VEHICLE OCCUPANT SAFETY SYSTEM WITH VARIABLE SUPPORT AND CORRESPONDING OPERATING METHOD

摘要

The aim of the invention is to improve a vehicle occupant safety system having an airbag (4) in terms of its supporting action and in particular to prevent too high a force (FAB, FG) acting upon the thorax of a occupant (1) when said occupant has fastened the security belt in the event of an impact. The invention therefore relates to a vehicle occupant safety system that comprises an airbag (4), a sensor device (6) for detecting at least one situation parameter and a control device (7) for controlling the inflation and/or deflation and/or unfolding and/or positioning of the airbag in accordance with the at least one situation parameter. The unfolding and/or positioning and/or shape of the airbag (4) and/or distribution of pressure in the airbag (4) at the end of the filling phase is directly or indirectly controlled in a targeted manner by a control device (7) in accordance with the at least one situation parameter. A modification of the form of the airbag (4) in the thorax region can be obtained in particular by a releasable constriction (5).