Circuit configuration consisting of a deployment element for a belt-tensioner and a belt operation sensor

• US 6,614,129 B1
• Filed: 07/03/2001
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Mattes, Bernhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Polk, Sharon A.
• Application Number:
  US09/807,168
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 280/735, 280/801.1, 280/806
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01272 Belt tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 using belt buckle sensors
• 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: B60R 21/0173 Diagnostic or recording means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/33 Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/343 with electrically actuated locking means B60R22/3405 takes precedence

Abstract

A firing element and a belt operating sensor are connected via a common wiring pair to a control unit. The belt operating sensor is either a mechanical switch, which is activated in response to the snapping of a belt tongue into the buckle, or it is composed of an electrically controllable switch, which is controlled by a magnetic-field-sensitive element, which reacts to a magnetic field that is influenced by a belt tongue that is inserted into the buckle. Only via a wiring pair can the control unit both diagnose the firing element as well as determine the operating state of the belt.

Claims

1. A circuit arrangement, comprising:

a firing element for a belt tightener;

a belt operating sensor;

a control unit for diagnosing the firing element and for evaluating the belt operating sensor;

a common wiring pair, including a first line and a second line, via which the control unit is connected to the firing element and the belt operating sensor;

a high-resistance resistor; and

a low-resistance resistor, wherein;

the high-resistance resistor, the firing element, and the belt operating sensor are connected in parallel to form a parallel circuit,

the parallel circuit is connected in series to the low-resistance resistor to form a series circuit, and

the series circuit is connected to the first line and the second line.

2. The circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein:

the belt operating sensor includes a switch arranged in a buckle,

the switch is open when a belt tongue is snapped in the buckle, and

the switch is closed when the belt tongue is not snapped in the buckle.

3. A circuit arrangement, comprising:

a firing element for a belt tightener;

a belt operating sensor;

a control unit for diagnosing the firing element and for evaluating the belt operating sensor;

a common wiring pair, including a first line and a second line, via which the control unit is connected to the firing element and the belt operating sensor;

a high-resistance resistor connected in parallel to the firing element to form a parallel circuit;

a controllable switch connected in series to the parallel circuit to form a series circuit, wherein;

the series circuit is connected to the first line and the second line; and

a magnetic-field-sensitive element for generating a control voltage for the controllable switch, wherein;

the control voltage is a function of a magnetic field that is influenced by a belt tongue inserted into a buckle.

4. The circuit arrangement according to claim 3, wherein:

the magnetic-field-sensitive element includes a Hall element.

5. The circuit arrangement according to claim 3, further comprising:

a capacitor arranged between the first line and the second line and connected in series to the parallel circuit, wherein;

the capacitor receives from the control unit a charging current,

the capacitor charges and discharges cyclically, and

a discharge current of the capacitor flows through the magnetic-field-sensitive element so that, in a phase, the magnetic-field-sensitive element generates the control voltage with a magnitude capable of closing the controllable switch, and that, during a charging operation following a discharge of the capacitor, the controllable switch remains open due to an insufficient magnitude for the control voltage from the magnetic-field-sensitive element.

6. The circuit arrangement according to claim 5, wherein:

the control unit detects a belt operation from a first pulse duty factor of opening and closing the controllable switch, and

the first pulse duty factor, when the belt tongue is snapped in the buckle, is distinguished from another pulse duty factor when the belt tongue is not snapped in the buckle.

7. The circuit arrangement according to claim 5, wherein:

the control unit detects a belt operation from a current on the first line and the second line,

the current on the first line and the second line is stronger when the belt tongue is snapped in the buckle than when the belt tongue is not snapped in the buckle, and

the control unit measures the current on the first line and the second line during an open phase of the controllable switch.

8. The circuit arrangement according to claim 5, wherein:

the control unit performs a diagnosis of the firing element during a closed phase of the controllable switch.