Airbag Protector Gap Design for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body airbag systems generate unusual noise due to interference between the claw of the protector and the engagement hole, and face challenges in smooth deployment and stable positioning of the bag body, particularly due to manufacturing and assembly tolerances.
Innovation Solution
The airbag system incorporates a protector with an end part positioned on the inner side of the vehicle widthwise direction, opposed to the vehicle body with a gap, allowing for stable support during deployment and preventing noise generation, with additional support from a side panel and upper panel, and a curve part connecting the receiving and end parts to minimize width and secure space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the claw of the protector is movably inserted in the engagement hole to support the bag body, then the bag body can be held stably, but the claw moves and interferes with the engagement hole while the vehicle is running, generating unusual noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the movable claw component entirely and replaces it with a fixed support structure. The protector is directly fixed to the roof side rail via a fixed support portion, eliminating the engagement hole and movable insertion mechanism that caused noise while maintaining bag body support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector is divided into functional sections: a fixed support portion attached to the roof side rail, a receiving portion for the bag body, and a curved portion connecting them. This segmentation allows the support function to be achieved without movable parts, preventing noise while maintaining stability.
2Strength
If the protector is fixed on the bracket to prevent deformation during deployment, then deformation is suppressed, but the shapes of the bracket and protector become complicated, making it difficult to position the protector and deploy the bag body smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support and deformation resistance functions into a single integrated fixed support portion. This structure is directly attached to the roof side rail and provides both positional stability and deformation resistance during airbag deployment, eliminating the need for separate brackets and complex geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed support portion is strategically positioned at the upper end of the protector to provide localized reinforcement where deployment forces are greatest. This concentrated support structure achieves deformation resistance without requiring complex shapes throughout the entire protector assembly.
3Volume of moving object
If the end part of the protector is positioned close to the vehicle body to minimize space, then space efficiency is improved, but manufacturing and assembly tolerances may cause interference with the vehicle body, generating noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a gap between the fixed support portion and the vehicle body as a built-in tolerance buffer. This pre-designed clearance accommodates manufacturing and assembly variations, ensuring that the protector remains properly positioned without interfering with the vehicle body under normal conditions, while still maintaining space efficiency.
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
This configuration prevents noise interference, ensures stable deployment and positioning of the bag body, and allows for efficient use of space within the vehicle body by supporting the protector at multiple points and reducing its width dimension.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator 52 that is configured to feed gas to the bag body 51 and deploys the bag body 51 with the gas thus fed
Implementation Method 2
the protector is deformed by a deployment force of the bag body and thus the end part is moved toward the vehicle body and supported by the vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body 10 equipped with an airbag system has a side curtain airbag 20 provided on a roof side rail 12. The side curtain airbag 20 includes: a bag body 51 that is disposed along the roof side rail 12; a central protector 59 that holds the bag body 51; and an inflator 52 that is configured to feed gas to the bag body 51. The central protector 59 has a contact end part 65 that is opposed to a reinforcement member 48 with a gap L2 left therebetween. The contact end part 65 is moved toward the reinforcement member 48 by a deployment force of the bag body 51, and the contact end part 65 is thus supported by the reinforcement member 48.