Method and device for controlling firing circuits for restraining devices

US6587769B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Jens Otterbach · Wenden, DE
• Hartmut Schumacher · Freiberg, DE
• Peter Taufer · Renningen, DE
• Achim Henne · Sachsenheim, DE
• Harald Tschentscher · Bornsteiner Straße, DE
• Michael Ulmer · Lingen (Ems), DE
• Andreas Rupp · Erbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 20, 2001
• Grant date: Jul 1, 2003
• Expiry date: Nov 20, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/40
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A device and a method are proposed for controlling firing circuits for an element of restraint, individual transistors of the output stages being controlled by bit combinations, and impermissible bit combinations lead to an error message to a processor. In addition, a firing current is measured, in order to estimate a firing energy from it, so that efficient energy management can be carried out. Furthermore, determination of the firing current makes it possible to update a crash protocol as to whether the firing circuit was activated or not. When a voltage of the energy reserve is exceeded, it is further proposed to switch over to pulse operation for operating the output stages. Thereby a greater resistance to short-circuits and a higher efficiency are achieved.