Abstract: A passenger protection device in a motor vehicle includes at least one airbag, at least one gas generator for filling the airbag, an airbag control device for activating the airbag, means for acquiring the deployment speed of the airbag, and means for regulating the filling quantity of the airbag, taking into account its deployment speed. In order for the passenger protection device to implement a controlled filling of the airbag dependent on its deployment speed, at least one flow-off valve is provided that is situated between the gas generator and the airbag. In addition, controllable actuating means are provided for the sealing of the flow-off valve.

Abstract: An occupant-protection system for vehicles, including: at least one sensor, which detects the surrounding area of the vehicle and generates sensor signals therefrom; an evaluation device, which analyzes the sensor signals, detects an approaching hazardous situation in advance according to an algorithm for the early detection of a hazardous situation and generates a trigger signal in this case; a seat-adjustment device having at least one actuator for adjusting a seat, the seat-adjustment device having a first speed for a comfort adjustment of the seat and a second, higher speed for the seating adjustment of the seat in response to triggering by the trigger signal. Also provided is a method for activating an occupant-protection system for vehicles.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising: a plurality of occupant protection devices and sensors associated with them; a processing device that checks whether the occupant protection devices and/or associated sensors are in operation and/or properly functional, and ascertains status information therefrom; and an output device that, in consideration of all the status information, communicates the operating status possessed by each individual occupant protection device and/or sensor. Also described is a method for communicating the status of a safety apparatus of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: In order to perform a simple plausibility check of a rollover decision which is as reliable as possible, an arrangement is provided which signal plausibility of the rollover decision if an acceleration measured in the direction of the vertical axis of the vehicle is either above a preset upper threshold or below a preset lower threshold, or if the acceleration measured in the direction of the vertical axis is between the two thresholds, but an acceleration measured in the direction of the transverse axis of the motor vehicle simultaneously exceeds a threshold which depends on the acceleration measured in the direction of the vertical axis.

Abstract: The system is intended to have the ability to differentiate between various characteristic driving maneuvers, so that a special triggering algorithm of restraint devices can be initiated for each class of driving maneuvers. This system has an acceleration sensor that measures the acceleration of the vehicle in the direction of its vertical axis. A classifier is provided which, when the measured acceleration is above a threshold of 1 g, decides on a driving maneuver in which the vehicle lifts upward on one side, as when driving on a ramp. If the measured acceleration is between 0 g and 1 g, then the classifier decides on a driving maneuver during which the vehicle tips downward on one side, as when driving on a slope.

Abstract: The arrangement is to allow timely rollover recognition in the event of tipping over an embankment. For this purpose, the arrangement determines a predictive value of the yaw rate of the vehicle after a fictitious impact of the wheels on one longitudinal side of the vehicle against the ground from a yaw rate prevailing prior to the fictitious impact, the momentum of the vehicle in the direction of its vertical axis, and the angular momentum of the center of gravity of the vehicle prior to the fictitious impact. In addition, using the currently measured angle of inclination of the vehicle, it determines a critical yaw rate of the vehicle about its longitudinal axis instantaneously measured by the arrangement, which would be required to cause the vehicle to roll over. A conclusion is drawn about an imminent rollover if the predictive value of the yaw rate exceeds the critical yaw rate.

Abstract: The arrangement is to allow timely rollover recognition in the event of tipping over an embankment. For this purpose, the arrangement determines a predictive value of the yaw rate of the vehicle after a fictitious impact of the wheels on one longitudinal side of the vehicle against the ground from a yaw rate prevailing prior to the fictitious impact, the momentum of the vehicle in the direction of its vertical axis, and the angular momentum of the center of gravity of the vehicle prior to the fictitious impact. In addition, using the currently measured angle of inclination of the vehicle, it determines a critical yaw rate of the vehicle about its longitudinal axis instantaneously measured by the arrangement, which would be required to cause the vehicle to roll over. A conclusion is drawn about an imminent rollover if the predictive value of the yaw rate exceeds the critical yaw rate.

Abstract: In order to perform a simple plausibility check of a rollover decision which is as reliable as possible, an arrangement is provided which signal plausibility of the rollover decision if an acceleration measured in the direction of the vertical axis of the vehicle is either above a preset upper threshold or below a preset lower threshold, or if the acceleration measured in the direction of the vertical axis is between the two thresholds, but an acceleration measured in the direction of the transverse axis of the motor vehicle simultaneously exceeds a threshold which depends on the acceleration measured in the direction of the vertical axis.

Abstract: The system is intended to have the ability to differentiate between various characteristic driving maneuvers (K1, K2, K3), so that a special triggering algorithm of restraint devices can be initiated for each class of driving maneuvers.