Abstract: Triggering reliably within an extremely short time restraining features, for example, air bags, belt retractors, and other devices, that are provided in motor vehicles to offer a maximum degree of safety to vehicle occupants in the event of an accident, in which an acceleration signal is measured and converted into a speed signal by an integration over time and the speed signal is compared with a triggering threshold in order to determine a triggering criterion, wherein there is a provision for the integration of the acceleration signal (a) to be influenced as a function of a frequency analysis of the acceleration signal (a), wherein the acceleration signal is subjected to a spectral frequency analysis which influences a speed of the integration of the acceleration signal (a), and wherein the frequency analysis is carried out by utilizing a fast Fourier transformation (or the suboperations required from it).

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety system for a motor vehicle having first and second sensor means, by means of which sensor parameters representing the vehicle movement dynamics of the vehicle are detected. Furthermore, vehicle movement means and restraining means are provided, actuators which influence the vehicle movement dynamics of the vehicle being actuated by means of the vehicle movement means on the basis of the detected sensor parameters of the at least first sensor means, and a restraining system being activated by means on the restraining means on the basis of the detected sensor parameters of the second sensor means. The essential feature of the invention consists in the fact that a signal representing the condition of the road pavement is formed on the basis of sensor parameters of the second sensor means, and this signal is used in the vehicle movement means to actuate the actuators.

Abstract: A variable mass flow airbag module includes a housing having gas discharge ports in direct communication with an airbag to be inflated for rapidly inflating the airbag and adapted to receive gas from a pyrotechnic inflator, stored gas or hybrid inflator, or other type of inflator. The housing has a vent opening which is controlled by a valve to vent a controlled variable amount of gas to achieve a desired mass flow of gas into the airbag to provide a desired level of energy absorption capability for optimizing occupant protection.