Abstract: A method for triggering a restraint system is provided, in which the threshold value calculation, performed by using the acceleration signal, is adapted by an add-on amount which is determined from signal properties of the acceleration signal and the speed signal. Signals from an up-front sensor can be taken into account in addition.

Abstract: An improved passenger protection is achieved by refining the criterion for triggering the restraining unit provided for impact situations. A system and a method for generating a triggering signal for the restraining unit in a vehicle are provided for this purpose, the restraining unit being provided for the event of a collision of the vehicle—head-on collision, side impact. The system includes a unit for detecting an impact, which, in the event of an impact, generates a request signal for the restraining unit corresponding to the type of impact, and a unit for detecting a rotational motion of the vehicle about at least one vehicle axis—longitudinal axis (x) and/or transverse axis (y)—which generate a corresponding status signal.

Abstract: A device for vehicle occupant protection. A processor connectable to at least two sensors may execute a deployment algorithm, and, in response to a failure of at least one of the sensors, may alter a sequence of execution of the deployment algorithm according to a point in time of the failure.

Abstract: A method for determining the trigger time for restraint means in a vehicle is provided, where, by forming two time windows for the speed reduction in a crash, the slope of the speed reduction in the respective time windows and the position of the time windows are determined. In this manner, an exact determination of the trigger time in conjunction with a crash time and the crash speed may be achieved, which are ascertained with the aid of a pre-crash sensory system.

Abstract: In a method for side impact sensing in a vehicle, a side impact is recognized using acceleration signals, the acceleration signals from the left and right sides of the vehicle being subtracted from one another, integrated or added up, and the triggering threshold is formed as a function of this differential acceleration signal. If the integrated differential acceleration signal exceeds this threshold, a side impact is recognized.

Abstract: A method of classifying an obstacle on the basis of pre-crash sensor signals is described, acceleration and acceleration change being determined from the obstacle velocity, and the obstacle is classified on the basis of these parameters. The deployment algorithm is tightened as a function of this classification; if appropriate, restraining means are deployed at an early stage and an automatic braking and/or steering intervention takes place.

Abstract: A system for sensing a head-on collision in a vehicle, where at least one upfront sensor is used as plausibility sensor, which provides a plausibility signal for a collision sensor located in the control device. The upfront sensor may be an acceleration sensor, which analyzes both the acceleration signal as well as the speed signal derived therefrom for a plausibility check. The results of this check are linked in an OR-operation in order to generate a plausibility signal. In an example embodiment, it is provided to buffer-store the plausibility signal in the control device for a predetermined time. This is of special interest for improved reliability in the event that the upfront sensor has been destroyed.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the triggering of passive safety systems, such as airbags in vehicles, in response to criteria being detected that are to be interpreted as the existence of a dangerous impact. One of these criteria is the impact speed. A measure of the impact speed is ascertained in that first the instant of the impact onset of the vehicle against an obstacle is detected and then the instant is detected when the acceleration of the rigid support structure of the vehicle transitions from light to heavy acceleration. The time difference between the impact-onset instant and the acceleration-transition instant is a measure of the impact speed. To ascertain the instants, integral values of acceleration signals from acceleration sensors may be utilized and analyzed in an appropriate manner. The method and device are applicable, in particular, in the discrimination of impact processes at low driving speeds.

Abstract: A restraint system having a restraint device for protecting at least one passenger and a method for controlling a restraint system. The system and method act so as to to transform using a wavelet transformation, a signal measured by an acceleration sensor into a frequency range and in order to determine from the transformed signal the optimal triggering time point for the restraint device. For this purpose, the wavelet-transformed signal, on the one hand, is used for determining features in order to determine a crash type, and, on the other hand, to determine the braking acceleration energy. If the braking acceleration energy lies above a preestablished threshold value and if the identified crash type requires a triggering of the restraint system, then the restraint system is triggered.

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: In a method for side impact sensing in a vehicle, a side impact is recognized using acceleration signals, the acceleration signals from the left and right sides of the vehicle being subtracted from one another, integrated or added up, and the triggering threshold is formed as a function of this differential acceleration signal. If the integrated differential acceleration signal exceeds this threshold, a side impact is recognized.

Abstract: A device for side impact detection in a motor vehicle, and a plausibility sensor side impact detection. This plausibility sensor is located in a loudspeaker which is already present in the lateral part for playback of music. This loudspeaker is used as a low-frequency microphone, a circuit being provided for the loudspeaker to differentiate between sound and rapid fluctuations in air pressure. This circuit has a bridge circuit, the differential voltage across the bridge then being used as a plausibility signal. The circuit itself is preferably located in the door.

Abstract: A system for sensing a head-on collision in a vehicle is proposed, where at least one upfront sensor is used as plausibility sensor, which provides a plausibility signal for a collision sensor located in the control device. The upfront sensor is an acceleration sensor, which analyzes both the acceleration signal as well as the speed signal derived therefrom for a plausibility check. The results of this check are linked in an OR-operation in order to generate a plausibility signal. In a refinement, it is provided to buffer-store the plausibility signal in the control device for a predetermined time. This is of special interest for improved reliability in the event that the upfront sensor has been destroyed.

Abstract: A method for classifying a rollover event of a vehicle is used to classify a rollover event on the basis of a rotational angle and a rotation rate of the vehicle and to transmit an emergency call as a function of the classification. The rollover event itself is recognized on the basis of a momentum or energy criterion. The rotation rate is summed to determine the rotational angle, the summed rotation rate as well as the rotation rate being compared to classification boundaries as a pair of values in order to perform a classification. The emergency call is made only if the restraint devices have been deployed.

Abstract: A method of triggering a restraint in a motor vehicle in the event of an impact and/or a collision with an object. The time characteristic of the acceleration is detected in the form of at least one acceleration signal. The time characteristic of a velocity is generated from the acceleration signal. A threshold value for the velocity is determined as a triggering criterion. The impact velocity and the instant of impact are established using the aid of a pre-crash sensor system before the impact. The impact situation is classified with reference to the impact velocity. Using the classification of the impact situation, a triggering time window determined, in which the time characteristic of the velocity is generated and, the threshold value for the velocity is established from the acceleration signal, the classification of the impact situation being taken into consideration.

Abstract: A method of determining a triggering decision for restraint devices in a vehicle is described, a triggering decision being determined as a function of a float angle, a vehicle sliding velocity and the vehicle tilt angle. The vehicle tilt angle is characterized here by a vehicle lateral acceleration and/or a vehicle sliding velocity. A passenger detection system may be used in addition.

Abstract: A method for triggering a restraining device in a motor vehicle is proposed, where a crash severity and an occupant categorization are implemented independently of each other. By linking the crash severity with the occupant categorization, the restraining device required for the vehicle occupants is triggered. The crash severity is subdivided in accordance with the triggering events frontal impact, side impact, rear impact or vehicle roll-over. A decisive advantage is that the crash severity is implemented independently of the occupant categorization.

Abstract: A method of classifying an obstacle on the basis of pre-crash sensor signals is described, acceleration and acceleration change being determined from the obstacle velocity, and the obstacle is classified on the basis of these parameters. The deployment algorithm is tightened as a function of this classification; if appropriate, restraining means are deployed at an early stage and an automatic braking and/or steering intervention takes place.

Abstract: A device for impact detection in a motor vehicle has both a precrash sensor and an impact sensor, and when an impact is detected, the noise threshold for the impact sensor is lowered, so that the deployment time can then be determined as a function of the signals of the precrash sensor and the impact sensor. Various features are extracted from the signals of the impact sensor and then compared with continuous threshold functions to detect a deployment case. The deceleration and/or velocity and/or predisplacement may be used as features.

Abstract: A method for deployment of a restraint system is proposed, the acceleration in the direction of driving being increased as a function of the acceleration at right angles to the direction of driving and/or at a given angle relative to the direction of driving. This ensures that in particular crashes between 40 and 65 km/h can be detected more easily.