Airbag Cushion Variable Hole Adjusting Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual inflators in vehicle airbag systems are heavier, more expensive, and require additional sensing units, increasing the number of parts and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An airbag system with a variable hole in the cushion that adjusts gas discharge based on passenger position, using an adjusting unit to control gas flow, allowing for low-pressure initial deployment and high-pressure rapid expansion, reducing the need for dual inflators and sensing units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dual inflators are used to achieve low-pressure and high-pressure cushion deployment, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate inflators (low-pressure and high-pressure) into a single inflator system. The variable hole adjusting unit controls gas discharge to achieve both low-pressure initial deployment and high-pressure rapid expansion phases using one inflator, thereby reducing overall system weight while maintaining dual-phase deployment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic control mechanism (variable hole adjusting unit) that dynamically regulates the gas discharge area during cushion deployment. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to transition from low-pressure to high-pressure deployment phases, achieving the protective effects of dual inflators with a single dynamic system.
2Reliability
If dual inflators are used to achieve low-pressure and high-pressure cushion deployment, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of two inflators into one, reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and tested. This merging approach lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the dual-phase deployment capability through the variable hole control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The single inflator is designed with multi-functionality, capable of providing both low-pressure and high-pressure gas discharge through the variable hole adjusting unit. This universal design eliminates the need for separate specialized inflators, reducing overall system cost.
3Reliability
If dual inflators are used to achieve low-pressure and high-pressure cushion deployment, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two inflator systems into one, reducing the number of separate components and connections required. The variable hole adjusting unit integrates the control functions that would otherwise require separate sensing units and control systems for each inflator, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sensing and control functions from separate dedicated units and integrates them into the variable hole adjusting unit that directly controls gas discharge. This extraction and integration approach reduces the number of separate components and simplifies system complexity.
4Reliability
If dual inflators are used to achieve low-pressure and high-pressure cushion deployment, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components (two inflators, multiple sensing units, multiple control units) into a reduced set of components (one inflator, one variable hole adjusting unit). This merging directly reduces the quantity of parts in the system while maintaining the dual-phase deployment 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
The system effectively protects passengers by adjusting gas pressure in response to passenger position, reducing injury risk while minimizing weight and cost, and maintaining functionality equivalent to dual inflator systems.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator; a cushion unfolded by gas supplied from the inflator
Implementation Method 2
a variable hole formed in the cushion so as to discharge gas
Implementation Method 3
an adjusting unit mounted on the cushion and opening/closing the variable hole according to how much the cushion is unfolded
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag system for a vehicle may include: an inflator; a cushion unfolded by gas supplied from the inflator so as to protect a passenger; a variable hole formed in the cushion so as to discharge gas; and an adjusting unit mounted on the cushion and opening/closing the variable hole according to how much the cushion is unfolded.