Robert Boschgmbh

Willi Kuhn

Bernhard Mattes

Werner Nitschke

Peter Taufer

Edmund Jeenicke

Wolfgang Drobny

Hugo Weller

Michael Henne

Eberhard Mausner

Wilfried Burger

Klaus Reischle

In a method for controlling the release of a passenger restraint system in a vehicle, an acceleration signal is measured and integrated with respect to time to obtain a velocity signal. A release threshold value for the velocity signal is determined. If the velocity signal then falls below the release threshold value, thus indicating a vehicle collision, the passenger restraint system is released. The release threshold value is controlled depending on the type of accident situation and upon the operating parameters of the vehicle to increase the release sensitivity of the passenger restraint system. For example, the release threshold value is adjusted based on the value of the velocity signal. If the velocity signal decreases in value, then the release threshold is lowered to a more sensitive value.

Method for controlling the release of passenger restraint systems

The rectified output voltage of the transformer of a d.c. to d.c. converter, as represented by a voltage divider output, is compared with a reference voltage in a voltage regulator (15), the output of which is compared in a comparator (29) with a sawtooth wave to produce a sequence of pulses the duration of which depends upon the output voltage of the regulator. These pulses are provided to the transformer through a driver circuit capable of operating at a very low input voltage. One flank of the square wave produced by a component of the sawtooth wave generator is differentiated by a capacitor (39) to provide transient pulses to the transformer to keep it operating in the event the input voltage to the converter exceeds the output voltage. Another comparator (59) is provided to shut down comparator operation when there is a short circuit at the output and also for a brief start-up interval during which capacitors are charged up.

PWM, Single-ended, separately driven d.c.-d.c. converter

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Markgroningen, Germany

Willi Kuhn