Adaptive Airbag Venting for Seat-Integrated Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag venting systems in vehicles lack the ability to adapt internal pressure in response to varying impact conditions, such as angle of impact, impact force, and occupant characteristics, due to fixed vent holes that cannot be dynamically adjusted.
Innovation Solution
An active and adaptive airbag venting device with a housing having two flow orifices and an adjustable closure element, actuated by an actuator device, which can be pneumatically or mechanically controlled to open and close the flow path, allowing for real-time adjustment of gas release based on detected parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed vent hole is used in the airbag, then the structure is simple, but the internal pressure cannot be adapted to different impact conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed vent hole with an adjustable closure element that can dynamically open or close based on detected impact parameters. The closure element is controlled by an actuator device that responds to sensor inputs, allowing the venting area to be adjusted in real-time according to impact conditions such as angle, force, and occupant characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the venting parameters (opening area, opening timing) based on detected impact parameters. The controller adjusts the closure element's position and opening timing according to the severity and characteristics of the impact, thereby changing the gas flow rate and internal pressure dynamics to match the specific crash scenario.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an active adaptive vent device is used to control internal pressure, then the adaptability to impact conditions is improved, but the construction size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by integrating the closure element directly into the housing structure of the airbag module. The actuator device and sensor system are compactly arranged within the limited space of the airbag housing, with components nested together to minimize overall volume while maintaining full functionality of the active adaptive venting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements merging by combining multiple functions into integrated components. The housing serves both as the structural container and as part of the gas flow path. The closure element is integrated into the housing wall, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures. The actuator device is compactly coupled to the closure element, reducing the overall space required for the actuation mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the airbag internal pressure is reduced quickly, then the hardness is reduced, but the protection effectiveness during strong impact is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using sensors to detect impact parameters (angle, force, occupant characteristics) and feeding this information to the controller, which then adjusts the closure element's opening area and timing accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the airbag maintains optimal pressure characteristics for the specific impact scenario, providing softness when needed while maintaining protection effectiveness during severe impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling real-time adjustment of the venting characteristics based on the evolving crash scenario. The closure element can dynamically change its opening area during the impact event, allowing the airbag to transition between different pressure states as needed, rather than following a fixed pressure decay curve.
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 solution enables a space-optimized airbag venting system that can be integrated into vehicle seats, providing a safer and more effective airbag deployment by dynamically controlling internal pressure to match specific impact conditions, thereby enhancing occupant safety.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator device (30) is arranged at a front end (28) of the housing (24)... the actuator device (30) interacts with the closure element (22) to open and/or close the flow orifice (18, 20)
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag venting device (10) comprises a housing (24) which includes a first flow orifice (18) facing away from the airbag (12) and a second flow orifice (20) facing the airbag (12). The housing (24) has an axial total length (26), the first flow orifice (18) has a first axial opening length (34) and the second flow orifice (20) has a second axial opening length (34). An adjustable closure element (22) assigned to the housing (24), in an open position, releases at least one of the two flow orifices (18, 20). An actuator device (30) interacts with the closure element (22) to release and/or to close the flow orifice (18, 20), and, in doing so, the axial total length (26) of the housing (24) is less than 3 times the length of the longer axial opening length (34) of the two flow orifices (18, 20).