Release device for passenger restraint systems in a motor vehicle

A device for triggering an occupant protection system in a vehicle for protection of vehicle occupants in a collision, comprising:

• a vehicle acceleration detector;
• means for generating a delay signal as a function of vehicle acceleration determined by said vehicle acceleration determined by said vehicle acceleration detector;
• a triggering control device which having a triggering threshold, for triggering at least said occupant protection system in response to said delay signal exceeding said triggering threshold;
• and
• a collision parameter detection unit which includes:
• an object detection unit which can detect a collision object in an area near the vehicle, and can determine at least a relative speed between the collision object and the vehicle;
• a signal generator which can be controlled by the object detection unit and which, whenever a collision object is detected, specifies a collision parameter signal that depends on determined relative speed;
• and
• means for adjusting the triggering threshold of the triggering control device as a function of said collision parameter signal.