Method for actuating a safety device for vehicle occupants

US5058920A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Wilfried Burger · Hemmingen, DE
• Werner Nitschke · Ditzingen, DE
• Peter Taufer · Renningen, DE
• Hugo Weller · Oberriexingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 1, 1990
• Grant date: Oct 22, 1991
• Expiry date: Mar 1, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/017
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of actuating a safety device for vehicle occupants, wherein the safety device has several tripping devices coupled to a capacitor and to passenger restraint devices, such as air bags, seat belts, or the like. The energy supplied by the capacitor to a tripping device is measured upon actuation of that device. If the energy supplied exceeds a predetermined limit, the flow of electric current from the capacitor to the respective tripping device is interrupted. Thus, if an actuated tripping device shunts, the energy of the capacitor is not drained by the shunt, and the capacitor maintains an energy level sufficient to actuate the other tripping devices.