Abstract: In the restraint system, in which coupled to a bus line are a central control unit and a plurality of data processing units that are provided to trigger restraint devices, a plurality of data channels that are clearly separable from each other are to be transmittable. In this context, data of high priority and high time-related urgency are transmitted with a high signal level and a high bit rate, data of lower priority and lower time-related urgency are transmitted with a low signal level and a low bit rate, data of high priority and lower time-related urgency are transmitted with a high signal level and a low bit rate, and data of a lower priority and high time-related urgency are transmitted with a low signal level and a high bit rate.

Abstract: The safety of occupants in a vehicle is increased by avoiding an unnecessary deployment of a safety device, such as an air bag in the vehicle. For this purpose the trigger signal for deploying the safety device is generated either in response to a vehicle motion signal exceeding a high threshold level or in response to the vehicle motion signal exceeding a low threshold level as determined by a precrash signal (S1) followed by a crash signal (S2) preferably within a limited time duration (TMAX). For this purpose the signals (S1) and (S2) are logically linked and the resulting signal at the output of an AND-gate or at the output of a timing circuit determines whether the vehicle motion signal is compared with the high threshold level or with the low threshold level for generating the trigger or deployment signal (DS). Only when this double condition occurs, is the trigger threshold lowered for deploying the safety device. An optical sensor is preferably used as the crash signal generator.

Abstract: Before digital data impulses are transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver that includes a data acquisition signal generator, at least one synchronizing impulse (syn1, . . . ) is transmitted for synchronizing the transmitter with the receiver with regard to a sync frequency that is repeatedly updated to provide a current accepted sync frequency. The at least one synchronizing impulse and the data impulses are Manchester encoded which combines timing (synchronizing) and data signals. An impulse flank change occurring centrally in an impulse width is used as a synchronization point of time. Stepping pulses occurring between two consecutive synchronization points of time are counted and the resulting count is used to determine the sync frequency in response to the occurrence of a synchronizing impulse and at a synchronization point of time. A time shift or delay occurs between data impulses and synchronization points of time.

Abstract: A procedure for the functional testing of a vehicle occupant protection system, as well as a corresponding test circuit, detect a short-circuiting of components in the parallel ignition circuits of the vehicle occupant protection system. In order to achieve this, a change in voltage potential will be produced in one ignition circuit without triggering the ignitor, and it will then be tested in the other ignition circuits whether there is a corresponding shift in a closed circuit potential. By means of the disable control system of the comparator of the respective ignition circuit influenced in this way, and the linking of all comparators of the other ignition circuits, a short-circuiting fault signal can be generated easily and simply.

Abstract: As, with plastic housings, there is no direct electrical connection between the housing and a metal carrier body, an electrical connection has been made initially to a plug device in the plastic housing in extremely complex fashion, electrical connection to chassis ground being provided outside the plastic housing via a lead to the carrier body. With plastic housings metal inserts are used for mechanically fixing the mounting flange. According to the present invention said inserts can also be electrically connected to an electrical printed circuit board terminal very simply by means of an electrically conducting connecting device.

Abstract: A contact bridge arrangement in a housing of an electronic assembly provides a simplified electrical interconnection of circuit boards while avoiding the need of electrical plugs, sockets and connector cables for connecting the circuit boards. The contact bridge includes an insulating block provided on the floor of the housing, and a plurality of conducting connectors embedded in the insulating block. First electrical contacts, such as contact pads with holes therein, are provided on the circuit boards, and engage the second electrical contacts in the form of contact pins provided by the free ends of the conducting connectors protruding from the insulating block. Assembling the arrangement simply requires pressing the circuit boards onto the contact pins of the contact bridge. The insulating block of the contact bridge may have a step configuration providing two offset flat support surfaces on which two circuit boards may be supported one above the other with a spacing therebetween.

Abstract: An arrangement of electronic components in a housing includes a housing, at least one circuit board arranged in the housing with electronic components of a first type (such as SMDs) mounted thereon, at least one electronic component of a second type (such as a non-SMD coil or capacitor) that is not arranged on the circuit board but rather is mounted on a mounting surface in the housing, and an electrical connection established between the second electronic component and the circuit board. The electrical connection may be established by a connector member having two connecting shanks connected to the wires of the second component and two mounting shanks that are press-fit into contact holes of the circuit board. Alternatively, the electrical connection may be established by respective contact clips electrically and mechanically clamped onto the wires of the second component, whereby the contact clips have contact pins that plug into contact holes in the circuit board.

Abstract: In a method of labeling housings of electronic assemblies, and especially electronic assemblies used in motor vehicle systems, at least some of the identifying indicia are applied directly as a deformation on or in the outer surface of a wall of the housing. The identifying indicia can be formed by laser etching of the housing surface, stamping of the housing surface, or forming the identifying indicia directly in the injection or casting mold used for molding the housing. The security and reliability of the labeling is improved because the identifying indicia cannot become detached from the housing as in the case when all of the identifying indicia are provided on a separate label plate or sticker. Additional identifying indicia, such as an optically scannable bar code, are printed on an adhesive label including a peel-off strip, and the adhesive label is affixed onto the outer surface of the housing.

Abstract: In a method and system for transmitting digital data, a data acceptance clock signal generator that has a controllable clock frequency in a peripheral module is correspondingly adapted to clock frequency information derived from a synchronization pulse train transmitted by a central unit. The same oscillator is used as a frequency source for determining the clock frequency information and for generating the data acceptance clock pulse. In this manner, simple RC oscillators are adequate to fulfill any requirements of long time accuracy of the oscillator. The clock frequency can be changed in that the central unit simply transmits altered clock frequency information. It is also possible to carry out an adjustment or adaptation in the case of deviations of the oscillator frequency in the peripheral unit.

Abstract: A crash sensor is constructed for triggering a passive safety device, such as an air bag or a seat belt tightening device. The crash sensor is capable to distinguish between different types of impacts such as front impacts, rear impacts, side impacts, and minor impacts, for example occurring in a repair shop. For example, the air bag shall be deployed only in response to a frontal impact. The crash sensor has at leasst two acceleration sensors having sensitivity axes arranged at different angles relative to the longitudinal vehicle axis or travel direction. The output signals of the acceleration sensors are integrated in respective integrated circuits and supplied to a threshold value circuit which in turn provides the necessary signal for activating a trigger circuit.