Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Siemens Aktiengesell Schaft

Claus Schmidt

Gerhard Mader

Marten Swart

Josef Dirmeyer

Stefan Hermann

Ludwig Riederer

The invention relates to the idea of not initially multiplying the output signal (a) of an acceleration sensor () with regard to a weighted sum (&#x3a3;) with a correction factor (k) but to alter a test signal (t) by using a weighting means () in such a manner that an already weighted output signal (a) can be generated so that during a test operation, the safing algorithm of an evaluating device can be directly fallen back upon, whereby this can be advantageously tested with regard to its ability to operate. The invention is particularly suited for occupant protection systems of a modern motor vehicle.

Control arrangement and method for testing the operation of a control arrangement of this type for occupant protection means in a motor vehicle

In a data communication system, data is transmitted from a control device to a communication interface and from there via a communication bus to additional communication interfaces of trigger devices. The communication interface on the control device side has inputs, to which signals from said control device and a disarming switch can be assigned. The disarming switch can be circumvented by a bypass switch which is controlled by the control device. The state of the signal at the inputs of the communication interface on the control device side is transmitted to coresponding outputs of the communication interfaces of the triggger devices. A trigger device has a safety unit which is used to test at least one trigger unit, when the state of the signal of the outputs authorizes such a test and the trigger voltage source is not yet charged wth the full trigger voltage. In said state, the safety unit also blocks triggering as soon as the trigger voltage has been reached. The inventive system ensures a high degree of functional safety and flexibility.

System for controlling the operation of modules using information transmitted from a control device via a data bus, a trigger device and a test circuit

The invention relates to a control circuit for at least one passenger protection system () in a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting a respective parameter of the motor vehicle, and an evaluation unit connected to the sensors at the input side and adapted to produce, in accordance with the measured parameters, a release signal (Enable) activating the passenger protection device in the case of an accident. The control circuit further comprises a check unit () connected to the sensors at the input side and adapted to check the mutual plausibility of the parameters measured by the sensors and to output a first disable signal (Error) for the passenger protection device in the case of an incorrect plausibility check. A logical circuit () is connected to the evaluation unit () and the check unit on the input side and to the passenger protection device on the output side and blocks activation of the passenger protection device when a first disable signal (Error) is received. At least one inducer element () is provided for simulating a malfunction of the sensors and/or of the check unit. Said inducer element simulates only a single sensor or only a part of the sensors, thereby simulating a malfunction of the remaining sensors.

Control circuit for a passenger protection device in a motor vehicle and corresponding method of operation

A control system for vehicle occupant protection device in a motor vehicle has a sensor device with an X-Y acceleration sensor and a further analog sensor. The acceleration signal of the analog sensor which is rotated in its sensitivity axis by preferably 45&deg; with respect to one of the sensitivity axes of the X-Y acceleration sensor is used here as a safing signal for checking the acceleration signals supplied by the X-Y acceleration sensor.

Control system for vehicle occupant protection device in a motor vehicle

A device for triggering an airbag device that is accommodated in a steering wheel is described. The device has a firing cap for an airbag device that is accommodated in a steering wheel and is fired by a light pulse that is supplied via an optical waveguide. A coupling device, which decouples the optical waveguide from the rotation of the steering wheel but ensures that the light pulse is transmitted into the firing cap from the optical waveguide and also ensures that the airbag is inflated by a gas generator, is provided between the optical waveguide and the airbag.

Device for triggering an airbag device which is accommodated in a steering wheel

A passenger protection device of an automobile is triggered when a testable acceleration switch supplies a switch signal and an electrically controlled switching device is actuated by a control circuit depending on a collision. Actuation of the switching device is prevented on a triggering circuit side by a blocking device so that the passenger protection device is not triggered as a result of faulty control switching during testing of the acceleration switch.

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Wuppertal, Germany

Claus Schmidt