Patent Publication Number: US-2022212625-A1

Title: Vehicle occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2020/063289, filed May 13, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and which claimed priority to German Patent Application No. 102019112861.7, filed May 16, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle as well as to a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle occupant restraint system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicle occupant restraint systems are arranged to support vehicle occupants in the case of need, Depending on the type of need, different restraint systems may become active. It is a constant effort to optimize the vehicle occupant in order to protect the vehicle occupant even better in the case of need. 
     SUMMARY 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved vehicle occupant restraint system. 
     According to the disclosure, a vehicle occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a central airbag which is installed in an area of a vehicle roof liner between two vehicle seats. At least one holding arrangement is provided which is fastened by a first end to the airbag and by a second end to a vehicle structure so that the holding arrangement retains the airbag in an inflated state in a holding position in which the airbag can laterally support a vehicle occupant. 
     A vehicle occupant restraint system of this type offers the advantage that in the case of need the airbag is held especially reliably by the holding arrangement in a position in which it can support a vehicle occupant. For example, transverse displacements of the vehicle occupants are prevented or at least restricted by the vehicle occupant restraint system according to the disclosure. Accordingly, the airbag need not be backed by a vehicle structure, which is difficult to realize for a central airbag. In this way, moreover the geometry and the position of the airbag can be selected to be especially flexible. 
     In a so-called far-side collision, i.e. when a collision occurs on a vehicle side opposed to the driver side, the driver may be laterally supported especially reliably and a transversal displacement of the driver can be kept low, even if no passenger is present in the vehicle. If a passenger is present, moreover head-to-head collision can be reliably prevented. 
     Fastening of the airbag in the area of the roof liner is effectuated via fasteners, for example, which are disposed especially along a longitudinal edge of the airbag. The fasteners form especially several fastening points by which the airbag is fixed along the longitudinal edge in the transverse vehicle direction and in the longitudinal vehicle direction. 
     The fasteners are, e.g., retaining tabs fastened, and in one exemplary arrangement, sewn, to the airbag which can be fastened to a vehicle structure. 
     In one exemplary arrangement, the at least one holding arrangement is suited to retain the airbag in an inflated state in a position in which a principal extension plane of the airbag mainly extends in a vertical vehicle direction and/or in a longitudinal vehicle direction, Thus, the airbag need not be supported by a vehicle structure but can be held in an appropriate position exclusively via the holding arrangement. In addition, the airbag is held tensioned in an inflated state by the holding arrangement so that the airbag is especially stable. This means that in the case of load, especially in a moment load, when a vehicle occupant is supported by the airbag in the case of need, it is less easy to move the airbag out of position. The holding arrangement may produce tensile force on the airbag. 
     According to one exemplary arrangement, the at least one holding arrangement is a tether which is fastened by one end to the airbag and by another end to a vehicle structure. By a tether, movement of the airbag in the inflated state can be restricted at least in one direction. When the airbag is loaded in said direction while supporting a vehicle occupant, the airbag is restrained by the tether in the holding position, thus helping to restrict displacement of the vehicle occupant. 
     In one exemplary arrangement, a tether is understood to be both a strap, the length of which is several times larger than its width, and a fabric layer, the length and width of which are similar or the width of which may even be larger than its length. 
     For example, in one exemplary arrangement, the tether is connected to the airbag along a longitudinal seam which, when viewed in the longitudinal vehicle direction, extends from a leading edge of the airbag to a trailing edge of the airbag that is especially opposed to the leading edge. By such tether the airbag can be held tensioned in the inflated state along its entire length. In this way, a vehicle occupant can be supported especially reliably, even if he/she impacts, for example by his/her head, in a front or rear area of the airbag in the longitudinal vehicle direction. The vehicle occupant restraint system thus is suited to reliably support a vehicle occupant, even if he/she is in a foremost or rearmost sitting position. 
     In one exemplary arrangement, the tether in this case is a rectangular cutting, for example made from the same fabric as the airbag. 
     In one exemplary arrangement, the tether need not necessarily extend completely up to the leading edge and/or the trailing edge of the airbag, but it may as well end somewhat ahead of the leading edge and/or the trailing edge. 
     In accordance with another exemplary arrangement, two tethers may be provided, wherein in the inflated state of the airbag either of the tethers is fastened to the rear outer face of the airbag, when viewed in the longitudinal vehicle direction, and the other tether is fastened to an opposed front outer face of the airbag. When a body part, such as the head and/or the shoulder, of a vehicle occupant impacts on the airbag between the front end and the rear end of the airbag, when viewed in the longitudinal vehicle direction, a tensile force pulling the airbag in opposite directions and in this way holding the airbag tensioned and thus in position acts in each of the tethers. The fastening of the tethers at the front and rear outer faces of the airbag, when viewed in the longitudinal vehicle direction, further prevents the airbag from moving away while it supports a vehicle occupant. 
     According to one exemplary arrangement, the airbag may include, at least at its two longitudinal edges, fasteners for fastening the airbag to the roof liner so that the airbag is U-shaped in the mounted and inflated state. In other words, the airbag may have two compartments that are juxtaposed when viewed in a front view. In this way, the airbag in the inflated state has an increased inherent stiffness and thus improved restraining behavior in the case of need. 
     In one exemplary arrangement, the fasteners serve at the same time as a holding arrangement, as the fasteners in this exemplary arrangement are suited to retain the airbag in the holding position. 
     In particular, the airbag has two compartments of different thickness in the inflated state. The thickness extends in the transverse vehicle direction. One of the two compartments, especially the narrower compartment, is provided to support a body part, especially the driver&#39;s head. The further compartment, especially the thicker one of the two compartments, is configured to effectuate a supporting force acting opposite to the displacement of the vehicle occupant in the case of need. 
     In one exemplary arrangement, it is also possible to provide the compartments with equal thickness so that in the inflated state the airbag is symmetric in the inflated state when viewed in the front view, unless any lateral forces act upon the airbag. 
     In accordance with one exemplary arrangement, the airbag has a tensioning strap extending between a front end and a rear end of the airbag in the longitudinal vehicle direction and by its ends being fastened to the airbag, the length of the tensioning strap being shorter than a length of the airbag in the longitudinal vehicle direction so that deployment of the airbag is restricted by the tensioning strap such that the airbag in the inflated state is U-shaped or V-shaped in a top view. The length of the airbag in this case is meant to be the length which the airbag would have in the inflated state, unless deployment was limited by the tensioning strap. 
     Due to the tensioning strap, the airbag in the inflated state can better adapt to a body contour of a vehicle occupant. In addition, the U shape or V shape enables the airbag to support the vehicle occupant to a certain degree even in the longitudinal vehicle direction, as soon as a body part such as the head or the shoulder of the vehicle occupant is located between the panels of the U-shaped or V-shaped airbag extending at angles relative to each other. 
     In one exemplary arrangement, a length of the airbag extending in the vertical vehicle direction in the inflated state is so long that the airbag is suited to laterally support the head of a vehicle occupant and especially a torso of the vehicle occupant. In this way, a body of a vehicle occupant can be supported especially extensively in the case of need. 
     However, it is also imaginable that the airbag merely supports the head of the vehicle occupant. In this exemplary arrangement, additionally a side airbag integrated in the seat may be provided to support a torso of the vehicle occupant. 
     In one exemplary arrangement, a tether fastened to a rear outer face of the airbag may extend rearward, starting from the airbag, in the longitudinal vehicle direction and another tether fastened to a front outer face of the airbag may extend forward starting from the airbag in the longitudinal vehicle direction. In this way, the tethers may extend relative to the airbag in parallel or at an obtuse angle, when the airbag is in the inflated state. Such extension of the tethers may help to hold the airbag especially properly tensioned, in particular when a body of a vehicle occupant is displaced toward the airbag between the ends of the tethers fastened to the airbag. 
     According to another exemplary arrangement, a tether fastened to a rear outer face of the airbag extends rearward starting from the airbag in the longitudinal vehicle direction and another tether fastened to a front outer face of the airbag extends equally rearward starting from the airbag in the longitudinal vehicle direction. Said extension of the tethers is especially suited for vehicles having roof cutouts, as it is the case in panoramic roofs, for example, when the front vehicle roof area includes no appropriate fastening options for a tether. 
     In one exemplary arrangement, the vehicle occupant restraint system includes a side curtain airbag in addition to the airbag. Thus, a vehicle occupant may be supported especially reliably in both directions during lateral displacement. 
     In accordance with the disclosure, by a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle occupant restraint system that is designed as afore-described, wherein the motor vehicle has two juxtaposed vehicle seats, especially front seats, and the airbag in an inflated state is disposed as central airbag between the two vehicle seats. In a motor vehicle of this type, a vehicle occupant can be supported especially reliably in the case of need. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages and features of the disclosure will be apparant from the following description and from the attached drawings which are referred to, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a partial view of a motor vehicle according to a first exemplary arrangement of the disclosure comprising a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the disclosure in a front view, 
         FIG. 2  shows the vehicle occupant restraint system of  FIG. 1  in a side view, 
         FIG. 3  shows a partial view of a motor vehicle according to the disclosure in accordance with another exemplary arrangement according to the disclosure comprising another vehicle occupant restraint system according to the disclosure in a front view, 
         FIG. 4  shows the vehicle occupant restraint system of  FIG. 3  in a side view, 
         FIG. 5  shows the airbag of the vehicle occupant restraint system of  FIG. 4  in a flatly spread and not inflated state, 
         FIG. 6  shows the airbag of  FIG. 5  in an inflated state, 
         FIG. 7  schematically shows part of a further motor vehicle according to the disclosure comprising a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the disclosure in a front view, 
         FIG. 8  schematically shows part of the motor vehicle of  FIG. 7  in a top view, 
         FIG. 9  schematically shows part of the motor vehicle of  FIGS. 7 and 8  in a top view, with sitting positions of the vehicle occupants differing in a longitudinal vehicle direction, 
         FIG. 10  schematically shows part of the motor vehicle of  FIGS. 7 to 9 , with the airbag being in the inflated state, 
         FIG. 11  schematically shows part of the motor vehicle of  FIGS. 7 to 10 , with the airbag being in the inflated state and the sitting positions of the vehicle occupants differing in the longitudinal vehicle direction, 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  schematically show part of a further motor vehicle  10  according to the disclosure comprising a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the disclosure, 
         FIGS. 14 a  and 14 b    show an airbag fora vehicle occupant restraint system according to the disclosure, 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  show an exemplary vehicle occupant restraint system according to the disclosure comprising an airbag according to  FIGS. 14 a    and  14   b,    
         FIGS. 17 and 18  show another exemplary vehicle occupant restraint system according to the disclosure comprising an airbag according to  FIGS. 14 a    and  14   b,    
         FIGS. 19 and 20  show another exemplary vehicle occupant restraint system according to the disclosure comprising an airbag according to  FIGS. 14 a    and  14   b,    
         FIGS. 21 and 22  show another exemplary vehicle occupant restraint system according to the disclosure comprising an airbag according to  FIGS. 14 a    and  14   b,    
         FIG. 23  shows another exemplary vehicle occupant restraint system according to the disclosure which additionally includes a side curtain airbag, and 
         FIG. 24  exemplifies an airbag of 2D geometry. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a motor vehicle  10  according to the disclosure comprising a vehicle occupant restraint system  12  according to the disclosure. 
     The vehicle occupant restraint system  12  includes an airbag  14  which in an inflated state, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is arranged as a central airbag between two vehicle seats  16 , especially front seats of the motor vehicle. 
     The airbag  14  is installed in an area of a vehicle roof liner  18  of the motor vehicle  10  between the two vehicle seats  16 . 
     In this way, a vehicle occupant may be supported by the airbag  14  in the event of side impact, especially during a so-called far-side collision. If a passenger is present, moreover head-to-head collision can be prevented. 
     The airbag  14  is fastened to the roof liner  18  by fasteners  19 . The fasteners  19  help to fix the airbag  14  along a longitudinal edge in the longitudinal vehicle direction and in the transverse vehicle direction. In one exemplary arrangement, the fasteners  19  are, for example, retaining tabs that may be fastened to a vehicle structure  22 . 
     In the case of need, the airbag  14  inflates so as to provide appropriate restraint for the vehicle occupant or, resp., occupants in a holding position. 
     In order to retain the airbag  14  in its holding position, when the airbag  14  is in the inflated state, a holding arrangement  20  is provided. The latter is fastened by a first end to the airbag  14  and by a second end to the vehicle structure  22 . 
     The position of the mounting of the holding arrangement  20  on the airbag  14  may be flexibly selected depending on a shape and/or positioning of the airbag  14 . 
     In the shown example arrangement, the holding arrangement  20  is a tether  24 , and in one particular arrangement, in the form of a rectangular fabric cutting. 
     The tether  24  is fastened to the vehicle structure  22  equally by fasteners  19 , for example. 
     If the vehicle occupant is displaced in a transverse vehicle direction in the case of need, as illustrated by arrows in  FIG. 1 , the airbag  14  may restrict the displacement of the vehicle occupant. In so doing, the airbag  14  is held under tension by the holding arrangement  20 . In particular, the holding arrangement  20  applies tensile force retaining the airbag  14  in a desired position to the airbag  14 . The tensile force acts opposite to a displacing force produced by the backing of a vehicle occupant which equally acts upon the airbag  14 . 
     The holding arrangement  20  is fastened to the airbag  14 , in the example arrangement shown in  FIG. 1 , in the upper half of the airbag  14 , when viewed in the vertical vehicle direction. In this way, the vehicle occupant is ensured, in the case of need, to directly impact on the airbag  14  and is prevented from interacting with the holding arrangement  20  during lateral displacement. 
     At the same time, mounting of the holding arrangement  20  on the airbag  14  is spaced somewhat apart from an upper edge of the airbag  14  so that the airbag  14  can be held in position in an especially stable manner. More specifically, the holding arrangement  20  is fastened to the airbag  14  in the exemplary arrangement shown in  FIG. 1  approximately level with an upper head end of a vehicle occupant, if the latter is located in his/her usual sitting position. 
     The tether  24  is connected, as is evident from  FIG. 2 , to the airbag  14  along a longitudinal seam  26  which extends from a leading edge  28  of the airbag  14  to a trailing edge  30  of the airbag  14  when viewed in the longitudinal vehicle direction. In this way, the vehicle occupant can be reliably supported, even if he/she adopts different sitting positions, viz. adjusts the vehicle seat in the longitudinal vehicle direction. That is to say, the tether  24  prevents the airbag  14  from moving away, especially about an axis of rotation in parallel to a vertical vehicle axis and/or to a longitudinal vehicle axis when a torque is applied to the airbag  14  by the backing of the vehicle occupant. 
     From  FIGS. 1 and 2  it is further evident that in the inflated state the airbag  14  is held by the holding arrangement  20 , and in one specific exemplary arrangement, by the tether  24 , in a position in which a principal extension plane of the airbag  14  mainly extends in the vertical vehicle direction and in the longitudinal vehicle direction. 
     Since the airbag  14  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  substantially extends in a plane, it is referred to as 2D geometry of the airbag  14  in this context. 
     In the vertical vehicle direction, the airbag  14  is dimensioned so that it may support a head and a shoulder of the vehicle occupant. Alternatively, the airbag  14  may protrude even further downward in the vertical vehicle direction to equally support a torso of the vehicle occupant. 
     It is also conceivable, however, for the airbag  14  to be dimensioned such that it can support merely a head of a vehicle occupant. In this exemplary arrangement, additionally a side airbag integrated in the seat may be provided for supporting the torso of the vehicle occupant. Said side airbag is not shown in the figures for the sake of clarity, but airbags of this type are sufficiently known. 
     In the longitudinal vehicle direction, the airbag  14  is dimensioned such that it can reliably support a vehicle occupant even if the vehicle occupant is in a foremost or rearmost sitting position when viewed in the longitudinal vehicle direction. 
       FIG. 3  partly illustrates another exemplary motor vehicle  10  according to the disclosure comprising a vehicle occupant restraint system  12  according to the disclosure. 
     For like structures having like functions that are known from the foregoing disclosure hereinafter like reference numerals are used and, in so far, the preceding explanations shall be referred to, wherein hereinafter the differences of the respective arrangements will be discussed in order to avoid repetitions. 
     The airbag  14  according to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 3  is fastened to the roof liner  18  at its two longitudinal edges  32 ,  34  by fasteners  19  so that the airbag  14  is U-shaped or, resp., V-shaped in the mounted inflated state. The longitudinal edges  32 ,  34  are the edges of the airbag  14  extending in the longitudinal vehicle direction in the mounted state of the airbag  14 . 
     The airbag  14  includes two compartments  36 ,  38  which are juxtaposed when viewed in a front view. The compartments  36 ,  38  may be delimited against each other by a bend in the airbag  14 . 
     The compartment  36  facing the vehicle occupant is suited to directly support a head of a vehicle occupant. In the case of need, the further compartment  38  produces a backing force which acts opposite to the displacement of the vehicle occupant and in this way assists the airbag  14  in being held in a desired position. 
     In one exemplary arrangement, the compartments  36 ,  38  have different thicknesses when viewed in the transverse vehicle direction. However, it is also possible to design the compartments  36 ,  38  to be of equal thickness so that the airbag  14  is symmetric when viewed in a front view. 
     The fasteners  19  in this exemplary arrangement simultaneously constitute the holding arrangement  20 , as the airbag  14  can be retained in the holding position by fastening the airbag  14  along the longitudinal edges  32 ,  34 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the vehicle occupant restraint system  12  of  FIG. 3  in a side view. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the airbag  14  of the vehicle occupant restraint system  12  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  in an uninflated and flatly spread state. 
     Apart from the fasteners  19  already shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  which are disposed along the longitudinal edges  32 ,  34  of the airbag  14 , in  FIG. 5  further fasteners  40  are shown which are optionally disposed at an axially front end and an axially rear end of the airbag  14  to fasten the airbag  14  in the mounted state in the axial direction to the vehicle structure  22 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the airbag  14  of  FIG. 5  in the inflated state. In this representation of the airbag  14 , it is clearly shown that the airbag  14  is stabilized in the case of need by the fasteners  19 ,  40  such that, when being loaded, the airbag  14  cannot or can only slightly rotate about an axis of rotation extending in parallel to the vertical vehicle axis. 
     By way of  FIGS. 3 and 6  it becomes further clear that the airbag  14  in the inflated state extends in all of the three main directions, viz. in the longitudinal vehicle direction, the vertical vehicle direction and the transverse vehicle direction. Therefore, it is referred to as 3D geometry of the airbag  14  in this context. 
     In the arrangement according to  FIGS. 3 to 6 , an inflator for inflating the airbag  14  is assigned, for example, to either of the two compartments  36 ,  38 , for example at least partly arranged within the same and especially fastened to the roof liner  18 . 
       FIG. 7  schematically shows another motor vehicle  10  according to the disclosure comprising a vehicle occupant restraint system  12  in a front view. 
     In  FIG. 7  also an inflator  42  of the vehicle occupant restraint system  12  is shown which serves for inflating the airbag  14 . In one exemplary arrangement, the inflator  42  is equally fastened in the area of the roof liner  18 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the motor vehicle  10  of  FIG. 7  in a top view. In this view, it is evident that a tether  24  fastened to a rear outer face of the airbag  14  extends rearward in the longitudinal vehicle direction starting from the airbag  14 . Another tether  24  that is fastened to a front outer face of the airbag  14  extends forward in the longitudinal vehicle direction starting from the airbag  14 . Moreover, both tethers  24  extend toward the same lateral vehicle side, for example the driver side. 
     When the airbag  14  is inflated, it can be held under tension by the two tethers, as the tethers  24  apply respective tensile forces acting in opposite directions to the airbag  14 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the motor vehicle  10  of  FIG. 8 , with the exemplary arrangement shown in  FIG. 9  merely differing from the representation shown in  FIG. 8  by the sitting position of the driver.  FIGS. 8 and 9  are intended to illustrate that the airbag  14  is dimensioned in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle  10  such that both in equal and in different axial sitting positions of the driver and the passenger the vehicle occupants can be reliably supported. 
     Each of the  FIGS. 10 and 11  shows the motor vehicle  10  of  FIGS. 7 to 9 , with the airbag  14  being shown in the inflated state. In the exemplary arrangement shown in  FIG. 10 , the driver and the passenger are in an axially equal sitting position and in  FIG. 11  they are in axially different sitting positions. 
     In the inflated state of the airbag  14 , one of the tethers  24  is fastened to a rear outer face  25  of the airbag  14  when viewed in the longitudinal vehicle direction. The further tether  24  is fastened to an opposed front outer face  27  of the airbag  14 . Since the airbag  14  illustrated in the figures takes an oval shape in the top view, the front and rear outer faces  25 ,  27  are smoothly transformed into the side panels of the airbag  14 . 
     The airbag  14  in the inflated state may contact the roof liner  18  at least in areas, which is illustrated in each of the figures by way of a hatched area. In addition, the airbag  14  may contact a vehicle seat  16 , which is illustrated in each of the figures by a star. Said contact may contribute to orienting the airbag  14  as quickly as possible in a desired holding position in the case of need. 
     Said contact cannot be understood to be a specific structural support of the airbag  14 , however. The specific support is primarily effectuated by the holding arrangement  20 . 
     In  FIGS. 10 and 11 , an expected trajectory of the driver&#39;s head in a far-side collision is illustrated by way of an arrow. Despite different axial sitting positions of the driver, the driver&#39;s head can be reliably supported by the airbag  14 . 
     Each of the  FIGS. 12 and 13  schematically illustrates another exemplary arrangement of the motor vehicle  10  according to the disclosure comprising a vehicle occupant restraint system  12  according to the disclosure. The motor vehicle  10  shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  is a motor vehicle  10  having a roof cutout, for example a motor vehicle  10  having a panoramic roof. 
     The vehicle occupant restraint system  12  according to  FIGS. 12 and 13  differs from the vehicle occupant restraint system according to  FIGS. 7 to 11  in that the tether  24  fastened to a front outer face of the airbag  14  extends rearward instead of forward in the longitudinal vehicle direction starting from the airbag  14 . That is to say, in motor vehicles  10  having a roof cutout, it may be the case that the tether  24  cannot be fastened in the front area of the vehicle roof liner  18 . 
     Basically, the two tethers  24  extend starting from the front end of the airbag  14  as well as starting from the rear end of the airbag  14 , but always toward the same lateral vehicle side, especially the driver side. 
     This helps to prevent any rotation of the airbag  14  in the case of need. 
     Each of the  FIGS. 14 a  and 14 b    shows an airbag  14  of a vehicle occupant restraint system  12  according to the disclosure. 
     Apart from the tethers  24 , the airbag  14  shown in  FIGS. 14 and 14   b  includes a tensioning strap  44 . Said tensioning strap  44  extends between a front end and a rear end of the airbag  14  in the longitudinal vehicle direction and by its ends is fastened to the airbag  14 . Alternatively, the tensioning strap  44  may be fastened at the tethers  24 . 
     The length of the tensioning strap  44  is designed so that the airbag  14  cannot fully deploy so that in the inflated state the airbag  14  is U-shaped or V-shaped in a top view, as is especially clearly shown in  FIG. 14 b   . In other words, the tensioning strap  44  restricts deployment of the airbag  14 . 
     In particular, the length of the airbag  14  in the longitudinal vehicle direction is shorter than the length of the tensioning strap  44 . 
     Each of the  FIGS. 15 to 18  schematically shows a motor vehicle  10  according to the disclosure comprising a vehicle occupant restraint system  12  according to the disclosure which includes the airbag  14  illustrated in  FIGS. 14 a    and  14   b.    
     The tensioning strap  44  of the airbag  14  is arranged on a side of the airbag  14  facing the driver. 
     Apart from the different airbag  14 , the motor vehicle illustrated in  FIGS. 15 to 18  is designed analogously to the motor vehicle  10  shown in  FIGS. 10 to 13 . 
     Each of the  FIGS. 19 to 20 and 21 to 22  schematically illustrates another motor vehicle  10  according to the disclosure comprising a vehicle occupant restraint system  12  according to the disclosure. 
     The vehicle occupant restraint system  12  illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20  equally includes the airbag  14  shown in  FIGS. 14 a  and 14 b   , however, the airbag  14  is differently oriented in this exemplary arrangement. Especially the tensioning strap  44  is disposed at an outer face of the airbag  14  facing away from the driver and facing the passenger. Apart from that, the exemplary arrangement of the vehicle occupant restraint system  12  illustrated in  FIGS. 19 to 20  corresponds to the exemplary arrangement illustrated in  FIGS. 15 to 16 . 
     The exemplary arrangement illustrated in  FIGS. 21 to 22  merely differs from the exemplary arrangement illustrated in  FIGS. 19 to 20  in that a motor vehicle  10  having a roof cutout is concerned. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates a motor vehicle  10  comprising another vehicle occupant restraint system  12  according to the disclosure. The vehicle occupant restraint system  12  in this case includes, in addition to the central airbag  14 , a side curtain airbag  46  to support the vehicle occupant on both sides in the case of transverse displacement. Said side curtain airbag  46  may be optionally provided in all afore-described exemplary arrangements of the vehicle occupant restraint system  12 . 
       FIG. 24  exemplifies an airbag  14  of 2D geometry in a motor vehicle  10 . An airbag  14  in such or similar shape is provided, for example, in a vehicle occupant restraint system  12  according to  FIGS. 1 and 2  as well as  7  to  13 . However, in  FIG. 24  no holding arrangement  20  is illustrated.