Method for activating a restraint system in a vehicle

• US 20050143886A1
• Filed: 05/30/2003
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Theisen, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 7,933,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01322 comprising variable thresholds, e.g. depending from other collision parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value

Abstract

A method for activating a restraint system in a vehicle, in which the restraint system is activated as a function of a speed, an activation characteristic, and at least one quantity derived from an acceleration signal, and in which the at least one quantity exceeds a threshold function that is set as a function of the impact speed and a required activation time. The activation characteristic of a particular accident type runs linearly to a first impact speed value. The activation characteristic runs with a second slope between the first impact speed and a second impact speed value, the first and the second impact speed value depending on the particular vehicle type.

Claims

1-4. -4. (canceled)

5. A method for activating a restraint system in a vehicle, the method comprising:

activating the restraint system as a function of an activation characteristic and at least one quantity derived from an acceleration signal;

wherein the at least one quantity exceeds a threshold function that is set as a function of an impact speed and a required activation time, and

wherein a particular activation characteristic for an accident type runs linearly with a first slope to a first impact speed value and runs with at least one second slope between a first impact speed value and a second impact speed value, the first impact speed value and the second impact speed value depending on a particular vehicle type.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the activation characteristic between the first impact speed value and the second impact speed value runs linearly.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein a fixed activation time is used starting at the second impact speed value.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein a fixed activation time is used starting at the second impact speed value.

9. A device for activating a restraint system in a vehicle, comprising:

an activating arrangement to activate the restraint system as a function of an activation characteristic and at least one quantity derived from an acceleration signal;

wherein the at least one quantity exceeds a threshold function that is set as a function of an impact speed and a required activation time, and

wherein a particular activation characteristic for an accident type runs linearly with a first slope to a first impact speed value and runs with at least one second slope between a first impact speed value and a second impact speed value, the first impact speed value and the second impact speed value depending on a particular vehicle type.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the activation characteristic between the first impact speed value and the second impact speed value runs linearly.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein a fixed activation time is used starting at the second impact speed value.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein a fixed activation time is used starting at the second impact speed value.