Airbag Module Deploying Between Display Screen and Occupant
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing use of large, interactive display screens in vehicles poses challenges for vehicle safety systems, as they must account for the prominent positioning and reachability of these screens by occupants, which can lead to potential impacts during collisions, and traditional airbag deployment methods may engage the screens, causing damage or launching them into the cabin.
Innovation Solution
A passenger airbag module is configured to deploy between the display screen and occupants, with a unique deployment trajectory that avoids contacting the rear portion of the screen, featuring a throat that extends along the instrument panel and a cushion that inflates upward to position between the occupant and the screen, using tethers to control deployment and ensure proper placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional airbag deployment methods are used, then occupants are protected from instrument panel impacts, but the airbag contacts the display screen causing damage or launching it into the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple segments including a display screen engagement portion and an occupant protection portion. This segmentation allows the airbag to interact differently with various objects - engaging the display screen to prevent it from becoming a projectile while providing cushioning to the occupant, thereby resolving the contradiction between protecting occupants and avoiding screen damage
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen itself serves as an intermediary element in the airbag deployment system. The airbag is designed to engage the display screen as a mediator between the airbag and the occupant, using the screen's position and structure to control deployment trajectory and protect both the occupant and the screen from damage
2Speed
If the airbag deploys in a standard trajectory, then it reaches the occupant quickly, but it contacts the rear portion of the display screen causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the airbag are designed with different properties - the display screen engagement portion is configured to interact with the screen while the main cushioning portion is optimized for occupant protection. This local differentiation allows the airbag to move quickly overall while selectively engaging only specific portions that prevent screen damage
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag is pre-configured with engagement features directed toward the display screen position. Before full deployment occurs, the engagement portion makes preliminary contact with the display screen to establish a deployment path that avoids damaging the screen while maintaining rapid protection delivery to the occupant
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 airbag module effectively protects occupants from impacts with the display screen and instrument panel by deploying in a manner that avoids engaging the screen, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring safe cushioning, thereby enhancing passenger safety in vehicles with large, centrally or passenger-side mounted display screens.
Implementation Method 1
The airbag is configured to inflate and deploy from the instrument panel in response to receiving inflation fluid from an inflation fluid source
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus helps to protect an occupant of a seat of a vehicle including an instrument panel and a display screen that is positioned rearward of an occupant facing surface of the instrument panel and that extends vertically above an upper surface of the instrument panel. The apparatus includes an airbag configured to have a stored condition in which the airbag is rolled and/or folded and positioned within the instrument panel at a location below the display screen. The airbag is configured to inflate and deploy from the instrument panel in response to receiving inflation fluid from an inflation fluid source. The airbag is configured to deploy in an upward direction through a space between the occupant and the instrument panel to a position in which the airbag is positioned between the display screen and the occupant.