Method for ascertaining a triggering event for an airbag

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018201214-A1
Application number	US-201815872273-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 16, 2018
Priority date	Jan 19, 2017
Publication date	Jul 19, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

In a method for ascertaining a triggering event for an airbag in a vehicle, an imminent collision is ascertained with the aid of a surroundings sensor, an error signal being generated if no signal is established in a collision sensor within a defined time window.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for ascertaining a triggering event for an airbag in a vehicle, in which a collision of the vehicle is established with the aid of a collision sensor, the method comprising:
monitoring surroundings of the vehicle for an imminent collision with the aid of a surroundings sensor; and generating an error signal when the imminent collision is ascertained via the surroundings sensor and a collision sensor signal is not established in the collision sensor within a defined time window.

2 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein signals from the surroundings sensor are not be taken into consideration when a defined number of error signals has been reached.

3 . The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the surroundings sensor is utilized again for the collision monitoring after a restart of the vehicle.

4 . The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the surroundings sensor is utilized again for the collision monitoring after a defined time interval has elapsed.

5 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the time window is changeably set as a function of at least one of a driving condition variable and a surroundings variable.

6 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the time window is set as a fixed, unchanging variable.

7 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein an acceleration sensor for ascertaining the vehicle acceleration is utilized as the collision sensor.

8 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a camera or a radar system is utilized as the surroundings sensor.

9 . A regulating and control unit for ascertaining a triggering event for an airbag in a vehicle, in which a collision of the vehicle is established with the aid of a collision sensor, the regulating and control unit configured to:
monitor surroundings of the vehicle for an imminent collision with the aid of a surroundings sensor; and generate an error signal when the imminent collision is ascertained via the surroundings sensor and a collision sensor signal is not established in the collision sensor within a defined time window.

10 . An airbag system in a vehicle, comprising:
a collision sensor; a surroundings sensor for monitoring the vehicle surroundings for an imminent collision; and a regulating and control unit for ascertaining a triggering event for an airbag in a vehicle, in which a collision of the vehicle is established with the aid of the collision sensor, the regulating and control unit configured to monitor surroundings of the vehicle for an imminent collision with the aid of the surroundings sensor, and generate an error signal when the imminent collision is ascertained via the surroundings sensor and a collision sensor signal is not established in the collision sensor within a defined time window.

Assignees

• Bosch Gmbh Robert

Inventors

• Reckziegel Bastian
• Sonntag Erich
• Lang Gunther
• Ebrahim Parisa
• Koenig Simon

Classifications

• B60Y2400/304

  Acceleration sensors · CPC title

• B60R2021/01013

  Means for detecting collision, impending collision or roll-over · CPC title

• B60R21/0132

  responsive to vehicle motion parameters {, e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value} · CPC title

• B60R21/0136

  responsive to actual contact with an obstacle {, e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle (monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558)} · CPC title

• B60R2021/01286

  Electronic control units · CPC title