Device for Triggering a Passive Safety System

This invention relates to a device for triggering a passive safety system which is installed in a vehicle and is triggered by an impact. The device has at least two acceleration sensors, the sensitivity axes of which are aligned for detecting the angle of a frontal impact. Each sensor is coupled in series with a signal channel, which comprises an evaluation circuit, particularly an integrator circuit for its output signals and a threshold value circuit.

German Patent 38 16 587 discloses a device of this type, which evaluates the signals of two acceleration sensors with cos .phi.- characteristics, mounted at an angle of +.phi. and -.phi. symmetrically with respect to the driving direction in the vehicle in its frontal area. The evaluation is performed such that collisions are detected which have a specific angle (angle .phi.) to the driving direction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable triggering device in a passive safety system which has a high adaptability to any vehicle type, particularly an expandable triggering logic which permits detection and evaluation of more characteristics than previously possible.

The principal advantages of the invention are that both the physical orientation of the signal relative to at least two aligned acceleration sensors, and the temporal development of the impact are included in the evaluation of a frontal impact, including an impact obliquely from the front within a given angle range. Thus, the triggering reliability of the detector according to the invention at a desired point in time is increased as well as the reliability in identifying only those very special types of impacts, for which triggering of the passive protection system is appropriate.

The invention also has the advantage that certain additional physical phenomena are taken into account in the evaluation of the triggering logic, which can thus identify and distinguish other disturbance factors, such as:

vehicle chassis structure (weak, flexible);

breaking struts and columns in the vehicle;

crumbling sheet metal of the vehicle body;

knocking of the linkage on the vehicle;

components that are intentionally or unintentionally movable in the case of an impact, such as bumpers, steering columns, engine block, etc.

Cases that are particularly critical among those mentioned, as additional acceleration causes, may lead to a faulty triggering of a safety system and thus to injuries of occupants.

The present invention also incorporate the improvements in the Applicant's German Patents 37 33 837 filed on the same date as the German Patent Document DE-PS 38 16 587, describing the spherical-symmetrical characteristics of at least two (preferably four) acceleration sensors oriented symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and in a plane, and the German Patent 38 16 588, filed on the same date, which discloses a triggering device with variable thresholds and a control device for the lowering and raising of this threshold; the principles disclosed in these patent documents are also in the evaluation logic of the present invention. The resulting important advantage is that the impact history, or time sequence, of the collision can be taken into account in that individual factors are linked with one another; as a result the integration constants can be changed.

Another particular advantage of this arrangement is that, by means of these individual (correction) factors, the sensitivity of the sensors can be utilized almost completely (100%) over a wider angle range-here toward 180.degree.. In other words, the triggering logic according to the invention can be utilized not only in a frontal impact direction, precisely against the driving direction, in a lateral impact, precisely 90.degree. with respect to the driving direction; and at an angle of + or -45.degree. to the driving direction, but also at all intermediate angles. By adjustment of several thresholds (-i.sub.2), it is thus possible to evaluate and recognize reliably, in the oblique impact area between 45.degree. and 90.degree. relative to the driving direction, the crash history by way of the physical signal course, with the angle recognition in the triggering logic.

Crash signal evaluation in the triggering logic according to the invention is divided into several subparts which combine to influence the physcial signal evaluation. The process includes an assessment of the "crash history" as well as of the momentary crash sequence. The instantaneous triggering time, which is a function of the forward-shifting of the driver's and front passenger's head, is determined by means of speed integrals and path integrals, as well as thresholds and reset conditions, so that a reliable triggering signal is emitted by the circuit.

The several mutually independent subparts into which the crash signal assessment is divided are as follows:

considering the impact angle;

considering the channel with respect to the threshold (single channel);

considering the channel with respect to the threshold and a positive g-edge (single channel);

considering the channel with respect to the threshold and a positive g-edge (dual channel);

considering the channel with respect to a positive and negative g-edge (single channel);

recognition of preceding-sign change (single channel); and

recognition of reduced acceleration signal.

The crash direction is determined in a variable sliding time interval t, which becomes active when a crash is detected at an angle between -45.degree. and +45.degree. is measured, and remains active until either an angle outside the measuring range is determined or a period equal to 2.times.t has transpired.

The calculated values are each set back after a fulfilling of the criteria.

Only the angle determined from the relationship of the g-signals (that is, acceleration measurements expressed in gravitational equivalents; 1 g=9.8 meters/sec.sup.2) between the two sensors ml (left) and mO (right) is determined and used for the evaluation. Angle determination is performed clockwise starting from ml (right-hand system). ##EQU1## For the angle >45.degree., the reciprocal value of the relationship from (1) is determined. ##EQU2## This results in a value range of:

This result is used for calculation of the integration variables.

During the calculation, the braking deceleration is taken into account in order to suppress an early change of the integration variables.

The result of considering the angle with its evaluation is to increase the sensor sensitivity to approximately 100% in the case of frontal impacts which, because of the sensor arrangement, would therefore be recognized only with approximately 70% of the signal amplitude.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of an impact detection arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed representation of the physical signal evaluation, including taking account individual factors and their linking in order to reach the above-mentioned 100% utilization of the sensitivity of the sensor arrangement (see FIG. 5);

FIG. 3 is a graphic representation of the triggering algorithm according to the invention and a definition of the triggering safety by means of two criteria;

FIG. 4 is a graphic depiction of the safety factors for the threshold value adjustment for the three cases: raise thresholds; lower thresholds; and leave thresholds unchanged.

FIG. 5 is a view of a vehicle in the system of coordinates, wherein the x-axis represents the driving direction, with a first and a second sensor arranged at angles of +.phi. and -.phi. (for example at 45.degree.) in the plane in the vehicle.

In order to be able to maintain the 100% sensitivity of the sensor arrangement according to the invention, the following integration factors ("IF") are introduced:

These factors are reflected in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows two sensors, mO and ml, to which channels 0 and 1 are assigned on the right and left sides respectively. The acceleration sensors are followed in series by amplifiers OA and filters FL as well as threshold value elements SW. The signals from channel 0 and channel 1 are logically combined and evaluated in the logic circuit LOG, which has two outputs 0 and 1 connected respectively with band pass filters BF and threshold value elements for the threshold value a2. The outputs of the respective band pass filters and the associated threshold value elements for a2 are fed to respective integrators S1 and their associated filters F1, correcting elements K1, signal comparators for i1 and i2 as well as the OR-circuit for possible triggering at the end, as shown in FIG. 1 on the right.

FIG. 2 shows the details of the evaluation logic LOG from FIG. 1. On the left, the signals mO and ml come from the sensors, and the outputs LOG 0 and 1 are shown on the right. Reference number 3 in FIG. 2 designates an angle evaluation in the system of coordinates according to FIG. 5 with an additional time evaluation; reference number 4 is an acceleration evaluation minus a given deceleration time, while reference number 5 indicates a counter which detects the number of decelerations which has occurred. Logic units 3 to 5 of the logic circuit are used to obtain the integration factors IF 1 to IF 3 respectively which are then multiplied in a multiplier 6. A control element 7 can also add an additional value in a summation point 8. The logical derivation of the integration factors IF 4.0 and IF 4.1 for the positive edge evaluation with the decoupling of both channels (thresholds) takes place in logical unit 9. In logic units 10, 11 and 12, duplication factors are obtained for the physical signal evaluation. In this case, the logical unit 10 takes the acceleration g into account over a given time.

In logical unit 11, for obtaining the reduction factor Reduce 1, the zero crossing of the acceleration signals is weighted in relation to a specific time period, and in logical unit 12, a signal reduction takes place between the time t and t+1 by signal decay.

The reduction of the individual factors takes place in the differential element 13 which, in turn, is connected with an integration elements 14 and 15. In addition, a reset 16 is shown in FIG. 2 on the right, which is connected with outputs of logical units 10 and 11 for the resetting of the counter 5 and of the angle evaluation element 3.

Based on the above, FIGS. 3 and 4 are clear, and a person skilled in the art knows their significance from the drawing. The same applies to FIG. 5.

Method of Operation:

Considering a channel (single channel):

The evaluation determines whether one or both acceleration values mO or ml, within an undefined time, exceed a positive threshold with a certain frequency. If this is the case, the integration variable is multiplied by the factor IF 3.

Considering a channel (single-channel correlation):

This evaluation becomes operative when the acceleration value of a channel exceeds an adjustable threshold, and has at least a certain predetermined edge steepness. When these conditions are met, the integration variable is multiplied by the factors IF 4.0, IF 4.1. In this case, no time evaluation is taken into account.

Considering a channel (dual channel):

This evaluation becomes operative when both acceleration values mO, ml exceed an adjustable threshold, and also have at least a certain predetermined edge steepness. When these conditions are met, the integration variable is multiplied by the factor IF 2. In this case, no time evaluation is taken into account.

Edge evaluation (single channel):

This evaluation processes the acceleration values mO and ml individually and is used to reset the integration variables and the counters. When the acceleration value mO or ml has a positive or negative slope which is smaller than the comparative value, the integration is stopped (integration factor=0). At the same time, the counter for the channel consideration (single channel) as well as the starting point for the time window .DELTA.t of the angle consideration is reset.

Recognition of preceding sign change (single channel):

This evaluation becomes operative when over an adjustable range a preceding sign change occurs between two successive acceleration values, in which case the integration variables for the respective channel are reduced (Reduce 1).

Recognition of reduced acceleration signal (single channel):

This evaluation becomes operative when a sensed acceleration value is lower than the preceding value, by an adjustable factor. When such a reduction exists, the integration variables for the respective channel are reduced (Reduce 2).

Physical signal evaluation:

The physical evaluation consists essentially of the integration of speed (v) and path (s). For the further assessment of a crash, the integrals, after the adding of a fixed threshold, are compared with one another and evaluated.

Speed integral:

The v-integral integrates all g-values, the edges of which have a certain predetermined steepness in the positive as well as in the negative direction. The result of the integration is increased or decreased in value by the integration factor determined when considering the signal. The integral is reset when the input signals fall within a defined acceleration range a.sub.s. Within this range, the integration factor has an accelerating effect on the resetting. The speed integral has no maximal or minimal limit values which cause a further resetting.

Path integral:

The s-integral adds up all v-values which are offered during the sequence. The integral is reduced continuously. When the v-integral is given, a resetting therefore automatically takes place at any time. When the maximum or minimum value is reached, the integral is further reduced; when there is again a falling below a lower limit value, this further reduction is decreased again. The same protection as in the case of the physical signal evaluation applies to the speed integral as well as to the path integral.

Triggering signal:

The speed integral is compared with the sum which is composed of a constant and the evaluated path integral (=of the threshold shifting which is divided into small grids) and, when this sum is exceeded forms the triggering signal. This triggering signal is formed separately for both channels. However, a triggering actually occurs only when both of the two channels fall below or exceed maximum and minimum limit values.

In the case of safety systems, such as passive restraint systems in vehicles, the application of the invention is particularly well suited for the triggering of a protection device, such as an air bag, a belt tightener, a rollover safety bar and other similar systems. For example, an air bag can be provided and triggered for the driver, another air bag can be provided and triggered for the front seat passenger if permitted by the evaluation, by means of the triggering logic according to the invention. In addition, belt tighteners or similar systems may also be activated for occupants in the front seats as well as in the rear seats. At the same time, lateral air bags may also be triggered, which are provided, for example, in the doors of a vehicle or at the roof on the interior side in the frontal area close to the windshield in order to offer an additional protection for the head and/or a rollover protection. In addition, safety systems and system components of the same or of a similar type for different parts of the body, for example, for protecting the knee or leg or for protecting the arms, or for similar purposes, may also be provided.

A person skilled in the art may modify the above-mentioned embodiment without leaving the scope of the invention. In particular, such modifications also include combinations with the circuits and switching elements from the German Patents 37 33 837, 38 16 587 to 38 16 591.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.