Airbag Door Functional Component Hinge Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag devices face challenges in managing the centrifugal force of functional components, such as cameras, attached to the door portion that opens with the airbag, which requires significant reinforcement of the hinge portion, making it difficult to assemble and potentially damaging the hinge when the airbag inflates.
Innovation Solution
A deformable holding member is used to connect and hold the functional component, which reduces the centrifugal force acting on the hinge by deforming to maintain the connection and rotation of the component, allowing for reduced reinforcement of the hinge portion and easier assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a functional component is attached to the door portion and rotates integrally with it, then the functional component can be positioned on the door portion, but the weight of the functional component increases the load on the hinge portion requiring significant reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is divided into distinct functional segments: a distal side connecting portion for attaching the functional component, a proximal side connecting portion for attaching to the airbag cover, and a deformation portion between them. This segmentation allows the functional component to be held separately from the hinge portion, reducing the load on the hinge while maintaining component integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable holding member acts as an intermediary between the functional component and the airbag cover. Instead of directly attaching the functional component to the door portion that rotates on the hinge, the holding member mediates this connection, absorbing the centrifugal force through its deformation and preventing direct transmission to the hinge portion.
2Device complexity
If the functional component is attached to the door portion, then the component can be integrated with the airbag system, but the centrifugal force acting on the hinge portion increases requiring additional reinforcement members
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation portion of the holding member is designed in advance to absorb and cushion the centrifugal force generated during airbag inflation. This pre-designed deformation capability cushions the impact before it reaches the hinge portion, preventing harmful forces from damaging the hinge while allowing the functional component to remain integrated with the airbag system.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member converts the harmful centrifugal force into a beneficial deformation mechanism. Instead of the centrifugal force directly damaging the hinge, the holding member deforms in a controlled manner, dissipating the energy and actually protecting the hinge portion. The harmful rotational force becomes a controlled deformation process that safeguards the system.
3Reliability
If the functional component is attached to the door portion with sufficient attachment strength, then the component remains secure during inflation, but the hinge portion requires significant reinforcement to handle the additional load
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member segments the attachment function from the rotation function. The distal side connecting portion provides secure attachment to the functional component, while the proximal side connecting portion attaches to the airbag cover away from the hinge. The deformation portion between them isolates the attachment security from the hinge load, maintaining reliability without requiring hinge reinforcement.
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 device to be assembled efficiently with reduced reinforcement needs for the hinge, preventing damage and allowing for the integration of heavier components like cameras on the door portion without compromising the hinge's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation portion provided between the distal side connecting portion and the proximal side connecting portion and configured to be deformed to maintain a connection and holding state of the distal side connecting portion with the functional component and to reduce a centrifugal force of the functional component acting on the hinge portion when the airbag is inflated
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag device includes an airbag, an airbag cover which covers the airbag, and a holder which holds the airbag and the airbag cover. The airbag cover includes a door portion which is pushed by the inflating airbag and opened with a hinge portion around a rotation center. A functional component is provided on the door portion and connected to and held by a deformable holding member. The holding member includes a distal side connecting portion connected to the functional component, a proximal side connecting portion connected to a part which can ensure an attachment strength, and a deformation portion which is provided between the distal and proximal side connecting portions and deformed to maintain a connection and holding state of the distal side connecting portion with the functional component and reduce a centrifugal force of the functional component acting on the hinge portion when the airbag is inflated.