Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Christian Zelger

Marten Swart

Horst Belau

Reinhard Hamperl

Arnulf Pietsch

Thomas Blank

Ekkehart-Peter Wagner

Peter Popp

G&uuml;nter Heitzer

Erwin Hetzenecker

Kevin Hovet

The invention relates to a method and a device for triggering at least on firing element for restraining means in a motor vehicle. In said method and device a firing command is transmitted from a control unit to a firing device for the firing elements. The firing command is subsequently repeatedly n-fold, whereby n is at least equal to 1. The n&plus;1 transmitted firing commmands are evaluated in the firing device and once the last of the n&plus;1 firing commands has been transmitted, the firing elements are triggered.

Method and device for firing at least one firing element for a restraining device of a vehicle

According to the invention, impact sensors are repeatedly interrogated during a polling mode and have to actively reply by emitting current pulses. If a sensor does not reply it is selectively addressed and can at that point signal a desired message. The master unit has full communications control over the bus so that data collisions can be avoided and very rapid transmission of the sensor signal is achieved. The master unit can change the communication priorities at any time.

Data transmission method and system in a motor vehicle occupant protection system

To improve the protection against short circuits, a method for transmitting data and a data transmission system including switching over the line polarity of a two-wire bus, after a line short circuit has been detected, such that data transmission can still be continued. In addition, a line potential check is performed and, in dependence thereon, a decision is made as to whether or not an overloaded driver remains permanently switched off.

Data transmission system, particularly in a motor vehicle, and data transmission method

A firing device is described and has an electronic unit which is connected upstream of a firing cap and generates a constant firing voltage. A bypass line is provided for bypassing the electronic unit. A test switching device can be actuated by a test signal and, when a test signal is present, connects a line, which conducts a supply voltage, to the bypass line. In this way, a Brouston test can be carried out.

Firing device for a pyrotechnic vehicle-occupant protection device

A reset circuit for deactivating a circuit configuration, which is fed by a supply voltage, in the case of an undervoltage supply. In this case, active components (FIG. ); or (FIG. ) are provided and their forward paths are connected in series between the supply voltage Uv and ground reference potential. The active components are fed directly or indirectly by a current mirror circuit from a respective current source A reset signal Ureset (active&equals;low signal) being present at the junction point of the active components, where the junction point is connected to ground reference potential via a resistor Rdown.

Reset circuit

A circuit apparatus for controlling an occupant protection device for a motor vehicle has a parallel circuit, which includes an energy storage capacitor and a series circuit. The series circuit includes a triggering element and a controllable power stage. An energy source supplies a test current to the parallel circuit. When the energy storage capacitor is at least substantially discharged and when the power stage is switched to a conducting state for test purposes, a test voltage from the series circuit is taken up and evaluated. A method of testing an operability of an occupant protection device for a motor vehicle is also provided.

Configuration and method for testing a circuit apparatus provided for controlling an occupant protection device of a motor vehicle

An antenna configuration in an apparatus for detecting a child safety seat placed on a seat in a motor vehicle. A single transmitting antenna formed as a loop surrounds two loop-shaped receiving antennas. The receiving antennas receive electromagnetic measurement fields originating from an electromagnetic exciter field transmitted by the transmitting antenna.

Antenna configuration of an apparatus for detecting a child safety seat placed on a seat of a motor vehicle

A method of controlling inflation of an airbag in a motor-vehicle accident protection device, includes activating a gas generator in response to a firing signal for inflating the airbag. A temperature and/or a pressure of the gas generator is measured and the inflation takes place in such a way that a desired pressure profile in the airbag is achieved.

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Wuppertal, Germany

Christian Zelger