System for tripping a restraint device in a vehicle

• US 5,718,452 A
• Filed: 07/29/1996
• Issued: 02/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Vogt, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US08/681,818
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01075 between the airbag control unit and pyrotechnic fuses or equivalent actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/017 including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 15/24 wherein the safety or arming action is effected by inertia means F42C15/196, F42C15/20 take precedence

Abstract

A system for tripping a restraint device includes a trip circuit disposed centrally in a vehicle and an ignition device disposed noncentrally. The ignition device communicates with the trip circuit over a data line. A protection device is disposed in the ignition device. The protection device is preferably constructed as a mechanical switch which is dependent on acceleration. The likelihood that interference variables will simultaneously affect both the trip circuit and the protection device is reduced because of the spatial separation of the protection device and the trip circuit.

Claims

1. A system for tripping a restraint device in a vehicle, comprising:

a sensor device supplying signals;

a trip circuit for receiving and evaluating the signals supplied by said sensor device;

a data line connected to said trip circuit; and

an ignition device being spatially separated from said trip circuit in a vehicle, said ignition device being connected to said data line for communicating with said trip circuit through said data line, and said ignition device having an energy supply, a controllable ignition stage and a protection device acting as a function of acceleration for blocking or enabling said ignition stage.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said protection device has an acceleration sensor for blocking or enabling said ignition stage as a function of an acceleration ascertained by said acceleration sensor.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said protection device is a mechanical switch acting as a function of acceleration.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said protection device is a micromechanical switch acting as a function of acceleration.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said protection device has an analog sensor acting as a function of acceleration, and said protection device has an evaluation circuit.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said protection device has an analog micromechanical sensor acting as a function of acceleration, and said protection device has an evaluation circuit.

7. The system according to claim 4, including an integrated circuit including said ignition device and said protection device.

8. The system according to claim 6, including an integrated circuit including said ignition device and said protection device.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said ignition device includes a diagnostic device.

10. The system according to claim 1, including an ignition element of a restraint device, said ignition device being disposed near said ignition element.

11. The system according to claim 1, including an ignition primer plug of a restraint device, said ignition device being disposed in said ignition primer plug.

12. The system according to claim 1, including an ignition primer housing of a restraint device, said ignition device being disposed in said ignition primer housing.