Airbag Insert Creates Bent Shape Without Purse-String Seams
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag designs struggle to achieve a bent elongate shape efficiently without requiring additional elements like rebound straps or purse-string seams, which can hinder rapid deployment.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an insert with a different length than the external wall portion in the bending area, which is fastened by seams that also attach partitions, allowing for a seamless and rapid deployment without purse-string seams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If additional elements like rebound straps or purse-string seams are used to create bending, then the airbag can achieve a bent shape, but the deployment speed decreases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external wall is segmented by introducing a cut-out in the bending area, allowing the insert to be inserted and create the bent shape without requiring additional rebound straps or purse-string seams throughout the entire airbag structure
Solution Approach 2:
An insert is introduced as an intermediary element between the compartments, with different length in the bending area compared to the external wall portion, creating the bent shape while avoiding the need for traditional bending mechanisms that slow deployment
2Shape
If additional elements like rebound straps or purse-string seams are used to create bending, then the airbag can achieve a bent shape, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seams that attach the insert to the external wall are merged with the seams used to attach partitions to the external wall, eliminating the need for separate attachment mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The insert serves as a multi-functional intermediary element that simultaneously creates the bent shape and integrates with the partition attachment system, reducing the need for separate bending mechanisms
3Speed
If the insert length differs from the external wall portion length, then rapid deployment without purse-string seams is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insert has different length characteristics in different areas: in the bending area it has a different length than the external wall portion to enable rapid deployment, while in other areas it integrates with the standard airbag structure, allowing localized optimization without compromising overall manufacturing feasibility
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an airbag (12) of a vehicle occupant restraint system (10) comprising plural juxtaposed compartments (16) delimited outwardly by opposing external walls (18) and against each other by partitions (20), wherein the airbag (12), in the inflated condition, has a form overall bent and elongate in cross-section. In the bending area the external wall (18) includes a cut-out (22) that is closed by an inserted insert (24) tensioned in the deployed condition which in the longitudinal direction has a length (LE) different in the bending area from the opposing external wall portion (28) of the chamber (16) so as to produce the bending.The invention furthermore relates to a method of manufacturing an airbag of this type.