Patent ID: 6465907
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An activating device for a passenger protection device of a passenger protection system in a vehicle, comprising:a squib for activating the passenger protection device when an activating current is supplied; first through third electronic switching devices, connected in series with the squib between a positive side terminal and a negative side terminal of a power supply, for allowing the activating current to pass through the squib from the power supply when turned on; first and second acceleration sensors for detecting an acceleration of the vehicle; first determining means for determining whether the vehicle is in a collision on the basis of detection outputs of the first and second acceleration sensors; second determining means for determining whether the vehicle is in the collision on the basis of the detection output of the second acceleration sensor; driving means for turning on the first through third electronic switching devices when it is determined by the first determining means that the vehicle is in the collision; and ON-prohibiting means for prohibiting one of the first through third electronic switching devices from being switched on by the driving means when it is determined by the second determining means that the vehicle is not in the collision and suspending this prohibition when it is determined by the second determining means that the vehicle is in the collision, wherein the first determining means is a microcomputer comprising a hardware unit independent from the second determining means.