Protection Device for a Car, in Particular a Passenger Car, and Method for Operating Such a Protection Device

A protection device (18) for a car (10), comprising:

• a seat system (20) disposed in an interior chamber (12) of the car (10) with a seat (22);
• a steering handle (26) that is actuatable by a person (24) sitting on the seat (22);
• and
• an airbag (32) which, in an event of an accident, is fillable with a gas and thus is shiftable from a stowed position (V) to a restraining position (R) at least partially between the steering handle (26) and at least one part of the seat (22);
• wherein the airbag (32) is formed with a first stage and a second stage wherein:
• the airbag (32) is shiftable from the stowed position (V) to the restraining position (R) by unfolding the airbag (32) along a windscreen pane (46) and with a distance from the steering handle (26) when the first stage ignites and, as soon as the airbag (32) is completely unfolded to the restraining position (R), the airbag (32) is supported on the windscreen pane (46) and in a region of a lower body of the person (24) and has a first volume in the restraining position (R);
• and
• the airbag (32) is shiftable from the stowed position (V) to a catching position (A) by igniting the first stage and the second stage and, in the catching position (A), the airbag (32) has a second volume that is greater than the first volume;
• wherein the protection device (18) is formed to optionally cause a shifting of the airbag (32) from the stowed position (V) to the restraining position (R) or a shifting of the airbag (32) from the stowed position (V) to the catching position (A) depending on a distance between at least one part of the seat system (20) and the steering handle (26) running at least in a longitudinal direction of the car and/or depending on an inclination of a backrest (34) of the seat system (20);
• and
• a volume portion (52), by which the second volume is greater than the first volume, is disposed at least partially in the longitudinal direction of the car between the steering handle (26) and at least one part of the seat system (20).