Airbag Check Valve Segmentation for Reliable Gas Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side airbag apparatuses face challenges in reliably operating check valves due to incomplete closure and excessive pressure issues, leading to inefficient gas flow control between inflation portions.
Innovation Solution
The airbag apparatus incorporates a check valve with flexible and rigid portions, connected by joint portions, which restricts gas flow between inflation portions, ensuring reliable operation and pressure management through the use of sewing threads and specific joint configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the lower portion of the gas distributor is designed as a check valve using fabric material, then the structure remains simple, but the check valve does not operate reliably due to incomplete closure and excessive pressure issues
Solution Approach 1:
The gas distributor is divided into multiple portions: an upper portion, a lower portion, and a middle portion connecting them. The middle portion acts as a check valve with valve body portions that can overlap to close the flow passage. This segmentation allows the check valve function to be separated from the gas distribution function, improving reliability while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the gas distributor have different properties: the upper and lower portions are made of fabric for gas distribution, while the middle portion includes rigid valve body portions for reliable check valve operation. This local differentiation allows each portion to perform its specific function effectively, with the rigid middle portion ensuring reliable flow passage closure when needed.
2Stress or pressure
If the lower gas port is made larger than the upper gas port to supply more inflation gas to the lower inflation portion, then the lower portion inflates earlier and harder, but the check valve receives excessive pressure that may cause it to tuck inside and invert
Solution Approach 1:
The gas distributor is segmented into upper, lower, and middle portions. The middle portion serves as a pressure-regulating check valve that can close the flow passage when excessive pressure is detected in the lower inflation portion, preventing the harmful effect of over-pressurization while allowing the lower gas port to remain larger for initial rapid inflation.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve in the middle portion provides pressure feedback control. When the internal pressure of the lower inflation portion becomes excessive, the high pressure causes the valve body portions to overlap and close the flow passage, restricting further gas flow. This automatic feedback mechanism prevents excessive pressure buildup and maintains check valve stability.
3Device complexity
If the valve body portions are simply caused to overlap by inflation gas pressure, then the structure remains simple, but the flow passage cannot be completely closed due to clearance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is segmented into two separate valve body portions that can overlap. This segmentation allows the flow passage to be closed by the overlapping action of the two portions, providing a more reliable closure mechanism than a single-piece design while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The middle portion of the gas distributor has localized rigid valve body portions with specific geometric features designed for precise overlapping. This local quality enhancement in the check valve region ensures complete flow passage closure when the valve body portions overlap, while the rest of the gas distributor maintains its simple fabric construction.
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 effectively prevents backflow of inflation gas, maintains appropriate internal pressures, and ensures the airbag operates reliably by simplifying the structure and enhancing the check valve's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Each valve body portion has a flexible portion that is located in the vicinity of the outflow-side joint portion and between the outflow-side joint portion and the gas inflow inflation portion. The flexible portion can be flexed toward the gas outflow inflation portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve 60 is formed by a pair of the valve body portions 61. Ends of the valve body portions 61 that are close to an upper inflation portion EU are joined to a communication passage wall 51 by an outflow-side joint portion 41. Each valve body portion 61 includes a flexible portion 64 that is located in the vicinity of the outflow-side joint portion 41 and between the outflow-side joint portion 41 and a lower inflation portion EL. The front edges of the valve body portions 61 are joined to the communication passage wall 51 by a first edge joint portion 67. The first edge joint portion 67 also functions as a wall joint portion 63 that joins the communication passage walls 51 to each other. The rear ends of the valve body portions 61 are joined to each other by a second edge joint portion 68, which extends along the flowing direction of inflation gas. An auxiliary joint portion 69 is located between the first edge joint portion 67 and the second edge joint portion 68, and in the vicinity of the second edge joint portion 68. The auxiliary joint portion 69 joins the valve body portions 61 to each other. The auxiliary joint portion 69 also functions as a rigid portion 65, which is harder to flex than the flexible portion64. The rigid portion 65 extends along the flowing direction of the inflation gas.