Circuit arrangement for driving an occupant protection system gas generator whose ignition process can be influenced by a magnetic field

US6564717B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Haerle · Marktoberdorf, DE
• Johann Florian · Schrobenhausen, DE
• Gerhard Roth · Rheinstetten, DE
• Guido Wetzel · Neubukow, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 14, 2001
• Grant date: May 20, 2003
• Expiry date: Dec 14, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/2636
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The disclosure describes a circuit arrangement for driving an occupant protection system gas generator whose ignition process can be influenced by a magnetic field; this is based on a switching control principle, with the load coil generating the magnetic field being itself used as a component part of the switching control. For a fast reduction of the magnetic field and thus for accelerating the ignition process, a resistor may by connected into the free-wheeling branch, which is bridged in normal operation. Alternatively, it is possible to effect a return feed of the energy stored in the coil into the self-sufficiency capacitor.