Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a safety system for protecting an occupant of a motor vehicle measures the acceleration of the vehicle with a first sensor along a first axis oriented substantially parallel to the forward direction of motion of the vehicle. The acceleration of the vehicle is also measured with a second sensor along a second axis oriented at an angle relative to the first axis. The acceleration signal generated by the first sensor is evaluated by an analog processor and the acceleration signal generated by the second sensor is evaluated by a digital processor. The safety system is then actuated based upon both the analog and digital evaluations.

Abstract: An electronic device, in particular a system for safeguarding vehicle occupants, comprises at least two acceleration-sensitive sensors arrangements. To test the readiness for operation of the sensor arrangements, output signals from the sensor arrangements are compared. Output signals, which occur as the result of accelerations arising during normal operation of the vehicle, are also drawn upon when the comparison is made.

Abstract: An air bag system is provided for use in a motor vehicle. The air bag system includes at least one air bag module. A multiple level gas generation source is coupled to the air bag module for generating a selected gas generation level applied to the air bag module. An electronic control unit controls the operation of multiple level gas generation source. At least one temperature sensor is coupled to the electronic control unit for sensing ambient temperature. At least one seat belt sensor is coupled to the electronic control unit for sensing seat belt usage. An acceleration sensor is coupled to the electronic control unit for sensing deceleration during a crash. The electronic control unit is responsive to a combination of sensed inputs from the temperature sensor, the seat belt sensor and the acceleration sensor for determining both an optimum gas generation level and inflation sequence times for controlling the multiple level gas generation source.

Abstract: A passenger safety device includes at least one electrical component, especially a restraint system such as an airbag and/or seat belt tightener, for a vehicle equipped with an electrical system, with an energy reserve circuit to temporarily maintain the voltage supply for triggering of the safety device. In order to ensure reliable functioning, it is proposed that the safety device be disconnected from the electrical system voltage (U.sub.N) when the voltage exceeds a maximum value (U.sub.max) which can be predetermined, and then be connected with the energy reserve circuit (9).

Abstract: An air bag system for protecting the occupants of a motor vehicle in the event of a collision has a plurality of firing circuits comprising air bag igniters (3a,3b,3c) in series with respective power transistors (T.sub.1,T.sub.2,T.sub.3) which can be triggered in the event of an accident to inflate a corresponding plurality of air bags. A single energy storage capacitor (E) is connected to all of the firing circuits for supplying energy to activate the bag igniters over the upper common power stage (7) in the event that there is a loss of battery voltage when the system has been actuated. A comparator (9) monitors the voltage drops across respective resistors (R.sub.1,R.sub.2,R.sub.3) in series with the power transistors (T.sub.1,T.sub.2, T.sub.3) and reduces the current through these transistors in the event that an excessive current is detected. Steps are taken to ensure that the period of activation of the current supply to the igniters is limited.

Abstract: An electronic device for triggering safety devices 10 comprises a firing element ZP which is connected in series to a capacitor ZK. The firing element ZP is acted upon by currents from controllable current sources IQ1, IQ2, which, in accordance with an output signal of a sensor S, are triggered by an evaluation circuit AS.

Abstract: A detonation circuit for an inflation capsule (10) of a vehicle air bag has a capacitor (20) which supplies energy to the capsule during a crash condition. The circuit has a transformer (12), the energy source (20) being electrically connectible to the primary coil (P) thereof by two transistors (30, 48) which assume a conducting state when associated control means (16, 18) determine that a crash condition has occurred. Only when both transistors conduct can the energy source (20) cause a change in the current flow through the primary coil (P), which in turn induces a change in current in the secondary coil (S) to which the capsule (10) is connected.It has been found that by monitoring the voltage and current characteristics in the primary coil (P), the state of the capsule (10) can be monitored. For example, it can be determined whether the capsule has fired, and if so further firing pulses may be suppressed.

Abstract: An electronic device for protecting the passengers of a motor vehicle during a collision has an acceleration sensor for generating signals indicative of the deceleration of the vehicle. Switching devices are provided to determine whether the collision is a rear-end collision based on the output signals of the sensor. If a rear-end collision is detected, the electronic device prevents the release of one or more restraining devices, such as an airbag, which would not contribute to the protection of the passengers during such a collision.

Abstract: In a process for protecting motor vehicle occupants, the acceleration of the motor vehicle is determined and safety means which protect the motor vehicle occupant are activated when a specified limiting acceleration value is exceeded. To optimally release the safety means, the sitting position of the motor vehicle occupant and/or the relative velocity of the occupant with respect to the passenger cabin of the motor vehicle are determined by position sensor using measuring techniques. The safety means are activated when the sitting position of the occupant deviates from a nominal position and/or the relative velocity of the occupant exceeds a specified limiting value.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for triggering passenger protection systems particularly restraining systems in vehicles during their impact. In the previous systems, there is the disadvantage that the protective systems are only triggered late or not at all during critical impact situations at relatively low negative accelerations. The disadvantage chiefly results because a differential signal is fed to the input of an integrator which comprises the difference between a signal derived from the acceleration and a constant threshold value signal. According to the invention, a variable threshold value is deducted from the derived acceleration signal rather than a constant threshold value.

Abstract: In a safety device for vehicle occupants with acceleration-sensitive sensors and with processing circuits for the sensors summing and integrating devices as well as a comparator device for comparing the summation and integration values are provided. The comparator device controls a warning device as soon as the comparison value exceeds a presettable limit value.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the release of a passenger restraint system in a vehicle, an acceleration signal is measured and integrated with respect to time to obtain a velocity signal. A release threshold value for the velocity signal is determined. If the velocity signal then falls below the release threshold value, thus indicating a vehicle collision, the passenger restraint system is released. The release threshold value is controlled depending on the type of accident situation and upon the operating parameters of the vehicle to increase the release sensitivity of the passenger restraint system. For example, the release threshold value is adjusted based on the value of the velocity signal. If the velocity signal decreases in value, then the release threshold is lowered to a more sensitive value.

Abstract: A voltage supply circuit has an energy reserve, which is charged by a voltage transformer, and a comparator circuit, which controls switching circuit components. When the supply voltage is at its nominal value, a first switching circuit component is closed, with the result, that the energy reserve is operated in open circuit and is charged by the voltage transformer. When the supply voltage drops below a threshold, the comparator circuit opens the first switching circuit component and closes a second switching circuit component with the result that, at this point, the charged energy reserve is available for the voltage supply to the circuit configuration normally supplied with voltage from the supply voltage and the voltage transformer is disconnected from the supply voltage.

Abstract: A sensor, particularly for automatic release of occupant safety devices in power vehicles in the event of an accident, the sensor comprises a housing which forms a closed chamber; a body located in the housing and formed as a seismic mass, the closed chamber of the housing being completely filled with a fluid, the body being formed as a pendulum of a predetermined length, the chamber having a wall on which a boundary layer of the fluid is formed, the chamber having in all swinging direction of the pendulum a radius which is greater than the length of a pendulum and the boundary layer of the fluid formed on the wall of the chamber, the pendulum and the fluid having specific weights which differ from one another, the pendulum and the fluid being selected so that a friction during movement of the pendulum relative to the fluid leads to an aperiodecal damping of the pendulum.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic release of passenger protection devices in motor vehicles in the event of an accident has a sensor (35) having a mass (10) secured outside the center of mass (11). This mass (10) generates a comparably high torque in the suspension in the event of both positional change and rotational acceleration. These torques are detected with known measuring methods and split, with the aid of a high-pass filter (36) and a low-pass filter (40), into a high-frequency and a low-frequency portion. The high frequency portion corresponds to the rotational acceleration, from which the rotational velocity is obtained by means of an integrator (38). The low-frequency portion corresponds to the position of the motor vehicle. Thus both measurement variables that must be detected for releasing a roll bar are obtained with a single sensor (35).

Abstract: To facilitate assembly and provide for high-level output from a deceleration sensor which provides, inherently, only very low level output, an evaluation circuit, such as an amplifier structure, is connected immediately adjacent the deceleration sensor on a common metal plate, interconnected thereby by bonding wires, the common plate having connecting pins (18) passing therethrough for connection to a standard plug-and-socket connector; the evaluation circuit and the deceleration sensor are enclosed within a common sealed housing, so that both the deceleration sensor (12, 12') as well as the evaluation circuit (16, 17) are sealed against ambient influences, preferably retained within a high-viscosity fluid, such as insulating oil.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a circuit arrangement for the recording of false release signals for a restraint system such as an air bag system or a seat belt tensioning system in a vehicle. In this circuit arrangement, a release circuit including a first deceleration sensor and an evaluation circuit generates a release signal in the event of a deceleration caused by an accident. This release signal, however, becomes effective only if, at the same time, a second release circuit including a second deceleration sensor 17 responds, thereby triggering the restraint system. A monitoring circuit for monitoring the occurrence of a release signal without a concurrent response of the second release circuit will activate a warning device and inform the operator of the vehicle of the malfunction.

Abstract: To provide for reliable explosion of an explosive pill, or the like in a passenger restraint system, for example to trigger an air belt, or a seat belt lock, an input signal derived from an impact transducer is applied to an integrator, the integrator being connected to a threshold circuit, to filter noise signals and the output signal from the threshold circuit being applied to an output terminal (8) for connection to the explosive pill or charge.

Abstract: To reduce the number of connecting lines to the triggering circuit, the number of current lead-in terminals (20, 21) multiplied by the number of lead-off or return terminals (22, 23) from the firing circuits corresponds at least to the number of trigger restraint circuits (14-17) which are provided; and each of the trigger circuits (14-17) is connected to a different combination of current lead-in terminals (20, 21) and current lead-off terminals (22, 23), for example: 14: 21, 22; 15: 21, 23; 16: 20, 22; 17: 20, 23. The firing circuits can be tested by a simple test unit (FIG. 2) in which, sequentially, different connection patterns to the current lead-in and lead-off terminals are provided, and current flow checked under standard test voltage conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and a device for controlling a burn-off function of a measuring resistor, particularly heated wire or heated film in an air flow sensor of an internal combustion engine. The burn-off operation for fast cleaning the measuring resistor is normally made either periodically or in response to preset operational conditions of the engine. The invention interrupts this burn-off function when detrimental operational condition of the engine depending on the rotary speed has occurred. The stoppage of the burn-off function preferably occurs after a simultaneous detection of a predetermined temperature value detected by a sensor.