Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle includes an airbag configuration with a sensing airbag and a protective airbag. The sensing air bag is finger-shaped and has a small volume. A gas generator inflates the sensing airbag with a low power in the event of a vehicle impact. The inflated sensing airbag extends into an inflation zone of the protective airbag in order to sense any obstacle disposed therein. A touch-sensing device is connected to the front of the sensing airbag and provides a control signal when the sensing airbag encounters an obstacle. When the control device receives the control signal, the control device prevents or at least reduces the inflation of the protective airbag. When the control device does not receive the control signal, the protective airbag is inflated with full power.

Abstract: A steering device is configured for a vehicle, which includes a steering column, a steering-wheel hub and a steering wheel, the steering-wheel hub including an openable cover, behind which an airbag module containing a gas generator and an airbag is disposed. In the activated state of the airbag module, the cover unblocking an airbag outlet, through which the airbag can be inflated in front of the steering wheel. The cover is coupled to at least one pulling device, which can be operated by a pyrotechnic actuator in the form of a cylinder-piston unit, the gas generator forming the piston, which is supported so as to be moveable from a neutral position into a working position, in a cylinder region of the steering-wheel hub and/or of the steering column, which acts as a cylinder.

Abstract: An air bag assembly including an inflator for discharging inflation gas and a gas receiving expansible air bag cushion of winged geometry disposed in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon release of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is deployed substantially over the windshield of an automobile as well as the pillars adjacent the windshield. View ports are present within the interior of the air bag cushion so as to maintain a degree of visibility for the vehicle operator after deployment has taken place. Mesh netting or a like material which does not unduly restrict visibility may extend across the internally formed view ports.

Abstract: An occupant protection device for a motor vehicle includes an airbag configuration disposed in a hub of a steering wheel. A cover formed of two airbag flaps covers an airbag outlet opening. At least two connecting straps and/or pivoting levers hold each of the two airbag flaps when the steering wheel airbag deploys. At least one of the two airbag flaps radially pivots into a release position when the steering wheel airbag deploys and guides the steering wheel airbag into a given deployment direction.

Abstract: An airbag system includes a contact sensing element acted on by a gas generator to extend in the direction of airbag deployment. The contact sensing element carries a sleeve which initially covers gas openings on the generator and when the contact element is fully extended uncovers the openings to enable rapid airbag deployment. Deployment is slowed in the event the contact element encounters an obstacle, such as an out-of-position passenger.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inflatable air bag system (10) which serves as a protective wall in front of a vehicle sidewall (1). Said air bag system comprises a plurality of restraint cushions which can be inflated by a gas generator (12). According to the invention, at least one of the restraint cushions is configured as a gas distributor cushion (11) which is the first to be impinged upon by a gas mass flow from the gas generator (2). Said restraint cushion is at least partially covered in the restraint position of one of the vertical pillars, preferably a B-pillar (7). The gas distributor pillow (11) comprises discharge openings through which the portions of the gas mass flow can be delivered, optionally via filling channels (20 to 23), from the gas generator (12) to additional restraint cushions (24, 25). Such an arrangement permits the gas distributor cushion (11) to rapidly cover an assigned vertical column (7) and permits the connected restraint cushions (24, 25) to fill rapidly.

Abstract: An airbag system includes a contact sensing element acted on by a gas generator to extend in the direction of airbag deployment. The contact sensing element carries a sleeve which initially covers gas openings on the generator and when the contact element is fully extended uncovers the openings to enable rapid airbag deployment. Deployment is slowed in the event the contact element encounters an obstacle, such as an out-of-position passenger.

Abstract: An occupant protection device for a motor vehicle includes an airbag configuration disposed in a hub of a steering wheel. A cover formed of two airbag flaps covers an airbag outlet opening. At least two connecting straps and/or pivoting levers hold each of the two airbag flaps when the steering wheel airbag deploys. At least one of the two airbag flaps radially pivots into a release position when the steering wheel airbag deploys and guides the steering wheel airbag into a given deployment direction.

Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle includes an airbag configuration with a sensing airbag and a protective airbag. The sensing air bag is finger-shaped and has a small volume. A gas generator inflates the sensing airbag with a low power in the event of a vehicle impact. The inflated sensing airbag extends into an inflation zone of the protective airbag in order to sense any obstacle disposed therein. A touch-sensing device is connected to the front of the sensing airbag and provides a control signal when the sensing airbag encounters an obstacle. When the control device receives the control signal, the control device prevents or at least reduces the inflation of the protective airbag. When the control device does not receive the control signal, the protective airbag is inflated with full power.

Abstract: A steering device is configured for a vehicle, which includes a steering column, a steering-wheel hub and a steering wheel, the steering-wheel hub including an openable cover, behind which an airbag module containing a gas generator and an airbag is disposed. In the activated state of the airbag module, the cover unblocking an airbag outlet, through which the airbag can be inflated in front of the steering wheel. The cover is coupled to at least one pulling device, which can be operated by a pyrotechnic actuator in the form of a cylinder-piston unit, the gas generator forming the piston, which is supported so as to be moveable from a neutral position into a working position, in a cylinder region of the steering-wheel hub and/or of the steering column, which acts as a cylinder.

Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle includes a multi-chamber airbag, which is inflatable by at least one gas generator activatable when a vehicle is impacted. The airbag includes at least one feeler, or tactile, airbag, which may be quickly inflated using only a small quantity of energy and which is provided with a touch, or tactile, function. The feeler airbag may be inflated and introduced into an inflation area of at least one second airbag chamber and identifies, by touch, an obstacle in the inflation area, such as an out-of-position occupant. A touch recognition device is connected to the feeler airbag and emits a control signal, which is utilized at least during the inflation phase. The gas generator includes a control device for the inflowing amount of gas, the control device being connected to the touch recognition device and preventing, or at least reducing, a further inflation function of the gas generator when receiving the control signal.

Abstract: A motor vehicle safety arrangement has a pedal mechanism with at least one bearing block and at least one pedal articulated thereon. The bearing block is held by a beam member which extends approximately over the width of the vehicle and is spaced from a bulkhead delimiting the passenger compartment. In order to prevent injury to feet on frontal impact, the beam member is resistant to bending and is uncoupled from the bulkhead. The distance between the member and bulkhead is dimensioned such that, in the event of intrusion of the bulkhead as a result of a collision, the position of the beam member does not vary substantially.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for seat occupancy recognition in a motor vehicle utilizes a seat occupancy sensor which is triggered only for an interval of time and only in predetermined situations.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for seat occupancy recognition in a motor vehicle utilizes a seat occupancy sensor which is triggered only for an interval of time and only in predetermined situations.

Abstract: A vehicle seat air bag arrangement has a side operating air bag module including a gas generator, an air bag package and a gas delivery device which connects the gas generator to the air bag package. The vehicle seat has a backrest part and a seat part each having a frame with frame members constructed in such a way that they can accommodate air bag module components providing a very packed and secure accommodation of air bag module parts which has a favorable effect on driving safety and production costs.

Abstract: A steering column for a vehicle is an integral constituent of a safety steering arrangement or an occupant protection arrangement. To minimize the risk of injury to vehicle occupants, the steering column includes deformation members and a geometrically stable intermediate segment. Such a steering column is combined with a steering wheel to which an airbag cover, movable into an open position by the airbag, is articulated so that it will not protrude from the contour of the steering wheel during opening motion of the airbag.

Abstract: A side airbag arrangement for a motor vehicle has a plurality of airbag compartments mounted next to each other above a side window in a region of the roof frame and window pillar of the motor vehicle and stored there in a folded-together fashion in the deactivated state. In the activated state, the airbag compartments extend in front of the side window to provide a cover starting from that region. Each of the airbag compartments can be filled independently of the other by a control unit to achieve an improved protective effect with reduced complexity. For this purpose, each of the airbag compartments is connected by a valve to a gas duct which is mounted in the region of the roof frame and window pillar and can receive gas from two gas generators at opposite ends. The valves are controllable independently of each other.

Abstract: An occupant protection device for a motor vehicle has at least one inflatable airbag which, upon activation of at least one associated gas generator passes through, leaves an exit opening in the region in front of an occupant and enters the interior of the motor vehicle. The airbag has a multi-chambered design and has at least one inflatable thorax-protection gas chamber and a head-protection gas chamber, which is connected to the said thorax-protection gas chamber by gas-throughflow openings and, with the airbag inflated, lies above the thorax-protection gas chamber, the thorax-protection gas chamber is preceded by a smaller inflatable gas prechamber, which is in connection with the gas generator and can be inflated directly by the latter. The gas prechamber is connected to the thorax-protection gas chamber of gas-throughflow openings, so that the thorax-protection gas chamber can be inflated indirectly by the gas generator via the gas prechamber.

Abstract: In the embodiment described in the specification, a vehicle seat has a framework arrangement with both backrests and seat parts on which a cushion is mounted. The framework arrangement includes a first framework and a second framework which can be displaced relative to the first framework. To reduce the risk of injury to a vehicle seat occupant in the event of rear-impact accidents and/or accidents involving a vehicle turning over, the second framework is supported from the first framework by an energy-absorption structure.

Abstract: A steering device is configured for a vehicle, which includes a steering column, a steering-wheel hub and a steering wheel, the steering-wheel hub including an openable cover, behind which an airbag module containing a gas generator and an airbag is disposed. In the activated state of the airbag module, the cover unblocking an airbag outlet, through which the airbag can be inflated in front of the steering wheel. The cover is coupled to at least one pulling device, which can be operated by a pyrotechnic actuator in the form of a cylinder-piston unit, the gas generator forming the piston, which is supported so as to be moveable from a neutral position into a working position, in a cylinder region of the steering-wheel hub and/or of the steering column, which acts as a cylinder.