CONTROL UNIT FOR A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND/OR PASSENGER PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

A control unit for a passenger restraint and/or protection system for vehicles includes a sensor for generating an electronic analog output signal corresponding to accelerations or decelerations. An evaluation circuit determines if threshold values are exceeded. A tripping circuit trips a passenger-protection component if a threshold value is exceeded. Each sensor output signal is subjected to evaluations by supplying the signal to the evaluation circuit. Each evaluation circuit evaluates a temporal course by different criteria and by differently defined threshold values. The evaluation circuit uses typical characteristics of the temporal course and a definition of the threshold value to distinguish between accidents of at least two different types. The evaluation circuit ascertains the severity of the type of accident individually assigned to it from typical characteristics of the temporal course and from a definition for a threshold value. A logical linkage element links applicable evaluation outcomes and supplies a linkage outcome to the tripping circuit. The linkage element has a logical linking function tripping the system only if evaluations by the criteria show a defined type of accident, and that the threshold value having been specifically assigned to the applicable type of accident has been exceeded. The evaluation circuit ascertains an optimal tripping instant, differing from an instant at which exceeding of the tripping threshold value is ascertained.