Process for triggering passenger protection systems

• US 20010052730A1
• Filed: 05/07/2001
• Published: 12/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Baur, Richard, Woehrl, Alfons, Fendt, Guenter, Hussmann, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 6,563,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01068 between different sensors and airbag control unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/017 including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves

Abstract

The invention concerns a process for triggering passenger protection systems in at least two different stages of an accident hazard and/or accident force, determined in accordance with sensor signals, with the passenger protection system being triggered directly at least when the second stage is reached.

It is proposed that already when a first accident hazard and/or accident force stage is reached at least an indirect trigger command is sent to individual passenger protection systems, a specified time interval is started, and, in the event of the second accident hazard and/or accident force stage not being reached within their specified time interval, a cancel command is sent to cancel the indirect trigger commands.

On receipt of such an indirect trigger command the passenger protection systems also start a relevant time interval, and in the event of the cancel command not being received on expiry of the said interval, they activate automatically the triggering of the passenger protection systems.

Claims

1. Process for triggering passenger protection systems (2) in at least two different accident hazard and/or accident force stages (L1, L2) determined in line with sensor signals (Sl . . . Sn),

a) with the triggering being effected at least when the second accident hazard and/or accident force stage (L2) is reached by means of a direct trigger command (L2-ON) to the passenger protection systems (in FIG. 1:

2.1-2.x in t1), wherein

b) if the first accident hazard and/or accident force stage (L1) is reached at least an indirect trigger command (L1-ON) is sent to individual passenger protection systems (2.1-2.x), a specified time interval (T) is started, and, in the event of the second accident hazard and/or accident force stage (L2) not being reached within their specified time interval (T), a cancel command (L1-OFF) is sent to cancel the indirect trigger command (L1-ON), and,

c) on receipt of such an indirect trigger command (L1-ON), the respective passenger protection systems (2.1-2.x) also start a relevant time interval (T+Δ

T), and in the event of the cancel command (L1-OFF) not being received on expiry of this time interval (T+Δ

T), the respective passenger protection systems (FIG. 1;

2.x in t3) are triggered.

2. Process according to

claim 1

wherein if the actual sensor value falls below the first accident hazard and/or accident force stage (L1), the cancel command (L1-OFF) is sent immediately.

3. Process according to claims 1 or 2. wherein at a time (+T/2) within the time interval (T) in the case of the first accident hazard and/or accident force stage being reached without any change, a new indirect trigger command (in FIG. 3 L1-ON in t0, t0+T/2, . . . ) is resent, the time interval (T) restarts, and the respective passenger protection systems (2.1 . . . 2.x) also restart the relevant time interval (T+Δ

T) on receipt of such a new indirect trigger command (L1-ON).