Airbag Module Polymer Actuator Outflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag modules face challenges in controlling outflow behavior without increasing installation space or posing risks to vehicle occupants, and they often require complex mechanisms, explosives, or fabric melting to manage gas escape.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electrically controllable polymer actuator within the gas bag module, which uses electrochemo-mechanical properties to control the outflow opening by changing the volume in response to voltage, eliminating the need for explosives and fabric melting, and allowing for precise control of the outflow cross-section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If explosives or mechanical tearing mechanisms are used to open outflow openings, then the outflow opening can be released, but particles may detach and pose risks to vehicle occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces explosive and mechanical tearing mechanisms with a polymer actuator that uses electrochemical-mechanical conversion to deform and open the outflow opening. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of particle detachment while maintaining reliable outflow control, as the polymer actuator deforms continuously without fragmenting into particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and volume of the polymer actuator through electrochemical potential changes. When voltage is applied, the polymer actuator's volume changes and it deforms to open the outflow opening. This parameter-based control method provides safe and controllable outflow without particle detachment.
2Ease of operation
If complex opening mechanisms are used to control outflow behavior, then precise control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control function from complex mechanical mechanisms and concentrates it into a single polymer actuator element. This simplified structure maintains precise outflow control capability while significantly reducing device complexity, as the polymer actuator can be directly integrated into the gas bag wall without requiring separate mechanical assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer actuator serves multiple functions: it acts as both the control element and the opening mechanism, and can be integrated directly into the gas bag wall structure. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining precise outflow control capability through electrical actuation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the gas bag wall is melted to create outflow openings, then the opening process is simplified, but the gas bag fabric is damaged and particles may detach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal melting process with a mechanical deformation process using the polymer actuator. The polymer actuator deforms the gas bag wall through electrochemical-mechanical conversion to create the outflow opening, avoiding thermal damage and particle detachment while maintaining process simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing temperature to melt the fabric, the patent uses electrochemical potential changes to alter the polymer actuator's volume and mechanical properties. This parameter change approach enables the opening process to proceed without thermal damage to the gas bag fabric.
4Adaptability or versatility
If larger opening mechanisms are used to control outflow, then the outflow cross section can be adjusted, but the installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the polymer actuator directly with the gas bag wall structure, integrating the control element into the existing component. This merging eliminates the need for separate, space-consuming opening mechanisms while maintaining the ability to adjust the outflow cross section through polymer actuator deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer actuator, as a flexible thin-film element, can be integrated into the gas bag wall without significantly increasing volume. Its flexible nature allows it to deform and control the outflow cross section while occupying minimal installation space compared to rigid mechanical mechanisms.
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 safe and controlled outflow behavior without increasing installation space, reducing the risk to vehicle occupants and simplifying the opening mechanism, while allowing for adaptive control based on load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochemo-mechanical actuators are referred to as polymer actuators, which contain an active layer made of polymers, which change their volume depending on an electric field or electrochemical potential.
Implementation Method 2
the composite bends when the voltage changes, similar to a bimetallic strip when the temperature varies.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The airbag module has an airbag (12) and an outflow device (18) for exposing and/or varying an outflow opening via which gas can escape from the airbag. The outflow device has at least one element consisting of an electrically activated polymer actuator (22). The outflow opening is arranged in a wall section of the airbag.