Tripping device for a safety device for protecting vehicle occupants

US5428534A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Mercedes-Benz Group AG · DE

Inventors

• Guido Wetzel · Neubukow, DE
• Manfred Muller · Wuppertal, DE
• Michael Meyer · Altdorf, DE
• Ulrich Tschaschke · Ehningen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 25, 1993
• Grant date: Jun 27, 1995
• Expiry date: Aug 25, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/01322
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A tripping device for a safety device, such as a lateral air bag for protecting vehicle occupants in the event of a side crash evaluates for the purpose of reliable tripping of the safety device in the event of a dangerous side crash and effectively avoiding spurious tripping, the signals of a deformation sensor arranged in the lateral region of the vehicle, and a transverse acceleration sensor arranged on the vehicle longitudinal axis. In the event of the presence of a deformation signal, an acceleration evaluator is started and the tripping sensitivity is increased. The deformation rate is determinable from the signal of the deformation sensor, and an increase in the tripping sensitivity is stronger in the event of a crash when the deformation rate is higher.