Adjustable Airbag Positioning for Non-Standard Seating Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard airbags in vehicles are inadequate for passengers in non-standard seating configurations, as they often fail to provide sufficient protection, increasing the risk of injury during collisions due to their fixed deployment range and size limitations.
Innovation Solution
An airbag extension system that includes a positioning unit with linear actuators, telescoping rails, hinges, and pyrotechnic lifters to adjust the airbag's deployment position, ensuring it is within the protection range of the passenger, regardless of their seating location, using computing devices to determine the imminent impact and trigger deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard airbags with fixed deployment range are used, then manufacturing cost and device complexity are reduced, but protection effectiveness for passengers in non-standard seating positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system transitions from a fixed deployment position to a dynamically adjustable position using linear actuators and telescoping rails that can extend and reposition the airbag package based on detected passenger seating location, ensuring optimal protection for various seating configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical airbag deployment mechanisms with an extended system incorporating linear actuators, telescoping rails, and pyrotechnic lifters that enable remote positioning and deployment of the airbag package beyond the standard fixed range
2Area of stationary object
If larger airbags are used to cover non-standard seating positions, then protection range is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is divided into separate functional components: a standardized airbag package, a positioning mechanism with telescoping rails, and a control system. This segmentation allows the use of standard airbags while adding only the necessary positioning components rather than redesigning the entire airbag system
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping rails and linear actuators serve as intermediary mechanisms between the standard airbag package and the passenger, enabling extended reach without modifying the airbag itself. This intermediary approach maintains compatibility with standard airbags while achieving extended protection range
3Reliability
If airbag positioning is adjusted for non-standard seating, then passenger safety is improved, but response time during collision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors passenger seating position in advance of a collision, allowing the airbag positioning mechanism to be pre-adjusted to the optimal position before impact occurs. This preliminary positioning eliminates delay during the collision event itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pyrotechnic lifters and linear actuators that can rapidly reposition the airbag package in milliseconds, replacing slower traditional mechanical adjustment mechanisms and ensuring minimal response time during collision events
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 system allows standardized airbags to effectively protect passengers in non-standard seating positions, reducing the need for larger airbags and their associated costs, while providing comprehensive protection by positioning the airbag optimally for impact, thereby minimizing passenger injury and potential vehicle damage.
Implementation Method 1
the positioning unit includes one or more pyrotechnic lifters and the pyrotechnic lifters are configured to position the airbag package into the protection range
Implementation Method 2
the positioning unit includes one or more linear actuators and the linear actuators position the airbag package
Implementation Method 3
the one or more telescoping rails are configured to be extended by one or more springs, actuators, or compressed gas
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to reducing the likelihood of injury to a passenger in a collision. In one example, a computing device may determine that an impact between a vehicle and an object external to the vehicle is imminent. The computing device may determine a protection range for a vehicle's airbag based on characteristics of the passenger, including the passenger's seating location within the vehicle. An airbag extension system may position an airbag package, including the vehicle's airbag, such that the vehicle's airbag is within the protection range of the passenger's seating location.