Airbag Housing Cable Insertion via Segmented Access Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag housing designs face challenges in securely connecting electrical cables, particularly the ignition cable, which can be cumbersome to install and prone to accidental disconnection during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A housing design featuring two interlocking parts with a through-opening and an access opening that allows easy insertion and secure connection of electrical cables, providing strain relief and preventing accidental disconnection, using a slot or curved access opening that counters tensile forces and stabilizing structures to maintain cable guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ignition cable is routed through a passage opening in the housing for mounting, then the electrical connection can be established, but the installation becomes cumbersome and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate parts: a first housing part containing the passage opening for the ignition cable, and a second housing part with the access opening. This segmentation allows the ignition cable to be inserted through the access opening in the second housing part and connected to the gas generator, while the first housing part is subsequently attached to complete the assembly. This resolves the contradiction by enabling easy cable installation without requiring the cable to be pulled through the passage opening in the first housing part.
2Ease of operation
If the gas generator protrudes from the housing with the ignition cable connection accessible from outside, then the ignition cable can be easily connected, but the cable can be pulled off unintentionally during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition cable is inserted through the access opening in the second housing part and connected to the gas generator before the first housing part is attached. The first housing part is then mounted to cover the ignition cable and seal the passage opening, performing the protective action in advance. This preliminary action ensures the cable connection is established easily while preventing accidental disconnection during subsequent installation steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If the through-opening is formed close to the connecting edge of the housing parts, then the cable routing is simplified, but the structural integrity of the connecting edge is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming the passage opening close to the connecting edge of the first housing part, the access opening is formed in the second housing part at a distance from the connecting edge. The ignition cable is inserted through this access opening and routed to the gas generator. This dimensional change in the opening location maintains the structural integrity of the connecting edge while still enabling simplified cable routing through the housing assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2G
Figure 3A~3I
AI summary
The invention relates to a housing for an airbag arrangement of a vehicle passenger protection device, comprising at least two housing parts (11, 12), each comprising a side wall (111, 121) ending in at least one connecting edge (112, 122), wherein the housing parts (11, 12) abut each other via connecting edges (112, 122) when the housing is closed, also comprising a through opening (113) for an electric connecting line (2) to be connected to a component of the airbag arrangement, the line being formed at a distance to the, or each, connecting edge (112, 122) in the side wall (111) of one of the housing parts (11, 12); and an access opening (114) configured in the side wall (111) of this housing part (11) and extending from the connecting edge (112) to the through opening (113), wherein an electric connecting line (2), which is oriented at an angle to the side wall (111), can be inserted into the through opening (113) via the access opening.