Occupant protection device for a vehicle, vehicle equipped with at least one occupant protection device, and method for operating an occupant protection device

Abstract

The invention relates to an occupant protection device (1) for a vehicle (2) comprising at least one table (4) assigned to a vehicle seat (3), which according to the invention is capable of being actively moved in the event of a collision and / or a perceived risk of a collision of the vehicle (2) into at least one occupant protection position, in which the table (4) supports at least one body part of an occupant (I) against movements caused by the collision and / or forms a support surface for at least one airbag (8) deployed from another vehicle part.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection device according to the features of the preamble of claim 1, to a vehicle equipped with at least one occupant protection device, and to a method for operating an occupant protection device. [Background technology]

[0002] An airbag system for a vehicle table is known from the prior art, as described in EP 3640092 A1. The system comprises a table placed in front of a passenger and an airbag cushion mounted inside the table. The airbag cushion inflates upon release with a first end attached to the inner edge of the table, allowing a second end to extend beyond the table and cover the upper surface of the table. The airbag cushion also comprises a bottom region that faces the table and is positioned spaced apart from the upper side of the table during release. A gas generator supplies gas to the airbag cushion to release the airbag cushion. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle occupant protection system that is an improvement over the prior art, a vehicle that is an improvement over the prior art, and a method of operating an occupant protection system that is an improvement over the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by a vehicle occupant protection device having the features of claim 1, a vehicle having the features of claim 10, and a method for operating an occupant protection device having the features of claim 11.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] The vehicle occupant protection device comprises at least one table assigned to the vehicle seat. In particular, this table can be moved manually and / or electrically, in particular by means of an electric motor, for example from a storage position to a table use position in which the table can be used by a vehicle occupant sitting in the vehicle seat, and back again. The table is therefore arranged in particular in the region of the vehicle seat, in a storage position, for example on or inside the vehicle seat, or in front of the vehicle seat, or behind the vehicle seat, or laterally adjacent to the vehicle seat, or under the vehicle seat, or above the vehicle seat, and in a table use position, for example in front of and / or laterally adjacent to and / or above the vehicle seat, in particular in front of and / or laterally adjacent to the occupant in the vehicle seat. The table is, for example, configured as a folding table.

[0007] According to the invention, in the event of a vehicle collision and / or a risk of collision being recognized, the at least one table is movable, in particular actively, i.e. in particular electrically, in particular by an electric motor and / or pneumatically and / or hydraulically and / or pyrotechnically, in particular automatically, from a table use position and / or a storage position, into at least one occupant protection position, in which the table supports at least one body part, in particular the upper body, of an occupant against movements caused by the collision and / or forms a support surface for at least one airbag deployed from another vehicle part, i.e. a vehicle part other than the table, which support surface is arranged to guide, direct and / or support the airbag, in particular during its deployment and / or to support the deployed airbag in particular.

[0008] A vehicle according to the invention is equipped with such an occupant protection device, which may for example have a plurality of such tables, e.g., one each assigned to a plurality or all vehicle seats of the vehicle, e.g., at least the rear seats and / or the front passenger seat.

[0009] The method according to the invention for activating an occupant protection device comprises, in the event of a vehicle collision or risk of collision being recognized, actively, i.e. in particular electrically, in particular by an electric motor and / or pneumatically and / or hydraulically and / or pyrotechnically driven, in particular automatically, moving at least one table, in particular from a table use position and / or a storage position, to an occupant protection position in which the table supports at least one body part, in particular the upper body, of an occupant against movements caused by the collision and / or forms a support surface for at least one airbag deployed from another vehicle part, i.e. a vehicle part other than the table, which support surface is intended to guide, direct and / or support the airbag, in particular during its deployment and / or to support the deployed airbag.

[0010] Electric drives, in particular drives by electric motors, and / or pneumatic and / or hydraulic drives allow in particular reversible movement of the table, which is particularly advantageous when a risk of collision is recognized and there is still a possibility of preventing the collision. Pyrotechnical movements are particularly fast and therefore particularly suitable when a vehicle collision that has already occurred is recognized.

[0011] The table may for example comprise at least one input unit and / or at least one display unit and / or at least one acoustic output unit, for example a keyboard, a tactile display or a projection with gesture recognition.

[0012] The described solution allows a table that can be used by an occupant, for example, as a work table and / or storage surface and / or as an input and / or output unit, such as a keyboard and / or operating unit, to be optimally positioned to protect the occupant in the event of a collision or a perceived risk of a collision. The occupant protection position, in which the table supports at least one body part of the occupant, in particular the upper body, against collision-induced displacement, is, for example, in front of the occupant, in particular in front of the occupant's upper body, in particular the thorax. That is, the table is accordingly positioned to move toward the occupant, in particular toward the occupant's upper body, in particular the thorax, and in particular abut against it. The occupant, in particular their upper body, is thereby advantageously supported and held accordingly by the table at the front and by the seatback of the vehicle seat at the rear. Positioning the table in front of the upper body, in particular in front of the thorax, allows for planar restraint of the occupant, thereby reducing the load on the occupant's thorax.

[0013] The above solution allows actions, in particular secondary actions, in particular actions requiring an input unit, without compromising passenger safety and driving safety.

[0014] In particular, the occupant protection device also includes at least one airbag, which allows the functions of the table and the airbag to be mutually optimized. The at least one airbag can be arranged and deployed, for example, in the instrument panel, dashboard, and / or cockpit of the vehicle, or in the seat belt, or in the side of the vehicle seat, for example, in the seat cushion, seat back, or armrest, or in the center console of the vehicle, or in the interior trim of the vehicle, for example, in the side trim or roof trim. Multiple airbags can also be provided and can be arranged in various parts of multiple different vehicle components, i.e., in multiple different positions in the vehicle, and can be deployed in the event of a collision or a perceived risk of collision, depending on the particular situation, and supported by the table in the corresponding occupant protection position.

[0015] The occupant protection position to which the table can be or will be moved when a collision or risk of collision is recognized depends on the type of recognized collision or risk of collision, for example a frontal, side or rear collision or risk thereof, and / or the seating position of the occupant, and / or the seat setting of the vehicle seat, and / or the wearing status of the seat belt assigned to the vehicle seat, i.e. whether the seat belt is worn correctly by the occupant, in particular whether the seat belt buckle is engaged or not, and / or the orientation of the occupant and / or the vehicle seat relative to the supported at least one airbag, thereby making it possible to optimize the occupant protection position of the table for each of these situations, to which the table can be or will be moved.

[0016] The table is rotatable, in particular about at least one axis of rotation, for example about several axes of rotation, and / or pivotable about at least one axis, for example about several axes, and / or displaceable along at least one axis, for example about several axes, in order to be actively moved to the occupant protection position. Advantageously, several of these movement possibilities or a combination of all of the above-mentioned movement possibilities is provided so that the table can be moved to a multitude of possible occupant protection positions. This makes it possible to optimize the occupant protection position for the respective situation when a collision or risk of a collision is recognized, and to move the table to this occupant protection position.

[0017] In a possible embodiment, the table is connected to the center console of the vehicle, which ensures a secure fixation of the table in the vehicle, simplifies storage of the table in the storage position, allows for an optimized use position of the table, and in particular allows for several passenger protection positions for the table, into which the table can be moved depending on the respective situation at the time of recognition of a collision or risk of a collision.

[0018] In a possible embodiment, the table has at least one inflatable protection system, in particular formed as a table airbag and therefore also referred to below as a table airbag. The table airbag can be deployed in the event of a vehicle collision or a perceived risk of collision, in particular by activating, in particular igniting, at least one gas generator. For example, the table can have several such table airbags, for example a table airbag deployed above the table and another table airbag deployed below the table and used, for example, as a knee airbag, to protect the pelvis and / or legs, in particular the thighs and / or knees, of the occupant. By moving the table to the occupant protection position, the orientation of the at least one or each table airbag is optimized. For example, it can be envisaged that the table, in particular the at least one input unit, output unit, and / or display unit, is provided with an opening, for example an airbag-like or mechanically and / or electrically releasable tear flap, through which the table airbag can be deployed in particular towards, above, or below the occupant, in particular downward when the table is positioned accordingly.

[0019] For example, only one table airbag may be provided, and in that case, this table airbag is oriented accordingly by moving the table to an occupant-protecting position adapted to the respective situation at the time. For example, depending on the situation at the time when a collision or the risk of a collision is recognized, this table airbag may be intended to be deployed, for example, upward and / or toward the occupant on a surface forming the top of the table to protect the occupant's upper body and / or head, or to be deployed on a surface forming the underside of the table by moving, in particular rotating, the table accordingly to protect the occupant's pelvis and / or legs, in particular the thighs and / or knees. In this way, when a collision or the risk of a collision is recognized, the table may be moved, in particular rotated, to an occupant-protecting position where the table airbag is used as a knee airbag, also called a "knee bag," especially if there is no particular need to protect the upper body and increased strain on the knees is expected. For example, the top of the table, which is then free, can simultaneously form a support surface for at least one airbag deploying from another vehicle part, thereby simultaneously protecting the head and / or upper body of the occupant if protection is required.

[0020] The occupant protection device comprises, for example, a crash sensor system for recognizing a crash and / or the risk of a crash, in particular the type of crash or the risk of a crash, for example a frontal, side or rear crash, or the risk thereof, and / or an occupant position sensor system for recognizing the seating position of the occupant, and / or a seat setting sensor system for recognizing the seat setting of the vehicle seat, and / or an alignment sensor system for recognizing the orientation of the occupant and / or the vehicle seat relative to at least one supported airbag.

[0021] The crash sensor system can include, for example, at least one camera sensor, lidar sensor, ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, force sensor, strain sensor, motion sensor, and / or acceleration sensor. Multiple sensors of each sensor type can also be provided. The camera sensor, lidar sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and / or radar sensor are components of a surrounding detection sensor system, particularly for detecting the external surroundings of the vehicle.

[0022] The occupant position sensor system can include, for example, at least one camera sensor, lidar sensor, ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, force sensor, strain sensor, motion sensor, acceleration sensor, weight sensor, contact sensor, particularly a body contact sensor, and / or seat belt sensor. These sensors are, in particular, components of a vehicle interior monitoring system. A plurality of sensors of each sensor type can also be provided. Each of the at least one force sensor, strain sensor, motion sensor, acceleration sensor, weight sensor, and / or contact sensor, particularly a body contact sensor, can be arranged, for example, on or in a vehicle seat, for example, as a component of an occupancy recognition system. The at least one seat belt sensor is used, in particular, to detect the fastening state of a seat belt assigned to the vehicle seat, i.e., whether the occupant is properly fastening the seat belt, in particular whether the seat belt buckle is engaged. The seat belt sensor is, for example, arranged in the seat belt buckle. The at least one contact sensor can be, for example, arranged on or in a steering wheel or a table. Each of the at least one camera sensor, lidar sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and / or radar sensor is positioned in the vehicle such that its detection range encompasses the vehicle seat and the occupant, particularly in all possible seating positions, seat configurations, and orientations, especially when the occupant is seated in the vehicle seat.

[0023] The seat setting sensor system can, for example, have at least one sensor or a plurality of sensors in the vehicle seat, in particular in its adjustment mechanism, or the seat setting sensor system can even be formed by the adjustment mechanism itself.

[0024] The alignment sensor system may be partially or completely identical to the occupant position sensor system and / or the seat setting sensor system, i.e. may use one, several or all of the above mentioned sensors or may have the same sensors, thus allowing optimization of the occupant protection position of the table depending on the respective situation at hand.

[0025] The described solution makes it possible, for example, to deploy a table airbag in a situation-dependent manner in the event of a collision or a perceived risk of a collision, and the table is moved to a correspondingly optimized occupant protection position in order to optimally position the table airbag, for example by moving, in particular rotating, the table so that the table airbag is used as a knee airbag when no additional protection for the upper body is particularly needed and increased strain on the knees is expected.

[0026] Alternatively, depending on the situation, for example, if the vehicle occupant is in a so-called relaxed, i.e. relaxed, seated position due to a corresponding seat setting, i.e., if the vehicle seat is, for example, tilted far backwards and then displaced, for example, backwards, it may be recognized that the airbags in other vehicle components cannot reach the occupant, and therefore the table may move into an occupant protection position that supports at least one body part of the occupant, in particular the upper body, against movements resulting from a collision. In this case too, a table airbag may, for example, be additionally deployed, in particular in the direction of the occupant, in order to avoid a severe impact on the table and to reduce the deceleration value of the occupant.

[0027] Alternatively, depending on the situation at hand, and in particular if it is recognized that the occupant's seating position is already optimal for at least one airbag located in another vehicle part, the table can be moved to an occupant protection position in which the table forms a support surface for this airbag, thereby optimally guiding, directing and / or supporting this airbag during its deployment and / or supporting it in particular in the deployed state.

[0028] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in detail on the basis of the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with an occupant in an upright seating position. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with an occupant in a relaxed seating position; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with an occupant in an upright seating position and a table airbag deployed upward. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with an occupant in a relaxed seating position and a table airbag deployed upward. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle table in two rotational positions about a rotation axis. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with an occupant in an upright seating position and a table airbag deployed downward. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with an occupant in an upright seating position and a table moved to an occupant protection position to support at least a portion of the occupant's body against movement due to a collision. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with an occupant in a relaxed seating position and a table moved to an occupant protection position to support at least one body part of the occupant against movement due to a collision. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with an occupant in a relaxed seating position and a table moved to an occupant protection position to support an airbag deploying from another vehicle component. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with an occupant in a relaxed seating position and a table moved to an occupant protection position to support another airbag deploying from another vehicle component. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with an occupant protection device; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In all the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate corresponding parts.

[0031] 1 to 11, an occupant protection device 1 for a vehicle 2, a vehicle 2 equipped with at least one such occupant protection device 1, and a method for operating such an occupant protection device 1 will be described below. The occupant protection device 1 comprises at least one table 4 assigned to a vehicle seat 3 of the vehicle 2. For example, the occupant protection device 1 may have a plurality of such tables 4, e.g., each of several or all of the vehicle seats 3 of the vehicle 2, e.g., at least the rear seats and / or the front passenger seat, is assigned a table 4.

[0032] The table 4 can be moved, for example manually and / or electrically, in particular by an electric motor, from the storage position to the respective table use position shown in Figures 1 and 2 and back again. The table use position depends, for example, on the seating position of an occupant I seated in the vehicle seat 3, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 1, the occupant I is in an upright seating position, also called the standard seating position, and is therefore relatively close to the cockpit 5, also called the instrument panel, of the vehicle 2, while in Figure 2 the occupant I is in a so-called relaxed seating position, i.e. a relaxed seating position in which the occupant I is moved away from the cockpit 5, for example by displacing the vehicle seat 3 rearward and / or tilting the vehicle seat 3 or at least one seat back of the vehicle seat 3 rearward. In Figures 7 and 8, the table use positions are respectively indicated by dashed lines.

[0033] The table 4 is, for example, coupled to a center console 7 of the vehicle 2, in particular via a table holder 6. The storage location is, for example, on or in this center console 7. For clarity, the center console 7 is only shown in Figure 1 and is shown here only exemplarily and diagrammatically in a greatly simplified manner.

[0034] The table 4 is formed, for example, as a folding table.

[0035] Providing such a table 4 on the vehicle seat 3 takes into consideration the increasing need to perform work while the vehicle 2 is moving. This relates to, for example, front seat passengers or rear seat passengers of the vehicle 2, and also to the driver of the vehicle 2 if the vehicle 2 is an automated vehicle, particularly a highly automated or autonomous vehicle.

[0036] For example, for this purpose the occupant I can use a particularly foldable table 4. For example, the table 4 has for this purpose at least one input unit and / or at least one display unit and / or at least one sound output unit. The input unit is for example a keyboard, a tactile display or a projection with gesture recognition.

[0037] The problem with such a table 4 is that it may represent a safety hazard for the occupants in an accident situation, i.e. in the event of a collision of the vehicle 2. Furthermore, in a relaxed, i.e. reclined seating position, the protective effect of conventional restraint systems, in particular front airbags, becomes increasingly reduced.

[0038] In order to solve these problems with regard to occupant protection, in the event of a collision and / or a perceived risk of a collision of the vehicle 2, the at least one table 4 is movable, in particular actively, i.e. in particular electrically, in particular by an electric motor, and / or pneumatically and / or hydraulically and / or pyrotechnically, in particular automatically, from a table use position and / or a storage position, into at least one occupant protection position in which the table 4 supports at least one body part of the occupant I, in particular the upper body, against movements caused by the collision and / or forms a support surface for at least one airbag 8 deployed from another vehicle part. This support surface is intended to guide, direct and / or support the airbag 8, in particular during its deployment, and / or in particular to support the deployed airbag 8. In particular, the occupant protection device 1 also comprises at least one airbag 8 or a plurality of such airbags 8.

[0039] An electric drive, in particular a drive by an electric motor, and / or a pneumatic and / or hydraulic drive in particular allows a reversible movement of the table 4, which is particularly advantageous when a risk of collision is recognized and there is still a possibility of preventing the collision. A pyrotechnic movement is particularly fast and therefore particularly suitable when a collision of the vehicle 2 has already occurred and is recognized.

[0040] Alternatively or in addition to this movement into the occupant protection position, it may be provided, for example, that the table 4 has at least one inflatable protection system, hereinafter referred to as table airbag 9. The table airbag 9 can be deployed in the event of a collision or perceived risk of collision of the vehicle 2, in particular by activating, in particular igniting, at least one gas generator, as shown in FIG. 3 for an upright seating position and in FIG. 4 for a relaxed seating position. The table airbag 9 is advantageously integrated into the table 4 so as to move together with the table 4. This makes it possible both to protect the occupant I from a hard contact with the table 4 and to provide early support to the occupant I who has been pulled back into the relaxed position.

[0041] The table 4, in particular the at least one input unit, output unit and / or display unit, is provided with an opening, e.g. as in an airbag system or a mechanically and / or electrically releasable tear flap, through which the table airbag 9 can be deployed, in particular towards and / or above the occupant I. Figures 3 and 4 show an open airbag flap 10, which closes the opening in the closed state when the table airbag 9 is not deployed.

[0042] As already mentioned above, the at least one table 4 is movable, in particular actively, i.e. in particular electrically, in particular by means of an electric motor and / or pneumatically and / or hydraulically and / or pyrotechnically, in particular automatically, from a table use position and / or a storage position to at least one occupant protection position in the event of a collision and / or a perceived risk of a collision of the vehicle 2. For this purpose, as shown in Figure 5, the table 4 is rotatable, in particular relative to its table holder 6, about at least one rotation axis DA, the table 4 being shown here in the rotated position and additionally in the pre-rotated position in dashed lines.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, the table 4 may be, for example, pivotable about at least one axis, particularly relative to or together with its table holder 6, and / or displaceable along at least one axis, particularly relative to its table holder 6, as indicated by the displacement arrow P, i.e., translationally displaceable. Advantageously, a combination of several of these movement possibilities or all of the above movement possibilities is contemplated. For example, alternatively or additionally, the table 4 may be rotated, pivoted, and / or displaceable by its table holder 6 as described above, for example by extending or shortening the table holder 6, and may be pivoted, for example, by pivoting the table holder 6. This may, in particular, enable the table 4 to optimally support the at least one table airbag 9 and / or at least one airbag 8 arranged in another vehicle part, and / or the table 4 to support at least one body part of the occupant I, particularly the upper body, against movements resulting from a collision.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, in order to better immobilize in particular the pelvis and thighs and / or protect the knees from a severe impact into the cockpit 5, it may be provided, as shown in Fig. 6, for example, that a table airbag 9 is deployed under the table 4 and then functions as, for example, a knee airbag for protecting the pelvis and / or legs, in particular the thighs and / or knees, of the occupant I. For example, the table 4 may have several such table airbags 9, for example, one of which may be deployed upwards and one downwards, or in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the table 4 may have only one table airbag 9, which is accordingly oriented by the above-mentioned movement of the table 4 to an occupant-protecting position adapted to the respective situation at hand.

[0045] For example, depending on the situation when a collision or risk of collision is recognized, it can be envisaged that this table airbag 9 will be deployed, for example upwards and / or in the direction of the occupant I, on the surface forming the top of the table 4, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, in order to protect the upper body and / or head of the occupant I, or that this table airbag 9 will be deployed on the surface forming the underside of the table 4, as shown in Figure 6, by correspondingly moving, in particular rotating, the table 4, in order to protect the pelvis and / or legs, in particular the thighs and / or knees, of the occupant I, in particular to better stabilize the pelvis and thighs and / or protect the knees from a severe impact on the cockpit 5.

[0046] As already explained, it is advantageous that, in the event of a collision and / or a perceived risk of a collision of the vehicle 2, at least one table 4 can be moved, in particular actively, i.e., in particular electrically, in particular by an electric motor, and / or pneumatically and / or hydraulically and / or pyrotechnically, in particular automatically, from the table use position and / or storage position to at least one occupant protection position, in which the table supports at least one body part of the occupant I, in particular the upper body, against displacement due to the collision. This is exemplarily shown in FIG. 7 for an upright seating position of the occupant I and in FIG. 8 for a relaxed seating position. This is particularly advantageous in the event of a perceived risk of a collision, in which the table 4 makes a preventive move, also known as a "pre-safe," to this occupant protection position immediately before the collision. Positioning the table 4 in front of the upper body, in particular the thorax, in this way enables a planar restraint of the occupant I, thereby reducing the load on the occupant's thorax. For example, it may be contemplated that a table airbag 9 may additionally be deployed in the direction of the occupant I.

[0047] As already explained, it is advantageously possible for the at least one table 4 to be movable, in the event of a collision and / or a perceived risk of a collision of the vehicle 2, in particular from a table use position and / or a storage position, in particular actively, i.e. in particular electrically, in particular by an electric motor, and / or pneumatically and / or hydraulically and / or pyrotechnically, in particular automatically, into at least one occupant protection position, in which the table forms a support surface for at least one airbag 8 deployed from another vehicle part. This support surface is intended to guide, direct and / or support the airbag 8, in particular during its deployment, and / or in particular to support the deploying airbag 8. In particular, the occupant protection device 1 also comprises at least one airbag 8. Examples of this embodiment are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 shows an airbag 8 deployed from another vehicle part formed as a cockpit 5, also referred to as a front airbag, while FIG. 10 shows an airbag 8 deployed from a vehicle part formed as a seat belt 11 assigned to a vehicle seat 3. Such an airbag 8 is also called a belt bag.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, the table 4 can be moved as described above, for example, particularly preventively, i.e. when a risk of collision is recognized, to a safety position in which the table 4 enhances the protective effect of one or more other existing safety components of the vehicle 2.

[0049] The occupant protection position to which the table 4 can move or to which it is moved when a collision or risk of collision is recognized depends, for example, on the type of collision or risk of collision recognized, such as a frontal, side or rear collision or the risk thereof, and / or the seating position of the occupant I, and / or the seat setting of the vehicle seat 3, and / or the wearing status of the seat belt 11 assigned to the vehicle seat 3, i.e. whether the seat belt 11 is correctly worn by the occupant I, in particular whether the seat belt buckle is engaged, and / or the orientation of the occupant I and / or the vehicle seat 3 relative to the at least one airbag 8 supported.

[0050] 11 shows a highly simplified schematic diagram of a vehicle 2 equipped with an occupant protection device 1. In the illustrated example, the occupant protection device 1 comprises a table 4, e.g. having a table holder 6 and e.g. a table airbag 9, e.g. at least one airbag 8 deployed from another vehicle part, and e.g. a crash sensor system 12 for recognizing a collision and / or the risk of a collision, in particular the type of collision or risk of a collision, e.g. a frontal, side or rear collision, or also the risk thereof, and / or an occupant position sensor system 13 for recognizing the seating position of an occupant I, and / or a seat setting sensor system 14 for recognizing the seat setting of the vehicle seat 3, and / or an alignment sensor system 15 for recognizing the orientation of the occupant I and / or the vehicle seat 3 relative to the supported at least one airbag 8.

[0051] The crash sensor system 12 may include, for example, at least one camera sensor, lidar sensor, ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, force sensor, strain sensor, motion sensor, and / or acceleration sensor. Multiple sensors of each sensor type may also be provided. The camera sensor, lidar sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and / or radar sensor are components of a surrounding detection sensor system for detecting the external surroundings of the vehicle 2, among other things.

[0052] The occupant position sensor system 13 can include, for example, at least one camera sensor, lidar sensor, ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, force sensor, strain sensor, motion sensor, acceleration sensor, weight sensor, contact sensor, in particular a body contact sensor, and / or seat belt sensor. These sensors are, in particular, components of an interior monitoring system of the vehicle 2. A plurality of sensors of each sensor type can also be provided. Each of the at least one force sensor, strain sensor, motion sensor, acceleration sensor, weight sensor, and / or contact sensor, in particular a body contact sensor, can be arranged, for example, on or in the vehicle seat 3, for example, as a component of an occupancy recognition system. The at least one seat belt sensor is used, in particular, to detect the fastening state of the seat belt 11 assigned to the vehicle seat 3, i.e., whether the occupant I is fastening the seat belt 11 correctly, in particular whether the seat belt buckle is engaged. The seat belt sensor is, for example, arranged in the seat belt buckle. The at least one contact sensor can be arranged, for example, on or in the steering wheel or the table 4. Each of the at least one camera sensor, lidar sensor, ultrasonic sensor and / or radar sensor is positioned in the vehicle 2 so that its detection range covers the vehicle seat 3 and the occupant I, particularly when the occupant I is seated in the vehicle seat 3, in all possible seating positions, seat settings and orientations.

[0053] The seat setting sensor system 14 can have, for example, at least one sensor or a plurality of sensors in the vehicle seat 3, in particular in its adjustment mechanism, or the seat setting sensor system 14 can also be formed by the adjustment mechanism itself.

[0054] The alignment sensor system 15 may be partially or completely identical to the occupant position sensor system 13 and / or the seat setting sensor system 14, i.e., may use one or more or all of the sensors described above or may have the same sensors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Occupant protection device 2 vehicles 3 Vehicle seats 4 tables 5 Cockpit 6 Table Holder 7 Center console 8 Airbags 9 Table Airbag 10 Airbag flap 11 Seatbelt 12 Collision sensor system 13 Occupant position sensor system 14 Seat setting sensor system 15 Alignment sensor system DA rotation axis I Crew P displacement arrow [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0056] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 3640092

Claims

1. An occupant protection device (1) for a vehicle (2) comprising at least one table (4) assigned to a vehicle seat (3), The at least one table (4) is capable of actively moving toward at least one upper body portion of the occupant (I) as at least one occupant protection position when a collision and / or a risk of a collision of the vehicle (2) is recognized, and in the occupant protection position, the table (4) supports the at least one upper body portion of the occupant (I) against movement caused by the collision. An occupant protection device (1).

2. The at least one table (4) forms a support surface for at least one airbag (8) deployed from another vehicle part. Occupant protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. Equipped with at least one airbag (8), Occupant protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

4. The occupant protection position is the type of collision or collision risk recognized, and / or the seating position of said occupant (I), and / or the seat setting of said vehicle seat (3), and / or the fastening state of the seat belt (11) assigned to said vehicle seat (3), and / or the orientation of said occupant (I) and / or said vehicle seat (3) relative to at least one airbag (8) supported thereon; Depends on Occupant protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

5. The table (4) is electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically, and / or pyrotechnically movable into the at least one occupant protection position. Occupant protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

6. The table (4) is rotatable about at least one axis of rotation (DA) and / or pivotable about at least one axis and / or displaceable along at least one axis in order to actively move to the at least one occupant protection position. Occupant protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

7. The table (4) is coupled to the center console (7) of the vehicle (2). Occupant protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

8. The table (4) has at least one table airbag (9) that can be deployed in the event of a collision or perceived risk of a collision of the vehicle (2). Occupant protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

9. a collision sensor system (12) for recognizing said collisions and / or collision risks, and / or an occupant position sensor system (13) for recognizing the seating position of said occupant (I), and / or a seat setting sensor system (14) for recognizing the seat setting of said vehicle seat (3), and / or an alignment sensor system (15) for recognizing the orientation of the occupant (I) and / or the vehicle seat (3) relative to at least one airbag (8) supported thereon; Equipped with Occupant protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

10. A vehicle (2) equipped with an occupant protection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. the at least one table (4) actively moves towards at least one upper body part of the occupant (I) as an occupant protection position when a collision or risk of a collision of the vehicle (2) is recognized, and in the occupant protection position, the table (4) supports the at least one upper body part of the occupant (I) against movements caused by the collision and / or forms a support surface for at least one airbag (8) deployed from another vehicle part. A method for operating an occupant protection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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