CN115315379A

CN115315379A - Airbag module and vehicle occupant restraint system

Info

Publication number: CN115315379A
Application number: CN202180021813.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米歇尔·卡尔扎达·阿德瓦; 大卫·埃斯库德罗·尼诺; 保罗·拉夫斯弗雷; 宙斯·佩雷斯·维兰
Original assignee: Dalphi Metal Espana SA
Current assignee: Dalphi Metal Espana SA
Priority date: 2020-03-16
Filing date: 2021-03-15
Publication date: 2022-11-08
Also published as: WO2021185752A1; DE102020107134A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag module, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, having at least one airbag (10) with at least two chambers. In the inflated state of the airbag (10), the absorption chamber (12) has at least one impact surface (16) for a vehicle occupant (18 a, 18 b) or a pedestrian and receives the vehicle occupant (18 a, 18 b) or the pedestrian. The support chamber (14) has a higher rigidity than the absorption chamber (12) and supports the absorption chamber (12) independently of the vehicle structure. The invention further relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle for protecting at least one vehicle occupant (18 a, 18 b), having an airbag module which is preferably arranged in a roof region of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, in particular between a roof frame (24) and a roof lining.

Description

Airbag module and vehicle occupant restraint system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an airbag module, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The invention also relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle, having an airbag module.

Background

In view of the changing preconditions in autonomous vehicles, the occupant protection concept can no longer be developed for a certain standard position of the vehicle seat, since the vehicle occupants gain more degrees of freedom with regard to their position in the interior space. In particular, seat positions which lie significantly outside the range of the previously standard positions of the vehicle seat are now to be considered. The problem in this case is that in some of these seat positions it may not be easy to include support surfaces, such as steering wheels, instrument panels, windshields, backrests, vehicle doors, side panels, etc., on components that are fixed relative to the vehicle for supporting and retaining the inflated airbag in its set position in the case of a restraint.

Furthermore, the new vehicle concept enables other interior space designs such as instrument panels with significant slimness and new steering wheel concepts. These situations must also be considered in the development of modern vehicle occupant restraint systems.

DE 10 2018 104 A1 discloses an airbag module which is fitted to the backrest of a vehicle seat and has an airbag with at least two separate chambers. The first chamber is configured as a support chamber and the second chamber is configured as an absorption chamber having a vehicle occupant contact wall. In the deployed and filled state of the airbag, an outer wall section of the support chamber which is close to the vehicle occupant extends in a concavely curved manner, so that the airbag is arranged at least partially at the side and in front of the vehicle occupant and surrounds the vehicle occupant.

US 8 651 522 B2 shows an airbag for a motor vehicle, which in the deployed state has a support structure and a covering which encloses a confined volume formed by the support structure. The confined volume may be filled with ambient air or a pressurized gas. Connecting elements extend within the bounding volume, by means of which connecting elements the surface regions of the hollow body and/or the sheathing made of flexible material of the support structure are connected to one another.

Disclosure of Invention

The purpose of the invention is: an airbag module and a vehicle occupant restraint system are provided with which a sufficient protection of the vehicle occupant can still be achieved without a support surface that is fixed relative to the vehicle or with only a support surface that is appropriately fixed relative to the vehicle remaining.

This object is achieved by an airbag module having the features of claim 1 and by a vehicle occupant restraint system having the features of claim 5. Advantageous and expedient embodiments of the airbag module according to the invention and of the vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The airbag module according to the invention is provided in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, but can in principle also be used for a vehicle-occupant pedestrian protection system. The airbag module comprises at least one airbag having at least two chambers. In the inflated state of the airbag, the absorption chamber has at least one impact surface for a vehicle occupant or a pedestrian and receives the vehicle occupant or the pedestrian. The support chamber has a higher rigidity than the absorption chamber, and the support chamber supports the absorption chamber independently of the vehicle structure.

The present invention is based on the following recognition: it is also possible to use airbags in the passenger cabin in locations in which there are no or only insufficient supports for the airbag that are fixed relative to the vehicle to provide a restraint for the vehicle occupant. According to the invention, the relatively stiff support chamber takes over this function and holds the airbag, in particular its absorption chamber, in the set position.

The invention has the advantages that: due to the constraint concept which is essentially independent of the vehicle structure, the protective effect can be achieved by means of the airbag in regions of the passenger compartment where it was hitherto not possible to arrange an airbag due to the lack of a suitable support surface which is fixed relative to the vehicle. This is particularly relevant for autonomous vehicles, in which, due to the wide variety of seat position possibilities, it may not be easy to ensure adequate protection of the vehicle occupants in all situations with conventionally provided airbags, unlike conventional vehicles with fixedly preset seat positions which can only be changed to a very limited extent. However, due to the support according to the invention by means of the relatively stiff support chamber it is possible to: one or more sufficiently stable airbags are provided even in the case of a restraint without a support fixed relative to the vehicle, which airbags prevent the vehicle occupant from hitting a hard vehicle component. Furthermore, an airbag which can be positioned largely freely in the event of an impact also protects one or more vehicle occupants against excessive acceleration or displacement and/or against collision with one another. The airbag module according to the invention can be utilized to provide additional vehicle occupant protection even in the event of a vehicle rollover.

Furthermore, the present invention has advantages in that: the absorption chamber can be designed smaller and/or filled with less gas than a conventional airbag, in order to aim for a protective function, due to the support chamber. Furthermore, the time required for inflation of the airbag can be shortened and the positioning of the absorption chamber in particular can be improved.

The arrangement of the airbag module according to the invention in the region of the roof of the passenger compartment of the vehicle is particularly preferred. Therefore, the main deployment direction of the airbag preferably extends vertically from top to bottom.

In order to be able to inflate the absorption chamber and the support chamber with different degrees of rigidity, it is proposed to design them as chambers which can be filled with gas individually, wherein the chambers are each provided with an individual gas source, in particular an individual gas generator.

According to a further development of the invention, the airbag has a plurality of absorption chambers and/or a plurality of support chambers. More complex constraints and constraint requirements can be considered and met with multiple chambers.

The invention also relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle for protecting at least one vehicle occupant and having an airbag module according to the invention.

As already mentioned, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the airbag module is arranged in a roof region of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, in particular between a roof frame and a roof lining. The airbag can be deployed in a targeted manner from the region of the roof into a desired region of the passenger compartment, in which no or only insufficient or only a suitable support surface fixed relative to the vehicle remains, without having to overcome structural obstacles during the deployment of the airbag.

The airbag of the airbag module according to the invention can be a front airbag which is positioned in front of the front vehicle occupant (driver or passenger) to be protected in the direction of travel. Such airbags protect front vehicle occupants, particularly in the event of a frontal impact.

However, the airbag may also be a front airbag for a rear vehicle occupant sitting on one of the vehicle rear seats. In this case, the airbag is positioned directly in front of the rear vehicle occupant to be protected in the direction of travel in order to provide protection for this rear vehicle occupant, in particular in the event of a frontal impact.

According to a development of the invention, the front airbag for protecting a rear vehicle occupant can be extended relative to a vehicle transverse direction perpendicular to the direction of travel such that a vehicle occupant sitting alongside the vehicle occupant in a restraint situation is also received by the airbag.

In particular in autonomous vehicles, but also in certain trucks, recreational vehicles and the like, it is possible to occupy a seat position with a rotating front seat and/or a rotating seat in one of the middle seats while driving, so that a forward-looking rear vehicle occupant and a rearward-looking front vehicle occupant are seated in opposition. With such a seat arrangement, the present invention provides an airbag for protecting both front and rear vehicle occupants, according to a particular embodiment. The airbag is positioned in the direction of travel between two vehicle occupants, wherein the two vehicle occupants are each assigned an impact surface of the airbag.

Alternatively, in addition to the front airbag which is positioned directly in front of the rear vehicle occupant, a further airbag for (exclusively) protecting the front vehicle occupant may be provided which is positioned in front of the front vehicle occupant, but behind it with respect to the direction of travel, depending on the rotated seat position.

The airbag of the airbag module according to the invention can, according to a further application concept, also be arranged in the center of the vehicle in order to provide protection in the event of a side impact. In particular, in order to prevent excessive lateral swinging movements of the upper body and the head of the vehicle occupant to be protected, airbag protection walls are desirable there, which have hitherto not been possible for airbags owing to the lack of suitable support surfaces. However, due to the support function provided by the support chamber, it is now possible to: the airbag is positioned on a side of a vehicle occupant to be protected that faces the center of the vehicle.

In view of optimum protection, the airbag should extend substantially over the upper body and head of the vehicle occupant.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained from the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, schematically:

FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of an airbag module according to the invention for a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention having an airbag for protecting a front vehicle occupant on the side of the vehicle facing away from the vehicle occupant in the event of an impact;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention having an airbag for protecting a rear vehicle occupant on the side of the vehicle facing away from the vehicle occupant in the event of a collision;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a third embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the present invention having a front airbag for protecting a front vehicle occupant in the event of a frontal impact;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a third embodiment of the vehicle occupant restraint system illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a fourth embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the present invention having an airbag for protecting a two-seater front vehicle occupant in the event of a side impact;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a fifth embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system having a front airbag for protecting a secondary driver in the event of a frontal impact in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a fifth embodiment of the vehicle occupant restraint system illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a sixth embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system having a front airbag for protecting the driver in the event of a frontal impact in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a sixth embodiment of the vehicle occupant restraint system illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of a seventh embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention having an airbag for protecting the knees of a vehicle occupant;

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of a seventh embodiment of the vehicle occupant restraint system illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of an eighth embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system having an airbag for protecting a secondary driver in the event of a frontal impact in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of a ninth embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the present invention having an airbag for protecting a rear vehicle occupant in the event of a frontal impact;

FIG. 15 shows a side view of a tenth embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the present invention having two air bags for protecting vehicle occupants seated against each other in the event of a frontal impact;

FIG. 16 shows a side view of an eleventh embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the present invention having one airbag for protecting vehicle occupants seated against each other in the event of a frontal impact;

FIG. 17 shows a side view of a twelfth embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention having an external airbag for pedestrian protection;

FIG. 18 shows a top view of the twelfth embodiment of the vehicle occupant restraint system shown in FIG. 17.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 symbolically shows an airbag 10 in an inflated state for an airbag module of a vehicle occupant restraint system. The airbag 10 has at least two

chambers

12, 14, which can be individually filled with gas. For this purpose, the two

chambers

12, 14 are each provided with a separate gas source, in particular a separate gas generator. In principle, however, it is also possible to fill both

chambers

12, 14 with only one single gas source.

The first chamber 12 of the airbag 10, hereinafter referred to as absorption chamber 12, faces a vehicle occupant to be protected and has an impact surface 16 for the vehicle occupant. The main functions of the absorption chamber 12 are: the vehicle occupant is received under restraint. The shape, capacity and internal pressure of the absorption chamber 12 are matched to this function.

The second chamber 14 of the airbag 10, hereinafter referred to as the support chamber 14, is likewise inflated in the restraint situation, but has an internal pressure in the inflated state which is significantly higher than the internal pressure of the absorption chamber 12. The support chamber 14 constitutes a support for the absorption chamber 12 and also ensures that the airbag 10, in particular the absorption chamber 12 thereof, is held in the set position.

The support compartment 14 may perform a supporting function independently, i.e. independently or at least largely independently of a supporting surface fixed relative to the vehicle, such as a steering wheel, an instrument panel, a windscreen, a backrest, a door, etc. This means that: the support chamber 14 forms a support structure or reaction surface for the absorption chamber 12 of the airbag 10 instead of these vehicle structures themselves. Depending on the type of airbag 10 (frontal airbag, side airbag, knee airbag, etc.) and its specific arrangement, the support chamber 14 has a suitable, if necessary bifurcated shape in order to optimally fulfill the support function.

Furthermore, the support chamber 14 can supplement the function of the absorption chamber 12 in such a way that it forms a kind of frame around the impact surface 16 of the absorption chamber 12. It can thereby be ensured that the head of the vehicle occupant to be protected does not slip off the impact surface in an undesired manner.

Of course, additional chambers may also be provided in the airbag 10 that assist in the function of the absorption chamber 12 and the support chamber 14 or achieve other purposes.

Various embodiments of a vehicle occupant restraint system are described below with reference to fig. 2-18, in which at least one airbag 10 of the type described above is used.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system having an airbag 10 for protecting a front vehicle occupant 18a on the vehicle side facing away from the vehicle occupant 18a in the event of a crash. The airbag 10 has been deployed from an airbag module arranged in the backrest 20 of a vehicle seat 22 of a vehicle occupant 18a and is positioned on the side of the vehicle occupant 18a facing the center of the vehicle, i.e. in the region in which there is usually no support surface for the airbag fixed relative to the vehicle. Due to the support chamber 14, the airbag 10 forms a self-stabilizing protective wall which protects the vehicle occupant 18a from excessive swinging movements of its upper body and head to the side and/or from a side impact with a vehicle occupant sitting beside it. In the illustrated embodiment, the airbag 10 extends substantially over the upper body and head of a vehicle occupant 18 a.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system with an airbag 10 for protecting a rear vehicle occupant 18b on the vehicle side facing away from the vehicle occupant 18b in the event of a crash. The airbag 10 has been deployed from an airbag module arranged between the roof frame 24 and the roof lining and is positioned on the side of the vehicle occupant 18b facing the vehicle center, i.e. in the region where there is usually no support surface for the airbag fixed relative to the vehicle. Due to the support chamber 14, the airbag 10 forms a self-stabilizing protective wall which protects the vehicle occupant 18b from excessive swinging movements of its upper body and head to the side and/or from a side impact with a vehicle occupant sitting beside it. In the illustrated embodiment, the airbag 10 extends substantially over the upper body and head of a vehicle occupant 18b.

Fig. 4 and 5 show an embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system having a front airbag 10 for protecting a front vehicle occupant 18a in the event of a frontal impact. The airbag 10 has been deployed from an airbag module arranged in a backrest 20 of a vehicle seat 22 of a vehicle occupant 18a and surrounds the vehicle occupant 18a in such a way that an absorption chamber 12 with an impact surface 16 is largely arranged in front of the upper body and head of the vehicle occupant 18a, while a support chamber 14 forms a support for the absorption chamber 12 facing away from the vehicle occupant 18 a. The airbag 10 is curved concavely as a whole toward the vehicle occupant 18 a.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system having an airbag 10 for protecting two front vehicle occupants 18a (driver and co-driver) seated side-by-side in the event of a side impact. The airbag 10 has been deployed from an airbag module which is arranged in a center console or in another central region of the passenger cabin of the vehicle and is positioned between two vehicle occupants 18a, i.e. in a region in which there is usually no support surface for the airbag which is fixed relative to the vehicle. Due to the support chamber 14, the airbag 10 forms a self-stabilizing protective wall which protects the two vehicle occupants 18a from excessive swinging movements of their upper body and head to the side and/or from a side impact with a vehicle occupant sitting beside them, respectively. In this case, the support chamber 14 (with respect to the vehicle transverse direction perpendicular to the direction of travel) is arranged in the center of the airbag 10, while the absorption chamber 12 has two impact surfaces 16, which each face laterally towards one of the vehicle occupants 18 a. Of course, instead of only one absorption chamber 12, two (or more) separate such chambers may also be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the airbag 10 extends substantially over the upper body and head of a vehicle occupant 18 a.

Fig. 7 and 8 show an embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system having a front airbag 10 for protecting a front vehicle occupant 18a, in particular a passenger, in the event of a frontal impact. The airbag 10 has been deployed from an airbag module disposed behind the instrument panel 26 of the vehicle and positioned in front of the vehicle occupant 18 a. The airbag 10 is not supported or is only supplementarily supported by the instrument panel 26 and/or the windshield 28 of the vehicle. Due to the support chamber 14, the airbag 10 obtains the stability required for sufficient protection in order to protect the vehicle occupant 18a from contact with the instrument panel 26 or the windshield 28 or from excessive forward acceleration of its upper body and head.

Fig. 9 and 10 show an embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system having a front airbag 10 for protecting a front vehicle occupant 18a, i.e. the driver, in the event of a frontal impact. The airbag 10 has been deployed from an airbag module housed in the steering wheel 30 of the vehicle and is located in front of the vehicle occupant 18 a. The airbag 10 is partially supported by the steering wheel 30. Due to the reaction surfaces additionally provided by the support chamber 14, the airbag 10 obtains the stability required for a sufficient protective effect to protect the vehicle occupant 18a from contact with the steering wheel 30 or the windshield 28 or from excessive forward acceleration of their upper body and head.

Fig. 11 and 12 show an embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system having a knee airbag 10 for protecting a front vehicle occupant 18a in the event of a frontal impact. The airbag 10 has been deployed from an airbag module disposed below the instrument panel 26 and positioned in front of the legs of the vehicle occupant 18 a. The airbag 10 is partially supported by the instrument panel 26. Due to the reaction surfaces additionally provided by the support chamber 14, the airbag 10 obtains the stability required for sufficient protection to prevent the shin of the vehicle occupant 18a from hitting the instrument panel 26 and the vehicle occupant 18a from slipping under their seat belt.

Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system having a front airbag 10 for protecting a front vehicle occupant 18a, in particular a passenger, in the event of a frontal impact. The airbag 10 has been deployed from an airbag module arranged between the roof frame 24 and the roof lining and is positioned in the region in front of the vehicle occupant 18a, which is free of a support surface for the airbag that is fixed relative to the vehicle. In particular, neither the instrument panel 26 nor the windshield 28 serve as reaction surfaces for the airbag 10. Due to the support chamber 14, the airbag 10 obtains the stability required for a sufficient protective effect to protect the vehicle occupant 18a from contact with the instrument panel 26 or the windshield 28 or from excessive forward acceleration of the upper body and head thereof.

Fig. 14 shows an embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system having a front airbag 10 for protecting a rear vehicle occupant 18b in the event of a frontal impact or generally for protecting

vehicle occupants

18a, 18b in a comfort seat position. The airbag 10 has been deployed from an airbag module arranged between the roof frame 24 and the roof lining and is positioned in a region in front of the vehicle occupant 18b that does not have a support surface for the airbag that is fixed relative to the vehicle. Due to the support chamber 14, the airbag 10 obtains the stability required for a sufficient protection effect to protect the vehicle occupant 18b from contact with the front vehicle seat or possibly with the front vehicle occupant 18a sitting opposite him on the rotating vehicle seat or from excessive forward acceleration of his upper body and head. The airbag 10 can extend relative to the transverse direction of the vehicle perpendicular to the direction of travel to such an extent that a protective effect is also provided for a seated vehicle occupant 18b by the same airbag 10.

Fig. 15 shows a supplement to the embodiment shown in fig. 14, with a further airbag 10 for protecting a front vehicle occupant 18a, which is seated opposite a rear vehicle occupant 18b on a swiveling vehicle seat 22, in particular in the event of a frontal or rear-end collision. The two airbags 10 have each been deployed from an airbag module arranged between the roof frame 24 and the roof lining and are positioned between the front vehicle occupant 18a and the rear vehicle occupant 18b in the region of a support surface for the airbags, which is fixed relative to the vehicle. As can be recognized in fig. 15, a front vehicle occupant 18a is assigned one airbag 10 and a rear vehicle occupant 18b is assigned one airbag 10, wherein the impact surface 16 of the absorption chamber 12 faces the assigned

vehicle occupant

18a or 18b, respectively, and the support chamber 14 is arranged behind said absorption chamber from the perspective of the

respective vehicle occupant

18a or 18b. Due to the support chamber 14, the airbag 10 obtains the stability required for a sufficient protection in order to protect the

vehicle occupant

18a or 18b from contact with the

opposite vehicle occupant

18a or 18b or from excessive forward acceleration of its upper body and head (from the perspective of the

respective vehicle occupant

18a or 18 b), respectively. The airbags 10 can also support one another if they are arranged sufficiently close to one another in the direction of travel. The airbag 10 can extend relative to the transverse direction of the vehicle perpendicular to the direction of travel such that a protective effect is also provided for a seated

vehicle occupant

18a or 18b by the same airbag 10.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle occupant restraint system similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15. Instead of two separate airbags 10, only one single airbag 10 is provided here for protecting a rear vehicle occupant 18b and a front vehicle occupant 18a, which is seated opposite the rear vehicle occupant on a swiveling vehicle seat 22, in the event of a frontal or rear-end collision. In this case, the support chamber 14 is disposed in the center of the airbag 10 (with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction), while the absorption chamber 12 has two impact surfaces 16, each of which faces frontally one of the

vehicle occupants

18a or 18b. Of course, instead of only one absorption chamber 12, two (or more) separate such chambers may also be provided. Due to the support chamber 14, the airbag 10 obtains the stability required for a sufficient protective effect in order to protect the

vehicle occupant

18a, 18b from contact with the

opposite vehicle occupant

respective vehicle occupant

18a or 18 b), respectively. The airbag 10 can extend relative to the transverse direction of the vehicle perpendicular to the direction of travel to such an extent that a protective effect is also provided for a seated

vehicle occupant

18a or 18b by the same airbag 10.

Fig. 17 and 18 illustrate an embodiment of a restraint system having an external airbag 10 for pedestrian protection. The airbag 10 has been deployed from an airbag module disposed behind an exterior vehicle fascia and is positioned in accordance with an exemplary view at the front of the vehicle, the rear of the vehicle, and on both sides of the vehicle. In addition to or in addition to the outer panel of the vehicle and the components situated behind it which are fixed relative to the vehicle, the airbags 10, in particular their absorption chambers 12, are each supported by a support chamber 14 and are held in their set position. Due to the support chambers 14, the airbag 10 respectively acquires the stability required for a sufficient protection in order to sufficiently protect a pedestrian in the event of a collision with a vehicle. Of course, such an external airbag 10 with a support chamber 14 and an absorption chamber 12 can also be used to protect

vehicle occupants

18a, 18b by activating these airbags directly before an accident occurs and thus damping the impact and/or collision of the vehicle in the event of an accident.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The features of the various embodiments may be combined with each other in a suitable manner.

List of reference numerals

10. Air bag

12. Absorption chamber

14. Support chamber

16. Impact surface

18a front row vehicle occupant

18b rear row vehicle occupant

20. Back support

22. Vehicle seat

24. Roof frame

26. Instrument panel

28. Windscreen

30. Steering wheel

Claims

1. Airbag module, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, having at least one airbag (10) having at least two chambers, wherein, in the inflated state of the airbag (10), an absorption chamber (12) has at least one impact surface (16) for a vehicle occupant (18 a, 18 b) or a pedestrian and receives the vehicle occupant (18 a, 18 b) or the pedestrian, and a support chamber (14) has a higher rigidity than the absorption chamber (12) and supports the absorption chamber (12) independently of the vehicle structure.

2. The airbag module as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the main deployment direction of the airbag (10) extends vertically from top to bottom.

3. The airbag module as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the absorption chamber (12) and the support chamber (14) are constructed as chambers which can be filled individually with gas and which are each provided with an individual gas source, in particular an individual gas generator.

4. The airbag module as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the airbag (10) has a plurality of absorption chambers (12) and/or a plurality of support chambers (14).

5. Vehicle occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle for protecting at least one vehicle occupant (18 a, 18 b), having an airbag module according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 5, characterized in that the airbag module is arranged in a roof region of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, in particular between a roof frame (24) and a roof fender.

7. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the airbag (10) is a front airbag (10) for protecting a front vehicle occupant (18 a), which is positioned in front of the vehicle occupant (18 a) in the direction of travel.

8. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the airbag (10) is a front airbag (10) for protecting a rear vehicle occupant (18 b), which is positioned in front of the vehicle occupant (18 b) in the direction of travel.

9. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 8, characterized in that the airbag (10) extends relative to a vehicle transverse direction perpendicular to the direction of travel such that a vehicle occupant (18 b) sitting alongside the vehicle occupant (18 b) is also received by the airbag (10).

10. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the airbag (10) is provided for protecting a front vehicle occupant (18 a) and a rear vehicle occupant (18 b) and is positioned in the direction of travel between the two vehicle occupants (18 a, 18 b), wherein the two vehicle occupants (18 a, 18 b) are each provided with a striking face (16) of the airbag (10).

11. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that an airbag (10) is provided for protecting a front vehicle occupant (18 a) and is positioned behind the vehicle occupant (18 a) in a direction of travel.

12. The vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the airbag (10) is positioned on a side of a vehicle occupant (18 a, 18 b) to be protected that faces a center of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle occupant restraint system of claim 12, characterized in that the airbag (10) extends substantially over the upper body and head of a vehicle occupant (18 a, 18 b).