Device for triggering restraint means

• US 20050168329A1
• Filed: 11/18/2003
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Kuttenberger, Alfred, Theisen, Marc, Bunse, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,540,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems

Abstract

An apparatus for triggering a restraint apparatus, arrangement(s) or structure(s) in which, with a precrash sensor system, the apparatus generates a signal as a function of which the restraint apparatus, arrangement(s) or structure(s) is/are triggered. The precrash sensor system includes a combination of an ultrasound sensor system and a microwave sensor system. The ultrasound sensor system serves to detect objects at a speed of up to 40 km/h, while the microwave sensor system is used to detect objects up to a relative speed of 200 km/h.

Claims

1-6. -6. (canceled)

7. An apparatus for triggering at least one restraint arrangement, comprising:

an ultrasound sensor system;

a microwave sensor system; and

a precrash sensor system, wherein the at least one restraint arrangement is triggered as a function of at least one signal of the precrash sensor system;

wherein the precrash sensor system includes the ultrasound sensor system for detecting at least a first object at a low relative speed and the microwave sensor system for detecting a second object at a high relative speed, and the ultrasound sensor system and the microwave sensor system generate the at least one signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ultrasound sensor system detects the first object at a relative speed of up to 40 km/h, and the microwave sensor system detects the second object at a relative speed of up to 200 km/h.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the microwave sensor system emits microwaves at 77 Ghz.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the microwave sensor system emits microwaves at 77 GHz.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein as a function of a speed determination, the apparatus selects the apparatus selects the ultrasound sensor system or the microwave sensor system for detecting the first and second objects.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the microwave sensor system determines the speeds of the first and second objects.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the ultrasound sensor system determines the speeds of the first and second objects.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein as a function of a speed determination, the apparatus selects the apparatus selects the ultrasound sensor system or the microwave sensor system for detecting the first and second objects.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the microwave sensor system determines the speeds of the first and second objects.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the ultrasound sensor system determines the speeds of the first and second objects.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein as a function of a speed determination, the apparatus selects the apparatus selects the ultrasound sensor system or the microwave sensor system for detecting the first and second objects.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the microwave sensor system determines the speeds of the first and second objects.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the ultrasound sensor system determines the speeds of the first and second objects.