Vehicle occupant restraint device and method for operating a vehicle occupant restraint device

US11040684B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Martin Seyffert · Pfullingen, DE
• Simon Kramer · Schorndorf, DE
• Marco Wahl · Gaildorf, DE
• Silke Leger · Alfdorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 21, 2018
• Grant date: Jun 22, 2021
• Expiry date: Mar 21, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/23146
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle occupant restraint device comprises a control unit and a group of at least two matched airbags (20, 24; 22, 26) for the protection of a vehicle occupant (10; 16) on a particular vehicle seat (12; 16). The control unit is arranged and the airbags (20, 24; 22, 26) are disposed and designed so that, in a collision case, the control unit differentiates between a first situation in which the vehicle occupant (10; 16) is located in a standard distance area relative to a first airbag (20; 22) and a second situation in which the vehicle occupant (10; 16) is located in a rear area which is further distant from the first airbag (20; 22) than the standard distance area. When the first situation is given, the control unit activates the first airbag (20; 22) only. In contrast, when the second situation is given, the control unit activates the first airbag (20; 22) and additionally at least a second airbag (24; 26) of the group, with the first airbag (20; 22) backing the second airbag (24; 26).