Air Bag Vent Actuation via Inflation Force Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air bag systems lack an efficient mechanism to control the venting of inflation fluid, which affects the deployment rate and effectiveness of the air bag in protecting vehicle occupants, particularly in varying occupant positions and conditions.
Innovation Solution
An air bag module with a movable vent member actuated by a panel that receives and transfers the force of inflation fluid, allowing the vent to be selectively closed or opened based on the deployment stage and occupant position, thereby controlling the flow of inflation fluid and optimizing the deployment rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the vent is kept open to allow inflation fluid to escape, then the deployment rate can be controlled, but the air bag cannot achieve rapid pressurization when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The vent member is designed to be movable between open and closed positions, allowing the system to dynamically adjust venting characteristics. During initial deployment, the vent member remains open to control inflation fluid escape and regulate deployment rate. Once deployment is complete, the vent member closes to enable rapid pressurization, thus resolving the contradiction between controlled deployment rate and rapid pressurization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary venting control during the deployment phase by keeping the vent member open, allowing inflation fluid to escape and control the deployment rate. After deployment is achieved, the vent member transitions to closed position in advance of the pressurization phase, ensuring rapid pressurization can occur without delay. This preliminary action sequence resolves the contradiction between controlled deployment and rapid pressurization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vent is closed initially to prevent debris entry, then protection is improved, but the deployment rate control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vent member's movable design allows it to be open during deployment to enable deployment rate control through inflation fluid escape. After deployment, the vent member transitions to closed position to prevent debris entry while maintaining the deployed configuration. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between debris prevention and deployment rate control.
3Reliability
If a tether mechanism is used to close the vent, then vent closure is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The panel utilizes the force of inflation fluid acting upon it to automatically move the vent member from open to closed position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external tether mechanisms or additional actuators, achieving reliable vent closure while minimizing system complexity. The inflation fluid itself provides the actuating force, resolving the contradiction between vent closure reliability and system simplicity.
4Extent of automation
If the panel is used to transfer inflation fluid force to the vent member, then vent actuation is achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The panel serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural component of the air bag assembly, a force transfer mechanism to actuate the vent member, and a means to direct inflation fluid force. By making the panel multi-functional, the system achieves automated vent actuation without adding separate dedicated components, thus resolving the contradiction between automation extent and structural complexity.
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 controlled inflation and deployment of the air bag, ensuring rapid pressurization when necessary for optimal impact absorption and ride-down effect, while also preventing debris entry when the vent is closed initially.
Implementation Method 1
A panel receives and transfers the force of inflation fluid directed into the protection device to the vent member to urge the vent member toward the closed condition
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (16) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable to help protect the vehicle occupant (16). A vent opening (52) directs flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device (14). A vent member (60) is movable between an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device (14) through the vent opening (52) and a closed condition at least partially blocking flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device through the vent opening. A panel (80) receives and transfers the force of inflation directed into the protection device to the vent member to urge the vent member toward the closed condition.