Acceleration Sensor In A Control Unit

• US 20080065295A1
• Filed: 09/09/2005
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Plesse, Cord, Heilmann, Gernod
• Application Number:
  US11/791,589
• Publication Number:
  US 20080065295A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01027 Safing sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01068 between different sensors and airbag control unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0119 Plausibility check
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 21/00 Testing or calibrating of apparatus or devices covered by the preceding groups

Abstract

An acceleration sensor in a control unit for activating occupant protection devices contains a logic component for transferring a signal characterizing an acceleration to a processor in the control unit. This logic component is used for checking the signal of the acceleration sensor, the output stages being enabled as a function of the check.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. An acceleration sensor in a control unit for activating at least one occupant protection device comprising:

a logic component for transferring a signal characterizing an acceleration to a processor in the control unit, the logic component being configured for checking the signal, the logic component being connected to output stages in such a way that the output stages are enabled as a function of the check.

12. The acceleration sensor according to claim 11, wherein the logic component checks the signal for validity using at least one fixed threshold value.

13. The acceleration sensor according to claim 11, wherein the logic component is connected to at least one positive output stage via a first line and to at least one negative output stage via a second line for an independent enabling of the output stages.

14. The acceleration sensor according to claim 11, wherein the logic component is configured in such a way that the logic component enables the output stages for a predetermined time as a function of the check.

15. The acceleration sensor according to claim 11, wherein the acceleration sensor is configured in such a way that the acceleration sensor enables the output stages as a function of a self-test.

16. The acceleration sensor according to claim 11, wherein the logic component is additionally configured for testing the processor.

17. The acceleration sensor according to claim 16, wherein the logic component includes at least two watchdogs for the testing.

18. The acceleration sensor according to claim 17, wherein the at least two watchdogs include a first watchdog for testing a real-time level of an operating system of the processor and a second watchdog for testing a background level.

19. The acceleration sensor according to claim 18, wherein the first and second watchdogs each have a timer.

20. The acceleration sensor according to claim 11, further comprising a housing, the logic component being situated in the housing.