Vehicle Occupant Safety System with Energy-Absorbing Elements, and Method of Operating Same
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle occupant restraint system has an airbag, which provides a predetermined support force distribution in the filled (unfolded) state, and at least one energy-absorbing element that is attached to the airbag in order to unfold it or to locally increase the support force thereof. The energy-absorbing element(s) are arranged such that at least one energy absorbing element may apply itself to an occupant, and may at least partially follow the movements of the same at least to a certain extent. The energy-absorbing element has an occupant-protective function, and/or the airbag has a funnel function relative to an occupant to be supported. The occupant is guided toward the center of the airbag during an impact by means of the funnel function, and is possibly also protected laterally by means of the side walls.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1-10. -10. (canceled)
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11. A vehicle occupant safety system, comprising:
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an airbag which has a predetermined support force distribution in a filled unfolded state; at least one energy-absorbing element attached to the airbag, for at least one of unfolding the airbag and increasing its support force locally; and at least one energy-absorbing element that is arranged in such a manner that one of the following is true; i) the airbag has a funneling function with regard to an occupant to be supported, and ii) at least one energy-absorbing element is configured for application to an occupant and at least partially following his or her movements, so as to exert an additional occupant-protecting function. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for supporting an occupant during an impact of a vehicle, said method comprising:
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deploying an airbag, so that it has a predetermined support force distribution; and guiding the occupant to a predetermined destination during the impact, in that at least one energy-absorbing element exerts a location-dependent support force that includes a component in the direction of the predetermined destination in a predetermined region of the airbag. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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20. A method for supporting an occupant during an impact of a vehicle, said method comprising:
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deploying an airbag, so that it has a predetermined support force distribution; and guiding the occupant to a predetermined destination during the impact, by applying at least one energy-absorbing element of the airbag to an occupant, which energy-absorbing element is at least partially configured for following his or her movements, so as to exert an additional occupant-protecting function. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification