Airbag Actuator Cap Release Structure Without Sliding Pin Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing airbag device actuator configuration is complex due to the need for a holding pin sliding mechanism that requires consideration of combustion gas airtightness and sliding performance, leading to challenges in weight reduction and size reduction.
Innovation Solution
The airbag device incorporates a cap with a fitting protruding portion that includes a holding portion and a movement permitting unit, allowing the holding portion to be released from the coupling member using a combustion gas pressure, simplifying the actuator configuration and eliminating the need for a sliding mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a piston cylinder type actuator with a holding pin sliding mechanism is used, then the holding and releasing function is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to requirements for combustion gas airtightness and sliding performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the holding pin from the piston cylinder type actuator configuration and replaces it with a cap structure that has a breaking portion. This removes the complex sliding mechanism while maintaining the holding and releasing functions through a simpler breaking-and-releasing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sliding system (holding pin moving within a cylinder) with a breaking system (cap with breaking portion). The combustion gas pressure directly breaks the cap to release the coupling member, eliminating the need for sliding mechanisms and improving airtightness.
2Reliability
If a piston cylinder type actuator with sliding mechanism is used, then the holding function is achieved, but weight reduction and size reduction become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy sliding mechanism components from the actuator. The cap structure with breaking portion is significantly lighter than a piston cylinder assembly with sliding seals and airtight mechanisms, enabling weight reduction while maintaining the holding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap with breaking portion is designed as a single-use component that breaks irreversibly to release the coupling member. This disposable approach eliminates the need for durable sliding mechanisms and seals, reducing overall actuator weight and 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
This solution enables a simple configuration for releasing the holding of the coupling member, reducing complexity and potentially allowing for weight and size reductions in the airbag device.
Implementation Method 1
a squib provided on one end side inside the main body portion; and a cap, attached to another end side of the main body portion in such a way as to oppose the squib, that includes a ceiling portion, which is provided in such a way as to close off the other end side of the main body portion and is subjected to pressure of a combustion gas emitted when the squib operates
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator of an airbag device includes a main body portion, which is attached to an attachment base, and a cap including a fitting protruding portion that is inserted into a fitting recessed portion of the main body portion. The fitting protruding portion has a holding portion, which is inserted into a holding hole of a coupling member when fitted to the main body portion and holds a leading end portion of the coupling member, and a movement permitting unit that, when a ceiling portion of the cap is subjected to pressure of a combustion gas of a squib, causes the ceiling portion to move, and causes the holding portion to move from a holding position, wherein the holding portion is inserted into the holding hole of the coupling member, to a holding released position, wherein the holding portion is removed from the holding hole.