Device and method for testing the activation behavior of restraining means in a motor vehicle

• US 6,789,408 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2002
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Schweizer, Martin, Weissflog, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCALL, ERIC SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/169,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20030089156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 73/120.1, 738/653, 738/656, 180/271, 180/282, 280/727, 280/728.1, 280/734, 280/735, 701/45
• US Class Current: 73/12.01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01286 Electronic control units
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0256 injecting test signals and analyzing monitored process response, e.g. injecting the test signal while interrupting the normal operation of the monitored system; superimposing the test signal onto a control signal during normal operation of the monitored system

Abstract

A device and a method, which, upon triggering of the restraint devices via a control device, allow a systematic testing of the triggering characteristics of restraint devices in a motor vehicle under conditions as realistic as possible. For that purpose, the device includes an ambiency simulator, connectable to the control device, for stipulating defined peripheral states, an acceleration device for accelerating the control device, a detector for recording the triggering characteristics of the restraint devices in response to acceleration of the control device, and an evaluator for evaluating the recorded triggering characteristics. In accordance with the method, the control device is programmed for a particular constellation of restraint devices. A defined peripheral state is predefined for the control device thus programmed with the aid of an ambiency simulator. The control device is then accelerated, in this manner provoking a triggering of the restraint devices. Concurrently, the triggering characteristics of the restraint devices, given the current peripheral state, are recorded and evaluated.

Claims

1. A device for testing triggering characteristics of restraint devices in a motor vehicle, the restraint devices being triggered via a control device, the device comprising:

an ambiency simulator, adapted to connect to the control device, for inputting defined peripheral states;

an acceleration device for accelerating the control device;

a detection device for recording the triggering characteristics of the restraint devices in response to an acceleration of the control device; and

an evaluation device for evaluating the recorded triggering characteristics.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a control-PC connected to the control device for programming of the control device, for stipulating a particular constellation of the restraint devices.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the control-PC is connected to the control device via a diagnostic cable.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the control-PC is connected to the ambiency simulator for stipulating defined peripheral states.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the control-PC evaluates the recorded triggering characteristics.

6. A method for testing triggering characteristics of restraint devices in a motor vehicle, the restraint devices being triggered via a control device, the method comprising:

programming the control device for a particular constellation of restraint devices;

predefining a peripheral state to the control device with the aid of an ambiency simulator;

accelerating the control device so that a triggering of the restraint devices is provoked; and

recording and evaluating the triggering characteristics of the restraint devices, given the present peripheral state.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein a control-PC is connected to the control device for programming the control device to stipulate a particular constellation of the restraint devices.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the control-PC is connected to the control device via a diagnostic cable.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the control-PC is connected to the ambiency simulator for stipulating defined peripheral states.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the control-PC evaluates the recorded triggering characteristics.