Adjustable Airbag Housing Orientation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle occupant protection systems, such as airbag systems, are less effective when occupants deviate from predetermined positions or orientations, particularly in autonomous vehicles where occupants may change positions freely.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable airbag system with an inflatable airbag housed in an airbag assembly, featuring an airbag housing orientation mechanism and positioning mechanism that can be controlled to adjust the airbag's orientation and position based on occupant parameters, such as weight and body position, to ensure optimal deployment regardless of the occupant's position or orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the airbag system is designed for a predetermined occupant position, then the system structure is simple, but the protection effectiveness decreases when the occupant position deviates from the predetermined location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability in the airbag system by enabling the airbag housing to change its orientation and position automatically based on the detected occupant position. The system transitions from a fixed, static configuration to a dynamic one that adapts in real-time, allowing the airbag to maintain optimal protection effectiveness regardless of where the occupant is seated or how they are positioned within the seat.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters of the airbag housing including its spatial orientation (angular position) and location (distance from dashboard). By adjusting these parameters based on sensor input about occupant position, the system maintains reliable protection across varying occupant configurations without requiring multiple fixed airbag units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag housing is fixed in position, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different occupant positions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal airbag housing mechanism that can serve multiple functions: it can orient and position itself to protect occupants in various locations (driver side, front passenger side, different seating positions). This single multi-functional housing replaces what would traditionally require multiple fixed airbag units for different scenarios, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag housing is equipped with self-adjusting capabilities through integrated sensors and actuation mechanisms that automatically detect occupant position and reposition the housing accordingly. The system serves itself by making real-time adjustments without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems, thereby enhancing adaptability while keeping the control architecture relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable airbag system for a vehicle. The system includes an airbag assembly having an inflatable airbag within a housing, and an airbag housing orientation mechanism operatively coupled to the airbag housing. The airbag housing orientation mechanism is structured to enable control of an orientation of the airbag housing so as to enable deployment of the airbag to cushion an occupant positioned in either one of a driver side or a front passenger side of the vehicle.