Airbag Projection Collapse Prevention via Coupling Tension
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle airbag devices with a gap portion that opens in the rearward direction between the inflated and deployed main body and projection may cause the projection to collapse when the occupant's head moves into it, reducing the effectiveness of head restraint during oblique impacts.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a coupling portion that connects a first attachment portion on the airbag's front end to a second attachment portion on the projection's side, positioned further rearward, which increases tension and prevents the projection from collapsing by applying force towards the opposite side when the head bottoms in the gap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gap portion is formed between the main body and projection to allow the head to move into it for restraint, then the head restraint effect is improved, but the projection may collapse to the opposite side when the head bottoms in the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling portion is pre-configured to apply a preliminary counteracting force to the projection before collapse occurs. When the head moves into the gap and bottoms out, the coupling portion's tension increases to prevent the projection from collapsing to the opposite side, thereby maintaining the head restraint effect while preventing structural failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling portion acts as an intermediary element connecting the main body and the projection. It mediates the force transmission between these components, allowing the main body to restrain the head while the coupling portion prevents the projection from collapsing by distributing and balancing the forces involved.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the projection is made more rigid to prevent collapse, then the projection shape stability is improved, but the ability of the gap to accommodate and restrain the head may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling portion introduces dynamic force balancing to the system. Rather than making the projection statically rigid, the coupling portion dynamically adjusts the forces acting on the projection during impact, allowing the projection to maintain its shape stability while still permitting the head to move into and be restrained by the gap portion.
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
Enhances the prevention of projection collapse, maintaining effective head restraint and protection by rapidly increasing tension when the head moves into the gap, thereby improving occupant safety during oblique impacts.
Implementation Method 1
an airbag that inflates and deploys due to receiving a supply of gas
Implementation Method 2
the coupling portion becomes stretched between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion positioned further in the vehicle rearward direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a vehicle airbag device including: an airbag that inflates and deploys due to supply of gas, that has a main body and a projection that projects in a vehicle rearward direction, and that has a gap portion, between the main body and the projection, which opens in the vehicle rearward direction; and a coupling portion that couples together a first attachment portion set at the airbag at a front end portion side of the gap portion and a second attachment portion set at a side portion of the projection, and which, when inflation and deployment of the airbag, stretches between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion, which is positioned further in the vehicle rearward direction than the first attachment portion.