Airbag Unit Cowl Top Relocation for Rapid Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing airbag units take a long time to unfold and cannot be retrofitted to existing vehicle bodies due to their forward placement and space constraints between the bonnet hood and cowl top.

Innovation Solution

An airbag unit configuration that includes an airbag covering the hood or windshield, a gas generator, a cover bottom member, a cover lid member with a cowl cover attached between the hood and windshield, and a water receptacle, allowing quick expansion and retrofitting by optimizing space utilization and minimizing visual impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the airbag unit is disposed between the bonnet hood and the cowl top, then the airbag can be protected and supported, but it takes a long time to unfold and the bonnet hood must be redesigned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairbag protectionVSAvoidunfold time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag unit is relocated from the conventional space between the bonnet hood and cowl top to the cowl top region, utilizing an underutilized spatial dimension. This positional change in the longitudinal direction allows the airbag to be closer to the windshield, enabling faster deployment while avoiding the need to redesign the bonnet hood structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover structure is divided into separate components: a cover bottom member that accommodates the airbag and gas generator, and a cover lid member that can be detached. This segmentation allows the airbag unit to be independently installed and removed without affecting the bonnet hood, facilitating both rapid deployment and ease of installation/removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the airbag unit is disposed between the bonnet hood and the cowl top, then the airbag can be protected, but the bonnet hood has to be redesigned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairbag protectionVSAvoidretrofit capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The airbag unit is extracted from the conventional integration with the bonnet hood structure and relocated to the cowl top region. This extraction allows the airbag system to be installed independently without modifying the bonnet hood, enabling retrofitting to existing vehicles while maintaining the protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Shape

If the cowl cover is attached to cover the airbag unit, then the visual appearance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual appearanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cowl cover is designed as a separate component that can be attached to the cover lid member. This segmentation allows the cowl cover to be manufactured independently using standard molding processes, and then assembled to the airbag unit, maintaining visual appearance while avoiding excessive manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cowl cover serves multiple functions: it provides a finished visual appearance, protects the airbag unit from external elements, and can be designed with an opening for airbag deployment. This multi-functionality justifies the additional component while maximizing its utility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables rapid expansion of the airbag unit close to the windshield, effective space utilization, and easy retrofitting to existing vehicles while maintaining a visually minimal impact.

Implementation Method 1

a gas generator that ejects gas into the airbag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas ejection:

Data Source

PatentEP3109100B1Airbag apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.04.03 SUBARU CORP

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AI summary

[Object] To provide an airbag unit that can be quickly unfolded, and also retrofitted to an existing vehicle body. [Solution] The airbag unit 20 includes an airbag 10 that covers, upon being unfolded, at least a part of a hood 4 or a windshield 6 outside a vehicle 1, a gas generator 11 that ejects gas into the airbag 10, a cover bottom member 21 that accommodates therein the airbag 10 yet to be expanded and the gas generator 11, a cover lid member 22 including a cover lid plate 22a that covers the cover bottom member 21 in which the airbag 10 is accommodated, and a cowl cover 28 attached to the cover lid plate 22a between the hood 4 and the windshield 6.