Adaptive Knee Airbag Vent with External Straps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current knee airbag assemblies may not adequately address the challenge of obstructed deployment due to occupants in close proximity or out-of-position, leading to potential injuries from high cushion pressure, as they lack sufficient adaptive venting mechanisms to adjust for varying occupant sizes and positions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adaptive venting systems with external straps that adjust tension based on occupant contact, allowing for controlled gas venting to maintain optimal pressure during deployment, featuring adjustable vent sizes and strap configurations to accommodate different occupant sizes and positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If knee airbag assembly uses fixed vent size, then manufacturing is simple, but cannot adapt to different occupant sizes and positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability through straps that can move between closed and open positions relative to the vent. The strap is attached at a first location and extends to a second location, allowing it to dynamically cover or uncover the vent based on occupant contact forces, thereby adapting to different occupant sizes and positions without requiring multiple fixed vent configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The venting mechanism employs self-regulating straps that automatically adjust their position based on occupant contact. When an occupant contacts the airbag, the strap is pushed open to allow venting; when no contact occurs, the strap returns to its closed position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external control systems while providing adaptability to different occupant conditions
2Stress or pressure
If knee airbag assembly has no adaptive venting, then structure is simple, but cushion pressure becomes too high during obstructed deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-positioning the strap in a closed state that blocks the vent during normal deployment. When obstructed deployment occurs and high pressure builds up, the strap is automatically pushed open to counteract the excessive pressure. This preliminary configuration prevents the harmful effect of excessive pressure before it occurs during obstructed deployment scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The strap serves as an intermediary element between the occupant contact force and the vent opening action. Rather than directly connecting occupant contact to vent opening, the strap acts as a mediator that translates contact forces into appropriate venting actions, providing controlled pressure relief while maintaining structural simplicity
3Reliability
If knee airbag assembly uses strap to cover vent, then venting is controlled, but strap must be securely attached requiring complex attachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the attachment mechanism from complex multi-component systems and reduces it to simple seam attachments. The strap is attached to the airbag assembly at two locations using straightforward seam construction, eliminating the need for buttons, zippers, or other complex attachment mechanisms while maintaining sufficient reliability for the application
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 reduces the risk of injury by dynamically adjusting venting capacity in response to obstruction, maintaining effective restraint while minimizing pressure on occupants, thereby enhancing safety during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
the inflatable cushion vents inflation gas to reduce internal cushion pressure when the deployment of the inflatable cushion is obstructed
Data Source
AI summary
A knee airbag (KAB) can be constructed with an adaptive vent for reducing internal cushion pressure when the deployment path is obstructed. Obstruction may occur, for instance, by an out-of-position occupant, or when the occupant's legs are in close proximity to the deploying KAB. By reducing the cushion pressure through adaptive venting, a potential for injury due to the deploying KAB can be reduced. External straps can be used to close the vents when no obstruction is encountered. With an adaptive KAB vent design, a direct contact between the occupant and the KAB adaptive vent straps can determine an amount of venting. In addition, the straps may be designed so that they are adaptive (tapered, positioned on an angle, or using different spacing) to account for different occupant sizes/knee spacing/knee contact locations.