Method, device and crash sensor for activating occupant protection systems in a motor vehicle

US7502677B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Lothar Weichenberger · Klingsmoos, DE
• Alfons Woehrl · Schrobenhausen, DE
• Jan Urbahn · Munich, DE
• Richard Baur · Brackenheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 28, 2006
• Grant date: Mar 10, 2009
• Expiry date: Dec 28, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/013
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Occupant protection systems in a motor vehicle are activated in the event of a crash that puts the occupants of the vehicle at risk. A processor-based trigger system evaluates signals of crash sensors and actuates the occupant protection systems. Signatures that are produced by impacts on the vehicle body by means of a crash sensor system are detected and preprocessed directly on site of the crash sensor mounting areas. The crash sensor system includes a plurality of similar multifunctional peripheral crash sensors located in various areas of the vehicle body. The preprocessed signatures or variables derived therefrom are evaluated by means of a crash algorithm associated with the trigger system, in terms of kind, intensity, direction and time of the crash signatures and/or occupant risk signatures. Crash-relevant occupant protection systems are triggered at respective times determined in terms of the achievable protective effect of the occupant protection system when occupant risk threshold values are exceeded.