Device and method for testing the activation behavior of restraining means in a motor vehicle

• US 20030089156A1
• Filed: 10/21/2002
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Schweizer, Martin, Weissflog, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 6,789,408 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/1.39
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01286 Electronic control units
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0256 injecting test signals and analyzing monitored process response, e.g. injecting the test signal while interrupting the normal operation of the monitored system; superimposing the test signal onto a control signal during normal operation of the monitored system

Abstract

A device and a method are proposed, which, upon triggering of the restraint devices via a control device (1), allow a systematic testing of the triggering characteristics of restraint devices in a motor vehicle under conditions as realistic as possible. For that purpose, the device according to the present invention includes an ambiency simulator (2), connectable to the control device (1), for stipulating defined peripheral states, an acceleration device for accelerating the control device (1), detecting means (3) for recording the triggering characteristics of the restraint devices in response to acceleration of the control device (1), and evaluation means for evaluating the recorded triggering characteristics.

In accordance with the method according to the present invention, the control device (1) is programmed for a particular constellation of restraint devices. A defined peripheral state is predefined for the control device (1) thus programmed with the aid of an ambiency simulator (2). The control device (1) is then accelerated, in this manner provoking a triggering of the restraint devices. Concurrently, the triggering characteristics of the restraint devices, given the current peripheral state, are recorded and evaluated.

Claims

1. A device for testing the triggering characteristics of restraint devices in a motor vehicle, the restraint devices being triggered via a control device (1), comprising

an ambiency simulator (2), capable of being connected to the control device (1), for inputting defined peripheral states,

an acceleration device for accelerating the control device (1)

detection means (3) for recording the triggering characteristics of the restraint devices in response to the acceleration of the control device (1);

and

evaluation means for evaluating the recorded triggering characteristics.

2. The device as recited in claim 1,

wherein a control-PC (4) is connected to the control device (1) for programming of the control device (1), in particular for stipulating a particular constellation of restraint devices.

3. The device as recited in claim 2,

wherein the control-PC (4) is connected to the control device (1) via a diagnostic cable.

4. The device as recited in one of the claims 2 or 3, wherein the control-PC (4) is connected to the ambiency simulator (2) for stipulating defined peripheral states.

5. The device as recited in one of the claims 2 through 4, wherein he control-PC (4) evaluates the recorded triggering characteristics.

6. A method for testing the triggering characteristics of restraint devices in a motor vehicle, the restraint devices being triggered via a control device (1), wherein

the control device (1) is programmed for a particular constellation of restraint devices;

a defined peripheral state is predefined to the control device (1) with the aid of an ambiency simulator (2);

the control device (1) is accelerated so that a triggering of the restraint devices is provoked; and

the triggering characteristics of the restraint devices, given the present peripheral state, are recorded and evaluated.