Method and apparatus for protecting motor vehicle occupants

US5118134A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Bernhard Mattes · Sachsenheim, DE
• Klaus Reischle · Ditzingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 14, 1990
• Grant date: Jun 2, 1992
• Expiry date: Dec 14, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S13/88
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In a process for protecting motor vehicle occupants, the acceleration of the motor vehicle is determined and safety means which protect the motor vehicle occupant are activated when a specified limiting acceleration value is exceeded. To optimally release the safety means, the sitting position of the motor vehicle occupant and/or the relative velocity of the occupant with respect to the passenger cabin of the motor vehicle are determined by position sensor using measuring techniques. The safety means are activated when the sitting position of the occupant deviates from a nominal position and/or the relative velocity of the occupant exceeds a specified limiting value.