Electronic device and method for actuating a passenger-protection system
First Claim
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1. An electronic device for actuating a passenger-protection system, comprising:
- at least one acceleration sensor generating a sensor signal;
a control unit for analyzing the sensor signal;
at least one squib coupled to the control unit and being traversed by a current;
at least one restraining device being selectively actuated by the control unit using the at least one squib;
a current detecting arrangement detecting a value of the current flowing through the at least one squib and comparing the value of the current to at least one predetermined threshold value; and
a current control arrangement coupled to the current detecting arrangement controlling a clock pulse duty factor of the current flowing through the at least one squib.
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Abstract
An electronic device includes a sensor which detects acceleration values, and a control unit linked to the sensor. The control unit drives switching elements, which are disposed in a series circuit including at least one squib. When the switching elements are driven, the squib receives a current. This current flows at the same time through the also series-connected resistor, across which a voltage drop arises, which is analyzed by a comparator. The pulse duty factor of the current driving is modified as a function of the amperage of the current flowing through the squib.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electronic device for actuating a passenger-protection system, comprising:
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at least one acceleration sensor generating a sensor signal; a control unit for analyzing the sensor signal; at least one squib coupled to the control unit and being traversed by a current; at least one restraining device being selectively actuated by the control unit using the at least one squib; a current detecting arrangement detecting a value of the current flowing through the at least one squib and comparing the value of the current to at least one predetermined threshold value; and a current control arrangement coupled to the current detecting arrangement controlling a clock pulse duty factor of the current flowing through the at least one squib. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for operating an electronic device for actuating a passenger-protection system, the passenger-protection system including at least one restraining device actuated using at least one squib, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a current flowing through the at least one squib; measuring a value of the current after a predetermined time period; comparing the measured value of the current to a predetermined threshold value; and if the value of the current deviates from the predetermined threshold value, modifying a clock pulse duty factor of the current. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electronic device for actuating a passenger-protection system, comprising:
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at least one acceleration sensor generating a sensor signal; a control unit for analyzing the sensor signal; a clock-pulse generator generating clock pulses; at least one squib coupled to the control unit and being traversed by a current having a pulse duty factor, pulses of the current flowing through the at least one squib being applied to the at least one squib as a function of the clock pulses; at least one restraining device being selectively actuated by the control unit using the at least one squib as a function of the analysis of the sensor signal; a current detecting arrangement detecting a value of the current flowing through the at least one squib and comparing the value of the current to at least one predetermined threshold value; and a current control arrangement coupled to the current detecting arrangement controlling the pulse duty factor of the pulses of the current flowing through the at least one squib as a function of the detected value of the current flowing through the at least one squib. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for operating an electronic device for actuating a passenger-protection system, the passenger-protection system including at least one restraining device actuated using at least one squib, comprising the steps of:
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generating clock pulses; applying a current to the at least one squib, the current having pulses and a pulse duty factor, the pulses of the current being applied to at least one squib as a function of the clock pulses; measuring a value of the current after a predetermined time period; comparing the measured value of the current to a predetermined threshold value; and if the value of the current deviates from the predetermined threshold value, modifying a pulse duty factor of the current.
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Specification