Universal Airbag Inflator Mounting Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of manufacturing airbag systems is exacerbated by expensive inflator mounting brackets, and the need for vehicle-specific designs limits flexibility and increases production costs, as each vehicle type requires a custom bracket and fixed staging holes restrict the positioning of inflatable curtain airbags.
Innovation Solution
A versatile mounting adapter system for airbag inflators, featuring a base with slots, p-brackets, and a tethering mechanism that allows for adjustable positioning and orientation, eliminating the need for vehicle-specific brackets and enabling cost-effective production across various vehicle models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a custom mounting bracket is designed for each vehicle type, then the airbag system fits the specific vehicle design, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single mounting bracket that can be used across multiple vehicle types. The bracket incorporates adjustable features including slots for positioning, rotating elements for orientation adjustment, and modular components that adapt to different vehicle configurations. This eliminates the need to manufacture separate custom brackets for each vehicle model, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining vehicle-specific fitment requirements
2Manufacturing precision
If fixed staging holes are used on the vehicle, then the mounting position is precisely determined, but the flexibility to change airbag orientation and position is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating adjustable and reconfigurable mounting features. The bracket includes slots that allow linear adjustment of position, rotating elements that enable orientation changes, and modular components that can be reconfigured. These dynamic features allow the mounting system to adapt to different positions and orientations while maintaining precise mounting when installed, resolving the contradiction between fixed precision and flexible adjustability
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vehicle-specific bracket designs are produced, then each vehicle type gets an optimized fit, but the production complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the mounting bracket into modular, standardized components. The design features separate functional elements such as mounting arms, positioning slots, rotating joints, and fastening mechanisms that can be independently adjusted or configured. This modular segmentation allows a single bracket design to accommodate multiple vehicle types through different combinations and configurations of the same components, rather than requiring entirely different bracket designs for each vehicle model
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for mounting an airbag inflator to a vehicle includes a mounting adapter. The mounting adapter includes a base and at least one slot, wherein the base captures the inflator. A p-bracket that engages the slot is also added, wherein the p-bracket captures the inflator. A mounting tether is also looped around the p-bracket. A tether retainer or a wire harness retainer may also be added to the adapter.