Airbag Gas Guide Tether for Occupant Space Intrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing airbag devices, the outer bag has difficulty entering the space between the occupant and the vehicle body side member when the occupant approaches the peripheral edge of the accommodating portion, leading to inadequate protection.
Innovation Solution
The airbag device incorporates a gas guide tether that connects the lower side supply port of the inner bag to the vehicle body side wall portion, guiding inflation gas to press the outer bag against the vehicle body side member, ensuring it enters the space between the occupant and the vehicle body side member effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the outer bag is supported by the ring surface in the steering wheel, then the airbag can be quickly pressed against the support surface, but the outer bag cannot effectively enter the space between the occupant and the steering wheel when the occupant approaches the peripheral edge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bag into an inner bag and an outer bag with different functions. The inner bag is responsible for rapid inflation and pressing against the ring surface, while the outer bag is designed to enter the space between the occupant and the steering wheel. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner bag acts as an intermediary between the inflation gas and the outer bag. It first inflates and presses against the ring surface, then supplies inflation gas to the outer bag through supply ports, enabling the outer bag to subsequently enter the protective space between the occupant and the steering wheel.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the outer bag has a narrow support portion on the ring surface, then it can be supported by the inflated inner bag maintaining internal pressure, but the intrusion amount into the space between the vehicle body side member and the occupant is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support function between the inner bag and the outer bag. The inner bag provides initial support stability by pressing against the ring surface, while the outer bag extends the intrusion length into the protective space. This allows the narrow support portion to maintain stability while achieving sufficient intrusion distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner bag performs preliminary action by inflating first and pressing against the ring surface to stabilize the structure. This preliminary support enables the outer bag to subsequently expand and intrude into the space between the occupant and the steering wheel with adequate distance.
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 allows for improved protection of the occupant by ensuring the outer bag inflates and enters the necessary space smoothly, enhancing the airbag's protective capabilities even when the occupant is close to the peripheral edge of the accommodating portion.
Implementation Method 1
a gas guide tether that connects a vicinity of an outer edge side of the lower side supply port and the vehicle body side wall portion so as to be able to guide the inflation gas supplied from the lower side supply port to the vehicle body side wall portion side
Implementation Method 2
the outer bag is inflated by the inflation gas supplied from the supply ports
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag device includes an airbag including: an outer bag; and an inner bag disposed so as to inflate inside the outer bag and having supply ports through which the inflation gas is supplied to the outer bag, the outer hag and the inner hag sharing the inflow opening and the attachment portion. At least one of the supply ports is provided as a lower side supply port disposed in the lower side wall portion, and a gas guide tether that connects a vicinity of an outer edge side of the lower side supply port and the vehicle body side wall portion so as to be able to guide the inflation gas supplied from the lower side supply port to the vehicle body side wall portion side in an inner peripheral surface of the outer bag along a radial direction centered on the inflow opening is provided.