Inflatable Protrusion Airbag Structure for 2D-to-3D Forming

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wearable airbag structures are difficult to fabricate in 3D, require manual sewing, leading to increased manufacturing time and cost, and result in inconsistent quality due to operator variability, with 2D to 3D conversion complicating design and material usage.

Innovation Solution

An airbag structure with protrusions that expand from a 2D shape upon fluid injection, allowing the body to bend into a 3D configuration without prior shaping, eliminating the need for manual sewing and reducing material waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional 3D airbag structure is fabricated before fluid injection, then the airbag can provide protection, but manual sewing is required resulting in increased manufacturing time and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag is designed in a 2D collapsed state with pre-formed protrusions that will automatically transform into a 3D protective shape upon fluid injection, eliminating the need for pre-sewing operations while ensuring proper structural formation at the moment of deployment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from conventional 3D pre-formed structures to a 2D collapsed configuration with geometric protrusions that utilize dimensional transformation during inflation, allowing the structure to self-organize into the required 3D protective form through fluid pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If conventional 3D airbag structure is fabricated before fluid injection, then the airbag can provide protection, but manual sewing is required resulting in increased manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag is designed in a 2D collapsed state with pre-formed protrusions that will automatically transform into a 3D protective shape upon fluid injection, eliminating the need for pre-sewing operations while ensuring proper structural formation at the moment of deployment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions are designed to automatically form the 3D protective structure through self-organization when fluid is injected, eliminating the need for external manual sewing operations and reducing labor costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If conventional 3D airbag structure is designed, then the airbag can provide protection, but it is difficult to fold and store

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection performanceVSAvoidfoldability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from conventional 3D pre-formed structures to a 2D collapsed configuration with geometric protrusions that utilize dimensional transformation during inflation, allowing the structure to self-organize into the required 3D protective form through fluid pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The airbag structure transitions dynamically from a 2D collapsed state for storage to a 3D expanded state for protection, with the protrusions providing structural guidance during this transformation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional 2D drawing is created from 3D shape, then the airbag can be manufactured, but lots of leftover spaces result in large material consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemanufacturabilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from conventional 3D pre-formed structures to a 2D collapsed configuration with geometric protrusions that utilize dimensional transformation during inflation, allowing the structure to self-organize into the required 3D protective form through fluid pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating a 2D drawing from a 3D shape and accepting leftover spaces, the invention inverts the approach by designing 2D protrusions that transform into a 3D structure, utilizing material more efficiently without unnecessary leftover spaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design reduces manufacturing time and cost, ensures consistent quality, and simplifies the design process by maintaining a 2D shape before inflation, minimizing material consumption and eliminating the need for complex 2D to 3D conversions.

Implementation Method 1

When the fluid is injected into the protrusion, the side of the body where the protrusion is formed reduces in length

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

When the fluid is injected into the protrusion, the body bends in a direction in which the protrusion is formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4162827B1Airbag structure
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 BNR
  • EP4162827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4162827B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4162827B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an airbag structure, and the airbag structure according to the present disclosure includes a body (100) into which a fluid is injected, wherein a plurality of predetermined points (A) spaced apart from each other is arranged on a side along a lengthwise direction, and a protrusion (200) into which the fluid is injected from the body (100), the protrusion (200) extending from the two adjacent predetermined points (A) in a direction facing away from the body (100), wherein the protrusion (200) has a smaller width of a farthest end from the body (100) than a width of an opposite end connected to the body (100).