Airbag Cushion Segmented Folding for Occupant Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side airbag devices require increased gas generation to effectively fill the space from the passenger seat to the side door, necessitating enhanced deployment mechanisms to restrain occupants during side collisions.
Innovation Solution
The airbag device features a unique folding mechanism with a housing portion and three distinct portions (first, second, and third) that deploy in a coordinated manner to laterally restrain occupants, with the third portion contacting the opposite seat to prevent movement, utilizing a roll or bellows shape for efficient deployment and impact distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the airbag device is sized to fill the space from the passenger seat to the side door, then the occupant restraint effectiveness is improved, but the amount of gas required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag cushion is divided into three distinct portions (first, second, and third portions) with different folding configurations. The first portion is folded in roll or bellows shape, the second portion is folded back toward the first portion, and the third portion is folded in roll or bellows shape. This segmentation allows each portion to contribute differently to the overall deployment pattern, enabling effective occupant restraint while reducing the total gas volume required compared to a uniformly sized airbag.
2Reliability
If the airbag cushion is deployed to reach the opposite seat, then the occupant restraint effectiveness is improved, but the deployment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and third portions are pre-folded in roll or bellows shape, which creates a compact configuration that can rapidly expand during deployment. The second portion is pre-folded back toward the first portion, positioning it to unfold and extend the airbag toward the opposite seat. These preliminary folding actions are designed to unfold in a specific sequence that accelerates the overall deployment process, reducing the time required for the airbag to reach the opposite seat while maintaining restraint effectiveness.
3Reliability
If the airbag cushion is deployed to reach the opposite seat, then the occupant restraint effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second portion is folded back toward the first portion, creating a nested configuration where the second portion is positioned within or adjacent to the first portion in the folded state. The third portion is similarly folded and disposed relative to the first portion. This nesting arrangement allows the complex three-portion structure to be compactly stored within the housing portion while maintaining the capability to unfold and extend toward the opposite seat, thereby managing device complexity.
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 configuration effectively suppresses occupants from moving towards the opposite seat by reducing deployment time and distributing impact forces, ensuring robust restraint even when seats are farther apart.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator for jetting gas for inflation and deployment
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To provide an airbag device or the like that can suppress the occupant seated in a driver seat from moving toward the passenger seat. [Solving Means] An airbag device includes an airbag cushion inflating and deploying in a vehicle cabin of a vehicle to laterally restrain an occupant seated in a seat, and the airbag cushion includes: a housing portion that stores an inflator for jetting gas for inflation and deployment; a first portion folded in a roll or bellows shape from one horizontal end of the airbag cushion to a vicinity of the housing portion; a second portion that horizontally extends opposite to the first portion when viewed from the housing portion and is folded back toward the folded first portion; and a third portion that further extends from the second portion disposed opposite to the housing portion with respect to the first portion, the third portion being folded in a roll or bellows shape.