Abstract: If deceleration in excess of a predetermined value is detected (step 104 in FIG. 2), a speed integral value &Dgr;V as time integration of the deceleration is calculated (step 110 in FIG. 2). A segment length of a characteristic curve of the speed integral value &Dgr;V in a predetermined range is calculated (steps 112, 114 in FIG. 2) . If it is decided that the segment length is smaller than a predetermined value l2 (step 116 in FIG. 2), the crash is decided as the low speed crash, etc. other than a soft crash. An air bag is inflated if the speed integral value &Dgr;V exceeds a predetermined threshold value VTH, whereas the speed integral value &Dgr;V is incremented by a predetermined value &agr; (step 118 in FIG. 2) if it is decided that the segment length exceeds l2 (step 116 in FIG. 2). Then, if it is decided that the speed integral value &Dgr;V exceeds the threshold value VTH (step 112 in FIG. 2), inflation of the air bag is executed to detect generation of the soft crash.

Abstract: A control apparatus of an occupant protection device has at least one front acceleration sensor provided in a front part of a vehicle, in addition to a room acceleration sensor provided in a room of the vehicle. Whether the vehicle is in a collision requiring a drive of the occupant protection device is decided based on each of sensor outputs of the room and front acceleration sensors, respectively, and the occupant protection device is driven when the collision is detected based on at least one of the sensor outputs. Since the front acceleration sensor is provided in the front part of the vehicle, the front acceleration sensor detects a collision acceleration early and gives it to the control unit, even in case of a collision, such as the offset or an oblique collision, in which a collision acceleration transmitted to the room acceleration sensor may be weakened. Therefore, the control unit can exactly drive the occupant protection device without causing delay in collision detection.

Abstract: A control apparatus of an occupant protection device has at least one front acceleration sensor provided in a front part of a vehicle in addition to a room acceleration sensor provided in a room of the vehicle. The front acceleration sensor detects an acceleration of the vehicle and gives the control unit a sensor output representative thereof. The control unit, when the sensor output of the front acceleration sensor is a sensor output caused by a collision of the vehicle, detects a variational quantity of the sensor output of the front acceleration sensor based on sensor outputs of the front acceleration sensor at two different time points, and increases an integrated value of an acceleration signal of the room acceleration sensor based on the variational quantity. Then, when the integrated value of the room acceleration sensor exceeds a threshold value, the occupant protection device is driven.

Abstract: If deceleration in excess of a predetermined value is detected (step 104 in FIG. 2), a speed integral value &Dgr;V as time integration of the deceleration is calculated (step 110 in FIG. 2). A segment length of a characteristic curve of the speed integral value &Dgr;V in a predetermined range is calculated (steps 112, 114 in FIG. 2). If it is decided that the segment length is smaller than a predetermined value l2 (step 116 in FIG. 2), the crash is decided as the low speed crash, etc. other than a soft crash. An air bag is inflated if the speed integral value &Dgr;V exceeds a predetermined threshold value VTH, whereas the speed integral value &Dgr;V is incremented by a predetermined value &agr; (step 118 in FIG. 2) if it is decided that the segment length exceeds l2 (step 116 in FIG. 2). Then, if it is decided that the speed integral value &Dgr;V exceeds the threshold value VTH ( step 112 in FIG. 2), inflation of the air bag is executed to detect generation of the soft crash.

Abstract: If deceleration in excess of a predetermined value is detected (step 104 in FIG.2), a speed integral value &Dgr;V as time integration of the deceleration is calculated (step 110 in FIG.2). A segment length of a characteristic curve of the speed integral value &Dgr;V in a predetermined range is calculated (steps 112, 114 in FIG. 2). If it is decided that the segment length is smaller than a predetermined value l2 (step 116 in FIG. 2), the crash is decided to be a low speed crash, etc. other than a soft crash. An air bag is inflated if the speed integral value &Dgr;V exceeds a predetermined threshold value VTH, whereas the speed integral value &Dgr;V is incremented by a predetermined value &agr; (step 118 in FIG. 2) if it is decided that the segment length exceeds l2 (step 116 in FIG. 2). Then, if it is decided that the speed integral value &Dgr;V exceeds the threshold value VTH (step 112 in FIG. 2), inflation of the air bag is executed with detection of a soft crash.

Abstract: A control apparatus of an occupant protection device detects whether a vehicle is in a collision requiring to drive the occupant protection device based on at least one front acceleration sensor provided in a front part of the vehicle, in addition to a collision detection based on a room acceleration sensor provided in a room of the vehicle. When the collision is detected based on the front acceleration sensor, an integrated value of an acceleration signal of the room acceleration sensor is increased. Since the front acceleration sensor is provided in the front part of the vehicle, the front acceleration sensor detects a collision acceleration early and gives a sensor output to the control unit, even in case of a collision in which a collision acceleration transmitted to the room acceleration sensor may be weakened.

Abstract: A control apparatus of an occupant protection device, in addition to a room acceleration sensor provided in a room of a vehicle, has at least one front acceleration sensor provided in a front part of the vehicle. The front acceleration sensor, when detecting a predetermined collision acceleration, gives a detection signal to a control unit. The control unit sets a second threshold value lower than a first threshold value if the detection signal is input, and drives the occupant protection device when an integrated value of an acceleration signal of the room acceleration sensor exceeds the second threshold value. Since the front acceleration sensor is provided in the front part of the vehicle, even when a collision acceleration transmitted to the room acceleration sensor is weakened, the front acceleration sensor detects the collision acceleration early and gives the detection signal to the control unit.

Abstract: If an impact acceleration Gt in excess of a predetermined value is detected (step 102), a speed integral value &Dgr;V is calculated (step 110) and a length of a line segment of the impact acceleration with a passage of time is calculated (steps 112, 114). If a rate of an increment of the speed integral value &Dgr;V to the length of the line segment within a predetermined interval is smaller than a predetermined value R, it is decided that resonance is caused. Then, it is decided (step 122) whether or not the speed integral value &Dgr;Vt exceeds a new threshold value which is set on the more negative side from a threshold value &Dgr;VTH which is defined by V(G), by a predetermined value &agr; (step 120). If it is decided that the speed integral value &Dgr;Vt exceeds the new threshold value, an inflation of an air bag is carried out (step 124).

Abstract: A start control system for a passenger protection system wherein after a first inflator has been fired, a detected deceleration of the vehicle is compared with a previously stored predetermined deceleration. Next, time integration is executed over an area in which the detected deceleration of the vehicle exceeds the previously stored predetermined deceleration if it has been decided that the detected deceleration of the vehicle exceeds the previously stored predetermined deceleration to increase speed reduction. Then, the time integral value is added to a speed integral value which is calculated as time integration of the detected deceleration of the vehicle until a point of time when it has been decided that the detected deceleration of the vehicle exceeds the previously stored predetermined deceleration. Finally, a start signal for a second inflator is output by a CPU to fire the second inflator when an added result exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: If the impact acceleration G which exceeds the predetermined threshold value G.sub.TH is detected within a predetermined time (see step 124 in FIG. 2) after the speed integral value .DELTA.V which exceeds the predetermined threshold value V.sub.TH has been detected (see step 112 in FIG. 2), it is decided that such impact acceleration is caused by the underfloor interference or the seat slide and therefore the side air bag system is not started (see step 126 in FIG. 2). In contrast, if the impact acceleration G which exceeds the predetermined threshold value G.sub.TH is not detected within the predetermined time (see step 124 in FIG. 2) after the speed integral value .DELTA.V which exceeds the predetermined threshold value V.sub.TH has been detected (see step 112 in FIG. 2) it is decided that such impact acceleration is caused by the true clash and therefore the side air bag system is started (see step 120 in FIG. 2).

Abstract: Herein disclosed a disc type electromagnetic valve which is disposed in the passage of a fluid represented by pressurized gases or air for controlling the flow of the fluid. In a casing at the back of a stator, there is formed a chamber in which a diaphragm is arranged. This diaphragm has its radially inner side connected to either a movable receiver of a spring for biasing an armature apart from the attracting surface of the stator or the armature. The chamber at the back of the diaphragm is caused to communicate with a communication passage of the pressurized fluid through a passage hole which extends through the armature and a valve member. When the pressure of the fluid exerted upon the valve member fluctuates, the diaphragm is moved to automatically adjust the seating force of the valve member against a valve seat.