Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Gmbh

Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Gesellschaft MIT Beschrankter Haftung

Johann Spies

Alfons Wohrl

Manfred Held

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

A safety arrangement for passengers of a moving vehicle includes an inflatable air cushion for maintaining passengers in their seat positions and a plurality of gas generators for inflating the cushion. The cushion is inflatable at different rates depending on vehicle deceleration by the employment of an electrical release circuit. The circuit includes a piezoelectric sensor for providing a signal representative of deceleration, a first threshold value switch, an integrator, a plurality of threshold value switches having different thresholds and a plurality of firing elements for the gas generators.

Safety arrangement for passengers of a vehicle

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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Pfaffenhofen, Germany

Johann Spies