Method for triggering a two-stage belt tensioner

• US 7,416,042 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2003
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Aust, Sabine, Czaykowska, Anja
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Application Number:
  US10/520,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20060108787A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,939 Days
• Field of Search: 280/801.1, 280/805, 280/806, 280/807, 180/268, 180/274, 180/281, 180/282, 701/45
• US Class Current: 180/268
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0051 Knees
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0133 by integrating the amplitude of the input signal
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01558 monitoring crash strength
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/195 with means to tension the belt in an emergency, e.g. means of the through-anchor or splitted reel typeelectrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/46 Reels with means to tension the belt in an emergency by forced winding upelectrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01 ; tensioners using reels only guiding the belt during normal use, e.g. splitted reels B60R22/195

Abstract

A method for triggering a two-stage belt tensioner is provided, in which the second stage of the belt tensioner is triggered as a function of a crash severity and a sitting position. The crash severity is determined by a signal derived from an acceleration and determined during a collision, and the sitting position brings an influence to bear on the evaluation of this signal.

Claims

1. A method for triggering a two-stage belt tensioner, comprising:

triggering a first stage of the belt tensioner before a first airbag stage; and

triggering a second stage of the belt tensioner as a function of a crash severity and a sitting position, the crash severity being determined by at least one signal derived from an acceleration ascertained during a collision, and the sitting position influencing an evaluation of the at least one signal.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein, if the crash severity indicates a hard crash, the second stage is triggered after a specified time following the triggering of the first stage.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein, if the crash severity indicates a soft crash, the second stage is triggered as a function of a signal pattern of the at least one signal.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second stage is triggered with a second airbag stage.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

triggering a knee airbag simultaneously with the second stage of the belt tensioner.

6. A triggering device comprising:

a control unit configured to trigger a first stage of a two-stage belt tensioner before a first airbag stage, the device further configured to trigger a second stage of the belt tensioner as a function of a crash severity and a sitting position, the crash severity being determined by at least one signal derived from an acceleration ascertained during a collision and the sitting position influencing an evaluation of the at least one signal.

7. The triggering device as recited in claim 6, further comprising:

an external crash sensor to determine the acceleration.