Vehicle occupant safety system with energy-absorbing elements, and method of operating same
First Claim
1. A vehicle occupant safety system, comprising:
- An airbag which has a predetermined support force distribution in a filled unfolded state; and
at least one energy-absorbing element attached to the airbag, for at least one of unfolding the airbag and increasing its support force locally;
wherein the airbag has a support force that is lowest in a central portion of the airbag such that the airbag has a funneling function with regard to an occupant to be supported, and the at least one energy-absorbing element is configured for application to an occupant to at least partially follow his or her movements, so as to exert an additional occupant-protecting function; and
wherein the at least one energy-absorbing element is configured in a keyhole shape in a central impact region of the airbag.
1 Assignment
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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
11 Claims
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1. A vehicle occupant safety system, comprising:
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An airbag which has a predetermined support force distribution in a filled unfolded state; and at least one energy-absorbing element attached to the airbag, for at least one of unfolding the airbag and increasing its support force locally; wherein the airbag has a support force that is lowest in a central portion of the airbag such that the airbag has a funneling function with regard to an occupant to be supported, and the at least one energy-absorbing element is configured for application to an occupant to at least partially follow his or her movements, so as to exert an additional occupant-protecting function; and wherein the at least one energy-absorbing element is configured in a keyhole shape in a central impact region of the airbag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. 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; wherein the airbag has a support force that is lowest in a central portion of the airbag such that the airbag has a funneling function with regard to the occupant; and wherein the at least one energy-absorbing element is configured in a keyhole shape in a central impact region of the airbag. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. 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; wherein the airbag has a support force that is lowest in a central portion of the airbag such that the airbag has a funneling function with regard to the occupant; and wherein the at least one energy-absorbing element is configured in a keyhole shape in a central impact region of the airbag. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification