Airbag Protector Cover Part Rotating Upward
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head protection airbag apparatuses face challenges in smooth deployment and inflation due to interference with vehicle body side members, particularly when these members protrude near the airbag storage area, leading to potential contact and obstruction during inflation.
Innovation Solution
A head protection airbag apparatus design featuring a protector with a cover part that includes a door capable of rotating upward, positioned between the folded airbag and the protruding vehicle body side member, reducing contact and allowing for smooth inflation by covering the region from the vehicle inner side lower corner to the vehicle inner side surface during deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the protector is configured with a long shape to cover the region under two brackets including the portion between the brackets, then the contact between the airbag and the bracket is reduced, but the protector becomes difficult to bend when the airbag is being deployed and inflated, causing interference with the airbag inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The protector is divided into multiple segments including a first protector, a second protector, and a bridge portion. These segments can relatively move with respect to each other, allowing the protector to bend and deform during airbag deployment while still covering the brackets and reducing contact between the airbag and brackets.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The bridge portion connects the first and second protectors, enabling relative movement between them. This dynamic configuration allows the protector to adapt its shape during airbag inflation, reducing interference while maintaining coverage over the brackets.
2Strength
If the vehicle body side member is disposed near the storage portion so as to partially protrude, then the structural support is improved, but the contact with the airbag during deployment is increased, obstructing smooth inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The cover part acts as an intermediary between the vehicle body side member and the airbag. It is disposed between the airbag and the protruding vehicle body side member, reducing direct contact and preventing obstruction during airbag inflation while allowing the vehicle body side member to maintain its structural support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector is segmented into a main body part and a cover part with different functions. The main body part covers the folded airbag, while the cover part specifically addresses the interaction with the vehicle body side member, allowing each segment to optimize its function independently.
3Area of stationary object
If the tip end of the protector is protruded largely downward from the bracket, then the coverage area is increased, but the complexity of the protector structure is increased and bending becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The protector structure is segmented into a main body part and a cover part. The main body part provides the primary coverage area, while the cover part extends to cover the region under the bracket. This segmentation allows the coverage area to be increased without significantly complicating the overall structure, as each segment has a simple, functional design.
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 design enables quick and smooth inflation of the airbag by minimizing contact with vehicle body side members, even when they protrude near the storage area, and maintains high strength without obstructing bending deformation, ensuring stable and efficient airbag deployment.
Implementation Method 1
an airbag which is stored on an upper edge side in a vehicle inner side of a window of a vehicle and is deployed and inflated so as to cover the vehicle inner side of the window by flowing inflation gas
Implementation Method 2
a door part which is capable of being opened such that a tip end side is rotated upward while covering a region extending from a vehicle inner side lower corner part to a vehicle inner side surface of the vehicle body side member
Data Source
AI summary
A head protection airbag apparatus includes an airbag which is stored on an upper edge side of a vehicle window and is deployed and inflated to cover the window, and a protector which stores a folded body of the airbag. An upper edge side portion of the window includes a vehicle body side member which partially protrudes toward a vehicle inner side around an upper side of a storage region of the folded body. The protector includes a cover part which is disposed in a disposition region of the vehicle body side member. The cover part includes a door part which can be opened such that a tip end side is rotated upward while covering a region extending from a vehicle inner side lower corner part to a vehicle inner side surface of the vehicle body side member when the airbag is being deployed and inflated.