Method and apparatus for monitoring the operation of a computer-controlled operating element, particularly triggered safety apparatus for an automotive vehicle

US4864202A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Werner Nitschke · Ditzingen, DE
• Hugo Weller · Oberriexingen, DE
• Wolfgang Drobny · Heilbronn, DE
• Peter Taufer · Renningen, DE
• Edmund Jeenicke · Schwieberdingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 9, 1987
• Grant date: Sep 5, 1989
• Expiry date: Oct 9, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60T2270/406
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

To prevent spurious operation of a controlled operating element (12), typically a safety element which can be irreversibly triggered, such as a trigger or firing cartridge of a passenger restraint airbag, while providing for reliable operation in case of a crash of a vehicle in which the airbag is installed, a control signal is derived from a computer (10) processing input signals. The transmission of the control signals from the computer (10) to the operating element (12) is through a time delay stage (30) which has a time delay of sufficient length to permit the computer to correct, if necessary, signals from its output (16) and to carry out tests on the output signals from the computer apparatus. An evaluation circuit (18) continuously compares the output signals with check values. The check values may be derived from, for example a second computer similar to the computer, or from stored representative values. If the comparison indicates coincidence, the operating control signal from the computer is transmitted to the operating element (12). If, however, e.g. due to extraneous disturbances, a deviation between the test samples and the signals derived from the output (16) of the …