Knee Protection Airbag Cover Shielding Hook Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional knee protection airbag devices in vehicles suffer from a design flaw where the metal engaging hook is visually noticeable, leading to discomfort and a deterioration in the vehicle's cabin design, especially when the steering column is adjusted, causing a large gap between the airbag device and the column cover.
Innovation Solution
The knee protection airbag device incorporates a shield part integrated into the airbag cover, which is molded to hide the metal engaging hook from the driver's visual line, preventing the hook's luster from being recognized and maintaining the vehicle's design integrity without additional components or operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal engaging hook is used to connect the airbag cover to the case, then the connection strength is improved, but the visual appearance deteriorates due to the hook's luster being visible through gaps
Solution Approach 1:
A shield part made of resin is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal engaging hook and the external environment. This shield part blocks the visual line from the hook while allowing the hook to perform its connecting function, thus resolving the contradiction between connection strength and visual appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag cover is designed with differentiated local qualities: the shield part is positioned specifically at locations where engaging hooks are present to block visibility, while other areas maintain their original design. This localized approach preserves connection strength where needed while improving visual appearance only in critical areas.
2Shape
If a shielding material is attached to the column cover to hide the engaging hook, then the visual appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and attachment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The shield part is merged with the airbag cover as an integral component, eliminating the need for separate shielding materials and their attachment operations. This combining approach maintains visual appearance improvement while reducing device complexity by consolidating functions into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag cover is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the primary airbag housing, enables airbag deployment, and incorporates the shield part to block visibility of engaging hooks. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated shielding components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shield part is made as a separate component, then the manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing cost and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shield part is merged with the airbag cover and manufactured as a single integrated component using injection molding. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing processes, assembly operations, and associated costs, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining design flexibility through integrated mold design.
Data Source
AI summary
A knee protection airbag device includes: a case including a circumferential wall part surrounding a protrusion opening and extending in a front side; and an airbag cover, made by rigidity resin, covering the protrusion opening and being connected to the case. The airbag cover includes: a connection wall part which extends forward from a front side of the decorative panel, and is arranged to cover an upper side of an upper wall part on an upper side in the circumferential wall part of the case. The connection wall part includes an engaging hole. The upper wall part includes a metal engaging hook protruding upward to be inserted into the engaging hole. The airbag cover includes a shield part configured to hide the engaging hook from a visual line. The shield part is integrally formed during molding of the airbag cover.