Abstract: A method is provided for determining a collision characteristic of a vehicle collision for triggering safety means of the vehicle. The method has a step of an ascertainment of at least one determination-relevant time segment of a sensor signal representing the vehicle collision before a triggering time for a safety means. The method also has a step of a comparison of at least two features of the sensor signal in the at least one time segment with one another in order to determine the collision characteristic.

Abstract: A device for controlling personal protection apparatus in a vehicle includes: at least one sensor unit that acquires at least one physical quantity; and evaluation and control unit which (i) produces, from the at least one acquired physical quantity, at least one signal curve that characterizes an impact, (ii) determines, as a function of an energy dissipation behavior of the vehicle, at least one temporal phase in the produced signal curve, and (iii) evaluates the at least one phase for crash classification and for a triggering decision for the personal protection apparatus. The evaluation and control unit retroactively calculates at least one feature of the energy dissipation based on a characteristic time in the signal curve that represents the end of a first temporal phase.

Abstract: A method for checking a sensor signal suitable for actuating a passenger protection arrangement of a vehicle. The method includes a step of carrying out a comparison between the sensor signal and at least one reference signal, repeatedly within a predetermined time interval, in order to obtain a plurality of comparison results, and a step of evaluating the sensor signal based on the plurality of comparison results, in order to detect a fault in the sensor signal.

Abstract: A device for activating a passenger protection unit for a vehicle. The device includes a fuel element chamber having at least one fuel element, which is designed to generate a hot gas for activating the passenger protection unit by combustion, the fuel element chamber having an outlet opening for releasing the hot gas into the passenger protection unit, and the pressure container being designed to store a pressurized cold gas, the pressure container having at least one opening for the controlled release of the cold gas into the fuel element chamber.

Abstract: A method for determining a course of a lane of a vehicle. In this connection, a first marking course of a first marking of the lane and a second marking course of a second marking of the lane are initially recorded. The first marking course and the second marking course are subsequently checked for plausibility. Finally, the lane course is determined on the basis of a previous width of the lane and a plausible marking course in response to at least one marking course proving to be implausible in the checking step.

Abstract: A cold gas generator for a vehicle includes a container for storing gas, and an outlet opening closed by a closure element. The apparatus for operating the cold gas generator has a first terminal for a first connecting line for providing a first operating voltage potential, and a second terminal for a second connecting line for providing a second operating voltage potential. The apparatus also has an electrical coil to actuate, in response to a coil current, a closure device for controlling a gas flow through the outlet opening, the coil being connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The apparatus also has a firing device to open the closure element in response to a firing current, the firing device being connected between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: A valve for a cold gas generator for an airbag in a vehicle includes: a valve chamber; a control chamber; a control piston; an overflow channel; a retaining element; and a shutoff element. The valve chamber includes an inlet from the cold gas generator and an outlet to the airbag. The control piston separates the control chamber and the valve chamber. The control piston is movable between an open position and a closed position, the control piston releasing the outlet in the open position and closing it in the closed position. The control piston has (i) a first active piston surface on the side of the valve chamber, and (ii) a second active piston surface on the side of the control chamber. The first piston surface is smaller than the second piston surface. The overflow channel fluidically connects the valve chamber and the control chamber to one another.

Abstract: A device for activating a passenger protection unit for a vehicle. The device includes a fuel element chamber having at least one fuel element, which is designed to generate a hot gas for activating the passenger protection unit by combustion, the fuel element chamber having an outlet opening for releasing the hot gas into the passenger protection unit, and the pressure container being designed to store a pressurized cold gas, the pressure container having at least one opening for the controlled release of the cold gas into the fuel element chamber.

Abstract: A method for determining a course of a lane of a vehicle. In this connection, a first marking course of a first marking of the lane and a second marking course of a second marking of the lane are initially recorded. The first marking course and the second marking course are subsequently checked for plausibility. Finally, the lane course is determined on the basis of a previous width of the lane and a plausible marking course in response to at least one marking course proving to be implausible in the checking step.

Abstract: A deformation device for a vehicle includes: a deformation element which is designed for being shortened in the longitudinal direction by energy of an impact of the vehicle; at least two electrodes which are situated on the deformation element; and an interface for connecting the at least two electrodes to a resistance measuring unit in order to measure a resistance between the at least two electrodes.

Abstract: An activation device for a protection device includes: a body with a chamber that has, respectively at first and second ends, a medium inlet opening to a medium storage and a valve opening, and an outlet opening for discharging the medium into the protection device between the first and second ends; a valve for opening and closing the valve opening for passage of the medium; and a piston that (a) includes a passage along a main extension axis, from a first surface thereof adjacent to the medium inlet opening, to a second surface thereof, larger than the first surface and adjacent to the valve opening, and (b) is movable in the chamber by the medium and as a function of the control valve position between a position in which the at least one outlet opening is closed and a position in which the at least one outlet opening is opened.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a collision characteristic of a vehicle collision for triggering safety means of the vehicle. The method has a step of an ascertainment of at least one determination-relevant time segment of a sensor signal representing the vehicle collision before a triggering time for a safety means. The method also has a step of a comparison of at least two features of the sensor signal in the at least one time segment with one another in order to determine the collision characteristic.

Abstract: A cold gas generator for a vehicle includes a container for storing gas, and an outlet opening closed by a closure element. The apparatus for operating the cold gas generator has a first terminal for a first connecting line for providing a first operating voltage potential, and a second terminal for a second connecting line for providing a second operating voltage potential. The apparatus also has an electrical coil to actuate, in response to a coil current, a closure device for controlling a gas flow through the outlet opening, the coil being connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The apparatus also has a firing device to open the closure element in response to a firing current, the firing device being connected between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: A device for controlling personal protection apparatus in a vehicle includes: at least one sensor unit that acquires at least one physical quantity; and evaluation and control unit which (i) produces, from the at least one acquired physical quantity, at least one signal curve that characterizes an impact, (ii) determines, as a function of an energy dissipation behavior of the vehicle, at least one temporal phase in the produced signal curve, and (iii) evaluates the at least one phase for crash classification and for a triggering decision for the personal protection apparatus. The evaluation and control unit retroactively calculates at least one feature of the energy dissipation based on a characteristic time in the signal curve that represents the end of a first temporal phase.

Abstract: A valve for a cold gas generator for an airbag in a vehicle includes: a valve chamber; a control chamber; a control piston; an overflow channel; a retaining element; and a shutoff element. The valve chamber includes an inlet from the cold gas generator and an outlet to the airbag. The control piston separates the control chamber and the valve chamber. The control piston is movable between an open position and a closed position, the control piston releasing the outlet in the open position and closing it in the closed position. The control piston has (i) a first active piston surface on the side of the valve chamber, and (ii) a second active piston surface on the side of the control chamber. The first piston surface is smaller than the second piston surface. The overflow channel fluidically connects the valve chamber and the control chamber to one another.

Abstract: An activation system for actuators of a vehicle seat device, including a first control device; a gas pressure accumulator having a gas pressure accumulator valve situated on it; a pressure distribution device functionally connected to the gas pressure accumulator; and a connecting device situated between the first control device and the pressure distribution device, the actuators being activatable as a function of an accident characteristic which is ascertainable with the aid of the first control device and which is transmittable to the pressure distribution device.

Abstract: An activation device for a protection device includes: a body with a chamber that has, respectively at first and second ends, a medium inlet opening to a medium storage and a valve opening, and an outlet opening for discharging the medium into the protection device between the first and second ends; a valve for opening and closing the valve opening for passage of the medium; and a piston that (a) includes a passage along a main extension axis, from a first surface thereof adjacent to the medium inlet opening, to a second surface thereof, larger than the first surface and adjacent to the valve opening, and (b) is movable in the chamber by the medium and as a function of the control valve position between a position in which the at least one outlet opening is closed and a position in which the at least one outlet opening is opened.

Abstract: A device for activating an air bag for a vehicle, the device having a pressure vessel for supplying a gas under pressure using at least one exit opening for letting out a first volume flow of the gas to the air bag, a valve element connected to the pressure vessel, which is configured to close the exit opening at least partially in a resting position and, in a motion into a triggering position, to release the exit opening, and a bursting element for the gas-tight closing of the pressure vessel. The device further includes a bypass region for letting out a second volume flow of the gas to the air bag, the bypass region being situated before an end region of the exit opening in relation to the main flow direction of the first volume flow.

Abstract: A method for checking a sensor signal suitable for actuating a passenger protection arrangement of a vehicle. The method includes a step of carrying out a comparison between the sensor signal and at least one reference signal, repeatedly within a predetermined time interval, in order to obtain a plurality of comparison results, and a step of evaluating the sensor signal based on the plurality of comparison results, in order to detect a fault in the sensor signal.

Abstract: An activation system for actuators of a vehicle seat device, including a first control device; a gas pressure accumulator having a gas pressure accumulator valve situated on it; a pressure distribution device functionally connected to the gas pressure accumulator; and a connecting device situated between the first control device and the pressure distribution device, the actuators being activatable as a function of an accident characteristic which is ascertainable with the aid of the first control device and which is transmittable to the pressure distribution device.