Adaptive Airbag Multi-Venting Gas Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag modules lack adaptability to different impact configurations, leading to inadequate control over gas pressure and stress distribution during collisions, which can result in injuries to occupants.
Innovation Solution
An airbag module with a venting system featuring a plurality of venting openings distributed along the perimetral edges of the cushion, providing a surface area that adjusts gas exit speed through increased friction, allowing the module to adapt to varying impact severities without active sealing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single venting opening is used, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different impact severities is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The venting opening is segmented into multiple sub-openings (first venting opening, second venting opening, etc.) with different sizes and positions. This segmentation allows different sub-openings to be activated selectively based on impact severity, providing adaptability without requiring complex active control mechanisms. The segmented structure enables the airbag to handle both mild and severe impacts effectively.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the venting area is increased to reduce internal pressure, then the risk of occupant injury is reduced, but the protective function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the venting structure have different properties: larger venting openings are positioned to activate under high impact conditions for rapid pressure release, while smaller openings are available for moderate impacts. This local differentiation of venting characteristics allows the system to provide appropriate pressure control for each impact scenario, reducing injury risk while maintaining protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting system dynamically adapts its effective opening area based on the impact conditions. Under severe impacts, larger venting openings become active to rapidly reduce pressure and prevent occupant rebound. Under milder impacts, smaller openings provide gradual pressure relief. This dynamic response ensures optimal balance between pressure reduction and protective support.
3Stress or pressure
If patches are used to seal the venting opening, then pressure control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag cushion material itself serves the dual function of both sealing and venting. The fabric's natural properties allow it to block small venting openings under normal conditions while automatically opening them when pressure exceeds the material's resistance. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate active sealing mechanisms, achieving pressure control without increasing device complexity.
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 adaptive venting system effectively reduces gas leakage and stress on occupants, enhancing protection by maintaining pressure and controlling stress distribution across different impact scenarios, including side and frontal impacts, without the need for additional sealing devices.
Implementation Method 1
providing a surface area that adjusts gas exit speed through increased friction
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to an airbag module for an automotive vehicle comprising an inflatable cushion (11) which is inflated with the gas produced by a generator when a collision occurs and which is configured to deploy between an occupant (13) of the vehicle and an area (15) of the vehicle, in which in order to improve its adaptivity to impacts of different severities, the cushion (11) includes a venting area with surface Su distributed in a plurality of openings (23), preferably circular shaped, the sum of their perimeters being comprised between 4 and 40 times, and preferably between 6 and 18 times, the perimeter of a circle with surface Su. The invention can be applied to frontal and side airbag modules.