Airbag Flap Holding Means with Segmented Tensile Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag arrangements face issues with the rotational behavior of the airbag flap, where a significant portion of the impact energy is used to lift the flap, leading to fluctuations that can interfere with proper deployment, and the excess length of the holding means can cause jamming or incomplete deployment.
Innovation Solution
A holding means with a second holding element of lower tensile strength than the first, which connects two partial sections, allowing the excess length to be available only after the rotational movement is initiated, reducing the lifting load and ensuring complete opening of the airbag flap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the holding means have excess length to accommodate the thickness of the carrier or airbag flap, then the airbag flap can be fully opened, but the excess length can cause jamming or incomplete deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means is divided into multiple sections with different tensile strengths. The first section (with lower tensile strength) is designed to break first during deployment, allowing the airbag flap to open fully, while the second section (with higher tensile strength) remains intact to maintain the hinge connection. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the holding means to provide both sufficient length for opening and controlled failure to prevent jamming.
2Ease of operation
If the holding means form a hinge parallel to the tear-off edge, then the airbag flap can rotate, but a large part of the impact energy is used to lift the flap before rotation begins
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means is pre-configured with a breakable first section positioned to fail at a specific moment during deployment. This preliminary design ensures that the section breaks before the airbag flap completes its rotation, allowing the flap to start rotating earlier in the deployment process rather than requiring full lifting first. This resolves the contradiction by enabling rotation to begin sooner, improving impact energy utilization.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the holding means are fastened to the side of the airbag flap facing away from the vehicle interior, then they can form a hinge connection, but the excess length must accommodate carrier thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means is segmented into multiple sections with different functional lengths. The first section provides the necessary excess length to accommodate carrier thickness and allow full opening, while the second section provides the stable hinge connection. By segmenting the holding means, the design achieves both sufficient length for operation and stable connection without requiring the entire holding means to be excessively long.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The holding unit (1) has a holding element, which is connected with an airbag flap by an end section (11) and connected with a deployment channel by another end section (12). A section (13) is arranged between the two end sections. The section has overlapping partial sections (131,132,133). Another holding element (14) makes a connection (15) between two partial sections. The latter holding element has a lower tensile strength than the former holding element.