Test circuit for automotive passenger restraint systems

摘要

In order to provide for complete testing of all the components of a trigger circuit for actuating an automotive passenger restraint system, and thereby to prevent unintentional deployment of restraint systems, for example air bags, the test circuit performs a testing program which is initiated at the moment when electric power is applied to the passenger safety system. The testing program checks the operation of the electronic discriminator circuits as well as the correct operation of the power output circuit by generating a simulated triggering signal. The actuation of the passenger restraint system is prevented during the test cycle by blocking an auxiliary semiconductor switch connected in series with the power output transistor of the triggering circuit.