Airbag Flap Hinge Web Anchoring Against Pull-Out

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airbag arrangements face issues with the material web being pulled out of the chute component during flap opening due to strong forces, leading to uncontrolled opening or detachment of the flap.

Innovation Solution

The material web is anchored in the chute component by being partially arranged on the inner and outer sides of the wall, with an edgefolding embedded into the chute component, ensuring it is fixed on both sides of the edgefolding, and anchored by connecting two layers of the material web at the edgefolding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the material web extends at an angle of 90° relative to the chute component wall, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the material web is pulled out of the chute component during flap opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidmaterial web retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The material web is folded back along the wall of the chute component, transitioning from a simple linear extension to a multi-dimensional configuration. This folding creates multiple contact points and anchoring zones along the wall, preventing the material web from being pulled out during flap opening while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The material web is pre-folded and pre-positioned along the chute component wall before the flap opening occurs. This preliminary configuration ensures that when strong forces act on the flap during triggering, the material web is already in a stable, anchored position that prevents it from being pulled out.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the material web is molded into the chute component, then the manufacturing integration is improved, but the material web is still pulled out during flap opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing integrationVSAvoidmaterial web retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The material web is molded in a folded configuration that extends along the chute component wall, creating multiple contact points and anchoring zones. This three-dimensional molded structure maintains manufacturing integration while preventing the material web from being pulled out during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Length of moving object

If the material web extends straight from the flap to the chute component, then the material length is minimized, but the material web becomes unstable during flap opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial web lengthVSAvoidmaterial web stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The material web is folded back along the chute component wall, creating a compact configuration that maintains short overall length while providing multiple contact points for stability. The folded structure prevents the material web from becoming unstable during flap opening by distributing forces along the wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3345794B2Airbag arrangement and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS GROUP GMBH
  • EP3345794B2 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3345794B2 patent drawingFigure 2A~3E
  • EP3345794B2 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an airbag arrangement (10) comprising a flap (12), which closes a passage opening for an airbag, a hinge section (16) along a side of the flap, an chute wall, which is connected to the flap via the hinge section; and a material web (30), which is partially arranged in the flap and partially in the chute wall, and transverses the hinge section, wherein the material web is molded into the chute wall and is anchored in the material of the chute wall.