Temic Telefunken Microelectronic Gmbh

Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Gmbh

Other

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

Continental Teves, Ag and Company Ohg

Thomas & Betts Corporation

Conti Temic Microelectronic Gmbh

Ic-Haus Gmbh

Gunter Fendt

Peter Hora

Hans Spies

Richard Baur

Guido Wetzel

Norbert Muller

Michael Bischoff

Helmut Steurer

Derrick Zechmair

Wolfgang Fey

Horst Laucht

Gerhard Wagner

Manfred Herz

Willibald Watzka

Lothar Weichenberger

Alfons Wohrl

Helmut Rauh

Jurgen Roder

Erwin Caflisch

Engelbert W&ouml;rle

Tanja Schmidt

Engelbert Worle

Klaus Wierzioch

Kenneth Francis

Derrik Zechmair

Gerhard Kordel

Johannes Drexler

Heinz Bader

Anton Bretfeld

Andreas Bernitt

Stefan Schwehr

A signal preprocessing device is disclosed, which is integrated into a structure-borne sound sensor or into an acceleration sensor for sensing structure-borne sound, or which is connected at the input end to at least one sensor of this type and is connected at the output end to at least one signal channel that is connected to at least one central electronic control unit, and wherein the signal preprocessing device has at least one filter module having at least two bandpass filters. A method for preprocessing structure-borne sound sensor signals is also disclosed, in which a filtering operation is carried out in which at least two frequency bands, which are at least to a certain extent part of the structure-borne sound spectrum, are transmitted. Use of the above device in electronic motor vehicle security systems, in particular safety systems, in particular in vehicle occupant protection systems and/or passenger protection systems is also disclosed.

Signal preprocessing device comprising band-pass filters for structure-borne noise sensors

The invention relates to an ignition unit ( ) suitable for triggering an active system, such as an airbag or safety belt. The ignition unit comprises an ignition charge ( ) located in a housing ( ), which can be fired by means of an ignition bridge ( ) positioned on a support element ( ), as well as at least one contact pin ( ) which protrudes from the housing ( ) and via an electronic ignition system ( ) is electrically connected to the ignition bridge ( ). The electronic ignition system ( ) is surrounded by an envelope ( ) made of a shock-absorbing material. The ignition bridge ( ) is not covered by the envelope ( ) so that during ignition the pressure exerted on the electronic ignition system ( ) is cushioned. This prevents damage to the sensitive electronic components of the electronic ignition system ( ) situated on the support element ( ).

Externally controlled ignition unit with integrated electronic system for triggering a restraint system

The invention relates to a housing for an electric or an electronic component, in particular a motor vehicle control unit, for which the housing parts or housing connections are designed such that the electric or electronic components are sealed watertight and airtight. Such housings, which are composed if only in part of a thermoplastic synthetic material, are provided with a pressure compensation feature. As a result, the pressure inside the housing is constantly adapted to the outside pressure. With this type of pressure adaptation, it is not possible for gases, particularly water vapor, to permeate the synthetic housing under pressure and reach the electric or electronic components. As a result, damage caused by humidity is greatly reduced and the service life is increased.

Housing

The invention describes a circuit layout for generating a supply DC voltage in a dependent relationship to a non-constant input DC voltage in three voltage intervals, with the supply voltage being maintained at a constant nominal value in the intermediate voltage interval, and with the supply voltage being reduced by constant differential values in the other two voltage intervals in order to allow emergency functions to the maintained; implementation is effected by means of a diode arrangement for the first differential value, by means of a first Zener diode arrangement for maintaining the constant value, and by means of a second Zener diode arrangement for bridging the diode arrangement. In addition, a process will be described for generating an output voltage with superimposed current pulses for a signal generator unit which process will feed in such a supply voltage via a control circuit. The circuit layout according to this invention is particularly suitable for implementing this process.

Circuit layout and process for generating a supply DC voltage

The invention concerns a method for the recognition of insulation defects in a circuit adapted for connection to a low-ohmic current source or sink having off-load voltage U.sub.n0, Towards this end the circuit is initially subjected, in a separated state, to a diagnostic voltage from a current limited current source or sink whose off-load voltage U.sub.h0 corresponds to exceeds or, respectively, is less than the voltage U.sub.n0. A decision is made as to the presence or absence of an insulation defect based on the current and/or voltage dependence during application of the diagnostic voltage. Finally, in the event that a defect is present, an error message is issued and the low-ohmic current source or sink is not connected to the circuit for self-diagnosis. Otherwise, the low-ohmic current source is connected to the circuit, or the sink, in sequential fashion for self-diagnosis testing. In this fashion even hidden insulation defects are recognized. The invention also concerns a system for carrying out this method.

Method and system for the recognition of insulation defects

Connector with a strip connector fitted with electrical components,

A plastic housing with a sleeve-shaped metal insert has a mounting side for attachment to a mounting side of a metal carrier body by a connector element. The plastic housing has a mounting flange defining an opening and a top edge of the flange. The sleeve-shaped metal insert is arranged in the opening of the mounting flange, and has a top edge extending over the top edge of the mounting flange and an opening therethrough. The plastic housing has projecting plastic material on the mounting side of the mounting flange which provides a spacing between the sleeve-shaped metal insert and the metal carrier body by enclosing in the shape of a ring the lower edge of the opening in the mounting flange. The projecting plastic material insulates the sleeve-shaped metal insert from the metal carrier body and provides a seal against the effects of moisture.

Plastic housing with a metal insert in a mounting flange

The invention relates to a device for sealing pressure compensation openings in components in particular of a motor vehicle control unit. Previously, pressure compensation openings were sealed in the interior of the housing by a watertight and gas-permeable material affixed by adhesion. In accordance with the invention, the opening is sealed from the outside with a two-layered material where a wide-area first layer consists of a material that can be inscribed and a second layer, which can also be provided over just a part of the total area, is a watertight and gas-permeable membrane. At those places where pressure compensation occurs, the first layer is removed so that only the membrane acts. The first layer can be used here as a label. Advantages offered by this device are that the housing and the membrane are joined over a much larger area, the process can be monitored, and one process step is saved.

Device for sealing pressure compensation openings

Process and circuit layout for using an independent capacitor for the momentary retention of an output voltage when an input voltage is lost. To facilitate a reduction in capacitance in independent circuits of this type at a constant amount of charge, the input voltage is transformed by a DC/DC up converter to a higher capacitor voltage, which is stored in the independent capacitor and the capacitor voltage is transformed by a DC/DC down converter to the output voltage for the load element, which is less than the capacitor voltage. As the DC/DC down converter can utilize capacitor voltages until the output voltage is reached, the residual voltage remaining in the independent capacitor (C) is no longer used. The independent time interval is correspondingly short. According to the invention, the capacitor is disconnected from the output of the DC/DC up-converter and connected to its input when the input voltage is less than a reference voltage. In the situation while the capacitor voltage is connected to the input of the DC/DC up converter, this converter can step-up the capacitor voltage, which drops during the independent time interval, and retain a virtually constant voltage at the output, which the DC/DC down converter then transforms to the output voltage. The independent capacitor can discharge more deeply and the independent time interval can be perceptibly extended. The process and circuit layout are particularly suitable for supplying electronic assemblies in vehicles, as these start from a relatively low input voltage, which is particularly advantageous for the use of DC/DC converters.

Process and circuit layout for using an independent capacitor for the

In the case of a data transmission system for the exchange of digital data between a central processor unit and several peripheral control modules which are connected to the former by a bus system such that communication is enabled and which are provided for the purpose of activating one each, respectively, out of several safety devices such as airbags or belt tensioning systems, or similar devices, in a motor vehicle, and wherein these peripheral control modules are each provided with one buffer capacitor whose energy content is sufficient for operating the respective module, and the device driven by this module, within specifications over a limited period of time, the bus system is designed as a single wire system for the purpose of achieving a simple setup and reducing installation and fitting costs. In this single wire system the control modules are supplied with electrical operating energy, and digital data are transmintted, by the same line sections. In the data communications mode of the central processor unit and the control modules, the energy supply of the modules is effected by their buffer capacitors. The transmission of the digital data from the central processor unit to the control modules as well as the passing on of such data is effected by modulating a direct voltage whose maximum level U.sub.S is significantly lower than the maximum voltage level U.sub.B up to which the buffer capacitors can be recharged. The recharging of the buffer capacitors is effected in charge mode periods nested in between transmission operation phases of the central processor unit and the peripheral control modules.

Data transmission system

For electrically and mechanically connecting a printed circuit board bonding pad to a metallic housing part, in particular for connecting to ground, friction-type connections such as screw fastenings or rivets are usually provided for connecting the printed circuit board directly to the housing part. However, since the printed circuit boards are mostly made of plastic material and the forces at the friction-type connections diminish, the electrical connection may become loose, especially in the aging process. To prevent this a connecting element comprising a base surface having a hole for inserting the friction-type connection to the housing part and at least one contact finger on the base surface are provided, whereby the contact finger provides connection to the printed circuit board bonding pad. The base surface is insensitive to mechanical loads at the friction-type connection and can distribute these evenly. Electrical connection is guaranteed and fabrication simplified.

Element for providing electrical connection between a printed circuit

The invention concerns a procedure for selectively connecting a status detection device--from a group of such devices based on different physical action principles, in particular belt buckle status detection, and seat occupation detection, within a passive safety system for motor vehicles, in particular an airbag system, and/or a belt pretensioning system,--to the signal input of a control unit, using a single wire connection, by causing the control unit to activate an appropriate current/voltage supply in accordance with the physical action principle, and by appropriately processing the signals generated by the status detection device, which signals will then be fed to the control unit for evaluation. Furthermore, an interface circuit is specified for implementing the procedure according to the invention.

Procedure for connecting a status detection device of a passive safety

An arrangement for supplying electrical power to at least one load arranged along a power supply line, preferably in motor vehicles, is characterized by having a power supply facility that has at least one input for a supply voltage and at least one output for the supply voltage and a testing device, by the testing device being designed to test an output for the supply voltage to establish whether a short-circuit, i.e. a resistance of too low a value, exists at this output, and by the power supply facility having a switching device and being designed in such a way that a supply voltage fed to it is switched through by the switching device to the output tested by the testing device only when the test has established the non-existence of a short-circuit. This allows the power supply to be maintained if a single fault occurs.

Arrangement for electrical power supply

An ignition circuit output stage which is driven by one or several microprocessors. Up to now different modes of operation each required their own different ignition circuit output stage. The ignition circuit output stage according to the invention is programmable - that is, using one and the same output stage, different modes of operation can be selected such as, for example, the unregulated or output stage mode as well as the regulated and limited output current mode. The circuit essentially consists of a down converter which, when activated, will regulate and limit the discharge current. The down converter can be activated and deactivated by means of an appropriate signal. When the down converter is in its deactivated state, an unregulated discharge takes place; this is the output stage mode. With the programmable output stage it is possible to select the best mode of operation for the relevant application case--such as, for example, operation without inductance as well as energy supplied directly from the onboard battery--without different output stage ICs being required.

Restraint system ignition circuit output stage

The invention concerns a method for the automatic recognition and correction of an invalid data set stored in a programmable circuit memory which is part of a group of at least three identical stored data sets, wherein the data sets of the group are compared to each other, and in the event that one data set of the group does not agree with the remaining data sets of the group same is recognized as being invalid and the remaining agreeing data sets are recognized as being valid, and the invalid data set is corrected through replacement with a valid data set. The invention is also directed to a system adapted to carry out this method.

Growing community of inventors

Schrobenhausen, Germany

Gunter Fendt