Airbags for vehicle occupant restraint systems

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising an actively releasable restraining element (14) arranged in the interior (16) of the airbag (10), the restraining element being permanently connected at an airbag-side fixing portion (18) in the region of a contact region (20) between the occupant and the airbag (10), and comprising a releasable fixing portion (22) for release. The airbag (10) can occupy a first, smaller filling volume (V1), in which the restraining element (14) and the releasable fixing portion (22) are not released, and a second, larger filling volume (V2), in which the restraining element (14) is released at the actively releasable fixing portion (22). In addition to the limiting element (14), a limiting element restraint (26) is provided, which is arranged in the interior (16) of the airbag (10) and acts on the vehicle-side section (34) of the limiting element (14) at an action point (28) at a location remote from the airbag-side permanent fixing portion (18) of the limiting element (18) and is permanently fixed to the coupling point (30) at a location remote from the contact area (20), so that the vehicle-side section (34) of the released limiting element (14) remains fixedly connected relative to the vehicle via the limiting element restraint (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air bag of a vehicle occupant restraint system. Background Art

[0002] Airbags with adjustable volume controlled by a restraining element are known. In such airbags, a section of the airbag wall is connected to the restraining element, which is initially fixed firmly to the vehicle. This allows the airbag to inflate only to a first volume if the restraining element is intact. Within this first volume, the airbag's impact surface can only move a predetermined distance into the vehicle's passenger compartment until it is restrained by the restraining element. Only when the restraining element is released, for example, when its fastening is released at a release unit or when a weakened area in the restraining element breaks, can the airbag inflate to its full volume, with the impact surface moving further into the vehicle's passenger compartment. This function is used, for example, to adapt the airbag to the deployment position of the vehicle occupants in the vehicle's passenger compartment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to improve the behavior of such an airbag.

[0004] An airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint system includes an actively releasable restraining element disposed within the airbag. The restraining element is permanently connected to an airbag-side fixing portion in the area of ​​contact between the occupant and the airbag, and includes a releasable fixing portion for release purposes. The airbag can occupy a first, smaller filling volume, in which the restraining element and the releasable fixing portion are not released. Alternatively, the airbag can occupy a second, larger filling volume, in which the restraining element is released at the releasable fixing portion. In addition to the restraining element, a restraining element restraint is disposed within the airbag. The restraining element restraint acts on an action portion on a vehicle-side section of the restraining element remote from the airbag-side permanent fixing portion of the restraining element and is permanently fixed to a connection portion remote from the area of ​​contact between the occupant and the airbag, such that when the airbag occupies the second fillable volume, the vehicle-side section of the released restraining element remains fixedly connected to the vehicle via the restraining element restraint.

[0005] If the releasable fastening of the restraining element is released, the restraining element, in particular its vehicle-side section, can move in the airbag along with the contact area, which is then displaced into the vehicle passenger compartment. However, the restraining element is prevented from unintentionally moving further in the direction of the contact area by the restraining element restraint and is thus stabilized in the interior of the airbag.

[0006] At a releasable fastening point of the restraining element, the restraining element is fixedly held on its vehicle-side section before its active release. This vehicle-side fastening is generally designed to be stable so that all forces acting on the restraining element in the unreleased restrained state are directed into the vehicle via the releasable fastening point. The exact position of the releasable fastening point in the unreleased state is not crucial.

[0007] The contact area between the vehicle occupant and the airbag is also referred to as the impact surface and is that component of the airbag wall which is provided for receiving the vehicle occupant in the restraint situation.

[0008] In the restrained state, the airbag is always inflated at least to a first filling volume. In this case, the limiting element limits further expansion of the airbag and further movement of the contact area in the direction of the vehicle occupant.

[0009] "Actively releasable" here means that the fastening point is designed so that its release preferably does not require destruction of the restraining element itself. For example, an actively releasable fastening point can include a hook or loop on the restraining element, through which a destructible or movable component is passed in the fixed, unreleased state. Thus, the fastening point is actively released and the restraining band is released by an external pulse that does not originate from the restraining band itself.

[0010] For this purpose, a vehicle-mounted, in particular electronically controllable, release unit can be advantageously used, which is arranged, for example, on a module mounting of an associated airbag module or on a body or paneling part of the vehicle. The release unit can, for example, comprise an explosive bolt or a suitable mechanical device.

[0011] The restraining element is preferably coupled to the release unit in such a way that it can be selectively released, wherein the restraining element is firmly coupled to the release unit when the restraining element is not released and is released from the release unit when the restraining element is released. The restraining element should be connected to the release unit directly adjacent to the releasable fastening point. In this case, a tear seam or a predetermined breaking point on the restraining element can be completely omitted.

[0012] If the release unit is electronically controllable, targeted triggering can be achieved by sending an electronic release signal to the release unit from a suitable control system.

[0013] The unreleased releasable fastening point and in particular the release unit and the coupling point can be arranged adjacent to each other in the filled airbag, but it can also be advantageous if these two points are positioned spatially distant from one another.

[0014] The permanent fastening of the restraining element restraint at the connection point should be designed in such a way that this fastening does not come loose during the entire restraining situation.

[0015] The contact area between the vehicle occupant and the airbag is also referred to as the impact surface and is that component of the airbag wall which is provided for receiving the vehicle occupant in the restraint situation.

[0016] In the restraint condition, the airbag is always inflated at least up to the first filling volume. In this case, the limiting element limits the further expansion of the airbag and the further movement of the contact area in the direction of the vehicle occupant.

[0017] Preferably, even in a restraining situation in which the full volume of the airbag is to be utilized and thus inflated to its second filling volume, the restraining element is not released until the airbag has been filled, and in particular, until the first filling volume has been reached. Even in this dynamic situation, the restraining element restraint prevents free movement of the restraining element in the airbag and, in particular, prevents a forward movement of the restraining element in the direction of the contact region, which could bring the restraining element to the airbag wall.

[0018] To achieve this, the restraining element restraint has a length long enough to lie within the interior of the airbag without tensile stress when the airbag occupies the second filling volume, but short enough so that the engagement point of the restraining strap restraint on the restraining element and / or the vehicle-side section of the restraining element do not reach the contact area between the occupant and the airbag. The restraining strap does not thereby reduce the volume of the airbag, so that the second volume corresponds to the maximum filling volume of the airbag.

[0019] To this end, the total length of the restraining element and restraining element restraint combination is advantageously selected to be greater than the straight section in the airbag interior between the airbag-side permanent fastening of the restraining element and the connection point of the restraining element restraint, so that the airbag can be inflated unhindered up to its second filling volume. If the restraining element restraint is not intended to act on the end of the restraining element, then the effective length of the restraining element between the point of action of the restraining element restraint and the airbag-side fastening of the restraining element must of course always be taken into account. When the airbag occupies its second filling volume, the restraining element and restraining element restraint combination hangs loosely in the airbag interior, so that in this state no tensile forces act on the contact area via the restraining element.

[0020] In order to reliably restrain the restraining element in the airbag interior, the combined length of the restraining element and the restraining element restraint should also be selected to be shorter than the aforementioned distance plus the length of the restraining element from its permanent fastening on the airbag side to the point of action of the restraining element restraint. This ensures that the vehicle-side end of the restraining element is prevented from moving through the airbag interior as far as the contact area.

[0021] Therefore, neither the restraining element nor the restraining element restraint should affect the deployment and positioning of the airbag during the transition from the first filling volume to the second filling volume.

[0022] Setting: The restraining element restraint remains permanently fixed at its active point on the restraining element and at its connection point during the entire restraining condition. Therefore, the restraining element restraint always extends between these two points and its length remains unchanged during the entire restraining condition.

[0023] The restraining element restraint does not need to be designed to absorb the same forces as those acting on the restraining element; rather, it only needs to restrain the relatively light restraining element within the airbag interior. Thus, for example, thinner materials such as narrow fabric strips, flax, or rope can be used. The material of the restraining element restraint should be flexible but not elastic.

[0024] The restraining element restraint preferably has no further function than preventing free movement of the restraining element within the airbag when the restraining element is released.

[0025] Such a limiting element restraint can be used, for example, together with a limiting element which is permanently fixed on the inside in the region of the contact area of ​​the airbag to one or more airbag-side fastening parts and which can also serve, in particular, to position the airbag in the first filling state.

[0026] Preferably, the vehicle-side end of the restraining element restraint is fixed at a coupling point.

[0027] In one possible variant, the connection point is located on the wall of the airbag, particularly in the area near the airbag blowing opening or near the gas generator of the auxiliary airbag module. The wall can also be a reinforcing layer in the airbag. Alternatively, it is of course also possible to select the connection point, for example, on the module housing, on a bracket fixed to the vehicle, on the fastening bolts of the gas generator, or on a release unit for the restraining element.

[0028] The restraining element can be a simple linear restraining band. However, to be able to exert a greater influence on the shape and positioning of the airbag in the first filling volume, it is advisable to select a restraining element with a more complex shape, such as a restraining element with multiple arms. It is particularly advantageous to fix the multiple arms on the inside of the airbag wall to permanent fixtures on the airbag side, thereby exerting a defined tensile stress on the airbag. For example, the multiple arms can be fixed on the inside around or on the contact surface.

[0029] Such a limiting element can be produced, for example, from a plurality of blanks of an airbag fabric, which allows flexibility in design at low cost.

[0030] In one possible variant, the restraining element consists of such a multi-arm structure. In this case, the vehicle-side section of the restraining element can be formed by one of the arms or a dedicated blank, and both the active point of the restraining element restraint and the releasable fastening point are preferably arranged on it. It is particularly advantageous to use a flax or rope-type restraining belt restraint in order to keep the overall weight low.

[0031] In another possible variant, the multi-arm structure forms only part of the restraining element, and this restraining element also includes a connecting element that engages the multi-arm structure and on which the actively releasable fastening point of the restraining element is provided. The connecting element can be designed as a linear element, for example, flax or rope, in order to keep the restraining element weight low and allow for economical production.

[0032] In this case, the position of action of the limiting element restrainer can be arranged on the multi-arm structure or be arranged on the connecting element. Possible at this: the position of action is arranged on the end of the connecting element that deviates from the multi-arm structure, or is arranged in the extension of the connecting element between the end and the multi-arm structure.

[0033] In principle, the active point of the restraining element restraint can simultaneously constitute the releasable fastening point of the restraining element or at least be located in close proximity to it. However, for optimal placement of the joint, it can be advantageous to arrange the releasable fastening point and the active point a few centimeters apart. If a release unit is used, the active point is also located in close proximity to the release unit when the restraining element is not released and is released from the release unit when the restraining element is released.

[0034] In one possible variant, the limiting element restraint is formed by an end section of the limiting element and, in particular, of the connecting element, wherein the limiting element restraint can be integrated into the limiting element, in particular, the connecting element. The limiting element restraint can be a component integrated into the limiting element at a releasable fastening point and thus constitutes an extension of the limiting element.

[0035] Alternatively, however, it is also possible to arrange the effective point of the restraining element restraint on the restraining element remote from the releasable fastening point, in particular if the restraining element restraint is provided as an additional component of the restraining element. In this case, the releasable fastening point of the restraining element is not located in the extension of the restraining element restraint from its connection point on the airbag or the vehicle to its effective point on the restraining element.

[0036] If the limiting element consists of a multi-arm structure and a connecting element, the engagement point can be provided, for example, at the vehicle-side end of the multi-arm structure, while the releasable fastening point is located at the vehicle-side end of the connecting element.

[0037] All permanent connections can be established by any suitable means, in particular by sewing, gluing, welding or, if one of the parts is flax or rope, by tying a knot on a loop or a hook of the other component.

[0038] The airbag is preferably a driver airbag or a front passenger airbag in a passenger vehicle, however, the invention can also be implemented in any other airbag in a suitable vehicle.

[0039] The airbag is preferably a component of an airbag module, which is fastened to the vehicle and which may also comprise a gas generator and a release unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The present invention will be described in more detail below through a number of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an airbag according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the airbag being inflated to a first fillable volume;

[0042] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The airbag is shown inflated to a second fillable volume;

[0043] Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an airbag according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the airbag being inflated to a second fillable volume;

[0044] Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of an airbag according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown, the airbag being inflated to a second fillable volume.

[0045] To improve clarity, the same reference numerals are used hereinafter for identical or similar features of all embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Figure 1 An airbag 10 of a vehicle occupant restraint system (not shown in detail) is shown, which is designed here as a passenger airbag for a passenger vehicle. However, the airbag 10 can also be any other airbag for any suitable vehicle.

[0047] In the restraint situation, filling gas is introduced into the airbag 10 via a gas generator 12 connected to a blowing opening (not shown) of the airbag 10 , so that the airbag is inflated from its initial state folded up in the airbag module 13 (not shown), wherein the airbag 10 enters the vehicle cabin and is then located between the dashboard 15 and the windshield 17 after inflation.

[0048] The airbag 10 can assume two different, defined restraint states, in which it is inflated only to a first, smaller filling volume V1 (cf. Figure 1 ) or is inflated to a larger second filling volume V2 (refer to Figure 2 ), wherein the second filling volume V2 corresponds to the fully charged state of the airbag 10. The first filling volume V1 is Figure 3 and 4 Indicated by dotted lines.

[0049] In order to maintain the predetermined shape of the airbag 10 in the first filling volume V1 and to prevent further expansion of the airbag 10 into the vehicle passenger compartment, a limiting element 14 is provided, which is arranged in the interior 16 of the airbag 10 .

[0050] The limiting element 14 is fixedly fastened with its airbag-side end on an airbag-side permanent fastening 18 on the inside to a wall 19 of the airbag 10 , here in the region of the impact surface of the airbag 10 , which forms a contact region 20 of the airbag 10 for receiving an occupant.

[0051] The restraining element 14 is, in principle, fastened at its vehicle-side end to an actively releasable fastening point 22 before entering the restraining position, here to a release unit 24 that is fixed firmly to the vehicle (cf. Figure 1 ).

[0052] In the restraint condition, in which the airbag 10 is to occupy only the first filling volume V1 , the limiting element 14 is fixed to the vehicle with its releasable fastening region 22 on the release unit 24 , so that it is tensioned between the release unit 24 and its permanent fastening 18 on the airbag side. Figure 1 This state is shown. Here, the connection maintained between the release unit 24 and the actively releasable fastening point 22 allows a tensile stress to build up, which counteracts the internal pressure of the airbag 10 and keeps the contact area 20 at a predetermined distance from the gas generator 12. This state is shown in FIG. Figure 3 and 4 are represented by dotted lines.

[0053] In this case, the restraining element 14 is firmly connected to the release unit 24 during the entire restraining state. The restraining element 14 is designed so that it can withstand the tensile forces that are present at the same time. The forces acting on the restraining element 14 are introduced into the vehicle via the release unit 24.

[0054] However, if the airbag 10 is to assume its second restrained state with a second filling volume V2, the release unit 24 is activated, for example, when the first filling volume V1 is reached, so that the actively releasable fastening point 22 is released from the release unit 24. After triggering the release unit 24, the releasable fastening point 22 is located free in the interior 16 of the airbag 10. The restraining element 14 remains connected to the airbag wall at its airbag-side fastening portion 18.

[0055] The release unit 24 is an electronic release unit that is activated by an electronic release signal sent by a control system (not shown) and includes, for example, an electronically triggerable explosive bolt or an electronically controllable release mechanism (not shown in detail). In this example, the release unit 24 is shown near the gas generator 12, but it can be located at any suitable location fixed relative to the vehicle. However, it is also advisable to provide the release unit 24 as an integral part of the airbag module 13 of the airbag 10.

[0056] Since the contact area 20 is no longer restrained after the release unit 24 has been activated, the airbag 10 is now inflated to its full filling volume, the second filling volume V2, and the contact area 20 moves further into the vehicle cabin than in the first filling volume V1. Figure 2 、 3 This state is shown in and 4 .

[0057] The limiting element 14 initially moves together with the contact region 20 and enters the interior 16 of the airbag 10 .

[0058] In order to prevent the restraining element 14 from moving completely freely in the interior 16 of the airbag 10 , it is permanently connected to the airbag 10 (as shown here) or to the vehicle via a restraining element restraint 26 .

[0059] In this example, the restraining element restraint 26 is permanently connected to the restraining element 14 at a first end at an engagement point 28 and is permanently connected, for example sewn, to the wall 19 of the airbag 10 at a second end at a coupling point 30 .

[0060] The total length of the combination of the limiting element 14 and the limiting element restraint 26 based on the action point 28 is selected as follows, that is, this total length is greater than the section I between the connection point 30 and the contact area 20 of the airbag 10 (when the airbag 10 is hypothetically fully filled without the limiting element restraint 26), so that when the airbag 10 occupies its second filling volume V2, the limiting element 14 and the limiting element restraint 26 are located loosely and without tensile stress in the interior 16 of the airbag 10.

[0061] However, the total length of the combination of the limiting element 14 and the limiting element restraint 26 based on the action point 28 is also selected as follows, that is, this total length is less than the section I plus the length between the action point 28 and the permanent fixing part 18 on the airbag side, in order to ensure that the limiting element 14, in particular the vehicle-side section 34 of the limiting element 14, does not come into contact with the contact area 20 of the airbag 10 from the inside.

[0062] The precise design of the limiting element 14 and the arrangement of the limiting element restraint 26 on this limiting element 14 can be varied to a large extent according to the judgment of a person skilled in the art.

[0063] The restraining element restraint 26 can generally be designed to be weaker than the restraining element 14 , since the forces acting thereon are significantly smaller than the forces which the restraining element 14 has to withstand in the first restrained state.

[0064] The limiting element 14 is Figure 1 and 2 The embodiment shown essentially consists of a multi-arm structure 36. This multi-arm structure 36 consists of a plurality of textile blanks firmly connected to one another, which form a plurality of, for example, five, arms 40. In the example shown here, all arms 40 except one are fastened to the surface or edge of the contact region 20 of the airbag 10 and form the airbag-side fastening 18. The remaining free arm 40 is here the vehicle-side section 34 of the restraining element 14.

[0065] The restraining element restraint 26 is designed as a separate component and is in this case a belt or a rope whose material strength is lower than that of the restraining element 14 .

[0066] In this example, the connection point 28, at which the restraining element restraint 26 is fastened to the vehicle-side section 34, is located several centimeters from the actively releasable fastening point 22, which is provided here at the free end of the vehicle-side section 34. It is also conceivable to spatially combine the engagement point 28 and the releasable fastening point 22.

[0067] Since the length of the restraining element restraint 26 between the coupling point 30 and the engagement point 28 is additionally available when the actively releasable fastening point 22 is released, the airbag 10 can be inflated to its second filling volume V2 without any tensile forces acting on the restraining element 14. However, the restraining element, and in particular its vehicle-side section 34, cannot be moved through the interior 16 of the airbag 10 in the direction of the contact area 20 as far as it can reach the contact area 20, since the restraining element 14 is previously prevented from moving further by the restraining element restraint 26.

[0068] Figure 3 and 4 Possible variants are shown. However, the invention is not limited to the examples shown.

[0069] In both illustrated variants, the limiting element 14 consists of two separate components that are firmly connected to one another, namely the multi-arm structure 36 and the connecting element 38 , which are permanently fixed to one another at a connecting point 42 .

[0070] The connecting element 38 is, for example, a narrow strap, flax or rope. At one end, the connecting element 38 is connected to the free end of the vehicle-side section 34 of the restraining element 14, while the opposite end of the connecting element 38 forms the actively releasable fastening point 22 and is coupled to the release unit 24 before the restraining element 14 is released.

[0071] Of course, other complex structures or simple linear limiting bands in general can also be used as limiting elements 14 .

[0072] exist Figure 3 In FIG. 2 , the limiting element restraint 26 extends in the extension of the connecting element 38 , wherein the actively releasable fastening point 22 is formed at the transition from the connecting element 38 to the limiting element restraint 26 .

[0073] If the connecting element 38 and the limiting element restraint 26 are integrally formed with one another and the limiting element restraint 26 essentially forms the vehicle-side end of the connecting element 38 , the division between the limiting element restraint 26 and the connecting element 38 occurs, for example, solely through the position of the actively releasable fastening point 22 .

[0074] The releasable fastening point 22 in each case simultaneously forms the engagement point 28 .

[0075] Before the restraining element 14 is released, the restraining element restraint 26 extends from the coupling point 30 to the actively releasable fastening point 22 fastened to the release unit 24. From there, the connecting element 38 extends to the vehicle-side section 34 of the multi-arm structure 36, which in turn is fastened with its arms 40 at the airbag-side fastening 18 on the inner side of the wall of the airbag 10 in the region of the contact area 20.

[0076] With the triggering of the release unit 24, only the connection between the release unit 24 and the actively releasable fastening point 22 is separated, so that the actively releasable fastening point 22 is now suspended freely in the interior 16 of the airbag 10. All other connections remain unchanged.

[0077] The actively releasable fastening point 22 is therefore located in the direct extension between the coupling point 30 and the vehicle-side section 34 of the restraining element 14 .

[0078] Figure 4 The embodiment shown differs from the embodiment just described only in the position of the engagement point 28 of the limiting element restraint 26 and in the position of the actively releasable fastening point 22 .

[0079] In this embodiment, the actively releasable fastening point 22 is not located in the extension of the restraining element restraint 26 from the coupling point 30 to the vehicle-side section 34 of the restraining element 14. The restraining element restraint 26 is, for example, a component in addition to the restraining element 14 that extends partially parallel to the restraining element 14 and, in this case, in particular parallel to the connecting element 38. The engagement point 28 is offset from the free end of the vehicle-side section 34 of the restraining element 14 toward its permanent fastening 18 on the airbag side.

[0080] Figure 4 An example is also shown in which the engagement point 28 is located at the transition from the multi-arm structure 36 to the connecting element 38 , ie, at the coupling point 42 .

[0081] When the restraining element 14 is released, the free end 44 of the restraining element 14 with the releasable fastening point 22 (here, the entire connecting element 38) hangs freely in the interior 16 of the airbag 10. Therefore, the length of this free end 44 and the length of the restraining element restraint 26 should be selected to be as short as possible so that the free end 44 does not reach the contact area 20. This also applies to the first embodiment if the free end 44 is formed by a section of the multi-arm structure 36 itself.

Claims

1. A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising: airbags; Restriction elements; as well as Limiting element constraints, The restraining element restraint is arranged in the interior of the airbag, the restraining element includes a permanent fixing portion on the airbag side, in which the restraining element is permanently fixed in the area of ​​contact between the occupant and the airbag, and the restraining element also includes an actively releasable fixing portion for fixing the restraining element to the airbag, the fixing portion having a released state and an unreleased state. wherein, when the fixing portion is in the unreleased state, the restraining element becomes taut between the fixing portion and the airbag-side fixing portion, causing the restraining element to constrain the airbag in the area of ​​the contact region, so that the airbag is inflated to a first filling volume, wherein, when the fixing portion is in the released state, the tension on the restraining element is released and the airbag is free from restraint in the area of ​​the contact region, so that the airbag is inflated to a second filling volume that is greater than the first filling volume, wherein the second filling volume is a fully filled volume of the airbag free from restraint, Wherein, the limiting element restraint is configured to act on the vehicle side section of the limiting element at an action position away from the airbag side fixing portion of the limiting element, and the limiting element restraint is permanently fixed at a connection position away from the contact area, so that the vehicle side section of the released limiting element is in a released state at the fixing position and the airbag is inflated to the second volume. Maintaining a fixed connection relative to the vehicle through the limiting element restraint.

2. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein: The limiting element is connected to an electronically controllable release unit at the actively releasable fixing portion, and the electronically controllable release unit maintains the fixing portion in an unreleased state and can be actuated to release the fixing portion to a released state, wherein the limiting element is firmly connected to the release unit when the limiting element is in the unreleased state, and is released from the release unit when the limiting element is in the released state.

3. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein: The limiting element restraint has a length configured so that it is located within the interior of the airbag without tensile stress when the airbag occupies the second filling volume, and the length is also such that the action point on the vehicle-side section of the limiting element cannot reach the contact area of ​​the airbag.

4. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein: The limiting element is fixed on the inner side of the airbag in the region of the contact area.

5. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle-side end of the restraining element restraint is fastened to a connection point, and the connection point is located on the wall of the airbag.

6. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein: The restraining element comprises a multi-arm structure, wherein the permanent fixing portion on the airbag side comprises a plurality of arms of the multi-arm structure which are mounted on the airbag in the region of the contact area.

7. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 6, wherein: The limiting element comprises a connecting element which acts on the multi-arm structure and on which the actively releasable fastening point of the limiting element is arranged.

8. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein: The effective area of ​​the restraining element restraint also forms an actively releasable fixing area of ​​the restraining element.

9. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein: The limiting element restraint is a component which is integrated into the limiting element at an actively releasable fastening point and is therefore an extension of the limiting element.

10. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein: The restraining element restraint is provided as an additional component in addition to the restraining element, and an effective portion of the restraining element restraint is provided on the restraining element at a location away from the actively releasable fixing portion.

11. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 1, wherein: The airbag is a driver airbag or a front passenger airbag.

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