Airbag Active Vent Rotation Restriction via Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing airbag modules face issues with unacceptable rotation of the active vent tube, which can hinder proper deployment and venting, especially due to the 180-degree and 360-degree rotation of the inflatable gas duct, leading to delayed or insufficient venting during accidents.
Innovation Solution
The airbag module incorporates a specific arrangement of tabs and an active vent reinforcement sheet to prevent 180-degree rotation and restrict 360-degree movement of the active vent tube, ensuring stable deployment by anchoring the tube to a stud and sewing it into the perimeter stitch of the cushion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the active vent tube is allowed to rotate freely for assembly flexibility, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unacceptable rotation preventing proper deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging tabs and reinforcement sheets in specific positions before deployment. The tabs are预先 positioned on the active vent tube and anchoring structures are pre-positioned on the retainer, ensuring that when assembled, the rotation is automatically restricted without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments. This preliminary arrangement maintains assembly flexibility while guaranteeing deployment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tabs and reinforcement sheets as intermediary elements between the active vent tube and the retainer. These intermediaries serve as mechanical connectors that transmit and restrict rotational movement while allowing linear positioning flexibility. The tabs act as mediators that translate the assembly flexibility requirement into a controlled rotational restriction mechanism.
2Reliability
If tabs and reinforcement sheets are added to restrict rotation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rotation restriction function into separate modular components: tabs on the active vent tube, reinforcement sheets, and anchoring structures on the retainer. Each segment performs a specific portion of the rotation restriction function, allowing for independent design optimization and simplified manufacturing. The segmented approach reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining venting reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the active vent tube is anchored to prevent rotation, then deployment accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced assembly flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing rotation restriction only at specific critical locations (where tabs connect to anchoring structures) rather than constraining the entire active vent tube. This localized approach maintains assembly flexibility in non-critical areas while ensuring deployment accuracy at the venting location. The reinforcement sheets are strategically positioned only where rotational restriction is necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag arrangement with a gas bag inflatable by a gas generator to protect a vehicle occupant, whose envelope defines an interior space of the gas bag that can be filled with gas, with a vent opening through which gas can flow out, with an apparatus for controlling the cross-section of the vent opening including a covering part with which the vent opening can be covered to at least partly closed. The arrangement also includes an inflatable gas duct which interacts with the covering part to vary the cross-section of the vent opening. The duct is inflatable by a secondary gas generator, which during inflation interacts with the covering part such that it changes the cross-section of the vent opening. Rotational movement of the inflatable gas duct is restricted by an extended panel secured to the gas bag, a tab anchored nearby, or both.