Abstract: In order to achieve a robust triggering decision for restraint means in a vehicle, the difference (&Dgr;a) is determined from chronologically offset measured acceleration values (ai, ai-n), and the absolute value of the difference is then integrated. The integral (F) is compared to at least one threshold value (6), and if the integral (F) then does not exceed the at least one threshold value prior to one or more definable points in time during the course of the crash, the location of a triggering threshold for the measured acceleration (a) or for a velocity change (dv) derived therefrom is modified so that the triggering sensitivity becomes less.

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 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: In order to clearly distinguish between a short adult and a child sitting in a booster seat, for example, on the passenger seat of a vehicle, a video sensor system (4) detects the head height of the person sitting in the passenger seat (1). A footwell sensor (5, 6) recognizes whether a person is touching the floor in front of the passenger seat (1) with one foot or both feet. An analyzer unit (7) classifies the person sitting in the passenger seat (1) as a child for whom it causes a passenger air bag (3) present to be deactivated if the video sensor system (4) registers a head height that is less than a predefined threshold (SH) and, at the same time, the footwell sensor (5,6) detects no foot contact with the floor in front of the passenger seat (1).