Airbag Cushion Concave Tether Head Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airbag devices are ineffective in preventing injuries during oblique collisions, as they do not adequately restrain the head from rotating on its neck axis, leading to increased injury levels due to irregular contact angles.
Innovation Solution
An airbag device with an internal tether system that forms a concave part at the seating position, delaying contact with the passenger's chin and reducing head rotation by tensioning during expansion and deployment, utilizing a disk-shaped inflator and base fabrics to create a broad concave surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the airbag cushion expands flat to provide a broad restraining surface, then the passenger stopping capability is improved, but the head rotation prevention capability deteriorates during oblique collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag cushion is designed with a concave portion that creates a curved, non-flat restraining surface. This curvature is specifically positioned to avoid the chin area while maintaining broad contact with the upper body, thereby preventing head rotation during oblique collisions while preserving the broad restraining surface capability
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag cushion features a localized concave portion with specific geometric characteristics (depth and positioning) that differ from the rest of the cushion surface. This local modification targets the chin area specifically to prevent head rotation, while the remaining broad surface continues to provide effective body restraint
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the airbag cushion contact area with the chin is reduced to prevent head rotation, then the head rotation injury is reduced, but the overall restraining effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The concave portion creates a curved surface that naturally directs contact forces away from the chin area while maintaining distributed contact across the upper body. The curvature geometry ensures that the restraining force is applied to safe zones (shoulders, upper back) rather than the vulnerable chin region, preserving overall restraining effectiveness while preventing head rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag cushion surface is effectively segmented into different functional zones: a concave portion that avoids chin contact for head rotation prevention, and surrounding flat areas that provide broad body restraint. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both head protection and body restraint functions
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 airbag device effectively suppresses injury levels by reducing head rotation and impact on the chin during oblique collisions, while also providing effective restraint during normal collisions, by forming a concave surface that aligns and stabilizes the occupant's head and body.
Implementation Method 1
an airbag cushion that expands and deploys in front of the seating position of the vehicle occupant based on gas
Implementation Method 2
at least one internal tether with a first end connected to the seating position side inside the airbag cushion and a second end connected to the vehicle front side inside the airbag cushion, wherein the airbag cushion forms a concave part at the center of the seating position side recessed due to pulling by the internal tether
Data Source
AI summary
[Issue] An objective of providing an airbag device enabling efficiently suppressing injury of the occupant during an emergency.[Resolution Means] A representative structure of the airbag device 100 according to the present invention includes an inflator 112 that is installed on a vehicle and is able to supply gas, an airbag cushion 104 that expands and deploys in front of the seating position of the vehicle occupant based on the gas, and at least one internal tether 116 with a first end 122 connected to the seating position side inside the airbag cushion 104 and a second end 124 connected to the vehicle front side inside the airbag cushion 104. The airbag cushion 104 is characterized by a recessed concave part 114 formed through pulling of the internal tether 116 on the center of the seating position side.