JP2014004996A - Methods for identifying, diagnosing and triggering trigger means for human body protective means for vehicle, and apparatuses for identifying and triggering trigger means for human body protective means - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an identification method, a diagnostic method and a trigger method for trigger means for human body protective means for a vehicle, and an apparatus and a computer program product using these methods.SOLUTION: Two human body protective means 110 are disposed within a vehicle 100, and a trigger means 120 is attached to each of the human body protective means 110. The vehicle has an apparatus 130 for controlling the trigger means, and an identification apparatus 140 is configured as a part of the apparatus for controlling the trigger means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for identifying a trigger means for a human body protection means for a vehicle, a method for diagnosing the trigger means, a method for triggering the trigger means, and a corresponding device, and a corresponding It relates to computer program products.

  Human protection systems, such as airbag ignition circuits, are equipped with a standard form of ignitable igniter that, when energized, operates a gas generator, thereby triggering the airbag. The ignition type igniter is electrically equivalent to ohmic resistance. However, the ignition circuit may comprise an inductance, eg a LEA magnet mover for active headrest or roll bar actuation. LEA is an abbreviation for the English term “low energy actuator”. In the LEA magnet mover, the additive is not exploded, but the magnetic field generated by the ignition current moves the actuator.

  In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to identify a trigger means for a human body protection means for a vehicle, a method for diagnosing the trigger means, and a method for triggering the trigger means. A device for identifying a trigger means for a human body protection means using the method for identifying, a device for triggering a trigger means for the human body protection means using the method for triggering, And a corresponding computer program product according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the respective dependent claims and in the following description.

  The invention is based on the recognition that different types of triggering means for human body protection means have different load conditions of the ignition circuit or trigger circuit and thus different trigger current profiles. Trigger current detection characterizes the course of the trigger current and further defines the type of trigger means. In known types of triggering means, a lower power loss or chip temperature can be obtained with an optimal short current supply time.

  A method for identifying a trigger means for a human body protection means for a vehicle includes the step of evaluating the course of a trigger signal for the trigger means to define the type of trigger means.

  The human body protection means is attached to the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle may be a passenger car, a commercial vehicle, or a motorcycle. The human body protection means may be, for example, an airbag, a belt tensioner, an active headrest, or an operable roll bar. The human body protection means is activated by the trigger means or triggered by the trigger means. The trigger means may be, for example, an igniter, an ignition-type igniter, a combination of an ignition-type igniter and a gas generator, an LEA magnet mover, or a magnet actuator. LEA is an abbreviation for the English term “low energy actuator”, and in German it is “niederenergetischer Aktor”. In this case, the LEA can switch the magnetic field with little energy. The type of trigger means is expressed as an ohmic resistance or inductance in terms of electrical characteristics. Thus, the type of trigger means is characterized by a unique characteristic of ohmic resistance or inductance. In particular, the triggering means behaves like an ohmic resistor or as an inductance based on the type of triggering means when a trigger signal is applied. The trigger signal may be a trigger current. The trigger signal may optionally be a trigger voltage. The passage of the trigger signal indicates the change of the current value of the current flowing through the trigger means with the passage of time. The first course of the trigger signal is assigned to the first type of trigger means and the second course of the trigger signal is assigned to the second type of trigger means. The first course and the second course may differ from each other, for example, by different slopes of the rising edge after the trigger signal is activated or supplied. The unique characteristics of the trigger signal or of the trigger signal are known for each appropriate type of trigger means. Thus, in order to define the type of trigger means, the course of the trigger signal is compared, for example, with a known unique course or unique feature stored in memory.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the type of trigger means is represented as an electrical ohmic resistance or inductance. The trigger means, for example the igniter, is characterized as an electrical equivalent circuit with resistance. A LEA magnet mover or magnet actuator is characterized as an equivalent circuit having a coil. There are two types of trigger means. Ignitable igniters correspond to electrical ohmic resistance. The magnet actuator corresponds to inductance.

  For example, at the evaluation stage, an identification time point that has reached the identification threshold value or an identification time point that has exceeded the identification threshold value is evaluated by the trigger signal. The type of the trigger means is defined using the identification time point. The identification threshold may be a limit value. The identification threshold value is, for example, a current value or a voltage value. The progress of the trigger signal can reach or exceed the identification threshold. As the identification time point, a time point when the passage of the trigger signal first reaches the identification threshold value or a time point when the identification threshold value is exceeded may be defined. Regarding exceeding the identification threshold, exceeding the value of the identification threshold may be represented by the magnitude of the elapsed transition of the trigger signal. The identification point may be located in time after the start point at which the trigger signal is supplied, i.e., for example, switching from the inactive state or value to the active state or value. The identification time may be coincident with the start time within a tolerance range. The start time may be the time when the first signal change in the course of the trigger signal appears. If the change of the trigger signal is larger than a predetermined tolerance range, it is regarded as a signal change.

  When the identification time is within the first time interval, the type of trigger means is defined as ohmic resistance. Also, when the identification time is within the second time interval, the type of trigger means is defined as inductance. In this case, the second time interval may be arranged after the first time interval in time. The first time interval starts at the start time. The first time interval and the second time interval may be arranged with an interval between each other.

  It would be advantageous if an error signal would be generated when the trigger signal is below the identification threshold at another point in time after the identification point. Another time point may be placed after the second time interval in time. An error signal may be provided when the trigger signal is permanently below the identification threshold between the start time and another time. An error signal may also be provided when the trigger signal is below the identification threshold when it reaches another point in time. Instead of another time point, another time interval arranged after the second time interval in time may be used. The error signal may be an electrical signal. The error signal indicates a failure of the human body protection means.

The method of diagnosing trigger means for human body protection means the following steps:
Performing the steps of the method for identifying a trigger means for a human body protection means for a vehicle to identify the type of trigger means;
Selecting a diagnostic method adapted to the type of trigger means;
Executing a diagnostic method for diagnosing the trigger means;
have.

  The method includes providing a trigger signal. In this case, the trigger signal may be set to a value that is insufficient to actually trigger the human body protection means, for example, a value that is too low. The method for diagnosing the trigger means for the human body protection means can be performed with less current than the trigger signal. For diagnosis, a current having a current value lower than 100 mA is used. If the trigger means, which is electrically represented as an ohmic resistance, is identified as the trigger means, the trigger signal is canceled after the first time interval. In contrast, when the inductance is identified as the trigger means, the trigger signal is canceled only after a second time interval that is longer than the first time interval. Thereby, the transient vibration characteristic of the trigger signal can be taken into consideration. Thus, for example, the current in the trigger means represented as inductance is supplied over a longer time interval than in the case where the trigger means represented electrically as an ohmic resistance is identified. The purpose of this method for diagnosing the trigger means is to make the time for which the trigger signal is supplied, i.e. the current is applied and / or flows, as short as possible. If the current is applied and / or flows only for a short time, the heating of the device performing the method for diagnosing the triggering means can be kept weak. Since the current supply time at the time of measuring the ignition circuit resistance is short, power loss can be reduced. Because of the short current supply time, a relatively small silicon surface can be used for circuits that generate power loss compared to methods that require longer current supply times. This solution has the advantage that the current controller only needs to be kept conductive for the time necessary for the diagnosis of the trigger means to be diagnosed each time. This allows the chip temperature of the chip with the integrated circuit operated in connection with the execution of this method to be kept low.

The method of triggering trigger means for human body protection means is the following steps:
Providing a trigger signal for the trigger means at a first time point;
Performing the steps of a method for identifying a trigger means for a human body protection means for a vehicle for identifying a type of the trigger means;
Terminating the trigger signal at a second time point adapted to the type of trigger means;
have.

  By triggering the trigger means, the human body protection means is activated, i.e., for example, an air bag is ignited or a roll bar is deployed. Upon termination of the trigger signal, the trigger signal is canceled or set to an inoperative state or value. For example, a trigger current that functions as a trigger signal is interrupted at the end of the trigger signal. This method of triggering trigger means for human body protection means can be combined with a method for diagnosing trigger means for human body protection means.

  An apparatus for identifying a trigger means for a human body protection means is configured to perform the steps of a method for identifying a trigger means for a human body protection means for a vehicle in a correspondingly configured apparatus. Has been. This configuration embodiment of the present invention configured as a device for identifying trigger means for human body protection means can also solve the problems of the present invention quickly and effectively.

  An apparatus for identifying a trigger means for a human body protection means here an electrical device, such as a controller or a controller, that processes sensor signals and transmits them in connection with control signals and / or data signals. is there. The device for identifying the trigger means for the human body protection means has an interface that can be configured in hardware and / or software. In a hardware configuration, the interface may be part of a so-called system ASIC having different functions of the device, for example. The interface may also be a unique integrated circuit or at least partially composed of discontinuous elements. In a software configuration, the interface may be, for example, a software module provided on the microcontroller together with other software modules.

The device for controlling the triggering means is the following device:
A device for supplying a trigger signal;
A device for supplying the trigger signal to the trigger means;
An apparatus for identifying the trigger means;
have.

  The device for supplying the trigger signal may be, for example, a current source or a voltage source or a switch, for example a transistor for actuating, ie for supplying a trigger signal. The device for supplying a trigger signal to the trigger means has at least one connection contact, to which the electrical contact of the trigger means is connected. Thus, the device for supplying a trigger signal to the trigger means can interface with the trigger means.

  A computer program product with program code is also advantageous. The program code can be stored on a machine readable carrier such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory, and when the program product is executed on a computer or apparatus, any one of the previous embodiments. Used to carry out the method according to.

1 is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with a device for controlling trigger means according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram representing a change in trigger signal over time according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of possible wiring changes for a trigger means according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4a is a diagram illustrating the change over time of two independent trigger signals as current intensity according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4b is a diagram illustrating, in binary, the change over time of two independent trigger signals according to one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for identifying trigger means for a human body protection means for a vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for diagnosing a triggering means for a human body protecting means for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for triggering a trigger means for a human body protection means for a vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the preferred embodiments of the invention described below, the same or similar symbols are used for elements having similar action shown in different drawings, and these elements are repeated. The explanation is omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Two human body protection means 110. a, 110. b is arranged, and one triggering means 120. a, 120. b is assigned. The vehicle 100 also includes trigger means 120. a, 120. It has a device 130 for controlling b. Trigger means 120. a, 120. device 140 for identifying b, according to this embodiment, trigger means 120. a, 120. Part of the device 130 for controlling b. Human body protection means 110. a and the human body protection means 110. belonging trigger means 120 for a. a are connected to each other. Trigger means 120. a is the trigger means 120. connected to a device 130 for controlling a. Accordingly, another human body protection means 110. b and this other human body protection means 110. another triggering means 120. belonging to 120b. b are connected to each other. Another trigger means 120. b is another trigger means 120. connected to a device 130 for controlling b.

  Trigger means 120. a, 120. b, the trigger means 120. a, 120. The same and / or different types of b can be used. For example, trigger means 120. a is of the type corresponding to an electrical ohmic resistance, and another trigger means 120. b may be of a type corresponding to electrical inductance. In this case, for example, the trigger means 120. a may be an ignition type igniter, and human body protection means 110. a may be an airbag, and another trigger means 120. b may be a LEA magnet, which is another human body protection means 110. b may be a roll bar.

  Trigger means 120. a, 120. b for controlling the triggering means 120. a trigger signal 150. a, and another trigger means 120. b, another trigger signal 150. at least one interface for outputting b. Trigger means 120. a and another trigger means 120. b is a trigger signal 150. a and another trigger signal 150. Each has one interface for receiving and / or reading b.

  Trigger means 120. a, 120. b for identifying the trigger signal 150. a, 150. b. trigger means 120. a, 120. configured to supply to b. Depending on the ignition circuit load, ie trigger means 120. a, 120. Depending on the type of b, different ignition current changes, ie trigger signals 150. a, 150. A change of b occurs. Trigger signal 150. a, 150. b changes the trigger means 120. a, 120. In order to identify b, the trigger means 120. a, 120. Evaluated by a device 140 for identifying b.

  One embodiment of a device 140 for identifying trigger means includes a trigger signal 150. a, 150. Use ignition current detection to characterize the course of b. Trigger means 120 shown as electrical ohmic resistance. a, trigger means 120. a trigger signal 150 indicating the current flowing through a. The course of a has a substantially rectangular shape. For example, the trigger signal 150... Controlled by the transistor circuit shown in FIG. In this case, a substantially corresponds to a rectangular wave signal.

  Trigger means 120 expressed as electrical inductance. b, the current is the trigger signal 150. b does not occur immediately after supply of the trigger signal 150.b. The current increase in a is represented by the trigger means 120. This is done more slowly than in a. In this case, the trigger signal 150. b rising slope is the trigger means 120. Based on the inductance of b.

  Trigger means 120. a, 120. b for identifying the trigger signal 150. a, 150. b. trigger means 120. a, 120. It is configured to detect when the discrimination threshold is reached or when the discrimination threshold is exceeded after being supplied to b. This device 140 includes trigger means 120. a, 120. It is configured to define the model of b based on the time point. This time is the trigger signal 150. a, 150. If it is close to the supply time of b, this means that the trigger means 120. a. At this time, the trigger signal 150. a, 150. If it is away from the supply point of b, this means that the inductance type trigger means 120. b. Two types of trigger means 120. a, 120. trigger signal 150.b used to identify b. a, 150. b matches each other.

  Trigger means 120. a, 120. b for the identification of the trigger means 120. a, 120. b. if used during diagnosis of b. a, 120. The identification threshold used to identify the type of b is set low. This identification threshold is 50 mA for diagnosis in one embodiment. Trigger signal 150. a, 150. Since b has a low maximum value of 100 mA or less, for example, at the time of diagnosis, trigger means 120. a, 120. It is definitely avoided that b is triggered unexpectedly. Accordingly, the identification threshold for diagnosis is set low.

  Trigger means 120. a, 120. b for the identification of trigger means 120. a, 120. When used during actual operation of b, ie during triggering, the discrimination threshold is set higher than when used for diagnosis. This identification threshold is 2A in one embodiment. Accordingly, the trigger signal 150. a, 150. b is compared with the diagnostic value, trigger means 120. a, 120. It has a higher maximum that allows actual triggering of b.

  FIG. 2 depicts the trigger signal 150 over time according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the Cartesian coordinate system, time is shown on the horizontal axis, and the value of the trigger signal 150 is shown on the vertical axis. The identification threshold value 210 is marked on the vertical axis. A predefined constant value for the identification threshold 210 is indicated by a dashed line parallel to the horizontal axis of the coordinate system. The trigger signal 150 may be the trigger signal described in FIG. 1 that can be set using a low maximum value for diagnosing the trigger means and a high maximum value for actually triggering the trigger means. The identification threshold 210 may be the identification threshold described in FIG. 1 set in response to the supply of a trigger signal 150 for identifying the type of trigger means.

  The progress of the trigger signal 150 described in the coordinate system rises from the first value representing the inactive state of the trigger signal 150 at the start time t0 toward the second value representing the activated state of the trigger signal 150. . In this case, the trigger signal 150 rises above the identification threshold value 210 at the identification time point t0a, and then transitions parallel to the horizontal axis up to the second time point t1 above the identification threshold value 210. At t1, the trigger signal 150 falls steeply from the second value, falls below the identification threshold 210, and is adjusted to the first value.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the trigger signal 150 exceeds the identification threshold 210 at time t 0 a within the first time interval 220. The first time interval 220 has transitioned from the start time t0 and forms a tolerance range for the identification time t0a, within which the trigger signal 150 was represented as an electrical ohmic resistance. Forms triggering means. After the first time interval 220 in time, a second time interval 230 is shown. If the identification time t0a is within the second time interval 230, the trigger signal indicates a typical course for the inductive trigger means. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first time interval 220 and the second time interval 230 are spaced from each other. In another embodiment not shown, the first time interval 220 and the second time interval 230 are arranged directly connected to each other.

  Another time point t0b is arranged after the second time interval 230 in time. At this other time point t0b, if the trigger signal 150 does not transition above the identification threshold 210, the trigger means abnormality, or the apparatus for controlling the trigger means, or the apparatus for identifying the trigger means It originates from an abnormality. If the trigger signal 150 transitions below the identification threshold 210 at the second time point t0b, an error signal is transmitted in a corresponding manner. From the second time point t1, the trigger signal 150 again transitions in one of the horizontal tolerance ranges.

  According to one embodiment, the trigger signal 150 is a current supplied to the trigger means. The current becomes equal to zero by time t0, ie no current flows. The current can rise from time t0 to a value sufficient to actually trigger the triggering means or to perform a triggering diagnosis without triggering the triggering means. Therefore, the current becomes a trigger current or a diagnostic current from time t0.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing examples of possible wiring changes for the triggering means according to one embodiment of the present invention. The circuit shown in FIG. 3 has four connection points or outer contacts, which are indicated by ER, IGH, IGL and PGND. For example, a current source or a voltage source can be connected to the first connection point. The fourth connection point PGND is connected to, for example, a reference voltage value, for example, a ground potential.

  The first connection point ER is connected to the second connection point IGH via a transistor interposed between the first connection point ER and the second connection point IGH. In this case, the transistor is a part of the high potential output stage 310, and the high potential output stage 310 further includes a high potential driver and an ignition current regulator. A transistor is connected by the high-side driver, thereby enabling or interrupting current flow between the first connection point ER and the second connection point IGH.

  The third connection point IGL is connected to the fourth connection point PGND via another transistor interposed between the third connection point IGL and the fourth connection point PGND. In this case, the other transistor is a part of the low potential side output stage 320, and this low potential side output stage 320 further has a low potential side driver. By this low potential side driver, the other transistor is connected, thereby enabling or interrupting the flow of current between the third connection point IGL and the fourth connection point PGND.

As trigger means 120, different types 120. a, 120. b trigger means 120 can be used. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, between the second connection point IGH and the third connection point IGL, an electrical ohmic resistor 120. A trigger means 120 of the type a is arranged. Electrical ohmic resistance 120. The triggering means 120 representing a is shown in FIG. 3 as a circle with an ohm-type igniter R _Squib . Alternatively, an electrical inductance 120... Is provided between the second connection point IGH and the third connection point IGL. Another type of trigger means 120 corresponding to b is arranged. In FIG. 3, the electrical inductance 120. The trigger means 120 forming b is shown as a circle with LEA magnets.

  Thus, the second connection point IGH and the third connection point IGL form a connection contact for the trigger means 120. Therefore, the trigger means 120 can be interposed between the second connection point IGH and the third connection point IGL. Since the transistor and another transistor of the illustrated circuit are conductively connected, in this embodiment, the current forming the trigger signal is from the first connection point ER to the transistor of the high-potential output stage 310, the second The second connection point IGH, the trigger means 120, the third connection point IGL, and the other transistor of the low potential output stage 320 flow to the fourth connection point PGND. In this case, the current is on the one hand the type 120. a, 120. b is used to define b, while it is used to perform a diagnosis of the trigger means 120 or to trigger the trigger means 120.

  The circuit further comprises a device for detecting the progress of the trigger signal, in this embodiment the current flowing through the trigger means 120. For example, the device for detecting the progress of the trigger signal is configured as a current measuring device or as a voltage measuring device, which can be placed at any suitable location in the circuit shown. For example, a device for detecting the progress of the trigger signal can be incorporated in the high-potential output stage 310 as a device for ignition current detection.

  FIG. 4a shows the change over time of two independent trigger signals as current intensity according to one embodiment of the invention. Trigger signal 150. a and this trigger signal 150. a second trigger signal 150 independent of a. b is described in the Cartesian coordinate system as in the embodiment shown in FIG.

  If a trigger means of the type of ohmic resistance is used, the first trigger signal 150. a corresponds to the current flowing through the circuit shown in FIG. If triggering means of the inductance type are used, the second trigger signal 150. b corresponds to the current flowing through the circuit shown in FIG.

  In this case, the time point t0 corresponds to a time point in which, in the two transistors illustrated in FIG. 3, at least one of the transistors is not conductive and the two transistors are conductively connected.

  Further, the time point t1 corresponds to a time point in which at least one of the two transistors is cut off from the state in which the two transistors are conductive in the two transistors illustrated in FIG.

  First trigger signal 150. a has a substantially ideal shape of a rectangular wave signal. At time t0, the first trigger signal 150. a rises vertically beyond the discrimination threshold until it reaches a value above the discrimination threshold 210 and remains parallel to the horizontal axis until the second time t1, until the zero line at the second time t1. Descend vertically. First trigger signal 150. The identification time t0a for a corresponds to the start time t0.

  Second trigger signal 150. b rises at a constant slope from the time t0, exceeds the identification threshold 210 at the identification time t0a after the time t0, and exceeds the identification threshold value 210. It reaches the same value as a. Then, the second trigger signal 150. b is the first trigger signal 150. After overshooting a, the first trigger signal 150. It becomes the same value as a. At the second time t1, the trigger signal 150. b falls vertically or very steeply to the zero line.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows two possible wiring variations of the airbag circuit. Depending on the ignition circuit load, different ignition current courses occur. FIG. 3 shows selectively a circuit having an ohm resistance igniter (R_Squib) and a circuit having a LEA magnet. In accordance with the present invention, ignition current detection is utilized to characterize the ignition current profile. Based on this ignition current detection, the ignition time is changed, thereby defining the ignition mode.

  FIG. 4b shows in binary the change over time of two independent trigger signals according to one embodiment of the invention. Time is shown on the horizontal axis of the Cartesian coordinate system, and the switching state of the trigger signal is shown on the vertical axis. The time axis corresponds to the time axis of FIG. 4a. The trigger signal is written on the zero line while it is below the identification threshold 210 in FIG. 4a, and is entered above the value as it moves upwards above the identification threshold 210 in FIG. 4a. . Two trigger signals 150. a, 150. An ideal rectangular wave signal for b is obtained. The first trigger signal 150 rises from the lower value to the upper value at the start time t0, falls at the second time t1, and returns to the zero line again. Second trigger signal 150. b rises to the upper value at the identification time t0a, falls at the second time t1 and returns to the zero line. First trigger signal 150. The start time t0 for a corresponds to the identification time t0a.

  According to one embodiment, a current pulse of the trigger signal is started at the start time t0. At the identification time point t0a, the current threshold for ignition current detection is exceeded. The second time point t0b represents a validation time point (Plausibilierungszeitpunkt). At the second time point t1, the end of the current pulse of the trigger signal is obtained.

  In wiring with igniter, the current is generated immediately, so the trigger signal is the trigger signal 150. It has a rectangular wave shape as illustrated by the passage of a. The ignition current detection identifies the current from the start time t0. In the wiring having the LEA magnet mover, the trigger signal 150. As shown by the course of b, no current is generated directly based on the inductive characteristics of the LEA magnet mover. The ignition current detection identifies the current only after the start time t0a. The start time t0a is based on how large the LEA module inductance is (typically 2 mH). However, if the current is still not always identified at another time t0b, this is evaluated as an abnormal result.

  The identification threshold value 210 corresponds to a threshold value for ignition current detection. The change in the current of the trigger signal 150 with the passage of time shown in FIG. 4a corresponds to the change in the current at the connection point IGH shown in FIG. The vertical axis of FIG. 4b shows the output of ignition current detection. In this case, a lower signal level indicates that the current threshold or identification threshold is not exceeded, and a higher signal level indicates that the current threshold or identification threshold is exceeded. First trigger signal 150. a represents an igniter (ohmic type), and the second trigger signal 150. b represents the LEA actuator (inductive type).

  FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for identifying trigger means for human body protection means for a vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method 500 for identifying the trigger means comprises a step 510 for providing a trigger signal progress, a step 520 for evaluating the trigger signal progress of the trigger means, and a step 530 for outputting the trigger means type. ing. In step 510 for providing the trigger signal progress, the trigger signal progress is read and provided to the next step 520 for evaluating the trigger signal progress. In step 520 for evaluating the progress of the trigger signal, the type of trigger means is defined. The type of trigger means is an electrical ohmic resistance or an inductance. In order to define the type of trigger means, at step 520, the identification time point at which the identification threshold is reached or the identification time point at which the identification threshold is exceeded is evaluated by the trigger signal. Based on whether the identification time is within the first time interval or the second time interval, it is defined whether it is an ohmic resistance type or an inductance type. In a particular embodiment, an error signal is provided if the trigger signal is below the identification threshold at another point in time and this other point in time is later than the identification point.

  The method 500 shown in FIG. 5 provides a method for automatically identifying airbag ignition circuit wiring for diagnosis and ignition. This method can be used both at the time of ignition and at the time of diagnosis. When used at the time of ignition, it is identified “automatically” whether the LEA wiring is present and correspondingly in the LEA mode. When used at the time of diagnosis, normal diagnosis or LEA diagnosis is selected according to the wiring. The LEA diagnosis has the disadvantage that a test current must be passed for a long time in order to obtain a steady signal. This means that the average power loss and thus the chip temperature increases, and the current consumption per unit of time inside the controller also increases. However, by identification, all other circuits using the igniter are not loaded for a long time by the test current. Automatic load identification behavior can be observed in variations of ignition circuit wiring.

  In the method 500 shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to ignite regardless of the ignition circuit wiring (ignition operation), the load condition of the ignition circuit is automatically identified (diagnostic operation), and the current in the ignition circuit resistance measurement The short time has the advantage that there is less power loss and thus lower chip temperature, thereby providing a smaller silicon surface for circuits that generate power loss. Furthermore, current consumption during diagnostic operation for the LEA circuit is reduced.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for diagnosing a triggering means for a human body protection means for a vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method 600 for diagnosing the trigger means comprises performing a step 610 of identifying the trigger means to identify the trigger means type, and selecting a diagnostic method adapted to the trigger means type. 620 and step 630 of executing a diagnostic method for diagnosing the trigger means.

  FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 for triggering a trigger means for a human body protection means for a vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. A method 700 for triggering a trigger means performs steps 710 of providing a trigger signal for the trigger means at a first time point and a method step of identifying the trigger means to identify the type of trigger means. Step 720 and a step 730 of terminating the trigger signal at a second time point that conforms to the type of trigger means.

  The embodiments described and shown in the drawings are given by way of example only. The different embodiments can be combined with each other completely or in connection with individual features. One embodiment may be supplemented by the features of another embodiment. Furthermore, the method steps according to the invention can be performed repeatedly or in an order different from the order described. If an example has an “and / or” connection between the first feature and the second feature, this is because the example according to one embodiment also has the second feature It also has a feature, that is, the example according to the other embodiment has only the first feature or only the second feature.

100 vehicle 110. a, 110. b Human body protection means 120, 120. a, 120. b trigger means 130 device for controlling the trigger means 140 device for identifying the trigger means 150,150. a, 150. b Trigger signal 220 First time interval 230 Second time interval 310 High-potential output stage 500 Method for identifying trigger means 510 Step of providing trigger signal course 520 Assessing trigger signal course of trigger means Step 530: Outputting the type of triggering means 600: Method for diagnosing triggering means 610: Performing the method steps for identifying triggering means 620: Selecting a diagnostic method adapted to the type of triggering means 630 Performing a diagnostic method for diagnosing the triggering means 700 for triggering the triggering means 710 providing a trigger signal for the triggering means at a first time point 720 performing the method steps for identifying the triggering means Step 730 trigger Ending the trigger signal at a second time point that conforms to the type of means t0 Start time, first time point t0a Identification time point t1 Second time point t0b Another time point ER First connection point IGH Second connection point IGL 3rd connection point PGND 4th connection point

Claims (10)

In a method (500) for identifying trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) for human body protection means (110.a, 110.b) for a vehicle (100),
The method (500) comprises
In order to define the type of the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120), the trigger signal (150.a, 150.b; 150) for the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) ) Triggering means (120.a, 120) for the human body protection means (110.a, 110.b) for the vehicle (100), characterized in that it comprises a step (520) of evaluating the course of B; 120) for identifying (500).   The method (500) according to claim 1, wherein the type of the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) is expressed as an electrical ohmic resistance or inductance.   In the step (520) of evaluating the progress of the trigger signal, an identification time point (t0a) that reaches the identification threshold (210) or exceeds the identification threshold (210) is determined as the trigger signal (150.a, 150.b, 150). ) And defining the type of the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) using the identification time point (t0a).   When the identification time point (t0a) is within the first time interval (220), the type of the trigger means (120) is defined as an ohmic resistance, and the identification time point (t0a) is the first in time. 4. The type of the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) is defined as an inductance when within a second time interval (230) after a time interval (220) of. Method (500).   When the trigger signal (150.a, 150.b, 150) is below the identification threshold value (210) at another time point (t0b) after the identification time point (t0a) in time, an error signal is generated. The method (500) of claim 4, wherein the method is generated. In a method (600) for diagnosing a trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) for a human body protection means (110.a, 110.b),
The method (600) comprises
Performing step (610) of the method (500) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 to identify the type of the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120);
Selecting (620) a diagnostic method adapted to the type of the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120);
(620) performing a diagnostic method for diagnosing the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120);
A method (600) for diagnosing trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) for human body protection means (110.a, 110.b), characterized in that In a method (700) for triggering a trigger means (120) for a human body protection means (110.a, 110.b),
The method (700) comprises
Providing a trigger signal (150.a, 150b; 150) for the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) at a first time point (t0) (710);
Performing (720) the steps of the method (500) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for identifying the type of the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120);
Ending the trigger signal (150) at a second time point (t1) that conforms to the type of the trigger means (120.a, 120.b, 120);
A method (700) for triggering a trigger means (120) for a human body protection means (110.a, 110.b), characterized by comprising: In the device (140) for identifying the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) for the human body protection means (110.a, 110b),
The apparatus (140) is configured to perform the steps of the method (500; 600; 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 on a plurality of correspondingly configured devices, A device (140) for identifying trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) for human body protection means (110.a, 110b). In the device (130) for controlling the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) for the human body protection means (110.a, 110.b),
A device for providing a trigger signal (150.a, 150.b; 150);
A device for supplying the trigger signal (150.a, 150.b; 150) to the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120);
Device (140) according to claim 8, for identifying the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120);
A device (130) for controlling the trigger means (120.a, 120.b; 120) for the human body protection means (110.a, 110.b), characterized in that   8. A computer program product comprising program code for executing the method (500; 600; 700) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 when the program product is executed in an apparatus. A computer program product characterized by that.

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