Airbag Partition Slits for Dynamic Gas Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag apparatuses cannot freely set the deployment manner of multiple inflation portions, leading to insufficient addressing of deployment requirements due to fixed pressure regulating valve opening timing and speed.
Innovation Solution
An airbag apparatus with an upstream and downstream inflation portion, where a gas inlet portion is strategically placed to increase the flow rate of inflation gas from the upstream to the downstream portion based on external forces applied during occupant restraint, allowing for flexible deployment settings by positioning slits or pressure regulating valves at non-maximum force areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressure regulating valve is arranged at the center portion of the partitioning member where external force becomes largest, then the valve opens reliably, but the opening timing and opening speed cannot be set freely
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple independent inflation portions (first, second, and third portions) with separate gas supply paths. The partitioning member includes multiple slits (first slit and second slit) at different positions, allowing independent control of gas flow to different regions. This segmentation enables different deployment manners for different portions while maintaining reliable valve opening through strategic slit placement.
Solution Approach 2:
Different slits are positioned at different locations on the partitioning member to create local variations in gas flow characteristics. The first slit is positioned to open under specific force conditions for the first inflation portion, while the second slit is positioned for the second inflation portion, allowing localized control of deployment timing and speed in different regions of the airbag.
2Ease of operation
If the pressure regulating valve opens by utilizing reduction of tension on the partitioning member, then the valve opens automatically during restraint, but the opening manner cannot be set freely
Solution Approach 1:
The partitioning member is designed to dynamically respond to external forces applied during airbag deployment. As the airbag inflates and external force is applied, the partitioning member deforms, causing slits to open at different timings based on the force distribution. This dynamic response allows automatic opening while enabling control over opening timing by adjusting slit positions and the airbag's force distribution characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The slits are pre-positioned on the partitioning member at specific locations that will experience appropriate force during deployment. The first slit is positioned to open first under initial force conditions, allowing the first inflation portion to inflate, while the second slit is positioned to open subsequently, enabling controlled sequential deployment without requiring active control mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag is partitioned into multiple inflation portions with different deployment requirements, then specific deployment manners can be achieved, but the existing structure cannot freely set the deployment manner of each portion
Solution Approach 1:
The partitioning member serves multiple functions: it divides the airbag into separate inflation portions, controls gas flow distribution, and acts as a passive pressure regulating mechanism through its slit design. By integrating these functions into a single component rather than using separate valves and control systems for each inflation portion, the structure achieves complex deployment control without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partitioning member with slits automatically regulates gas flow to different inflation portions based on the physical forces experienced during deployment, without requiring external control systems. The structure uses the deployment process itself to control the opening of slits and distribution of gas, enabling flexible deployment manners while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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
Enables flexible setting of the flow rate and deployment manner of inflation portions, ensuring effective deployment and restraint of occupants by adjusting gas flow in response to external forces.
Implementation Method 1
the gas inlet portion increases a flow rate of the inflation gas from the upstream inflation portion to the downstream inflation portion in accordance with an external force applied to the airbag
Data Source
AI summary
Inside of an airbag is partitioned by a partitioning member into an upstream inflation portion, which is inflated by a supply of gas, and a downstream inflation portion, which is inflated by inflow of the gas from the upstream inflation portion. The partitioning member includes a wide portion where an external force to be applied accompanying an occupant restraint by the airbag becomes largest. In the partitioning member, slits are formed at portions other than the wide portion. The slits cause the gas to flow into the downstream inflation portion from the upstream inflation portion upon the inflation of the airbag. The slits are opened by the force to increase the flow rate of the gas into the downstream inflation portion from the upstream inflation portion during the occupant restraint by the airbag compared to the gas flow rate before the occupant restraint by the airbag.