Method, computer program, electronic storage medium and device for detecting the breakdown of an energy reserve unit

A non-transitory electronic storage medium on which is stored a computer program that is executable by a computer, and that, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to perform a method for a device for protecting occupants of a vehicle, the device including a power device that includes a plurality of energy reserves, the method comprising performance of the following steps:

• charging the plurality of energy reserves to an operating voltage level at which a voltage of the plurality of energy reserves has a first voltage value for control of an occupant protection device;
• and
• performing a plurality of breakdown checks, wherein:
• each of the plurality of breakdown checks includes:
• controlling a charge of the plurality of energy reserves to a test voltage level at which the voltage of the plurality of energy reserves has a second voltage value different than the first voltage value;
• using a temperature sensor to ascertain an ambient temperature of the plurality of energy reserves devices that exists when the voltage of the plurality of energy devices is at the second voltage value due to the controlling of the charge;
• when the voltage of the plurality of energy reserves is at the second voltage value due to the controlling of the charge, performing an electrical control of the plurality of energy reserves to thereby acquire an overall capacitance of the plurality of energy reserves;
• based on the ascertained ambient temperature, selecting one of a plurality of floating mean overall capacitance values stored in an electronic storage;
• and
• comparing the acquired overall capacitance to the selected floating mean overall capacitance value;
• one or more first ones of the plurality of breakdown checks includes, based on a result of the comparison, updating in the electronic storage the floating mean overall capacitance value that has been selected in the respective check, the updating modifying the selected floating mean overall capacitance value to reflect the overall capacitance acquired in the respective check;
• and
• one or more second ones of the plurality of breakdown checks includes recognizing a breakdown of at least one of the plurality of energy reserves as a function of a comparison between the floating mean overall capacitance value;
• that has been selected in the respective check and the overall capacitance of the plurality of energy reserves that has been acquired in the respective check.

A control device comprising a processor configured to perform a method for a protecting device for protecting occupants of a vehicle, the protecting device including a power device that includes plurality of energy reserves, the processor, for executing the method, being configured to:

• charge the plurality of energy reserves to an operating voltage level at which a voltage of the plurality of energy reserves has a first voltage value for control of an occupant protection device;
• and
• perform a plurality of breakdown checks, wherein:
• each of the plurality of breakdown checks includes:
• controlling a charge of the plurality of energy reserves to a test voltage level at which the voltage of the plurality of energy reserves has a second voltage value different than the first voltage value;
• using a temperature sensor to ascertain an ambient temperature of the at plurality of energy reserves that exists when the voltage of the plurality of energy devices is at the second voltage value due to the controlling of the charge;
• when the voltage of the plurality of energy reserves is at the second voltage value due to the controlling of the charge, performing an electrical control of the plurality of energy reserves to thereby acquire an overall capacitance of the plurality of energy reserves;
• based on the ascertained ambient temperature, selecting one of a plurality of floating mean overall capacitance values stored in an electronic storage;
• and
• comparing the acquired overall capacitance to the selected floating mean overall capacitance value;
• one or more first ones of the plurality of breakdown checks includes, based on a result of the comparison, updating in the electronic storage the floating mean overall capacitance value that has been selected in the respective check, the updating modifying the selected floating mean overall capacitance value to reflect the overall capacitance acquired in the respective check;
• and
• one or more second ones of the plurality of breakdown checks includes recognizing a breakdown of at least one of the plurality of energy reserves as a function of a comparison between the floating mean overall capacitance value that has been selected in the respective check and the overall capacitance of the plurality of energy reserves that has been acquired in the respective check.