Airbag Deployment Direction Adjustment for Steering Wheel Inclination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inclination of the steering wheel during automated driving modes can cause the airbag deployment direction to mismatch with the driver's position, potentially rendering the airbag ineffective in protecting the occupant.
Innovation Solution
An airbag device with a control unit that adjusts the deployment method based on the inclination angle of the steering wheel's central axis, deploying the airbag body effectively regardless of the wheel's position, using a first deployment method when the inclination is within a threshold and a second method when it exceeds, and optionally deploying a secondary airbag from a different direction when the primary airbag is ineffective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the steering wheel inclination angle is changed during automated driving mode to widen space, then the space on the front side of the driver's body is increased, but the airbag deployment direction may no longer accommodate the driver's head effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the airbag deployment direction adjustable rather than fixed. The airbag device can change its deployment direction based on the steering wheel's inclination angle, allowing it to adapt dynamically to different driving modes (manual vs. automated) and maintain effective protection while accommodating steering wheel position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the deployment direction parameter of the airbag based on the steering wheel inclination angle. When the steering wheel is in a tilted state during automated driving, the airbag deployment direction is adjusted accordingly to ensure it still reaches and protects the driver's head effectively.
2Device complexity
If the airbag deployment direction is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to changes in steering wheel inclination angle
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag device incorporates a movable or adjustable deployment mechanism that can change direction dynamically. This allows the system to adapt to different steering wheel positions without requiring completely separate airbag units for each position, balancing complexity with adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can deploy in different directions depending on the steering wheel inclination angle. This multi-functionality allows a single airbag system to effectively protect the driver whether the steering wheel is in manual position or tilted for automated driving mode.
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag device includes: an airbag body that is configured to deploy toward a front side of a driver; and a control unit that is configured to deploy the airbag body using a first deployment method when a central axis of a rim portion of a steering member of a vehicle is in a first state and a deployment condition is satisfied and deploy the airbag body using a second deployment method in a second state when an inclination angle of the central axis in relation to the central axis in the first state exceeds a threshold and the deployment condition is satisfied.