Air Bag Bracket Torque Management via Hole Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing head protecting air bag systems face difficulties in torque management during bolt fastening due to the interposition of strengthening plates and the attaching piece portion between the bolt head and the inner panel, leading to inconsistent tightening forces.
Innovation Solution
The air bag system incorporates an attaching bracket with crimped strengthening plates that produce irregularities, and a through hole in the attaching piece portion is sized to deflect the circumferential edge from the area between the bolt head and the inner panel, allowing the bolt to bottom easily and maintain constant torque during fastening, using a fastening stem and head portion to fix the bracket to the inner panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If strengthening plates and attaching piece portion are interposed between bolt head and inner panel, then the attaching bracket is securely fastened, but torque management becomes difficult and tightening force becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the attaching piece portion from the compression path between the bolt head and inner panel by positioning it laterally. The attaching piece portion with through hole is arranged such that the bolt passes through it without compressing the attaching piece between the bolt head and inner panel, thereby eliminating the interference that caused poor torque management while maintaining secure fastening through the bolt's engagement with the inner panel.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the through hole in attaching piece portion is small, then the attaching piece is securely held, but the circumferential edge interferes with bolt fastening and prevents bottoming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating an irregularity (protrusion) at a specific location on the strengthening plate that locally increases the effective diameter of the through hole. This allows the circumferential edge of the through hole to be positioned away from the compression area between bolt head and inner panel, enabling the bolt to bottom properly while maintaining secure attachment through the crimped strengthening plates.
3Strength
If the attaching piece portion is compressed during fastening, then the attaching bracket is secured, but bottoming feeling is lost and torque management is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the irregularity (protrusion) on the strengthening plate as an intermediary feature that prevents direct compression of the attaching piece portion between the bolt head and inner panel. This protrusion acts as a spacer that maintains proper positioning, allowing the bolt to bottom against the inner panel without compressing the attaching piece, thereby providing clear bottoming feeling and accurate torque measurement while still achieving secure fastening through the crimped strengthening plates.
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 configuration facilitates improved torque management and consistent tightening force management during bolt fastening, ensuring secure attachment of the air bag to the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
crimping the strengthening plates at predetermined locations thereon, respectively, in such a manner as to produce irregularities
Data Source
AI summary
An air bag system of the invention is attached using an attaching piece portion and includes an air bag which is inflated for deployment when an inflating gas flows thereinto. The air bag is attached to an inner panel by attaching an attaching bracket having a pair of strengthening plates provided on front and back sides of the attaching piece portion with a bolt as a fastening means. A through hole in the attaching piece portion is set to such a size that a location constituting a circumferential edge is disposed at a position deflected from an area between a head portion of the bolt and the inner panel when a fastening stem portion of the bolt is fastened to the inner panel. The bolt is fastened to the inner panel in such a state that only the attaching bracket is interposed between the inner panel and the head portion.