, are proposed to detect side collisions, in which a temperature sensor is located in a motor-vehicle side section. In case of a side collision, the temperature sensor measures the short-term adiabatic temperature increase and a control device detects a side collision as a function of the measured temperature increase and the temperature gradient. A triggering decision is made by plausibility testing using an acceleration sensor.

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: The firing apparatus for a gas generator of a restraint device in a vehicle has a firing chamber filled with a pyrotechnic material. A semiconductor chip, in which in addition to a firing resistor at least one circuit activating the latter is integrated, is arranged outside the firing chamber in such a way that the thermal energy generated by the firing resistor during a firing operation is transferred to the pyrotechnic material in the firing chamber. To ensure that upon firing, the circuit elements in the firing apparatus remain undestroyed to the greatest possible extent, the semiconductor chip is retained on a circuit board; the circuit board is retained, with the side opposite the semiconductor chip, on a wall of the firing chamber; and an opening is present in the wall of the firing chamber and in the circuit board, so that a passage exists between the firing resistor mounted on the semiconductor chip and the pyrotechnic material in the firing chamber.

Abstract: A device for detecting a side impact of a vehicle an acceleration sensor provided in components of the vehicle and controlling a release of a side bag for protecting vehicle occupants, and a sensor for sensing a beginning of a plastic deformation of components provided on the components of the vehicle and reducing a release threshold for activation of the side bag.