Mercedes-benz Aktiengesellschaft

Daimler Chrysler Ag

Guido Wetzel

Manfred Muller

Wolfgang Henseler

Luigi Brambilla

Egon Katz

Michael Meyer

Manfred Mueller

Michael Bischoff

Harald Rudolf

Bernhard Holzapfel

Ulrich Tschaeschke

Ulrich Tschaschke

Peter Steiner

Wolfgang Hensler

A method and an apparatus determine the frequency or the period of the natural characteristic oscillation of a vehicle, and therefrom determine the mass of the vehicle and provide a warning if a dangerous oscillation condition exists which could lead to a tipping or rollover of the vehicle. The evaluation is carried out while the vehicle is driving. The apparatus includes a sensor such as a rotation rate sensor, a timer, an evaluating unit, and a warning unit. The method involves measuring the time interval between two characteristic features of the oscillation measured by the sensor, such as zero crossings, minimum points or maximum points of the angular velocity of the oscillation, and then calculating the period and/or the frequency of the oscillation from the measured time interval. Then the moment of inertia and/or the mass of the vehicle can be determined from the period or frequency. Also, if the period or frequency is out of a safe range, a warning is triggered to indicate to the driver of the vehicle that a rollover danger exists.

Method and apparatus for determining oscillation values and other

The invention relates to a collision-protection system for passengers of motor vehicles. In a manner which is known in principle, an airbag is automatically inflated in the event of an accident. In order to control the direction and speed of expansion, the airbag is wholly or partially encased by a tough, plastically deformable film, which is overstretched and torn open as the airbag is inflated.

Collision-protection system having an airbag

A method and system for releasing an airbag in a motor vehicle utilizes an acceleration signal which is measured and processed for the formation of a release criterion. An impact causes an initial increase in the release readiness, which is cancelled after a short period of time if no release has taken place up to that time. In particular in the case of impact processes with moderate acceleration values, such as for example in an offset pole crash, there is the risk that the airbag is released so late that an occupant who has already been substantially displaced forwards towards the steering wheel is additionally endangered by the explosive opening of the airbag. The cancellation of the increased release readiness is controlled by a state variable which corresponds to the forward displacement of an occupant and is obtained by double integration from the acceleration signal with respect to time. The cancellation takes place when the forward displacement exceeds a critical value.

Method for releasing an airbag in a motor vehicle

A deformation sensor for a safety device for the protection of vehicle occupants against a side-on collision is disclosed. The deformation sensor is composed of two pressure-sensitive signal elements arranged in parallel and one behind the other, so that the deformation speed can be concluded from the time sequence of the sensor signals. The signal elements ace integrated into a protective strip of the vehicle mounted on the outside of the shell. This ensures a rapid response in the event of a collision, and moreover the assembly of the deformation sensor becomes much easier. The signal elements take the form of FSR foil pressure sensors (Force Sensing Resistor).

Deformation sensor for a safety device for the protection of vehicle

A tripping device for a safety device, such as a lateral air bag for protecting vehicle occupants in the event of a side crash evaluates for the purpose of reliable tripping of the safety device in the event of a dangerous side crash and effectively avoiding spurious tripping, the signals of a deformation sensor arranged in the lateral region of the vehicle, and a transverse acceleration sensor arranged on the vehicle longitudinal axis. In the event of the presence of a deformation signal, an acceleration evaluator is started and the tripping sensitivity is increased. The deformation rate is determinable from the signal of the deformation sensor, and an increase in the tripping sensitivity is stronger in the event of a crash when the deformation rate is higher.

Tripping device for a safety device for protecting vehicle occupants

A triggering mechanism for a side airbag has a deformation sensor for determining a rate of deformation. The deformation sensor is made up of a total of two pressure-sensitive sensor elements, which are attached on a firm carrier plate parallel to the outer skin inside the vehicle. Spacer elements support the carrier plate against a structural element running parallel to the outer skin. The pressure-sensitive surface of a first sensor element in this case faces the outer skin and the pressure-sensitive surface of a second sensor element faces the structural element. The spacer elements are designed, for example, using predetermined buckling points, clip elements, etc., in such a manner that they withstand a pressure on the support plate only up to a threshold and, if the threshold is exceeded, yield abruptly. This is so that, in the event of a deformation-induced force effect, the sensor elements respond one after the other. An evaluation circuit checks the time interval between the two sensor signals and, below a critical time, sends a triggering signal to the side airbag.

Triggering mechanism for a safety device in a vehicle, particularly for

The invention relates to a restraining system for occupants of a motor vehicle. The occupant is safeguarded by a safety belt and an airbag. So that the inflation pressure of the airbag can be controlled according to whether the occupant is strapped in or not, the gas generator of the airbag possesses a heater which switches on when the belt is not fastened and which is intended for increasing the inflation pressure which can be generated.

Restraining system for occupants of a motor vehicle

The invention relates to an occupant restraint system having an air bag which is automatically inflated by means of a gas generator in the event of an accident and, during this process, emerges from a housing or the like whilst opening a padded flap which normally closes the housing or the like. In this case, an intended tearing point arranged at the edge of the flap remote from the pivot axis is undone, which intended tearing point is shielded by a thick pad swelling from contact by the occupant to be protected.

Occupant restraint system having an airbag

A receptacle arrangement for an air bag which protects a vehicle occupant from an impact onto parts of the vehicle interior, has a covering which is fixed to a base plate and covers an air bag container. The covering folds out along a hinge axis of a hinge in the edge region of the air bag container during the unfolding of the air bag, after which it exposes a container aperture for the passage of the bag fabric into an inflated position in front of the vehicle occupant. The covering has, in addition to the first hinge, two further hinges which bound the first hinge on both sides, are approximately perpendicular thereto and have a clearance from the lateral edges of the covering. Thereby, two lateral covering flaps are formed which subdivide the swivellable covering.

Receptacle arrangement for an air bag

A restraining system for knee protection in a motor vehicle having a safety belt system includes an element which deforms plastically upon impact of a vehicle occupant's knees. The element can be transferred by means of a servo drive from a comfortable remote-from-the-knee position into a securable, restraining close-to-the-knee position. The restraining system permits the largest degree of freedom of movement for the vehicle occupant given specific peripheral conditions or prevents the vehicle occupants slipping away towards the foot space of the vehicle. The signal for transferring the knee protection into its close-to-the-knee position in the driving mode occurs by a device triggered in the event of the non-use of a three-point safety belt system.

Motor vehicle knee protection device

An impact protection device for an occupant of a motor vehicle having an air bag. The air bag is arranged folded up in a receptacle fixed to the vehicle and can be inflated by a filler gas. An air bag surface facing a vehicle occupant being limited in its movement towards the vehicle occupant in the center region by a restraining device. The restraining device is formed by a cover plate over the receptacle which is connected to the vehicle by short limiting straps, so that on unfolding the air bag extends around the periphery and in the direction of the vehicle occupant in front of the cover plate.

Growing community of inventors

Boblingen, Germany

Guido Wetzel