Airbag Apparatus Hinge Motion Restricting Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airbag apparatuses face limitations in the deployment of airbags due to interference between fracture-opening subsections and the interior panel, leading to restricted open angles and potential separation or cracking of the reinforcement members during inflation.
Innovation Solution
The airbag apparatus features a frame with hinge motion restricting members and a fracture groove design that includes side and hinge-side fracture groove sections, along with a center fracture groove section, allowing the airbag to inflate and deploy without interference, ensuring the fracture-opening subsections open perpendicularly and preventing separation from the reinforcement members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fracture groove is formed to enable casement opening of the interior panel, then the airbag can deploy outward through the opening, but the fracture-opening subsections interfere with the interior panel causing restricted open angles and potential separation of reinforcement members
Solution Approach 1:
Hinge motion restricting members are introduced as intermediary components between the fracture-opening subsections and the interior panel. These members extend from the frame along the opening and prevent the fracture-opening subsections from interfering with the interior panel during deployment, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable opening and smooth deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge motion restricting members extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the interior panel, creating a three-dimensional constraint structure. This dimensional extension allows the members to effectively restrict the motion of fracture-opening subsections without interfering with the primary deployment function
2Productivity
If the fracture-opening subsections are allowed to open freely in casement manner, then the airbag deployment path is clear, but the reinforcement members may separate or crack due to excessive stress
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge motion restricting members are pre-positioned to counteract the harmful motion of fracture-opening subsections before they can cause separation or cracking of reinforcement members. By applying preliminary constraint, the members prevent excessive stress development that would otherwise lead to structural failure
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge motion restricting members are installed in advance on the frame structure, ready to constrain the fracture-opening subsections during deployment. This preliminary preparation ensures that when deployment occurs, the constraint is already in place to prevent reinforcement member failure
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 smooth deployment of the airbag by preventing interference with the interior panel, ensuring reliable inflation and protection of passengers by maintaining the structural integrity of the fracture-opening subsections and facilitating uninhibited airbag inflation.
Implementation Method 1
formed by forming successive small holes on the reverse surface of the interior panel through irradiation with a laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag apparatus for a vehicle includes an interior panel, an airbag; an inflater, a frame, and a pair of reinforcement members. When the airbag inflates, a fracture-opening section of the interior panel is ruptured and divided into two fracture-opening subsections, which are turned outward about hinge portions of the reinforcement members in a manner of a casement. Hinge motion restricting members are provided on the frame. When the fracture-opening subsections are turned, the hinge motion restricting members come into engagement with the hinge portions. This configuration eliminates interference between the fracture-opening subsections and the interior panel, which interference would otherwise occur when the fracture-opening subsections are opened in the manner of a casement.