Airbag Module External Deflector Trajectory Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airbag deployment systems often result in high impact forces against windshields due to improper rupture of weakened portions in the instrument panel, leading to potential windshield damage.

Innovation Solution

An external deflector mechanism, comprising a tensioning member such as seat belt webbing or wires, is integrated into the airbag module to modify the airbag's trajectory, reducing the force applied to the windshield by guiding the airbag to inflate at a lower angle and preventing direct impact on the windshield's lower portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the airbag inflates with high force to ensure effective protection, then the protective function is improved, but the impact force on the windshield increases causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective functionVSAvoidimpact force on windshield

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An external deflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the airbag and the windshield. The deflector intercepts the airbag's inflation path and redirects it, allowing the airbag to maintain its protective inflation force while preventing direct impact on the windshield. The deflector acts as a mediator that transfers the airbag's outward force to a safe direction away from the windshield.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The external deflector is positioned in advance to preemptively block and redirect the airbag's inflation trajectory before it can reach the windshield. By establishing this deflection mechanism prior to deployment, the system prevents the harmful impact action from occurring in the first place, while allowing the airbag to perform its protective function fully.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the weakened portion in the instrument panel is designed to rupture at modest pressure to prevent windshield impact, then the windshield protection is improved, but the airbag deployment reliability deteriorates when the weakened portion fails to break

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindshield impact preventionVSAvoidairbag deployment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The external deflector serves as a backup intermediary mechanism that takes over the windshield protection function if the primary rupture mechanism fails. When the weakened portion does not break as designed, the deflector still intercepts and redirects the airbag, ensuring windshield protection is maintained regardless of the instrument panel's structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The external deflector provides a pre-positioned protective mechanism that cushions against the possibility of failed rupture. By having this secondary deflection path ready in advance, the system ensures that even if the primary pressure-release mechanism fails, the windshield remains protected from excessive impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9371052B2Airbag module with external deflector

Publication Date: 2016.06.21 KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

An airbag module (400) has a housing (402), an airbag (404), an inflator (406) and a deflector mechanism (420) which provides a barrier or guide and a reaction hood 401 or surface to modify the trajectory of the airbag on inflation to inflate at a lower trajectory. The deflector mechanism (420) has a tensioning member (430).