Abstract: An electronic device includes an acceleration-sensitive sensor, an electronic circuit arrangement for analyzing the output signal from the sensor, an ignition output element, an ignition element, and a safety device for the vehicle's occupants. To test the operating readiness of the ignition element, an oscillator circuit is also provided, which applies an output signal to the ignition element. The resulting voltage drop obtained across the ignition element is compared by means of a window comparator to threshold values.

Abstract: A device for the protection of occupants of a vehicle comprises at least one acceleration sensor (10), an electronic device (20) for evaluating the output signal of the sensor (10), and a protective device (30) for protecting the occupants of the vehicle. The device makes it possible to activate in due time the protective device (30) by the electronic device (20) in the manner that estimated values for the future displacement of the occupant of the vehicle and/or the occupant's relative speed with respect to the passenger compartment are estimated in advance and compared with presettable limit values.

Abstract: In an electronic device, in particular a piece of safety equipment for vehicle occupants, a switching element (13) which characterizes the operational position of an insertable seat belt is connected in parallel with a firing element (10, 11). The switching element (13) has a break contact which is broken when the seat belt is activated correctly.

Abstract: In an electronic safety device for vehicle occupants including an acceleration-sensitive sensor, a control unit, and a plurality of inertial restraining devices with associated output stages, a reliable operating mode is guaranteed for the safety device by storing characteristic fault conditions, together with control strategies compensating for these fault conditions. In the event of a fault, the safety device applies the respective, assigned control strategy to activate the restraining devices.

Abstract: A device for the protection of occupants of a vehicle includes at least one acceleration sensor (10), an electronic device (20) for evaluating the output signal of the sensor (10), and a protective device (30) for the occupants of the vehicle. The electronic device makes it possible to carry out a process for the activating in due time of the protective device (30) by the electronic device (20) in the manner that estimated values for the future displacement of the occupant of the vehicle and/or his relative speed with respect to the passenger compartment are estimated in advance and compared with presettable limit values.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for testing a watchdog circuit wherein the pulses of a microcomputer to be monitored by the watchdog circuit are incrementally lengthened until the watchdog circuit responds and emits a corresponding reset signal to the microcomputer. The operational test of the watchdog circuit is repeated after each cold start of the microcomputer. This arrangement is especially suited for systems relevant to safety wherein the functional reliability of the individual components such as microcomputer and actuating elements are to be monitored.

Abstract: An air bag system is provided for use in a motor vehicle. The air bag system includes at least one air bag module. A multiple level gas generation source is coupled to the air bag module for generating a selected gas generation level applied to the air bag module. An electronic control unit controls the operation of multiple level gas generation source. At least one temperature sensor is coupled to the electronic control unit for sensing ambient temperature. At least one seat belt sensor is coupled to the electronic control unit for sensing seat belt usage. An acceleration sensor is coupled to the electronic control unit for sensing deceleration during a crash. The electronic control unit is responsive to a combination of sensed inputs from the temperature sensor, the seat belt sensor and the acceleration sensor for determining both an optimum gas generation level and inflation sequence times for controlling the multiple level gas generation source.

Abstract: An arrangement for detecting a changing variable in a motor vehicle includes at least one transducer having terminals with at least one terminal being connected to a pole of a supply voltage. In addition, an actuable switch element is provided which interrupts at least one connecting line connected to a terminal. The potential of this terminal is detected relative to a reference potential when the switch element is open and a fault state of the transducer is assumed when there is an impermissible fluctuation of the potential value during at least two detecting operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling motor vehicle safety devices has a plurality of sensors, each coupled to a control unit. The control unit in turn activates inertial restraining devices based on the output signals generated by the sensors.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for electronically controlling an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The detecting unit is connected to a component determining the power of the engine such as a throttle flap or a control rod or an accelerator pedal and generates at least two position signals. The detecting unit is so configured that with a position change of the power-determining component, the two position signal variables change in opposition. A fault detection associated with this kind of measure permits detecting short circuits as well as shunt faults between the potentiometer wipers.

Abstract: In a method for evaluating the output signal (a) from a sensor (1), an average value (M) is formulated from a plurality of successively measured values (ai) of the output signal (a). Subsequently, the difference (D) between this measured value (M) and one succeeding measured value of the output signal (a) from the sensor (1) is determined, and finally the thus formulated differential value is compared to a specified threshold value to derive a criterion for activating a restraining device for protecting motor vehicle occupants.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the size of the gap between an adhesive scraper of a labelling machine and an adhesive roller of the labelling machine. The device includes at least two independently controllable actuators that adjust the gap to different sizes from one another. The actuators may take the form of hydraulically or pneumatically controlled pistons and cylinders.

Abstract: In an evaluation process for output signals of an acceleration-sensitive sensor in restraint systems for vehicle occupants, the output signals of the sensor are picked up and evaluated periodically. In a normal, uncritical operating state the evaluation occurs after relatively long intervals of time. If indications suggest a critical operating state, that is, an accident, however the evaluation of the output signals of the sensor occurs at shorter intervals of time.

Abstract: A safety device for vehicle occupants has an operational voltage source, typically the vehicle's battery, and a storage device for electrical energy, typically a capacitor. Several tripping devices, typically ignition tablets, are coupled to the storage device and/or the operational voltage source, for actuating inertial restraining devices, such as airbags, belt tighteners or the like. If the storage device fails, each tripping device is connected for a specified period of time to the operational voltage source by a respective switch. Each switch is triggered by an evaluating device. Therefore, if the storage device fails, as long as the operational voltage source is connected to the safety device, each tripping device and, therefore, inertial restraining device can be actuated.

Abstract: A method of actuating a safety device for vehicle occupants, wherein the safety device has several tripping devices coupled to a capacitor and to passenger restraint devices, such as air bags, seat belts, or the like. The energy supplied by the capacitor to a tripping device is measured upon actuation of that device. If the energy supplied exceeds a predetermined limit, the flow of electric current from the capacitor to the respective tripping device is interrupted. Thus, if an actuated tripping device shunts, the energy of the capacitor is not drained by the shunt, and the capacitor maintains an energy level sufficient to actuate the other tripping devices.

Abstract: In a safety device for vehicle occupants with acceleration-sensitive sensors and with processing circuits for the sensors summing and integrating devices as well as a comparator device for comparing the summation and integration values are provided. The comparator device controls a warning device as soon as the comparison value exceeds a presettable limit value.

Abstract: A safety device for a vehicle occupant comprising a restraint for the vehicle occupant, a sensing circuit for evaluating a vehicle condition, a control circuit for actuating the restraint in response to a predetermined vehicle condition, and two separate reserve energy storages for supplying electrical energy to the sensing and control circuits, respectively.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the release of a passenger restraint system in a vehicle, an acceleration signal is measured and integrated with respect to time to obtain a velocity signal. A release threshold value for the velocity signal is determined. If the velocity signal then falls below the release threshold value, thus indicating a vehicle collision, the passenger restraint system is released. The release threshold value is controlled depending on the type of accident situation and upon the operating parameters of the vehicle to increase the release sensitivity of the passenger restraint system. For example, the release threshold value is adjusted based on the value of the velocity signal. If the velocity signal decreases in value, then the release threshold is lowered to a more sensitive value.

Abstract: A voltage supply circuit has an energy reserve, which is charged by a voltage transformer, and a comparator circuit, which controls switching circuit components. When the supply voltage is at its nominal value, a first switching circuit component is closed, with the result, that the energy reserve is operated in open circuit and is charged by the voltage transformer. When the supply voltage drops below a threshold, the comparator circuit opens the first switching circuit component and closes a second switching circuit component with the result that, at this point, the charged energy reserve is available for the voltage supply to the circuit configuration normally supplied with voltage from the supply voltage and the voltage transformer is disconnected from the supply voltage.

Abstract: A method of actuating a safety device for vehicle occupants, wherein the safety device has several tripping devices coupled to a capacitor and to passenger restraint devices, such as air bags, seat belts, or the like. The energy supplied by the capacitor to a tripping device is measured upon actuation of that device. If the energy supplied exceeds a predetermined limit, the flow of electric current from the capacitor to the respective tripping device is interrupted. Thus, if an actuated tripping device shunts, the energy of the capacitor is not drained by the shunt, and the capacitor maintains an energy level sufficient to actuate the other tripping devices.