Device for side impact detection in a motor vehicle

• US 20030140679A1
• Filed: 09/09/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Kocher, Pascal, Aidam, Rolf, Roelleke, Michael, Recknagel, Rolf-Juergen
• Granted Patent: US 6,732,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/12.01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0119 Plausibility check
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over

Abstract

A device for side impact detection in a motor vehicle, and a plausibility sensor side impact detection. This plausibility sensor is located in a loudspeaker which is already present in the lateral part for playback of music. This loudspeaker is used as a low-frequency microphone, a circuit being provided for the loudspeaker to differentiate between sound and rapid fluctuations in air pressure. This circuit has a bridge circuit, the differential voltage across the bridge then being used as a plausibility signal. The circuit itself is preferably located in the door.

Claims

1. A device for side impact detection in a motor vehicle, the vehicle having a control device for restraint devices, the device comprising:

at least one sensor for side impact detection;

means for checking a plausibility of a signal of the at least one sensor, the means for checking including a loudspeaker situated in a lateral part of the vehicle; and

a circuit for differentiating between sound and rapid fluctuations in air pressure adapted to be connected to the loudspeaker and to the control device.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit includes a bridge circuit, a differential voltage across the bridge being used as the plausibility signal.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the circuit is situated in a door of the vehicle.