Messerschmitt-bolkow-blohm Gmbh

Temic Telefunken Microelectronic Gmbh

Messerschmitt-bolkow-blohm Gesellschaft MIT Beschrankter Haftung

Alfons Wohrl

Johann Spies

Hans Spies

Richard Baur

Peter Hora

Gunter Fendt

Helmut Steurer

Johannes Drexler

Heinz Bader

Andreas Bernitt

Hermann Kublbeck

Roland Schmidt

Christian Held

A process and a mechanism for the direction-selective triggering of a passive safety device in a vehicle, with at least two acceleration transducers, where the acceleration transducers have directional sensitive axes and these have actual instantaneous orientations and are aligned in different, preferably specified reference orientations and there is an angle tolerance between the reference and the instantaneous orientations of the sensitive axes. An evaluation device is provided to correct the angle tolerance, comprising an electronic circuit which converts the signals (am 1, am 2, . . . am n) coming from the acceleration transducers to corrected output signals (a(I), a(II), . . . a(n)), which are linear combinations of the incoming signals with adjustable factors c.sub.ij : ##EQU1## This can lessen the expense of production compared to familiar mechanisms, without simultaneously reducing the measuring accuracy of the mechanism. In particular, if acceleration transducers with considerably higher angle tolerances are used, it is possible to achieve a higher level of measuring accuracy and sensitivity can be equalized and angle tolerance offset simultaneously in a single, inexpensive operation.

Process for direction-selective orientation of a passive safety device

A method and apparatus for recognizing a crash, in a vehicle by measuring vehicle speed change continuously within a limited time periods and comparing the measured values with those determined in prior time periods. Acceleration can be differentiated out by means of the above-mentioned process/arrangement and can be evaluated if, in the case of a high-speed and low-speed crash, it should not be possible to differentiate sufficiently by means of the partial speed difference. Different partial speed differences (by means of observation periods of different durations) can be measured and compared in order to permit ignition in the case of slower (oblique) crashes only within a limited time window in the initial phase of the crash.

Process and apparatus for detecting vehicle impact

A device for detonating a rolling mine upon impact or collision with a target by a linkage of sensors which detect physical criteria independent of each other in a sequence predetermined in time, a signal processor connected thereto delivering a firing signal for detonating the mine at the proper time.

Apparatus for detonating a mine having a housing realized as a sphere or

A circuit monitors the operational readiness of the trigger arrangement in a safety device that protects passengers in a vehicle, for example, the ignitors which inflate the air bags of a vehicle in response to an actual or impending collision. The triggers are parts of two series connected safety circuits which include a filter-controlled thyristor and a Zener diode having a grounded anode. A supplemental safety circuit connected to a tap between the safety circuits uses two comparators to compare the tap voltage with the upper and lower limit signals. When the limit signals are exceeded the safety circuit is disconnected from the system's collision detector.

Circuit arrangement for monitoring readiness for operation of actuating

A sensor system for the release of passive safety systems such as air cusns, belt tighteners or similar arrangements during car collisions is disclosed. The sensor system is designed to release the passive safety systems only within predetermined limits. The sensor system will prevent release of the safety systems during improper voltage conditions. Asymmetrical limitation of the acceleration-responsive electrical signal is provided. The provision of delay elements and a circuit for avoiding release of the passive systems during ordinary acceleration conditions insure the use of the safety systems only during collision situations.

Sensor system for releasing passive safety apparatus in car crashes

An acceleration sensing and safety-device actuating system, for actuating a safety device, such as a crash-sensitive automobile air bag detonator. A differential amplifier forms part of an operational integrator responsive to an acceleration sensor and a reference potential. A threshold device, responsive to proper operation of the reference potential, triggers an output stage to set off the safety device when the differential amplifier output indicates a given deceleration. An isolating circuit isolates the output stage for a given time after starting the automobile. A control switch shorts the operating voltage in response to low operating potential or an inoperative safety circuit, and turns on a warning indicator.

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Schrobenhausen, Germany

Alfons Wohrl