Airbag Arrangement With Adjustable Extension Control Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of autonomous driving vehicles poses challenges for traditional frontal airbags, as occupants may be seated further away and in more reclined positions, leading to insufficient deployment and protection during collisions, necessitating an adaptive airbag arrangement that can maintain effective protection across a wider range of seating positions.
Innovation Solution
An airbag arrangement featuring an inflatable airbag with an external extension control member that can be adjusted in length to control deployment, allowing for various deployment states without altering the airbag's volume, ensuring early interaction with occupants seated further rearward, and providing protection for different crash modes and body regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat adjustment range is increased rearwards for autonomous driving mode, then riding comfort and freedom of positioning are improved, but the deployment effectiveness of existing frontal airbags deteriorates due to insufficient interaction with the occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system transitions from a static fixed-length deployment to a dynamic adjustable deployment state. The extension control member can be selectively extended to different lengths based on the detected seat position, allowing the airbag to adapt its deployment characteristics in real-time to maintain effectiveness across various seating configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the deployment parameter (extension length of control member) based on the seat position parameter. When the seat is positioned rearwardly, the control member is extended further to compensate for the increased distance, thereby maintaining the airbag's protective effectiveness despite the changed seating configuration.
2Device complexity
If a single airbag setup is used for multiple deployment states, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide optimized protection for different seating positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is segmented into functional components: the inflatable airbag element, the extension control member, and the control system. This segmentation allows the single airbag to achieve multiple deployment states through controlled extension of the control member, providing adaptability without requiring multiple separate airbag systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension control member acts as an intermediary between the airbag and the mounting structure. By selectively extending this control member, the system achieves variable deployment states and adapts to different seating positions while maintaining a single, integrated airbag structure rather than requiring multiple complex airbag systems.
3Reliability
If the airbag deployment is extended further rearwardly, then protection for rearward-seated occupants is improved, but the risk of harmful interaction with interior structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the deployment parameter (extension length) based on the specific seating position and crash conditions. Rather than always deploying to maximum extension, the control member is extended to the appropriate length needed to reach the occupant, thereby providing protection while minimizing the risk of harmful interaction with interior structures.
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 adjustable airbag arrangement achieves enhanced protection for vehicle occupants across a broader range of seating positions, maintaining effective deployment and impact surface regardless of seat adjustments, while maintaining simplicity and using a single airbag setup for multiple deployment states.
Implementation Method 1
The airbag (5) is adapted to be inflated in a longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle to a position between an interior portion (13) of the vehicle in front of a seated vehicle occupant (17) and an upper body region (19) of the seated vehicle occupant (17)
Implementation Method 2
The external extension control member (7) has a selectable operative length and controls deployment of the airbag (5) by means of the selectable operative length. The external extension control member (7) is adapted to control deployment of the airbag (5) such that it provides a selectable depth in a longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle when in a deployed state
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag arrangement (3) for a vehicle (1). The airbag arrangement comprises an inflatable airbag (5) and an external extension control member (7) being operatively associated with said airbag. The airbag is adapted to be inflated in a longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle to a position between an interior portion (13) of the vehicle in front of a seated vehicle occupant (17) and an upper body region (19) of the seated vehicle occupant. The external extension control member has a selectable operative length (lo). The external extension control member controls deployment of the airbag by means of the selectable operative length. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising the airbag arrangement and a method for deploying an airbag of the airbag arrangement.