Passenger Seat Airbag Layout With Movable Knee Protection Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant protection devices for passenger seats in vehicles limit design freedom of the instrument panel due to the need for space to accommodate air bag devices, which compromises protection performance.
Innovation Solution
An occupant protection device with an air bag device disposed between an outer and inner member, where the outer member moves rearward to protect the knee and the air bag inflates upward through the space, allowing for less restrictive design of the instrument panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air bag device is disposed inside the upper portion of the instrument panel, then the upper body protection function is achieved, but the design freedom of the instrument panel is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The air bag device is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (inside the instrument panel) to a horizontal arrangement (in front of the outer member). The air bag inflates in the front-rear direction through the space between the instrument panel and outer member, changing the deployment dimension from vertical to horizontal, thereby resolving the conflict between protection function and design freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer member is designed to be movable, transitioning from a fixed state (closing the opening) to a moved state (receiving air bag pressure and moving rearward). This dynamic configuration allows the outer member to serve dual functions: maintaining instrument panel integrity during normal operation and providing knee protection during air bag deployment.
2Reliability
If the air bag device is disposed inside the upper portion of the instrument panel, then the upper body protection is ensured, but the space requirement limits the instrument panel configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The air bag deployment direction is changed from vertical (upward inflation) to horizontal (front-rear inflation through the space between instrument panel and outer member). This dimensional change allows the air bag device to occupy minimal space within the instrument panel while still achieving effective upper body protection.
3Reliability
If the outer member is made movable to protect the knee, then the knee protection function is achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer member is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both the closing component for the instrument panel opening and the protective element for the occupant's knee. By integrating these two functions into a single movable component, the design avoids adding separate structures, thereby minimizing structural complexity while achieving knee protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of the instrument panel closing member and the knee protection element are merged into a single outer member. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate components and mechanisms, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining both the closing and protection functions.
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
Ensures protection performance for both the knee and upper body of the occupant while enhancing the design freedom of the instrument panel by minimizing space requirements for the air bag device.
Implementation Method 1
an air bag configured to be deployed and inflated by supply of a gas to protect an upper body of the occupant
Implementation Method 2
The outer member is configured to move rearward away from the instrument panel and protect the knee of the occupant by receiving a pressure from the air bag that is deployed and inflated
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant protection device for protecting an occupant seated in a passenger seat of a vehicle, includes: an outer member which closes an opening provided, in front of a knee of the occupant, in an instrument panel of the vehicle; and an air bag device including an air bag configured to be deployed and inflated by supply of a gas to protect an upper body of the occupant, the air bag device is disposed in front of the outer member, the outer member is configured to move rearward away from the instrument panel and protect the knee of the occupant by receiving a pressure from the air bag that is deployed and inflated, and the air bag is deployed and inflated upward through a space between the instrument panel and the outer member that is in a state of being away from the instrument panel.