Airbag Assembly with Cold Gas Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag systems for motor vehicles in the front cabin face challenges with space constraints, high temperature risks from pyrotechnic gas generators, and theft due to separate housing requirements, limiting their design and installation flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An airbag arrangement using a cold gas generator spatially separated from the gas bag, integrated into an air duct component under the instrument panel, allowing for a space-saving design without a separate housing, and utilizing the air duct component as a self-supporting unit with reinforcing ribs and a gas diffuser plate to manage forces during deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a pyrotechnic gas generator is used to generate gas pressure for the airbag, then the airbag module can be made compact with high energy density, but high temperatures (>1000°C) are generated creating safety risks and requiring tamper-proof housing and specialized handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pyrotechnic gas generator from the airbag housing, separating the gas generation function from the airbag deployment function. The gas generator is positioned outside the housing while maintaining connection via a gas duct, eliminating the need for tamper-proof housing and high-temperature resistant components while preserving compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
A gas duct serves as an intermediary component connecting the externally positioned gas generator to the airbag. This mediator allows gas transmission over a distance while maintaining system compactness and eliminating the need for integrated high-temperature housing.
2Device complexity
If the gas generator and gas bag are housed together in a single airbag housing, then the assembly is compact and integrated, but the housing must be made tamper-proof and support high temperatures, increasing weight and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The gas generator is extracted from the housing structure, allowing the housing to be made from lightweight, non-tamper-proof materials. The housing only needs to contain the airbag, not the high-temperature gas generation components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the airbag module is supported on the vehicle body to absorb tensile and compressive forces during deployment, then structural stability is improved, but installation space is reduced and vehicle body modification is required
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag housing is designed to be self-supporting with integrated reinforcing ribs that provide structural stability during deployment without requiring attachment to the vehicle body. The housing serves its own structural needs, eliminating the need for external mounting and vehicle body modifications.
4Ease of manufacture
If a separate housing is provided for the airbag module, then the components are protected and easily installed, but the housing occupies additional space and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is merged with the vehicle's existing air duct component, combining the airbag housing function with the air duct function. This integration eliminates the need for a separate housing structure, reducing overall volume and cost while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct component serves multiple functions: it acts as the housing for the airbag, provides structural support, and maintains its original air duct function. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and space.
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 reduces weight and cost, allows for semi-skilled assembly, enhances theft protection, and optimizes space utilization, enabling a more compact and maintainable airbag system without the need for additional vehicle body support or high-temperature resistant components.
Implementation Method 1
cold gas generator which generates the gas pressure required to unfold and inflate the gas bag
Data Source
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AI summary
The assembly has cold gas generators (34) connected with each other over a gas channel (32) and spatially separately from each other. A receiving area (24) for a gas bag (26) is integrated into an air duct element (12) of a front region of a cabinet of a motor vehicle. The cold gas generators are arranged at an outer side of the receiving area for the gas bag on the air duct element. The receiving area and the air duct element are formed in single-piece. A gas-diffuser plate is arranged in the receiving area for the gas bag.