Airbag Passive Adaptive Venting for Dynamic Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current airbag systems fail to optimally mitigate injury to occupants of varying sizes and collision severities due to suboptimal internal gas pressure and rigidity, relying on complex and expensive electronic systems for venting adjustments.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating passive adaptive venting features with multiple sets of vents in the airbag cushion that adjust based on compression force, allowing for dynamic changes in venting capacity to maintain optimal internal gas pressure and rigidity during collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If passive adaptive venting features with multiple sets of vents are incorporated, then the airbag can dynamically adjust venting capacity in response to compression force, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing capacity adjustmentVSAvoidnumber of vent sets

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag cushion is divided into multiple sets of vents (first set, second set, third set) that are selectively closed based on compression force thresholds. This segmentation allows the system to provide different venting capacities for different collision scenarios without requiring complex electronic control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vents are designed to automatically close in response to compression force applied to the airbag cushion during a collision event. The system self-regulates venting capacity based on the physical interaction with the occupant, eliminating the need for external sensors or electronic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If multiple sets of vents are used to adjust for varying occupant sizes and collision severities, then the system can maintain optimal internal gas pressure, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal gas pressure maintenanceVSAvoidventing system assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the physical state of the vents from open to closed based on compression force parameters. By using multiple sets of vents with different closure thresholds, the system maintains optimal internal gas pressure across a range of collision scenarios without requiring complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If passive adaptive venting is implemented without expensive electronics, then the system reliability improves, but the precision of venting control may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem failure resistanceVSAvoidcollision variable detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic sensing and control systems with a purely mechanical venting system. The vents respond directly to compression force through mechanical deformation of the airbag cushion, eliminating the need for electronic sensors while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The passive adaptive venting system uses simple, inexpensive vent structures that can be manufactured at low cost. These vents are designed for single-use in collision events, providing reliable functionality without the need for expensive, complex electronic components that could fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The solution effectively reduces occupant injury by dynamically adjusting venting capacity in response to collision variables, such as occupant size and collision severity, without the need for expensive electronics, enhancing safety and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

the airbag cushion deforms in response to a compression force applied by an occupant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the degree of deformation of the airbag cushion exceeds a second threshold level of deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS9643562B1Airbag with passive adaptive venting

Publication Date: 2017.05.09 AUTOLIV ASP INC

AI summary

Airbags and airbag assemblies are disclosed that include passive adaptive venting. The disclosed embodiments include an airbag cushion to define an inflation chamber and that include a set of vents. The set of vents is disposed through a panel of the airbag cushion. The set of vents allow egress of inflation gas from the inflation chamber and to be in an open state when a degree of compression of the airbag cushion is below a threshold level. The set of vents is configured to be in a closed state and/or obstructed by a vehicle surface of a vehicle structure when the degree of compression of the airbag cushion exceeds the threshold level.