Airbag Device Deflection Part for Vertical Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airbag devices for saddle-type vehicles often increase in size in the front-rear direction due to the orientation of the inflator, making it difficult to deploy the airbag vertically upward, which is necessary for effective rider protection.
Innovation Solution
The airbag device incorporates a retainer with a deflection part that redirects gas flow from a left-right direction to an upward direction using an L-shaped passage and a guide that protrudes into the passage, allowing for compact arrangement and vertical deployment of the airbag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inflator is disposed oriented in a direction in which the gas is discharged upward from the inflator, then the airbag can be deployed upward, but the airbag device increases in size in the front-rear direction
Solution Approach 1:
The gas discharge direction is changed from the front-rear direction to the upward direction by orienting the inflator's discharge port upward. This dimensional change allows the airbag to deploy vertically while the inflator itself can be positioned in a compact arrangement within the retainer, resolving the contradiction between deployment effectiveness and device size.
2Length of moving object
If the airbag device is disposed compactly in the front-rear direction, then the vehicle structure is optimized, but the airbag deployment direction control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the gas discharge orientation from horizontal to vertical, the system achieves compact front-rear dimension while maintaining effective airbag deployment. The upward discharge direction provides sufficient expansion force without requiring extended front-rear space, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and deployment control.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflator is pre-oriented with its discharge port facing upward during installation. This preliminary orientation ensures that when activated, the gas discharge automatically follows the upward path, providing reliable deployment direction control without requiring additional space or complex mechanisms.
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 enables the airbag to be deployed vertically upward, enhancing rider protection while maintaining a compact front-rear orientation, and provides improved control and directivity of the airbag deployment.
Implementation Method 1
the retainer (41) is provided with a deflection part (70) that deflects the gas discharged from the inflator (43) into the airbag (42) from a flow in a left-right direction to a flow in an upward direction
Implementation Method 2
a guide (95, 295, 395) that protrudes into the passage (48) is provided to guide deployment of the airbag (42)
Implementation Method 3
an inflator (43) and an airbag (42) that is housed in the retainer (41), is inflated by means of a gas discharged from the inflator (43)
Data Source
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AI summary
An airbag device for a saddle-type vehicle can be disposed compactly in a front-rear direction and the airbag can be deployed the airbag vertically upward. In the airbag device for a saddle-type vehicle provided with a retainer 41 that is provided in front of a seat for a rider, an inflator 43 and an airbag 42 that is housed in the retainer 41, is inflated by means of a gas discharged from the inflator 43 and is deployed in front of the rider, in which the retainer 41 is provided with a deflection part 70 that deflects the gas discharged from the inflator 43 into the airbag 42 from a flow in a left-right direction to a flow in an upward direction, the deflection part 70 is provided with a left-right extending part 46 extending in the left-right direction from the inflator 43 side and an upward extending part 47 extending in the upward direction from the left-right extending part 46 to form an L-shaped airbag passage 48 and a guide 95 that protrudes into the airbag passage 48 is provided to guide deployment of the airbag 42.