Active Airbag Vent System Reducing Rebound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airbag systems experience excessive occupant rebound due to incomplete pressure release during impact, which can lead to further injury, as vents cannot release all internal pressure without compromising occupant protection.
Innovation Solution
An active airbag vent system that remains closed during initial deployment but is mechanically or electrically opened to release pressure after a predetermined time or pressure threshold, using a secondary inflator to rupture and deflate the airbag, reducing rebound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If vents are used to release internal pressure during occupant impact, then the rate of deceleration is reduced, but occupant protection is greatly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system transitions from a static open/closed design to a dynamic controlled system that adjusts venting timing based on airbag pressure and deployment stage. The controller activates vents only after initial deployment when protection is established, allowing pressure release to reduce deceleration forces without compromising initial occupant protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary deployment action by initially maintaining closed vents to ensure full airbag inflation and occupant protection before activating venting. This sequential approach ensures protection is established first, then pressure management is applied to reduce rebound and deceleration forces.
2Reliability
If vents remain closed during initial deployment, then occupant protection is maintained, but occupant rebound increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system implements periodic action by initially remaining closed during deployment, then opening at a predetermined time or pressure threshold. This timing-based control allows the system to first protect the occupant during impact, then reduce rebound forces in a second phase, addressing both protection and rebound reduction requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors airbag pressure and deployment timing to determine when to activate vents. This feedback mechanism ensures vents open only after successful deployment and protection establishment, allowing the system to respond to actual airbag state rather than using fixed timing, thereby optimizing both protection and rebound reduction.
3Force
If all internal pressure is released during impact, then deceleration force is reduced, but occupant protection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by releasing only a portion of internal pressure through controlled venting rather than complete pressure release. The controller manages vent opening duration and timing to achieve sufficient pressure reduction for rebound mitigation while maintaining enough pressure to preserve occupant protection, avoiding the extremes of full pressure retention or complete release.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The active vent system effectively reduces occupant rebound by maintaining pressure during impact and rapidly deflating the airbag to minimize rebound forces, enhancing occupant protection while maintaining the airbag's protective function.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor detects a rapid deceleration event (e.g., a collision or crash) and transmits a corresponding signal to an initiation device (e.g., a pyrotechnic device) on an airbag inflator. This causes the inflator to release compressed gas into the airbag, thereby rapidly inflating and deploying the airbag.
Implementation Method 2
An active vent is in fluid communication with the airbag and is configured to reduce the internal pressure of the airbag following rapid deflation of the airbag
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Active airbag vent systems and associated systems and methods are described herein. An airbag system having an active vent configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, a first inflator operably coupled to a first hose for inflating an airbag in response to a rapid deceleration event. The airbag system can further include a second inflator operably coupled to a second hose configured to release a vent or seam on the airbag to rapidly deflate the airbag after initial deployment of the airbag.