DE10158222B4 - Tripping device for safety system - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle safety release device (90) comprising: an actuator; a spring (91) for biasing the actuator; a nitinol wire (92) for releasably anchoring the spring (91) in the prestressed state; and a controllable current source for generating a current for heating the nitinol wire (92), whereby the nitinol wire (92) can be torn and the anchoring released, wherein the nitinol wire (92) at several points with the spring (91) or the actuator on the one hand and the vehicle on the other hand is connected such that the spring (91) is anchored according to the pulley principle in the prestressed state.

Description

The invention relates to a triggering device for a safety system for vehicles.

Pyrotechnic release mechanisms are known for safety systems in vehicles, such as for airbags or restraint systems. Such pyrotechnic triggering mechanisms include, for example, a squib that displaces a piston along a path within a hollow body.

From the US Pat. No. 6,168,193 B1 For example, a device for bracing a side airbag is known, in which a guy rope is stretched by means of pyrotechnically generated gas.

Furthermore, the DE 198 39 562 A1 a triggering device with an actuating element and a spring for biasing the actuating element, which is releasably anchored via a wire. The apparatus also includes a power source for generating a current for heating the wire, whereby the wire for tearing and anchoring can be released.

From the JP 01-229 739 A a gas pressure vessel is known, which has a spring arrangement for opening and releasing an outflow opening, wherein the spring arrangement deforms temperature-dependent.

In addition, from the DE 38 21 066 A1 a device is known, which has a pivotable about an axis of rotation lever arm, which can be pivoted by heating a wire by current flow from a first to a second position.

A disadvantage of the use of squibs is, inter alia, the high pressure load on the housing of the tripping device, which is why a massive design is necessary, which has a high weight and high cost. Furthermore, the EMC compatibility and the corrosion resistance of conventional devices is to be criticized.

As an alternative to pyrotechnic triggering devices, such mechanisms are known which contain a nitinol element which can be changed by applying a current in its shape and thus can be used as a triggering element. Nitinol is an alloy of nickel and titanium. Nitinol has the property of shortening with increasing temperature. Nitinol is also known as a "memory" metal, which changes its shape with changing temperature and can develop high forces.

Such a security system is from the US Pat. No. 6,086,097 known. In this system, the seat springs of a vehicle seat are unlatched in a rollover by Nitinolvorrichtungen, so that increases the resilience of the seat cushion.

From the US Pat. No. 6,158,769 A For example, a safety system is known in which the amount of gas flowing out of a gas pressure vessel is controlled by a nitinol disc.

From the US 5 906 394 A For example, a safety system is known in which a nitinol disc anchors a spring biased plunger. To trigger the plunger, a current is applied to the Nitinolscheibe, which causes a deformation of the Nitinolscheibe so that the plunger is released and this breaks through a bursting membrane, which closes the outlet opening of a gas pressure vessel. A disadvantage of this system is that the construction is complex and composed of many interacting items.

From the WO 99/12775 A1 is a triggering device for the gas pressure container of an airbag known. The triggering device comprises a wire which is torn by application of a high current, so that the support of a sealing element is released, and the gas pressure abruptly opens the sealing element and causes inflation of the airbag. Another disadvantage is the number of cooperating items, so that the space required is large.

Another disadvantage of the known devices is that a precise and preferably continuous control of an actuating element is not possible.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a tripping device having a simplified construction so as to reduce space and manufacturing costs and increase ruggedness. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide a triggering device that allows to control an actuator precisely by means of a control current, and / or to compensate for environmental influences on the safety system.

The object of the present invention is at least to mitigate the above-mentioned problem and to provide a triggering device which has at least some of the said desired properties. This object is achieved by the invention specified in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, there is provided a tripping device for a safety system for vehicles, comprising: an actuating element; a spring for biasing the actuator; a nitinol wire for releasably anchoring the spring in the prestressed state; and a controllable current source for generating a current for heating the nitinol wire, whereby the Nitinol wire can be torn and the anchoring can be solved, the Nitinol wire is connected at several points with the spring or the actuating element on the one hand and the vehicle on the other hand, such that the Spring is anchored according to the pulley principle in the prestressed state.

Such a triggering device is simple and thus inexpensive to manufacture. By anchoring the spring on the pulley principle, the nitinol wire can be made thinner, with the same stored spring force.

In particular, the nitinol wire can run along the effective direction of the spring force, d. H. in the case of a coil spring along its longitudinal axis. As a result, particularly compact mounting mass of the triggering device can be achieved.

Depending on the use of the triggering device, the spring may be formed by a compression spring, a tension spring, or a coil spring. A compression spring has the advantage that it is compact in the idle state and thus has lower installation dimensions. A tension spring has the advantage that it exerts a tensile force and thus, for example, can advantageously expose openings of containers from the outside. A coil spring also has the advantage of compactness.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuating element is connected to a triggering element, which is formed by a displaceable in a hollow cylinder piston, wherein the spring between the piston and the inside of one of the base surfaces of the cylinder is arranged. This embodiment is particularly simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

The safety system can be formed for example by a side airbag, wherein the trigger element is coupled to a guy element for tensioning the side airbag along a vehicle inside during inflation and / or in the inflated state of the side airbag. This embodiment represents an advantageous simplification of the device US Pat. No. 6,168,193 B1 represents.

The anchoring element can by a pull rope, a tie rod, or even a direct attachment of the side airbag, for example, to a torsion spring, which twists when triggered and the airbag tensioned.

Alternatively, the safety system can be formed by an airbag module with an airbag and a cold gas generator, wherein the actuating element forms the closure of an outflow opening from the cold gas generator to the airbag. This has the advantage that the disadvantages of the conventional pyrotechnic deployment of airbags described above can be avoided in a particularly simple manner.

Furthermore, the safety system can be formed by a headrest, which is moved in a rear impact by spring force from a first position preset by a user to a predetermined second position, the safety system having sensors for detecting a rear impact and for activating the power source. The compact mounting mass, which can be achieved with the tripping device according to the invention, thus also allow use in compact headrests.

In addition, the safety system can be formed by a vehicle seat, which can be lowered in a rollover by means of spring force with respect to the vehicle floor, the safety system having sensors for detecting a rollover and for activating the power source.

In a further embodiment, the security system is formed by a roll bar, which is extendable by a spring force in a rollover, wherein the security system has sensors for detecting a rollover and for activating the power source.

In a further embodiment, the safety system can be formed by a bonnet which can be raised by means of spring force before a collision of the vehicle with a passerby, the safety system having sensors for detecting an imminent collision with a passer and for activating the power source.

In a further embodiment, the safety system may be formed by a bumper that is extendable by spring force before a collision of the vehicle with a passerby, the safety system having sensors for detecting an imminent collision with a passer and for activating the power source.

According to the invention a triggering device for a safety system for vehicles is further provided, with a gas pressure vessel with a closed by a releasable closure discharge opening; an existing Nitinol tether, by means of which the closure at the Inside the gas pressure vessel is attached; and a current source connected to the tether for generating a current by means of which the tether can be heated and cracked so that the closure is released by the internal pressure prevailing in the gas pressure vessel and the outflow opening is released.

Such a Nitinolseil running in the interior of the gas pressure vessel forms a simple and inexpensive way to realize a controllable closure. In addition, a simple prefabrication of such gas pressure vessel is possible, while reducing the mounting mass.

The closure may be formed by a bursting membrane.

According to the invention there is further provided a triggering device for a safety system for vehicles, comprising: an actuating element rotatable about an axis of rotation and designed as a lever arm; a spring for biasing the lever arm; a Nitinolelement for releasably anchoring the lever arm in the prestressed state; and a controllable current source for generating a current for heating the Nitinol element, whereby the Nitinol element can be torn and the anchoring can be released, wherein the spring engages at a location of the lever arm to the latter, which is closer to the axis of rotation than the attachment of the Nitinolelementes on the lever arm.

By using such a lever arm, the burden of z. B. formed as nitinol wire Nitinolelementes lower than the spring force stored in the spring. Thus, a faster triggering can be achieved with thinner wires.

The term nitinol wire in this context also includes nitinol sheets or similar devices that are cracked by heating.

The invention will now be explained by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which:

1 a schematic representation of a non-inventive release mechanism in the idle state;

2 a schematic representation of the trigger mechanism 1 after release;

3 a schematic representation of a non-inventive release mechanism in the idle state;

4 a schematic representation of the trigger mechanism 3 after release;

5 a schematic representation of a non-inventive release mechanism in the idle state;

6 a schematic representation of a non-inventive release mechanism in the idle state (left) and in the tripped state (right);

7 a schematic representation of a non-inventive release mechanism in the idle state (left) and in the tripped state (right);

8th a schematic representation of application examples of the triggering mechanisms according to the 1 to 7 ;

9 a schematic representation of an application example of the trigger mechanism 1 ;

10 a schematic representation of a tripping device in the idle state according to a first embodiment of the invention;

11 a schematic representation of the triggering device 10 after release;

12 a schematic representation of other examples of use of the trigger mechanism 1 ;

13 a schematic representation of a triggering device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

14 a schematic representation of a triggering device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

15 a schematic representation of a portion of a tripping device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

16 a schematic representation of a trigger mechanism according to a non-inventive example.

1 shows a trigger mechanism 1 for a security system in a vehicle. The triggering mechanism has a cylindrical hollow body 2 in which a piston 3 slidably guided. The piston 3 is by means of a nitinol wire 4 on a base of the hollow body 2 attached and in the rest position shown by a compression spring 5 biased. The compression spring 5 is also at both ends with the nitinol wire 4 connected.

2 shows the trigger mechanism 1 out 1 after a trip. The triggering is achieved by means of a (not shown) power source, a tripping current to the nitinol wire 4 is created. The nitinol wire 4 is heated by the current. The nitinol wire contracts, is overstretched and finally torn. As a result, in the compression spring 5 stored spring force released and the piston 3 suddenly moved.

The movement of the piston 3 can be used advantageously for operating safety systems in a vehicle, as also illustrated below. For example, the piston 3 be connected to a roll bar by the movement of the piston 3 extended to protect a vehicle occupant.

3 schematically shows another trigger mechanism not according to the invention 8th at rest. In contrast to the example below 1 is instead of the compression spring 5 a tension spring 9 used. The tension spring 9 is at attachment points 10 and 11 with the piston 3 or on a base surface of the hollow body 2 attached.

The release of the piston 3 takes place as in the example 1 , After a rupture of the nitinol wire 4 and the release of the tension spring 9 stored spring force is the piston 3 in the direction of the tension spring 9 emotional. This is in 4 schematically illustrated. An application example of the release mechanism 8th is the opening of a discharge opening of an airbag module.

5 shows schematically another trigger mechanism not according to the invention 14 , In this example, instead of the compression or tension spring is a coil spring 15 used. The spiral spring 15 is by means of attachment points 16 and 17 connected to an (not shown) actuator of a security system or the vehicle. The nitinol wire 4 is with its ends at the attachment point 16 or an attachment point 18 attached to the vehicle. The operation is otherwise analogous to that of the examples described above.

The attachment point 16 is formed by a rotatable shaft after rupture of the nitinol wire 4 when rolling up the coil spring 15 is turned. On the shaft, for example, a guyline can be attached, which is rolled up onto the shaft.

6 schematically illustrates another triggering mechanism not according to the invention 21 , The illustration on the left shows the triggering mechanism 21 at rest, while the illustration on the right shows the triggered state.

The triggering mechanism 21 includes a movable actuator 22 by means of a nitinol element 23 at the vehicle 24 is attached. The actuator 22 is through one towards the nitinol element 23 acting force F biased. At rest, the Nitinol element 23 " upright ", ie the actuator 22 is located at a maximum distance from the attachment of Nitinolelementes 23 at the vehicle 24 , By applying a current to the nitinol element 23 this becomes compliant and changes as a result of the applied biasing force F its physical shape (ie, it bends). The actuator 22 is thus by an amount s in the direction of Nitinolelementes 23 emotional.

Depending on the Nitinollegierung used, depending on the Nitinolelement 23 applied current the compliance and thus the amount s are accurately set. The actuator 22 can thus be operated continuously by means of a control current. For example, the trigger mechanism 21 be used advantageously for adjusting discharge openings of varying size in airbag modules.

7 schematically shows another trigger mechanism not according to the invention 27 ,

An actuator 28 consists of an actuating disc 29 on a perpendicular pen 30 is attached. The pen sits on a nitinol plate 31 on, which is connected with their ends on the vehicle.

The actuator 28 is in turn by one towards the nitinol plate 31 acting force F biased. By applying a control current to the nitinol plate 31 this becomes yielding and bends through ( 7 right). The actuator 28 moves thereby by the amount s toward the Nitinolplatte 31 ,

8th schematically shows two application examples of the previously described release mechanisms for safety systems in vehicles. 8th shows a roll bar on the left 34 for a convertible, which may be provided behind the rear seats in the vehicle, for example. Between the roll bar 34 and the vehicle body is a triggering mechanism 1 of in 1 provided type. Upon detection of a rollover, a control current is generated by means of a current source which ruptures the nitinol wire and releases the force stored in the compression spring. Through this Power is the roll bar 34 moved up in fractions of a second.

Sensors for detecting a rollover and for exciting the power source are known as such and therefore not described further.

8th also shows a vehicle seat on the right 35 with a headrest 36 , which with a trigger mechanism after the in 5 shown example is provided. In this application, upon detection of a rear impact, the generation of a control current is triggered by which in the torsion spring ( 5 stored power is released, so that the headrest 36 turns to the driver's head, as in 8th indicated. Sensors for detecting a rear impact are in turn known and therefore not described.

9 schematically shows a concrete application example of the triggering mechanism 1 to 1 ,

In the upper part of 9 is the trigger mechanism 1 shown at rest. The piston 3 has a through a slot in the hollow body 2 protruding projection 39 on. With the lead 39 is a guy rope 40 connected, which is coupled for example with a side airbag. By triggering the piston 3 ( 9 below) is the guy rope 40 in the direction of piston movement, pulled and used to tension the side airbag. This can be an advantageous alternative to the device described above US Pat. No. 6,168,193 B1 be created.

In an alternative embodiment, the guy rope runs 40 in the middle of the spring 5 along the nitinol wire 4 and in its immediate vicinity. The piston 3 as well as the hollow body 2 Again, they are not mandatory. The guy rope 40 can be right at the spring 5 be attached.

Depending on the attachment of the trigger mechanism 1 can the hollow body 2 be curved. Furthermore, a securing mechanism for maintaining the bracing may be provided, such as from US Pat. No. 6,168,193 B1 known.

10 schematically shows a gas pressure vessel 43 with a triggering device according to a first embodiment of the invention. The gas pressure vessel 43 has an outlet opening at one end 44 put on by a stopper 45 is closed. The stopper 45 will be in the in 10 shown closed position against the in the gas pressure vessel 43 prevailing internal pressure through a nitinol wire 46 held, on the one hand with the graft 45 , and on the other hand with one of the discharge opening 44 opposite attachment point 47 connected.

Furthermore, to the nitinol wire 46 a power source 48 connected, which generates a current upon excitation by a sensor, the nitinol wire 46 heated and tearing. This is in 11 shown schematically. The stopper 45 is now by the in the gas pressure vessel 43 prevailing internal pressure from the seat on the outflow opening 44 pressed so that the gas from the gas pressure vessel 43 can escape.

Will the electricity, as in the 10 and 11 indicated by means of the outer wall of the gas pressure vessel to one end of the Nitinoldrahtes 46 passed, then the stopper has to go 45 be made of non-conductive sealing material.

The gas pressure vessel 43 can serve as a pressure source for various safety systems in vehicles. In particular, in the gas pressure vessel 43 stored gas supply but also used to inflate an airbag.

12 schematically shows a vehicle 51 which is equipped with pedestrian protection systems based on the trigger mechanism according to the first embodiment. One is a security system 52 provided that raises the hood on detection of an impending collision with a pedestrian to provide the impacting pedestrian thus a longer Abbremsweg and more crumple zone available.

The triggering mechanism may consist on the one hand of a spring, which is held in the prestressed state by a nitinol wire, as with respect to 1 described. Alternatively, the compression spring itself can be made of Nitinol, so that their spring properties are changed by applying a current, and a lifting of the hood is effected. The advantage of using a Nitinolfeder is the reversibility of the process.

Further provided is a mechanical device, not shown, which causes a snap of the hood after impact of the pedestrian, so that a renewed upward-speeding of the hood is prevented.

In addition, the vehicle has 51 via a second security system 53 , which in principle is the first security system 52 corresponds, but instead of raising the hood causes an extension of the bumper. This provides the pedestrian with an additional deformation path and more crumple zone.

The second security system 53 works in principle like the first security system 52 Upon detection of an impending collision, a spring made of Nitinol expands by being energized, or a compression spring biased by a nitinol wire is released (corresponding to the first embodiment).

As with the first security system 52 should a detent device be provided, which fixes the bumper after deformation (ie after an impact of the pedestrian) to prevent a renewed spring-driven extension.

Sensor technology for detecting an imminent collision with a pedestrian is known per se and therefore not described further. The output of such sensors is used to drive a current source that supplies power to the nitinol or nitinol wire.

13 shows schematically a triggering device 70 according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the triggering device comprises 70 a lever arm 71 that is about a rotation axis 72 rotatable around a frame 73 is attached. The frame 73 can be part of a vehicle.

The lever arm 71 is by a compression spring 74 preloaded and by a nitinol wire 75 in the in 13 held in the rest position shown below. The compression spring 74 engages approximately in the middle of the lever arm 71 on while the nitinol wire 75 further out, ie at a greater distance from the axis of rotation 72 on the lever arm 71 is attached. Because of the resulting leverage is the through the nitinol wire 75 To be compensated force less than that by the compression spring 74 on the lever arm 71 exerted pressure force. This is through the force arrows in 13 indicated schematically above.

Of course, the compression spring 74 not centered on the lever arm 71 attack. The closer they are to the axis of rotation 72 the larger it gets through the nitinol wire 75 storable spring force as a result of the lever arm effect.

The triggering device 70 by generating a control current by means of a current source 76 which causes the nitinol wire to break. The lever arm 71 is then by the compression spring 74 twisted counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow 77 indicated.

14 shows a triggering device 80 according to a third embodiment of the invention. This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that instead of the compression spring, a tension spring 81 is used. The tension spring 81 is on the lever arm 71 attached and also has a loop 82 on, in which a safety element to be actuated can be hung.

To activate the triggering device 80 generates the power source 76 a control current, the nitinol wire 75 tearing, so the lever arm 71 through the tension spring 81 is rotated counterclockwise, as indicated by the dashed lines.

15 shows schematically a triggering device 90 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The triggering device 90 contains a spring 91 , in the prestressed state by means of a nitinol wire 92 is anchored. The nitinol wire 92 is at two deflection points 93 with one end of the spring 91 connected, as well as at three attachment points 94 at the other end of the spring 91 connected to the vehicle. This type of anchoring is based on the principle of "pulley", so that the strain of the nitinol wire 92 is reduced at a constant stored spring force.

16 schematically shows a triggering mechanism 100 according to a further non-inventive example of the invention. The trigger mechanism 100 has a cylindrical housing 101 with a piston displaceable therein 102 on, attached to an operating rod 103 is coupled. To the piston 102 on the one hand grips a Nitinolfeder 104 , and on the other hand, a conventional steel spring 105 with oppositely acting spring force. The nitinoleather 104 is connected to a not shown power source for generating a control current.

In the upper part of the picture is the release mechanism 100 shown at rest. Therein is the Nitinolfeder 104 contracted and the steel spring 105 expanded. The operating rod 103 is retracted, ie it runs completely within the housing 101 ,

In the lower part of the picture is the release mechanism 100 after triggering illustrated (the triggering is done by generating a control current as in other embodiments already mentioned). Therein is the Nitinolfeder 104 expanded and the steel spring 105 contracted. The in the expansion of Nitinolfeder 104 generated spring force is therefore greater than that of the steel spring 105 , The operating rod 103 is extended.

After switching off the control current, the spring force of Nitinolfeder 104 again lower than the steel spring 105 , As a result, the piston becomes 102 through the spring 105 back in the 16 reset as shown above.

It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but includes modifications within the scope of the claims defined by the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

trigger mechanism

2

hollow body

3

piston

4

nitinol wire

5

compression spring

8th

trigger mechanism

9

mainspring

10

attachment point

11

attachment point

14

trigger mechanism

15

spiral spring

16

attachment point

17

attachment point

18

attachment point

21

trigger mechanism

22

actuator

23

Nitinolelement

24

vehicle

27

trigger mechanism

28

actuator

29

operating disc

30

pen

31

Nitinolplatte

34

Roll bar

35

vehicle seat

36

headrest

39

head Start

40

guy rope

43

Gas Cylinders

44

outflow

45

Graft

46

nitinol wire

47

fastening point

48

power source

51

vehicle

52

Security System / bonnet

53

Security System / Bumper

70

triggering device

71

lever arm

72

axis of rotation

73

frame

74

compression spring

75

nitinol wire

76

power source

77

Arrow / direction of rotation

80

triggering device

81

mainspring

82

loop

90

triggering device

91

feather

92

nitinol wire

93

turning point

94

Attachment points to vehicle

100

trigger mechanism

101

casing

102

piston

103

actuating rod

104

Nitinolfeder

Claims (18)

Triggering device ( 90 ) for a safety system for vehicles, comprising: an actuator; a spring ( 91 ) for biasing the actuating element; a nitinol wire ( 92 ) for releasably anchoring the spring ( 91 ) in the prestressed state; and a controllable current source for generating a current for heating the nitinol wire ( 92 ), whereby the nitinol wire ( 92 ) and the anchoring can be released, the nitinol wire ( 92 ) at several points with the spring ( 91 ) or the actuating element on the one hand and the vehicle on the other hand is connected such that the spring ( 91 ) is anchored according to the pulley principle in the prestressed state. Tripping device according to claim 1, wherein the nitinol wire ( 92 ) runs along the effective direction of the spring force. Tripping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring ( 91 ) is a compression spring. Tripping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring ( 91 ) is a tension spring. Tripping device according to claim 1, wherein the spring ( 91 ) is a coil spring. Tripping device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element is connected to a triggering element, which is formed by a displaceable in a hollow cylinder piston, and the spring ( 91 ) is arranged between the piston and the inside of one of the base surfaces of the cylinder. Tripping device according to claim 6, wherein the safety system is formed by a side airbag, and the triggering element to a guy element ( 40 ) is coupled to tension the side airbag along a vehicle interior during inflation and / or in the inflated state of the side airbag. Tripping device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the safety system is formed by an airbag module with an airbag and a cold gas generator, and the actuating element the Closure of a discharge opening of the cold gas generator forms the airbag. Tripping device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the safety system by a headrest ( 36 ) which, in a rear impact is moved by spring force from a first position preset by a user to a predetermined second position, the safety system comprising sensors for detecting a rear impact and for activating the power source. Tripping device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the safety system by a vehicle seat ( 35 ) is formed, which is lowered in a rollover by spring force with respect to the vehicle floor, wherein the safety system comprises sensors for detecting a rollover and for activating the power source. Tripping device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the safety system by a roll bar ( 34 ) is formed, which is extendable by a spring force in a rollover, wherein the security system comprises sensors for detecting a rollover and for activating the power source. Tripping device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the safety system by a hood ( 52 ), which can be raised by a spring force before a collision of the vehicle with a passer, the safety system having sensors for detecting an imminent collision with a passer and for activating the power source. Tripping device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the safety system is formed by a part of the front part of the vehicle, such as the bumper or the grille, which is extendable by spring force before a collision of the vehicle with a passer, the safety system sensors for Detecting an imminent collision with a passer and activating the power source. Tripping device for a safety system for vehicles, with a gas pressure vessel ( 43 ) with a closed by a releasable closure discharge opening ( 44 ); a tether consisting of Nitinol, by means of which the closure on the gas pressure vessel ( 43 ) is attached; and a power source connected to the tether ( 48 ) for generating a current by means of which the tether can be heated and torn so that the closure by the in the gas pressure vessel ( 43 ) prevailing internal pressure dissolved and the outflow opening ( 44 ) are released. Tripping device according to claim 14, wherein the closure is provided by a bursting membrane or plug ( 45 ) and the tether through a nitinol wire ( 46 ) is formed. Triggering device ( 70 . 80 ) for a safety system for vehicles, comprising: one about an axis of rotation ( 72 Rotatable around as a lever arm ( 71 ) executed actuator; a spring for biasing the lever arm ( 71 ); a Nitinolelement for releasably anchoring the lever arm ( 71 ) in the prestressed state; and a controllable power source ( 76 ) for generating a current for heating the Nitinolelementes, whereby the Nitinolelement can be torn and the anchoring can be solved, wherein the spring at one point of the lever arm ( 71 ) attacks these, which are closer to the axis of rotation ( 72 ), as the attachment of the Nitinolelementes on the lever arm ( 71 ). Tripping device according to claim 16, wherein the nitinol element is replaced by a nitinol wire ( 75 ) is formed. The triggering device of claim 16, wherein the nitinol element is formed by a nitinol foil.

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