Method for protecting vehicle occupants

A vehicle with a device for protecting vehicle occupants, said vehicle comprising:

• at least one evaluation device configured to evaluate structure-borne sound signals;
• at least one air supply device;
• at least one control device, configured to control the at least one air supply device, connected to the at least one evaluation device;
• at least one structure-borne sound sensor configured to capture a structure-borne sound signal whose source is located in the vehicle passenger compartment, the structure-borne sound signal being connected to at least one region of the passenger compartment of the vehicle so as to conduct a structure-borne sound;
• and
• at least one passenger monitoring device connected to the at least one evaluation device.

A method for protecting vehicle occupants, the method comprising:

• capturing at least one structure-borne sound signal by at least one structure-borne sound sensor;
• evaluating the at least one structure-borne sound signal by at least one evaluation device;
• after said capturing the at least one structure-borne sound signal and said evaluating the at least one structure-borne sound signal, sending at least one control signal to a triggering device of an air supply device for introducing air into a passenger compartment of a vehicle;
• examining the at least one structure-borne sound signal for a previously defined signal pattern, the previously defined signal pattern is a tapping sequence;
• and
• starting a supply of air after said examining the at least one structure-borne sound signal for the previously defined signal pattern is completed,
• wherein the at least one structure-borne sound signal is produced by at least one person located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and
• wherein at least one signal from at least one passenger compartment monitoring device is included in said evaluating the at least one structure-borne sound signal.