Airbag Module Gas Distribution via Dead Zone and Variable Tether

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airbag modules for vehicles face challenges in uniformly distributing high pressure gas to the airbag cushion, leading to increased weight and cost, as well as difficulties in absorbing high temperature and pressure, due to the eccentric discharge of gas from the inflator, which impedes effective protection of pedestrians in collisions.

Innovation Solution

The airbag module incorporates a dead zone within the airbag cushion that forms at least two branch flow paths for gas distribution, combined with a variable tether featuring vent holes to guide and distribute high pressure gas uniformly, eliminating the need for separate distribution chambers or diffuser pockets and reinforcing fabrics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If divided chambers and diffuser pockets are added to uniformly distribute high pressure gas, then gas distribution uniformity is improved, but weight and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas distribution uniformityVSAvoidairbag module weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The internal space of the airbag cushion is partitioned into a plurality of divided chambers, and a diffuser pocket with multiple gas discharge portions is provided in the main cushion. This segmentation allows high pressure gas to be distributed through multiple pathways, achieving uniform gas distribution without requiring additional heavy reinforcement structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A reinforcing fabric is introduced as an intermediary element to absorb high temperature heat and high pressure of the discharged gas. This fabric acts as a mediator between the high pressure gas source and the airbag cushion, enabling uniform gas distribution while protecting the cushion structure from direct exposure to extreme conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If divided chambers and diffuser pockets are added to uniformly distribute high pressure gas, then gas distribution uniformity is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas distribution uniformityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag cushion is divided into multiple chambers with a diffuser pocket containing multiple discharge portions. This segmentation strategy achieves uniform gas distribution through intelligent spatial arrangement rather than adding expensive reinforcement materials, thereby controlling production costs while improving manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spatial parameters and configuration of the airbag cushion by creating divided chambers and positioning multiple gas discharge portions at specific locations. This parameter optimization achieves uniform gas distribution without requiring additional materials that would increase production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single inflator with one-directional discharge is used, then device complexity is reduced, but gas distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflator configurationVSAvoidgas distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag cushion is segmented into divided chambers with multiple gas discharge portions positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows a single inflator to effectively distribute gas uniformly across the cushion by utilizing multiple discharge pathways, maintaining simple device complexity while achieving good gas distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single discharge direction to multi-directional gas distribution by positioning gas discharge portions at different spatial locations within the diffuser pocket. This dimensional arrangement enables uniform gas distribution throughout the airbag cushion without requiring multiple inflators or complex configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Strength

If reinforcing fabric is added to absorb high temperature and pressure, then thermal and pressure resistance is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal and pressure resistanceVSAvoidairbag module weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes composite material structure by combining the reinforcing fabric with the airbag cushion material. This composite approach provides necessary thermal and pressure resistance while minimizing weight increase through efficient material integration and strategic placement of the reinforcing fabric.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This configuration allows for quick and stable distribution of high pressure gas to the airbag cushion, reducing weight and cost while ensuring effective protection of pedestrians by uniformly filling the airbag with gas, even when the inflator's gas discharge is eccentric.

Implementation Method 1

a dead zone, which allows the high pressure gas discharged from the inflator to branch off and flow through at least two branch flow paths, is formed in the airbag cushion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow distribution through dead zone:

Implementation Method 2

A variable tether, which guides the high pressure gas passing through the at least two branch flow paths to the upper side of the airbag cushion and has a plurality of vent holes that is opened so that upper and lower portions of the airbag cushion communicate with each other when internal pressure of the airbag cushion exceeds a preset value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-driven gas flow through vent holes:

Data Source

PatentUS9126566B2Airbag module for vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.09.08 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD

AI summary

An airbag module for a vehicle according to the present invention includes: an inflator; and an airbag cushion which is deployed by high pressure gas discharged from the inflator, in which a dead zone, which allows the high pressure gas discharged from the inflator to branch off and flow through at least two branch flow paths, is formed in the airbag cushion, and a variable tether, which guides the high pressure gas passing through the at least two branch flow paths to the upper side of the airbag cushion and has a plurality of vent holes that is opened so that upper and lower portions of the airbag cushion communicate with each other when internal pressure of the airbag cushion exceeds a preset value, is installed in the airbag cushion, such that the high pressure gas is quickly and uniformly distributed and supplied into the airbag cushion.