DE102017008463A1 - A knee airbag assembly for a vehicle having an airbag module and methods for triggering the knee airbag assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a knee airbag arrangement (1) for a vehicle (10) having an airbag module (2), the airbag module (2) comprising the following components: a first airbag (3.1) which is designed as a knee airbag for a vehicle occupant (20) Case of a vehicle collision in a at the usual seat longitudinal position (I) of the vehicle occupant (20) resulting first deployment space (R1) between a lower portion (11.1) of an instrument panel (11) and knees (20.1) of the vehicle occupant (20) to be deployed, a second Airbag (3.2), which in the event of a collision in a at a respect to the usual seat longitudinal position (I) in the seat longitudinal direction shifted rearward seat longitudinal position (II) of the vehicle occupant (20) resulting second deployment space (R2) between the lower portion (11.1) of the instrument panel (11) and the feet (20.2) of the vehicle occupant (20) is deployable, and an inflator (4) for inflating the first or the second Airbags (3.1, 3.2). The invention further relates to a method for triggering the knee airbag assembly according to the invention.

Description

The invention relates to a knee airbag arrangement for a vehicle with an airbag module and to a method for triggering the knee airbag arrangement.

A knee airbag arrangement is, for example, from the DE 603 07 582 T2 known which comprises an airbag which is deployed in front of the legs of a vehicle occupant and is designed such that the airbag deploys substantially only in a total of two areas in front of the ankles or the spans and knees of the legs of the vehicle occupant. This deployment process is controlled so that the air bag deploys first in front of the ankles or spans and then in front of the knees, thereby preventing forward movement of the knees, thighs and lordosis portion. In this known knee airbag arrangement, the airbag retains the ankles or spans early, thereby preventing the ankles or spans from hitting an instrument panel or the like.

Furthermore, in this DE 603 07 582 T2 a knee airbag arrangement with two airbags proposed, namely with an ankle airbag, which unfolds only in front of the ankles or spans, and a knee airbag, which unfolds only in front of the knees of the vehicle occupant. This is to achieve a higher degree of flexibility in arranging the airbags.

In autonomous vehicles, in autonomous driving mode, the driver may assume a changed position with respect to the non-autonomous driving mode, which relates to both the seating position on the vehicle seat and the vehicle seat position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Thus, the driver in autonomous driving mode can move into a comfortable rest or comfort position in which the vehicle seat is displaced in the opposite direction to a vehicle seat position in which the driver is in a conventional seating position required for guiding the vehicle. If the vehicle seat is in a vehicle seat position in which the driver can assume a normal seating position for guiding the vehicle, there is only a small distance between the knees of the vehicle driver and a lower area of the instrument panel of the vehicle. On the other hand, if the driver is in the rest or comfort position described above, in which the vehicle seat is displaced to the rear, a large distance to the knees as well as a long distance to the feet of the vehicle driver arise to the lower area of the instrument panel.

Sufficient impact protection for a vehicle occupant both for the rest or comfort position and for the occupant seat position required for guiding the vehicle can not be ensured by the known knee airbag arrangement according to the prior art.

The object of the invention is to provide a knee airbag arrangement for a vehicle, with which in a rest or comfort position of a vehicle occupant sufficient impact protection, in particular for the lower extremities of the vehicle occupant is ensured, and at the same time in a normal sitting position of the vehicle occupant whose coupling the instrument panel is ensured in the event of a vehicle collision. It is another object of the invention to provide a method for triggering the knee airbag assembly according to the invention.

The first-mentioned object is achieved by a knee airbag arrangement having the features of patent claim 1.

• - einen ersten Airbag, welcher als Knieairbag für einen Fahrzeuginsassen ausgebildet ist im Falle einer Fahrzeugkollision in einen bei üblicher Sitzlängsposition des Fahrzeuginsassen entstehenden ersten Entfaltungsraum zwischen einem unteren Bereich einer Instrumententafel und den Knien des Fahrzeuginsassen entfaltet zu werden,
• - einen zweiten Airbag, welcher im Falle einer Kollision in einen bei einer gegenüber der üblichen Sitzlängsposition in Sitzlängsrichtung nach hinten verschobenen Sitzlängsposition des Fahrzeuginsassen entstehenden zweiten Entfaltungsraum zwischen dem unteren Bereich der Instrumententafel und den Füßen des Fahrzeuginsassen entfaltbar ist, und
• - eine Aufblasvorrichtung zum Aufblasen des ersten oder des zweiten Airbags.

Such a knee airbag arrangement for a vehicle with an airbag module is characterized according to the invention in that the airbag module comprises:

• a first airbag which is designed as a knee airbag for a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision being deployed in a first deployment space arising at the usual seat longitudinal position of the vehicle occupant between a lower area of an instrument panel and the knees of the vehicle occupant,
• a second airbag which, in the event of a collision, can be deployed between the lower area of the instrument panel and the feet of the vehicle occupant in a second deployment space arising at a seat longitudinal position displaced rearward in the seat longitudinal direction in the longitudinal direction of the seat;
• an inflator for inflating the first or second airbag.

In this knee airbag arrangement according to the invention, the first and second airbags are triggered as a function of the seat longitudinal position of the vehicle occupant. This means that the first designed as a knee airbag airbag is triggered when the vehicle occupant is in an impending vehicle collision in a conventional seat longitudinal position, wherein the vehicle seat on which the vehicle occupant sits, is displaced in such a conventional seat longitudinal position enabling vehicle seat longitudinal position in the vehicle longitudinal direction , In such a vehicle seat longitudinal position is the knee airbag deploys in a first deployment space between a lower portion of the instrument panel of the vehicle and the knees of the vehicle occupant. In this usual seat longitudinal position of the vehicle occupant is between the lower portion of the instrument panel around the knees of the vehicle occupant only a small distance. With this first airbag is the usual for a knee airbag coupling of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle environment, ie to the instrument panel to prevent the so-called "submarining" of the vehicle occupant. This means that in a vehicle collision, the lowering of the upper body of the vehicle occupant is prevented in the seated position due to a movement of the lower leg in the direction of travel.

On the other hand, the second airbag is deployed when the vehicle occupant is in a rest position corresponding to a vehicle seat longitudinal position of the vehicle seat rearward from a vehicle seat longitudinal position suitable for a "normal" driving and seating position of the vehicle occupant , that is shifted against the direction of travel. In such a seat longitudinal position of the vehicle occupant, the distance between the lower portion of the instrument panel and the knees of the vehicle occupant and referred to as the second deployment space space is increased in front of the feet compared to a usual or "normal" driving and sitting longitudinal position of the vehicle occupant. In such a rest or comfort position of the vehicle occupant, the second airbag deploys in this second deployment space, which is located between a lower portion of the instrument panel and the feet of the vehicle occupant. This second airbag thus unfolds when viewed in the direction of travel in front of the feet of the vehicle occupant and thus attenuates in the inflated state, the movement of the feet of the vehicle occupant from such that they can not pivot upward in the direction of the lower portion of the instrument panel. Thus, a sufficient impact protection of the lower extremities of the vehicle occupant is provided, in particular a cushioning of the foot takes place in the direction of a bulkhead of the vehicle.

With the knee airbag arrangement according to the invention, in a vehicle collision, a vehicle occupant is optimally protected both in each vehicle longitudinal seat position of a vehicle seat and in each seat position of the vehicle occupant.

The inflator of the knee airbag assembly according to the invention can be realized in different ways. According to a first development of the invention, the inflator is designed as a gas generator with a propellant charge for generating propellant gas, a first igniter for igniting the propellant and inflating the first airbag and a second igniter for igniting the propellant and for inflating the second airbag.

A second development of the invention provides that the inflator with a propellant charge for generating propellant gas and an igniter for igniting the propellant is formed, wherein the inflator a first injection port for introducing the propellant gas into the first airbag and a second injection port for introducing the propellant gas has in the second airbag and the first and second inflation opening are formed switchable. As a result, by switching the two injection openings, either the first airbag, the second airbag or both airbags can be deployed simultaneously with different internal pressures.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, the inflator is formed with a first gas generator with a propellant and an igniter for generating propellant gas for the first airbag and with a second gas generator with a propellant and an igniter for generating propellant gas for the second airbag. Thus, the two airbags can be activated independently.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first airbag is formed with at least one Luftsackabströmung and the second airbag with at least one Luftsackabströmung, wherein the Luftsackabströmungen of the first and second airbags are switchable. Such Luftsackabströmungen serve to limit the gas bag internal pressure and to soften the gas bag after the impact of the vehicle occupant. Thus, the damping characteristic of the first and second airbags can be adapted to its function. Thus, the Lufttsackabströmungen can be performed such that the first airbag with respect to the second airbag has a lower attenuation. Furthermore, it is further development advantageous to form the first airbag such that it is deployed in the first deployment space between the lower portion of the instrument panel and the knees and a subsequent part of the lower legs of the vehicle occupant. Thus, not only the knee of the vehicle occupant but also a knee adjoining part of the lower leg is supported by the first airbag.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second airbag is designed to deploy in the second deployment space between the lower portion of the instrument panel and the feet and a subsequent portion of the lower legs of the vehicle occupant. This is not only the foot of the vehicle occupants but also a part of the lower leg adjoining the foot is supported by the second airbag.

Such a knee airbag arrangement according to the invention can be used both for the impact protection of a vehicle driver of a vehicle and of a passenger of such a vehicle driver.

The second object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 8.

• - Ermitteln einer Fahrzeugsitzlängsposition eines mit einem Fahrzeuginsassen belegten Fahrzeugsitzes mittels eines Fahrzeugsitzsensors,
• - Bestimmen einer Fahrzeugkollision mittels eines Kollisionssensors,
• - Auslösen der Knieairbaganordnung in Abhängigkeit der Sensorsignale des Fahrzeugsitzsensors und des Kollisionssensors, wobei
  • - im Falle einer für eine übliche Sitzlängsposition des Fahrzeuginsassen erforderlichen Fahrzeugsitzlängsposition der erste Airbag ausgelöst wird, und
  • - im Falle einer gegenüber der für eine übliche Sitzlängsposition des Fahrzeuginsassen erforderlichen Fahrzeugsitzlängsposition nach hinten verschobenen Fahrzeugsitzlängsposition der zweite Airbag ausgelöst wird.

This method for triggering a knee airbag arrangement according to the invention is characterized by the following method steps:

• Determining a vehicle seat longitudinal position of a vehicle seat occupied by a vehicle occupant by means of a vehicle seat sensor,
• Determining a vehicle collision by means of a collision sensor,
• - Triggering the knee airbag assembly in response to the sensor signals of the vehicle seat sensor and the collision sensor, wherein
  • - In the case of a required for a conventional seat longitudinal position of the vehicle occupant vehicle seat longitudinal position of the first airbag is triggered, and
  • - Is triggered in the case of a relation to the required for a conventional seat longitudinal position of the vehicle occupant vehicle seat longitudinal position to the rear shifted vehicle seat longitudinal position of the second airbag.

For this inventive method, it is necessary to determine the vehicle seat longitudinal position of the vehicle seat, which is occupied by the vehicle occupant, in the vehicle longitudinal direction. If the vehicle occupant is in a conventional seated longitudinal position with a short distance between the lower portion of the instrument panel and the knees of the vehicle occupant, the first airbag is deployed. If, however, the vehicle seat is displaced from the vehicle seat longitudinal position corresponding to this conventional longitudinal seat position of the vehicle occupant to the rear, ie, opposite to the direction of travel into a vehicle seat longitudinal position corresponding to a rest or comfort position of the vehicle occupant, the second airbag is triggered. In such a rest or comfort position of the vehicle occupant, the second airbag as seen in the direction of travel unfolds in front of the feet of the vehicle occupant and thus dampens the movement of the feet of the vehicle occupant in the inflated state such that it does not move upwards in the direction of the lower area of the instrument panel can pivot. Thus, a sufficient impact protection of the lower extremities of the vehicle occupant is provided, in particular there is a cushioning of the foot in the direction of the bulkhead or the fußraumunterseite the dash panel and the pedals of the vehicle instead.

With the additional determination of the seating position of the vehicle occupant on the vehicle seat, the size of the first deployment space between the lower portion of the instrument panel and the knees of the vehicle occupant or the size of the second deployment space between the lower portion of the instrument panel and the feet of the vehicle occupant can be accurately determined.

The knee airbag assembly according to the invention is suitable for use in all types of vehicles, especially in motor vehicles, hybrid and electric vehicles.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrzeugs mit einem Fahrzeuginsassen in einer ersten Sitzposition und einer Knieairbaganordnung gemäß der Erfindung,
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung des Fahrzeugs nach 1, bei welchem der Fahrzeuginsasse sich in einer zweiten Sitzposition befindet,
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Airbagmoduls der Knieairbaganordnung gemäß den 1 und 2,
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines alternativen Airbagmoduls der Knieairbaganordnung gemäß den 1 und 2, und
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung eines weiteren alternativen Airbagmoduls der Knieairbaganordnung gemäß den 1 und 2.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. Showing:

• 1 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle with a vehicle occupant in a first sitting position and a knee airbag arrangement according to the invention;
• 2 a schematic representation of the vehicle according to 1 in which the vehicle occupant is in a second sitting position,
• 3 a schematic representation of an airbag module of the knee airbag assembly according to the 1 and 2 .
• 4 a schematic representation of an alternative airbag module of the knee airbag assembly according to the 1 and 2 , and
• 5 a schematic representation of another alternative airbag module of the knee airbag assembly according to the 1 and 2 ,

The vehicle 10 according to the 1 and 2 is with a knee airbag assembly 1 equipped to withstand the impact of a vehicle seat 12 of the vehicle 10 seated vehicle occupants 20 serves in the 1 and 2 as a driver in the driver's seat of the vehicle 10 is shown. The 1 and 2 show the vehicle 10 each in the state of a vehicle collision, in which the knee airbag assembly 1 is triggered. This knee airbag arrangement 1 is part of an occupant protection system, which in addition to the knee airbag assembly 1 additional airbags, such as a driver's airbag 13 having.

The knee airbag assembly 1 consists of an airbag module 2 whose construction is in detail 3 is apparent. This airbag module 2 includes in an airbag module housing 2.1 a first airbag 3.1 and a second airbag 3.2 and an inflator 4 to inflate these two airbags 3.1 and 3.2 , The inflator 4 consists of a gas generator 4.0 with a propellant kit 4.1 and a first detonator 4.2 with an injection opening 4.20 and a second detonator 4.3 with an injection opening 4.30 , At an ignition of the detonator 4.2 or 4.3 This is done by means of the propellant 4.1 generated gas via the injection opening 4.20 or 4.30 in the corresponding first or second airbag 3.1 or 3.2 directed.

In the case of an occurring or imminent vehicle collision, the triggering of the knee airbag arrangement takes place under the control of a sensor 1 by means of a control unit 14 to which the sensor signals of a vehicle seat sensor S1 , a collision sensor S2 and an occupant position sensor S3 be supplied. Here, the first and second airbag 3.1 and 13.2 depending on the seat longitudinal position of the vehicle occupant 20 triggered.

The first airbag 3.1 is designed as a knee airbag and is by means of the control unit 14 triggered when the vehicle occupant 20 in a vehicle collision in a conventional occupant seat longitudinal position I according to 1 is located, the vehicle seat 12 on which the vehicle occupant 20 sits, is in a vehicle seat longitudinal position I ', in which the vehicle occupant 20 such a conventional occupant seat longitudinal position I can take. This vehicle seat longitudinal position I 'of the vehicle seat 12 allows the vehicle occupants 20 as a driver for driving the vehicle 10 standard occupant seat long position I take.

In this vehicle seat longitudinal position I 'of the vehicle seat 12 becomes the first airbag 3.1 as a knee airbag in a first deployment space R1 between a lower area 11.1 the instrument panel 11 of the vehicle 10 and the lower part 11.1 the instrument panel 11 slightly spaced knees 20.1 of the vehicle occupant 20 unfolded, whereby the usual for a knee airbag coupling of the vehicle occupant 20 to the vehicle environment, ie to the instrument panel 11 he follows. The first airbag 3.1 can according to 1 In addition, also have the property that not only the knee area but in addition to the knee 20.1 adjoining parts of the lower legs 20.3 of the vehicle occupant 20 be supported.

The second airbag 3.2 In contrast, it is then by means of the control unit 14 triggered when the vehicle occupant 20 in a resting or comfort position as seat longitudinal position II which is a vehicle seat longitudinal position II 'of the vehicle seat 12 corresponds to the vehicle seat longitudinal position I ', for a "normal" driving and sitting position as a seat longitudinal position I of the vehicle occupant 20 is suitable, in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) to the rear, that is shifted against the direction of travel F (see. 2 ), wherein the displacement from the vehicle seat longitudinal position I 'to the rear into the vehicle seat longitudinal position II' - and vice versa - by means of a seat longitudinal adjustment.

In this vehicle seat longitudinal position II 'of the vehicle seat 12 becomes the second airbag 3.2 into a second space of development R2 between the lower area 11.1 the instrument panel 11 and the feet 20.2 of the vehicle occupant 20 unfolded. This second airbag 3.2 unfolds so seen in the direction of travel F in front of the feet 20.2 of the vehicle occupant 20 and thus dampens the movement of the feet when inflated 20.2 of the vehicle occupant 20 such that these do not go up towards the lower area 11.1 the instrument panel 11 can pivot and thus a hard impact is avoided. The second airbag 3.2 can according to 2 In addition, also have the property that not only the feet 20.2 but also the feet 20.2 adjoining parts of the lower legs 20.3 be supported.

For detecting the vehicle seat longitudinal position of the vehicle seat 12 and the seating position of the vehicle occupant 12 are next to a collision sensor S2 for detecting a vehicle collision, a vehicle seat sensor S1 and an occupant position sensor S3 in the vehicle 10 arranged. The sensor data of these sensors S1 . S2 and S3 are used for evaluation by the control unit 14 supplied and in the presence of a corresponding evaluation result, the knee airbag assembly 1 triggered with possibly further airbags of the occupant protection system.

The two airbags 3.1 and 3.2 of the airbag module 2 each have at least one Luftsackabströmung, the first airbag 3.1 an airbag outflow 3.10 and the second airbag 3.2 an airbag outflow 3.20 , These airbag outflows 3.10 and 3.20 the two airbags 3.1 and 3.2 are designed switchable.

The airbag outflows 3.10 and 3.20 serve to the gas bag internal pressure of the two airbags 3.1 and 3.2 limit and impact the vehicle occupant 20 on the first or second airbag 3.1 respectively. 3.2 to limit the internal pressure. Thus, the damping property of the first and second airbags 3.1 and 3.2 be adapted to their respective function. This is how the airbag outflows can 3.10 and 3.20 be carried out such that the first airbag 3.1 opposite the second airbag 3.2 has a lower attenuation.

One to the airbag module 2 according to 3 alternative construction show the airbag modules 2 to 4 and after 5 ,

The airbag module 2 according to 4 takes in an air bag module housing 2.1 one as a gas generator 4.0 trained inflator 4 on. This gas generator 4.0 consists of a propellant kit 4.1 for the production of propellant and an igniter 4.4 for igniting the propellant composition 4.1 , For supplying the generated propellant gas in the two airbags 3.1 and 3.2 is the gas generator 4.0 with a first injection opening 4:41 for introducing the propellant gas into the first airbag 3.1 and with a second injection port 4:42 for introducing the propellant gas into the second airbag 3.2 executed, these two injection ports 4:41 and 4:42 are formed switchable. The switchability of these two injection openings 4:41 and 4:42 is made by, that, for example, the injection openings 4:41 and 4:42 can be controlled by different input voltages. In this case, for example, depending on the voltage applied by means of valves, one or the other injection port should be switched.

This can be done by means of the control unit 14 the two injection openings 4:41 and 4:42 be controlled so that according to the vehicle seat position of the vehicle seat 12 only the first airbag 3.1 or only the second airbag 3.2 is filled with propellant gas. In addition, it is also possible, the degree of filling of the two airbags 3.1 and 3.2 to control. In addition, the two airbags 3.1 and 3.2 be triggered at the same time or with a time offset with a temporal overlap. Furthermore, it is possible, even with this airbag module 2 according to 4 in the two airbags 3.1 and 3.2 Provide Lufttsackabströmungen.

The airbag module 2 according to 5 includes in an airbag module housing 2.1 , an inflator 4 with a first gas generator 4.5 and a second gas generator 4.6 , The first gas generator 4.5 consists of a propellant kit 4:50 , an associated detonator 4:51 and an injection port 4:52 , The second gas generator 4.6 is with a propellant kit 4.60 , an associated detonator 4.61 and an injection port 4.62 educated. Also with this airbag module 2 according to 5 can the two airbags 3.1 and 3.2 be provided with Luftsackabströmungen.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Knee air bag assembly

2

airbag module

2.1

Airbag module housing

3.1

first airbag

3.10

Airbag outflow of the first airbag 3.1

3.2

second airbag

3.20

Airbag outflow of the second airbag 3.2

4

inflation

4.0

inflator

4.1

Propellant kit

4.2

first detonator

4.20

inflation opening

4.3

second detonator

4.30

inflation opening

4.4

fuze

4:41

first injection opening

4:42

second injection opening

4.5

first gas generator

4:50

Propellant composition of the first gas generator 4.5

4:51

Igniter of propellant compound 4.50

4:52

inflation opening

4.6

second gas generator

4.60

Propellant composition of the second gas generator 4.6

4.61

Igniter of propellant composition 4.60

4.62

inflation opening

10

vehicle

11

Instrument panel of the vehicle 10

11.1

lower area of the instrument panel 11

12

Vehicle seat of the vehicle 10

13

Driver

14

control unit

20

passenger

20.1

Knee of the vehicle occupant 20

20.2

Feet of the vehicle occupant 20

20.3

Lower leg of the vehicle occupant 20

I

usual sitting position of the vehicle occupant 20

I '

Vehicle seat position of the vehicle seat 12

II

Seating position of the vehicle occupant 20 shifted relative to the usual sitting position I

II '

Vehicle seat position of the vehicle seat 12

R1

first deployment space of the first airbag 3.1

R2

second deployment space of the second airbag 3.2

S1

Vehicle seat sensor

S2

collision sensor

S3

Occupant position sensor

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 60307582 T2 [0002, 0003]

Claims (10)

Knee airbag arrangement (1) for a vehicle (10) with an airbag module (2), wherein the airbag module (2) comprises: a first airbag (3.1) which is designed as a knee airbag for a vehicle occupant (20) in the event of a vehicle collision in a first deployment space (R1) arising at the usual seat longitudinal position (I) of the vehicle occupant (20) between a lower region (11.1) Instrument panel (11) and knees (20.1) of the vehicle occupant (20) to be deployed, - A second airbag (3.2), which in the event of a collision in a at a respect to the usual seat longitudinal position (I) in the seat longitudinal direction backward shifted seat longitudinal position (II) of the vehicle occupant (20) resulting second deployment space (R2) between the lower region (11.1 ) of the instrument panel (11) and the feet (20.2) of the vehicle occupant (20) can be unfolded, and - An inflator (4) for inflating the first or the second airbag (3.1, 3.2). Knee airbag assembly (1) according to Claim 1 in which the inflator (4) as a gas generator (4.0) with a propellant (4.1) for generating propellant gas, a first igniter (4.2) for igniting the propellant composition (4.1) and for inflating the first airbag (3.1) and with a second Igniter (4.3) for igniting the propellant composition (4.1) and for inflating the second airbag (3.2) is formed. Knee airbag assembly (1) according to Claim 1 in which the inflator (4) is designed as a gas generator (4.1) with a propellant charge (4.1) for generating propellant gas and a detonator (4.4) for igniting the propellant charge (4.1), wherein - the inflator (4.0) has a first inflation port (4.1) 4.41) for introducing the propellant gas into the first airbag (3.1) and a second injection port (4.42) for introducing the propellant gas into the second airbag (3.2), and. - The first and second injection opening (4.41, 4.42) are formed switchable. Knee airbag assembly (1) according to Claim 1 in which the inflator (4) is equipped with a first gas generator (4.5) with a propellant unit (4.50) and an igniter (4.51) for generating propellant gas for the first airbag (3.1) and with a second inflator (4.6) with a propellant unit ( 4.60) and an igniter (4.61) for generating propellant gas for the second airbag (3.2) is formed. Knieairbaganordnung (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first airbag (3.1) with at least one Luftsackabströmung (3.10) and the second airbag (3.2) with at least one Luftsackabströmung (3.20) is formed, the Luftsackabströmungen (3.10, 3.20) the first and second airbags (3.1, 3.2) are switchable. Knee airbag arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first airbag (3.1) is formed in the first deployment space (R1) between the lower area (11.1) of the instrument panel (11) and the knees (20.1) and a subsequent part of the Underseat (20.3) of the vehicle occupant (20) to unfold. Knee airbag arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second airbag (3.2) is formed in the second deployment space (R2) between the lower area (11.1) of the instrument panel (11) and the feet (20.2) and a subsequent part the lower leg (20.3) of the vehicle occupant (20) to unfold. Method for triggering a knee airbag arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims with the following method steps: Determining a vehicle seat position (I ', II') of a vehicle seat (12) occupied by a vehicle occupant (20) by means of a vehicle seat sensor (S1), Determining a vehicle collision by means of a collision sensor (S2), - Triggering the knee airbag assembly (1) in response to the sensor signals of the vehicle seat sensor (S1) and the collision sensor (S2), wherein - In the case of a for a conventional seat longitudinal position (I) of the vehicle occupant (20) required vehicle seat longitudinal position (I ') of the first airbag (3.1) is triggered, and - In the case of a relation to the usual seat longitudinal position (I) of the vehicle occupant (20) required vehicle seat longitudinal position (I ') shifted rearward vehicle seat longitudinal position (II') of the second airbag (3.2) is triggered. Method according to Claim 8 in which a seat longitudinal position (I, II) of the vehicle occupant (20) is determined by means of an occupant position sensor (S3) before triggering the knee airbag assembly (1). Vehicle (10) with a knee airbag arrangement (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 ,

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