Configuration for controlling a restraining device, in particular for a motor vehicle

• US 5,977,653 A
• Filed: 09/08/1998
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Baumgartner, Walter, Hermann, Stefan, Schmid, Gerhard, Koppl, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US09/149,854
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1-10.8, 307/9.1, 307/12.1, 180/274, 180/282, 280/728 R, 280/734, 280/739, 340/436, 701/36, 701/45, 701/46, 701/47
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• 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 2021/0104 Communication circuits for data transmission
• 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

Abstract

A configuration for controlling a restraining device has a first control unit which controls two electrically controllable power switches of a firing circuit connected to the restraining device as a function of acceleration. A third electrically controllable power switch is provided in the firing circuit and is controlled by a second control unit as a function of the acceleration.

Claims

1. A configuration for controlling a restraining device, comprising:

an acceleration sensor for sensing acceleration and generating an acceleration signal;

a first control unit receiving and processing said acceleration signal or a signal dependent on said acceleration signal;

an energy source;

a firing circuit connected to said energy source, said firing circuit including;

a common carrier;

a first electrically controllable power switch disposed on said common carrier;

a firing element associated with a restraining device and disposed in series with said first electrically controllable power switch;

a second electrically controllable power switch disposed on said common carrier and in series with said firing element, said first control unit controlling both said first electrically controllable power switch and said second electrically controllable power switch; and

a third electrically controllable power switch disposed apart from said common carrier and connected in series with said second electrically controllable power switch;

a second control unit controlling said third electrically controllable power switch in dependence on the acceleration; and

said energy source energizing said firing element if said first, second and third electrically controllable power switches are switched on.

2. The configuration according to claim 1, including an integrated circuit containing said first electrically controllable power switch and said second electrically controllable power switch.

3. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said second control unit is embodied as a circuit configuration separated from said first control unit.

4. The configuration according to claim 3, including a further integrated circuit containing said second control unit and said third electrically controllable power switch.

5. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said second control unit receives and processes said acceleration signal or said signal dependent on said acceleration signal.

6. The configuration according to claim 1, including a further acceleration sensor sensing acceleration and generating a further acceleration signal, said second control unit receiving and processing said further acceleration signal or a signal dependent on said further acceleration signal.

7. The configuration according to claim 1, including a central configuration, an impact detection configuration, a third control device and a transmission line, said central configuration disposed spatially separated from said impact detection configuration and connected to one another via said transmission line for transmitting coded data, said first control unit and said second control unit are part of said central configuration, said third control unit receiving and processing said acceleration signal, and said acceleration sensor and said third control unit are part of said impact detection configuration.

8. The configuration according to claim 7, including a further acceleration sensor sensing acceleration and generating a further acceleration signal, said second control unit receiving and processing said further acceleration signal or a signal dependent on said further acceleration signal, and said further acceleration sensor is part of said central configuration.

9. The configuration according to claim 7, including a further acceleration sensor sensing acceleration and generating a further acceleration signal, said second control unit receiving and processing said further acceleration signal or a signal dependent on said further acceleration signal, and said further acceleration sensor is part of said impact detection configuration.

10. The configuration according to claim 8, wherein said impact detection configuration outputs a signal received by said first control unit of said central configuration via said transmission line, and said first control unit evaluating said signal.

11. The configuration according to claim 9, wherein said impact detection configuration outputs a signal received by said first control unit and said second control unit of said central configuration via said transmission line, and said first control unit and said second control unit evaluating said signal.

12. The configuration according to claim 9, wherein said impact detection configuration has a fourth control unit, said third control unit receiving and processing said acceleration signal, said fourth control unit receiving and processing said further acceleration signal, and said third control unit and said fourth control unit having circuit configurations spatially separated from one another.

13. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said acceleration sensor senses a transversal acceleration of a vehicle.

14. The configuration according to claim 7, wherein said acceleration sensor senses a transversal acceleration of a vehicle, said impact detection configuration is disposed laterally in the vehicle, and said central configuration is disposed centrally in the vehicle.

15. The configuration according to claim 1, including a high-impedance resistor, and said first control unit is connected to said third electrically controllable power switch via said high-impedance resistor.

16. A configuration for controlling a restraining device in a motor vehicle, comprising:

an acceleration sensor for sensing acceleration and generating an acceleration signal;

a first control unit receiving and processing said acceleration signal or a signal dependent on said acceleration signal;

an energy source;

a firing circuit connected to said energy source, said firing circuit including;

a common carrier;

a first electrically controllable power switch disposed on said common carrier;

a firing element associated with a restraining device and disposed in series with said first electrically controllable power switch;

a second electrically controllable power switch disposed on said common carrier and in series with said firing element, said first control unit controlling both said first electrically controllable power switch and said second electrically controllable power switch; and

a third electrically controllable power switch disposed apart from said common carrier and connected in series with said second electrically controllable power switch;

a second control unit controlling said third electrically controllable power switch in dependence on the acceleration; and

said energy source energizing said firing element if said first, second and third electrically controllable power switches are switched on.