Airbag Module Flaps for Secure Housing and Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inflatable airbag systems face challenges in securely housing and maintaining the airbag cushion in a compact configuration within the module housing, particularly during deployment, where the airbag must be restrained and released effectively to ensure proper function and safety.

Innovation Solution

The use of flaps connected to the airbag cushion, which extend in opposite directions and are attached to the airbag module housing, allows for secure placement and release upon deployment, utilizing tear seams or hook-and-loop fasteners to facilitate the airbag's compact configuration and inflation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the airbag cushion is restrained within the module housing using conventional methods, then the airbag can be securely housed in a compact configuration, but the restraint mechanism may interfere with proper deployment or fail to maintain compact configuration effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure housing of airbagVSAvoiddeployment function

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint system is divided into multiple flaps (first flap, second flap, third flap, fourth flap) that are separately attached to different sides of the airbag cushion. Each flap can be independently configured to extend in opposite directions, allowing the airbag to be securely restrained in a compact configuration while enabling effective deployment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flaps extend in opposite directions from the airbag cushion, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This dimensional approach allows the flaps to secure the airbag at multiple points and orientations, maintaining compact configuration without interfering with the deployment path and function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the airbag cushion is released during deployment, then proper inflation and safety function are achieved, but the release mechanism must be reliable and timely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidrelease timing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flaps are pre-configured and attached to the airbag cushion in a manner that allows for predetermined release during deployment. The opposite-direction extension of the flaps is designed in advance to facilitate timely and reliable release, ensuring the airbag can inflate properly without delay while maintaining security during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7478826B2Airbag module flaps

Publication Date: 2009.01.20 AUTOLIV ASP INC

AI summary

Disclosed are embodiments of an airbag cushion and related airbag modules including a plurality of flaps that may be used to secure the airbag within a module housing. In one embodiment of the invention, first and second flaps are connected with the airbag cushion. The airbag cushion is adapted to be condensed into a compact configuration wherein the first flap extends adjacent to the second flap and in at least approximately the opposite direction as the second flap.