Configuration for triggering restraining devices in a motor vehicle

• US 6,390,498 B1
• Filed: 02/16/1999
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Francis, Kenneth, Haertl, Alfons
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McClellan, James S.
• Application Number:
  US09/250,863
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 180/282, 340/429, 340/436
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01558 monitoring crash strength
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/18 in two or more dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/44 for measuring angular speed G01P3/56 takes precedence

Abstract

A configuration for triggering restraining devices in a motor vehicle. The configuration has a sensor device with two acceleration sensors with differently orientated sensitivity axes and with a rotational movement sensor for detecting rotational movements about the vertical axis of the vehicle. A triggering signal for at least one of the restraining devices is generated in a triggering circuit as a function of the acceleration signals and of the rotational movement signal.

Claims

1. A configuration for triggering restraining devices, comprising:

a sensor device having two acceleration sensors with differently orientated sensitivity axes and outputing acceleration signals, said sensor device also having a rotational movement sensor for detecting rotational movements about a vertical axis of a vehicle and outputing a rotational movement signal;

an evaluation circuit for receiving and evaluating said acceleration signals and said rotational movement signal generated by said sensor device and outputing an evaluation signal; and

a triggering circuit receiving said evaluation signal from said evaluation circuit for generating a triggering signal for a restraining device, said triggering signal generated in dependence on said acceleration signals and said rotational movement signal.

2. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said sensor device has a further rotational movement sensor for detecting rotational movements about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and outputs a further rotational movement signal, said triggering signal generated in dependence on said further rotational movement signal.

3. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said sensor device has an additional rotational movement sensor for detecting rotational movements about a transverse axis of the vehicle and outputs an additional rotational movement signal, and said triggering signal generated in dependence on said additional rotational movement signal.

4. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said restraining device is one of a plurality of restraining devices, and said triggering circuit selecting which of said plurality of restraining devices that are to be triggered in an event of an impact to the vehicle in dependence on said acceleration signals and said rotational movement signal.

5. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said restraining device is one of a plurality of restraining devices, at least one of said plurality of restraining devices has at least two stages that can be activated and have different protective effects for an occupant of the vehicle, and said triggering circuit selecting a suitable protection level of said plurality of restraining devices in dependence on said acceleration signals and said rotational movement signal.

6. The configuration according to claim 5, including a common control unit mounted in a central region of the vehicle and housing said sensor device, said evaluation circuit, and said triggering circuit.

7. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said restraining device has front airbags and side airbags.

8. The configuration according to claim 2, wherein said restraining device has a roll-over protection device.

9. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said restraining device is one of a plurality of restraining devices, and said triggering signal is generated for any one of the plurality of restraining devices in dependendce on said acceleration signals and said rotational movement signal.

10. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said triggering circuit determines and generates a timing signal for a triggering time in dependence on said acceleration signals and said rotational movement signal, said restraining device is one of a plurality of restraining devices that are triggered only if said timing signal for the triggering time and said triggering signal are simultaneously present at a respective restraining device.