Curtain Airbag Guide Retraction for Pillar Trim Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing curtain airbag system faces issues with the pillar trim breaking due to the rapid inflation of the airbag, leading to debris scattering, and the deployment is impeded by the airbag guide's pressing force on the roof trim, causing delays and uneven inflation.

Innovation Solution

A disposition structure with a plate-like airbag guide supported by an airbag guide support that moves to a position away from the pillar trim, allowing the airbag to deploy without contacting the pillar trim, ensuring a smooth and rapid inflation by directing the airbag's force to open the roof trim directly, preventing damage to the pillar trim.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the airbag guide is deployed to cover the upper end of the pillar trim during airbag deployment, then the pillar trim is protected from damage, but the airbag deployment is impeded and delayed due to the pressing force exerted on the roof trim

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of pillar trimVSAvoidairbag deployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag guide is pre-positioned in the retracted state alongside the folded airbag, ready for deployment. The guide is designed to automatically move to the covering position during airbag inflation, eliminating the need for pre-deployment that would impede the airbag. This preliminary positioning allows the guide to be in the correct location at the right time without delaying airbag deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The airbag guide is designed as a movable component that transitions from a retracted position during storage to a deployed covering position during airbag inflation. The guide moves dynamically in response to airbag pressure, automatically positioning itself to cover the pillar trim only when needed. This dynamic behavior ensures the guide does not impede airbag deployment while providing protection when the airbag is inflated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the airbag guide is retained in a position to cover the pillar trim, then the pillar trim is protected from debris scattering, but the airbag cannot deploy smoothly and rapidly due to contact with the guide

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris scattering preventionVSAvoidairbag deployment speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag guide is pre-positioned in the retracted state alongside the folded airbag, ready for deployment. The guide is designed to automatically move to the covering position during airbag inflation, eliminating the need for pre-deployment that would impede the airbag. This preliminary positioning allows the guide to be in the correct location at the right time without delaying airbag deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The airbag guide is designed as a movable component that transitions from a retracted position during storage to a deployed covering position during airbag inflation. The guide moves dynamically in response to airbag pressure, automatically positioning itself to cover the pillar trim only when needed. This dynamic behavior ensures the guide does not impede airbag deployment while providing protection when the airbag is inflated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Prevents damage to the pillar trim and ensures a smooth, rapid, and uniform deployment of the airbag by maintaining the airbag in a non-contact state with the pillar trim, enhancing the overall deployment efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an inflator (not illustrated) that, in the event of a side impact, becomes activated to eject gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas inflation:

Implementation Method 2

when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the airbag guide receives a downward pressing force from the inflating airbag on the top surface of the airbag guide and moves to a position of action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS8936270B2Disposition structure for curtain airbag system

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 SUBARU CORP

AI summary

A disposition structure for a curtain airbag system in which the airbag, when deployed, deforms an end of a roof trim toward the inside of a passenger compartment. An airbag guide support retains an airbag guide in a normal position in which an end of the airbag guide is kept away from an upper end of a pillar trim and a top surface of the airbag guide faces the under surface of the folded airbag. When the airbag is inflated and deployed, the airbag guide receives a downward pressing force from the inflating airbag on the top surface of the airbag guide and moves to a position of action in which the airbag guide covers the upper end of the pillar trim from above.