Adaptive Vehicle Airbag Tether Control for Occupant Kinematics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle airbag systems do not effectively control occupant kinematics during various impact scenarios, such as side, oblique, and front impacts, as they lack adaptive mechanisms to adjust firmness and shape based on impact direction and occupant size.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle is equipped with airbags supported by interior components like center consoles and doors, featuring a tether system that allows for inflation to different positions and firmness levels, controlled by a processor and memory that actuate tether releases based on impact direction and occupant size, enabling adaptive control of airbag shape and firmness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional airbag system is used without adaptive mechanisms, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to control occupant kinematics during various impact scenarios is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system transitions from a static, fixed-configuration design to a dynamic, adaptive system that can change its shape and firmness based on detected impact conditions. The processor-controlled tether release mechanism enables the airbag to dynamically reconfigure its geometry (from compact to extended) and firmness level (through selective tether release) according to the specific impact scenario, thereby improving occupant kinematics control without requiring multiple separate airbag systems
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system is divided into functional segments: the main airbag chamber, the extension portion, the tether mechanism, and the processor-controlled release system. This segmentation allows the airbag to be inflated to different positions (with extension outside housing or contained within housing) by controlling tether release, enabling adaptive response to different impact types while using a single integrated device rather than multiple separate systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag is inflated to a fixed position, then the manufacturing precision is high, but the adaptability to different impact directions and occupant sizes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system employs dynamic positioning capability through the tether mechanism, allowing the airbag extension to be released at different positions based on impact detection. Rather than manufacturing multiple airbags with fixed geometries, the system uses a single airbag design that can dynamically assume different effective positions and shapes through controlled tether release, achieving adaptability without sacrificing the precision of the base manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
A single airbag design serves multiple functions by responding to different impact scenarios (front, side, oblique impacts) and different occupant sizes through processor-controlled tether release. The same airbag structure can be inflated to different positions (first inflated position with extension outside, second inflated position with extension contained) to address various protection needs, eliminating the requirement for multiple specialized airbag designs
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
This solution effectively controls occupant kinematics by adjusting airbag shape and firmness in response to impact direction and occupant size, enhancing safety during different impact types.
Implementation Method 1
an inflation device in communication with the airbag for inflating the airbag from an uninflated position to an inflated position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a seat having a seat bottom and defining a seat-forward direction. The vehicle includes an interior component. The vehicle includes an airbag supported by the interior component and inflatable to an inflated position having a main body elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis and an extension extending from the main body transverse to the vehicle-longitudinal axis in front of the seat bottom relative to the seat-forward direction.