Apparatus and method for deploying airbags in a vehicle in which a first
inflatable airbag protects an occupant in a seating location during a crash and
a second inflatable airbag moves the occupant in the seating location away from
an interior surface of the vehicle upon inflation. A crash sensor system determines
that a crash involving the vehicle will occur or is occurring and initiates inflation
of the first and second airbags. The second airbag may be inflated prior to inflation
of the first airbag such that inflation of the second airbag causes the occupant
to be moved away from the interior surface of the vehicle and into a better position
for deployment of the first airbag. In one exemplary embodiment, the first airbag
is a side curtain airbag and the second airbag is arranged in a door of the vehicle
to move the occupant away from the door.
