Vehicle Airbag with Multi-Leg Structure for Chest Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle safety systems, such as multiple airbags, are costly and inefficient in absorbing energy during various impact scenarios, including frontal, side, and oblique impacts, while also imposing significant loading on occupants' chests from seat belts.
Innovation Solution
A dual airbag system with a unique configuration that includes a top, bottom, first, second, and middle leg, which inflates to enclose occupants and absorb energy, reducing the need for multiple airbags by providing comprehensive cushioning and maintaining occupant upright positioning during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple airbags are used to absorb energy during various impact scenarios, then safety performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple airbag functions into a single integrated airbag structure with a unique five-panel configuration (top, bottom, first side, second side, and middle leg panels). This single airbag performs the protective functions that would traditionally require multiple separate airbags, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage during frontal, side, and oblique impacts
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag is designed with multi-functional capability to protect occupants during various impact scenarios including frontal impacts, side impacts, and oblique impacts. The five-panel configuration with specifically oriented panels enables this universal protective function, allowing one airbag to replace multiple specialized airbags for different impact types
2Reliability
If multiple airbags are used to provide comprehensive cushioning, then safety coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple airbag units into a single airbag structure with five functional panels, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured, stored, and installed. This consolidation maintains comprehensive safety coverage while lowering manufacturing costs through reduced part counts and simplified assembly processes
3Productivity
If traditional airbag configuration is used, then packaging efficiency is reduced, but safety function is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple airbag functions into a single integrated structure, freeing up significant space in the vehicle interior. This improved packaging efficiency allows for better space utilization while the five-panel configuration ensures comprehensive safety coverage is maintained through strategic panel orientation and inflation patterns
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 dual airbag system effectively reduces the number of airbags required, lowers vehicle costs, enhances packaging efficiency, and minimizes chest loading from seat belts by maintaining occupant upright positioning during impacts, thereby improving safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the airbag may be configured to absorb energy and soften impact between the body of the occupant and vehicle interior components
Implementation Method 2
A dual airbag system with a unique configuration that includes a top, bottom, first, second, and middle leg, which inflates to enclose occupants
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag for a vehicle includes a top, a bottom, a first panel, and a second panel spaced from the first panel. The airbag includes a first leg, a second leg, and a middle leg. The first leg extends from the first panel in a rearward direction. The second leg extends from the second panel in the rearward direction. The middle leg extends from the first panel and the second panel in the rearward direction. The first panel and the second panel each slant in the rearward direction along a direction from the top to the bottom of the airbag. The first panel and the second panel of the airbag in the inflated position may urge occupants to remain upright during an impact event, reducing loading on a chest of the occupants from seat belt.