Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
  • B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
  • B60R21/017—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
  • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
  • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
  • B60R21/26—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
  • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
  • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
  • B60R21/26—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow
  • B60R21/264—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow using instantaneous generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05F—SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES
  • G05F1/00—Automatic systems in which deviations of an electric quantity from one or more predetermined values are detected at the output of the system and fed back to a device within the system to restore the detected quantity to its predetermined value or values, i.e. retroactive systems
  • G05F1/10—Regulating voltage or current 
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
  • H03K3/00—Circuits for generating electric pulses; Monostable, bistable or multistable circuits
  • H03K3/64—Generators producing trains of pulses, i.e. finite sequences of pulses
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
  • B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
  • B60R2021/01286—Electronic control units
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
  • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
  • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
  • B60R21/26—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow
  • B60R2021/26029—Ignitors

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib of a pyrotechnic protective agent for a vehicle, to a corresponding device for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib of a
• the manufacturer of the ignition means to ensure a safe and timely ignition a minimum current flow over a certain period of time required.
• the design of the circuit is designed so that it meets the requirements, taking into account all tolerances. This results in both the time duration and the current being chosen to be much higher than required. Therefore, for example, the
• a method for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib of a pyrotechnic protective agent for a vehicle furthermore a device for Turn off at least one ignition stage for a squib of a
• a pyrotechnic protective device for a vehicle uses this method, a Zündendkinnvoriques with a device for switching off at least one ignition stage for a squib of a
• An ignition output stage for a squib can be advantageously designed smaller, although despite tolerances of the components used without a
• a method for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib for a pyrotechnic protective agent for a vehicle having the following steps:
• Activation level is set
• a pyrotechnic protection means for a vehicle can a
• Restraining means such as an airbag or a seat belt
• An ignition output stage can be understood to mean a power output stage having at least one transistor. In this case, an ignition output stage can be provided for driving the pyrotechnic protection means.
• Activation signal can provide two signal levels.
• Current threshold may represent a minimum current flow defined by the squib.
• the minimum current flow can be one
• Minimum current flow duration may represent a minimum requirement for a period of time to properly drive the squib.
• the ignition output stage can be switched off by the presented method as soon as a required minimum current for a required by the ignition stage
• an optimal design of the final stage can be achieved or implemented and thus a cost savings can be achieved.
• the time duration may be determined using a counter.
• a counter reading of the counter can represent the time duration.
• the counter may increment the count in response to the enable signal.
• the time duration may be determined using a timer. The timer may be configured to be predefined in response to the activation signal
• Time interval to implement the counter can be determined at low cost, in which the current strength of the drive current is greater than the current threshold value.
• the time duration and additionally or alternatively the counter reading can be compared with a predefined threshold value.
• the threshold may represent the minimum current flow duration.
• a minimum current flow duration can be defined. The count can be compared to determine the minimum current flow duration with a threshold. Thus, compliance with the minimum current flow duration can be monitored simply and inexpensively.
• the current can be measured using a
• the Current transformer can be determined.
• the current intensity of the drive current can be detected or determined with a current transformer or an ammeter.
• the current intensity can be determined without a change in the drive current.
• Current threshold representing threshold current can be compared using a comparator.
• the current value can be comparatively compared with the current threshold value with a comparator.
• the current level may be detected with a step of detecting preceding the setting step.
• the current intensity can be detected using a current transformer. So can the
• Amperage can be detected in the step of detecting with a current transformer.
• the method may include a step of driving an ignition output stage in response to the switching signal.
• the ignition output stage may comprise at least one transistor, in particular a MOSFET transistor.
• the step of driving the ignition output stage can be triggered in response to the switching signal.
• the ignition output stage may include a switch.
• the ignition output stage may include a high-side switch and a low-side switch for controlling the drive current.
• a device for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib of a pyrotechnic protective agent for a vehicle is presented, the device having the following features: a setting device for setting an activation signal to a
• Ignition output exceeds a predefined current threshold; a determiner for determining a period of time in which the
• Activation signal is set to the activation level; and an interface for providing a switching signal for switching off the ignition output stage, depending on a comparison of the duration with a
• the approach presented here provides a device for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib of a pyrotechnic protective agent for a vehicle, wherein the device is designed to perform or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. Also by this embodiment of the invention in the form of a device, the object underlying the invention can be solved quickly and efficiently.
• a device can be understood as meaning an electrical device which processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals in dependence thereon.
• the device may have an interface, which may be formed in hardware and / or software.
• the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device.
• the interfaces are their own integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components.
• the interfaces may be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.
• the setting device comprises a current transformer and a comparator.
• the determining device may comprise a counter and a time pulse generator.
• the interface for providing may comprise a comparison device.
• the current transformer can be designed to detect the drive current and to provide a drive current representing current signal.
• the comparator may be configured to set the activation signal to the activation level when the
• a count of the counter may be in response to the activation signal and a signal of
• Time pulse generator are incremented. Furthermore, the comparison device can be designed to provide the switching signal if the counter reading exceeds the threshold value.
• the approach presented here creates an ignition output device with an ignition output stage and a variant of a device presented here for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib of a
• the ignition output stage includes a high-side switch and a low-side switch for controlling a
• Driving current and further comprises an interface for providing the drive current to the squib for the pyrotechnic protective agent.
• the interface of the device is designed to use the switching signal as
• a computer program product or computer program with program code which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and for carrying out, implementing and / or controlling the steps of the method according to one of the above
• FIG. 1 shows a vehicle with a device for switching off at least one ignition output stage according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• 2 shows a block diagram of a device for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib of a pyrotechnic protective device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
• Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a device for switching off at least one
• Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of a Zündendmenvortechnisch with a
• Ignition stage for a squib and with a device for switching off the
• Ignition output stage according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a method for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib of a pyrotechnic protective agent for a
• FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 100 with a device 102 for switching off at least one ignition output stage 104 for a squib 106 of a pyrotechnic
• the vehicle 100 includes the protection means 108.
• the protection means 108 is one
• Retaining means such as an airbag or a belt tensioner or other pyrotechnic triggerable protection means 108, which via the squib
• the squib 106 is triggered.
• the squib 106 is replaced by a corresponding
• Drive current 110 ignited.
• For the drive current apply certain
• Minimum requirements such as a minimum amperage and a
• the device 102 is configured to monitor the drive current 110 and to provide a switching signal 112 to switch off the ignition output stage 104 when the minimum requirements for the drive current for igniting the ignition current
• One aspect of the present exemplary embodiment is a deactivation of ignition output stages 104 in airbag control units as a function of the current flow duration through the squib 106.
• an ignition output stage 104 with independent switch-off 102 is illustrated.
• FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a device 102 for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib of a pyrotechnic protection device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• the vehicle may be an embodiment of a vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 1.
• the ignition output stage and the squib may be exemplary embodiments of the ignition output stage 104 and squib 106 shown in FIG. 1.
• the ignition output stage 104 comprises a first switch 214, a second switch 216 and two terminals 222, 224 for connecting the squib 106.
• the two switches 214, 216 are in one
• a ground connection switched.
• the drive current 110 may flow through the switches 214, 216 as well as the squib 106 connected to the terminals 222, 224, thereby causing ignition of the squib 106.
• the ignition output stage 104 includes a drive device 226 for driving the two switches 214, 216 in response to the switching signal 112.
• the drive device 226 is designed to receive the switching signal 112 and to corresponding ones
• Control signals 228, 230 implement.
• the control signal 228 controls the first switch 214 and the control signal 230 controls the second switch 216.
• the ignition output stage 104 has only one switch, for example the first switch 214 or alternatively the second switch 216.
• the ignition output stage 104 does not include any
• the device 102 can also be an exemplary embodiment of a device 102 shown in FIG. 1 for switching off an ignition output stage 104 for a squib 106 of a pyrotechnic protective device for a vehicle.
• the device 102 comprises a setting device 232, a
• the setting device 232 is configured to set an activation signal 238 to an activation level if a current intensity of the drive current 110 for the ignition output stage exceeds a predefined current threshold value 240.
• the setting device 232 comprises a current measurement or an ammeter (not shown here).
• a measuring resistor can be inserted into the supply line between the first potential connection 218 and the ignition output stage 104 or, for example, a measuring coil can be arranged.
• the determiner 234 is configured to determine a time duration 242 in which the activation signal 238 is set to the activation level. The determination of the time duration 242 takes place using the activation signal 238.
• the interface 236 is designed to provide the switching signal 112 for switching off the ignition output stage 104. In this case, the switching signal 112 is provided depending on a comparison of the time duration 242 with a predefined minimum current flow duration 244.
• the embodiment of a device 102 presented here allows the design of the ignition output stages 104 and their control by the safe
• An aspect of the presented exemplary embodiment is that the time duration in which the required minimum current flows is measured or determined, and when the required minimum current flow duration is reached, the power output stages 104
• FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a device 102 for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib of a pyrotechnic protection device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• the device 102 may be an embodiment of a device 102 described in FIG. 1 or FIG.
• the device 102 comprises a setting device 232, a determining device 234 and an interface 236.
• the setting device 232 is designed to read in a drive current 110 or alternatively detect it.
• the interface 236 is formed, by a corresponding switching signal 112, the ignition output stage for the squib
• the setting device 232 has a current transformer 350 and a comparator 352.
• the current transformer 350 is configured to determine a current intensity of the drive current 110.
• the current transformer 350 is an ammeter 350 or other suitable measuring device for detecting the amperage of the drive current 110.
• the comparator 352 is configured to measure the current intensity detected by the current converter 350 with a current meter
• the determining device 234 comprises a counter 356, which is designed to determine the time duration in which the activation signal 238 is applied to the
• Activation level is set.
• a counter reading 358 of the counter 356 represents the time duration 242.
• the interface 236 is designed to compare the time duration 242 or the count 358 representing the time duration 242 with a predefined threshold value 360.
• the threshold value 360 represents a minimum current flow duration for igniting the squib.
• the interface 236 is configured to provide the switching signal 112 when the time period 242 has at least the value of the minimum current flow duration.
• the device 102 comprises a drive device for driving at least one ignition output stage in response to the switching signal 112.
• a variant of the drive device is shown in FIG. 4 and provided with the reference numeral 226.
• the ignition output stage comprises at least one MOSFET transistor, in particular a MOSFET transistor for switching on and off the drive current 110.
• Fig. 4 shows a circuit diagram of a Zündendmenvortechnik with a
• Ignition output 104 for a squib 106 and with a device 102 for switching off the ignition output stage 104 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the device 102 may be an embodiment of a device 102 described in FIGS. 1 to 3.
• the device 102 comprises a setting device 232, a determining device 234 and an interface 236.
• the setting device 232 has a current transformer 350 and a comparator 352.
• the determining device 234 has a counter 356 and a time pulse generator 462.
• the interface 236 has a
• the comparator 352 is configured to compare the current magnitude signal 464 to a current threshold signal 354 or threshold current 354 and to set the enable signal 238 to the enable level, if so
• a counter 358 of the counter 356 is activated in response to the
• the comparator of the interface 236 is formed, the Switch signal 112 to provide when the count 358 exceeds the threshold 360.
• a drive current 110 can be introduced or measured.
• the connection of the device 102 is according to this
• Embodiment via a measuring resistor 468 of the current transformer 350 and the current meter 350 coupled to a line for guiding the drive current 110 through the ignition output stage 104.
• the measuring resistor 468 is arranged at a suitable position within the line for conducting the drive current 110.
• the connection of the device 102 is coupled via a measuring coil of the current meter 350 to the line for guiding the drive current 110 through the ignition output stage 104.
• the measuring coil is arranged at a suitable position within the line for conducting the drive current 110.
• Port 218 is also referred to as "high_ou
• port 220 is also referred to as” low_ou.
• the first switch 214 is also referred to as a highside switch or Tl.
• the second switch 216 is also referred to as a low-side switch or T2.
• the two switches 214, 216 are designed as transistors, in particular as MOSFET transistors, for example as N-channel MOSFET.
• the first switch 214 is arranged, for example, between the terminal 218, also referred to as high_out ", and the terminal of the device 102 for detecting the drive current 110.
• the second switch 216 is arranged between the terminal 220, also referred to as" low_ou, "and a ground terminal.
• the ignition output stage 104 has a connection for the control signal 112.
• a line for the control signal 110 is connected to a driver 226.
• the control device provides control signals 228, 230 at two outputs, which are conducted via corresponding lines to the corresponding switches 214, 216.
• An output of the current transformer 350, to which the current signal 464 is applied, is connected to an input of the comparator 352.
• Another input to comparator 352 is via a first comparator resistor having a current threshold signal terminal 354 and a second comparator
• Comparator resistor connected to ground. At the output of the comparator 352, the activation signal 238 is present. The output of the comparator 352 is connected to an input of the counter 356.
• a pulser 462 provides a signal 466.
• the counter 356 is configured to increment a count 358 using the signal 466 of the pulse generator 462 and the enable signal 238.
• the counter 356 is connected to the interface 236.
• Interface 236 is configured to provide the switching signal 112, wherein the switching signal 112 is output when the counter 358 the
• the interface 236 is connected to the driver 226.
• the control device 226 is designed to control the ignition output stage 104 in response to the switching signal 112.
• the drive device 226 is connected via a connection of
• Ignition 104 with the first switch 214 and additionally or alternatively connected to the second switch 216.
• the current 110 via the first switch 214 (transistor 1; Tl), the squib
• the threshold of the comparator 352 is determined as a function of the required Zündstrom- level. As long as the measured value indicated by current signal 464
• FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a method 580 for switching off at least one ignition output stage for a squib of a pyrotechnic
• the ignition output stage may be one in FIG. 1 or Fig. 4 shown ignition output 104 act.
• the method 580 includes a step 582 of setting an enable signal, a step 584 of determining a time duration, and a step 586 of providing a switch signal to disable the ignition output stage.
• the enable signal is set to an enable level when a current of a drive current for the ignition output exceeds a pre-defined current threshold.
• step 584 of determining a time duration the time period in which the time is determined
• Activation signal is set to the activation level.
• a switching signal for switching off the ignition output stage is provided as a function of a comparison of the time duration with a predefined minimum current flow duration. In one embodiment, the switching signal is provided when the duration reaches at least the value of the predefined minimum current flow duration.
• the method includes an optional step, not shown here, of activating at least one ignition output stage and additionally or alternatively a further ignition output stage in response to the switching signal.
• an exemplary embodiment comprises an "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, then this is to be read so that the embodiment according to one embodiment, both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment either only first feature or only the second feature.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Air Bags (AREA)
• Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)

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Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Citations (2)

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• 2014
  • 2014-04-16 DE DE102014207302.2A patent/DE102014207302A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2015
  • 2015-03-26 KR KR1020167031613A patent/KR102307034B1/ko active Active
  • 2015-03-26 EP EP15713440.4A patent/EP3131793B1/de active Active
  • 2015-03-26 US US15/301,993 patent/US10179560B2/en active Active
  • 2015-03-26 JP JP2016562826A patent/JP6875858B2/ja active Active
  • 2015-03-26 WO PCT/EP2015/056568 patent/WO2015158519A1/de not_active Ceased
  • 2015-03-26 CN CN201580019669.8A patent/CN106170419B/zh active Active

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