Integrated Airbag Mounting Plate With Pushpin Stiffener
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airbag cushion mounting configurations using separate fasteners and stiffeners often result in drooping, alignment difficulties, and retention problems due to overlapping fastener heads and bolts, especially when using flexible materials like fabric tabs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated fastener and stiffening element, such as a resilient pushpin with concentric flaps, is used as a unitary component that can be fixedly coupled to a mounting plate, allowing for temporary and permanent mounting of airbag modules to vehicles without additional fasteners, preventing drooping and alignment issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate fasteners and stiffeners are used for mounting airbag modules, then the mounting structure can provide fastening function, but drooping occurs during installation and alignment difficulties arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate fasteners and stiffeners into a single integrated mounting bracket assembly. The bracket includes stiffening elements that prevent drooping and fastening elements that secure the airbag module, eliminating the need for separate components and improving both alignment ease and mounting stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is segmented into distinct functional zones: stiffening portions that prevent drooping and fastening portions with openings for bolts or rivets. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while working together as an integrated unit.
2Reliability
If separate pushpins and stiffeners are used, then fastening can be achieved, but retention problems occur due to overlapping fastener heads and adjacent bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated mounting bracket combines multiple fastening functions into a single component structure. The bracket's design incorporates fastening elements with properly spaced openings that prevent overlapping of fastener heads and adjacent bolts, eliminating retention problems while maintaining fastening reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible fabric tabs are used for mounting, then the airbag module can be attached, but drooping occurs during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket uses composite construction combining rigid stiffening elements with fabric tab attachments. The rigid bracket portion prevents drooping and provides structural stability, while the fabric tabs maintain adaptability for attaching to the airbag module, creating a composite structure that achieves both flexibility and stability.
4Reliability
If multiple separate fastening components are used, then secure mounting can be achieved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated mounting bracket merges multiple separate fastening components into a single pre-assembled unit. This allows the entire mounting assembly to be installed in one operation rather than assembling multiple separate components during installation, improving productivity while maintaining mounting reliability through the integrated 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 integrated fastener/stiffener system ensures stable and secure mounting of airbag modules by allowing partial deformation of the pushpin for easy insertion and resuming shape for permanent attachment, eliminating the need for separate stiffeners and reducing installation complexities.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the pushpin may be resiliently flexible such that the pushpin is configured to allow for partial deformation thereof as the pushpin extends through an opening of a vehicle and resume its initial shape after extending through the opening to temporarily affix the inflatable curtain airbag assembly to the vehicle during assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Airbag assemblies, such as inflatable curtain airbag assemblies, comprising integrated fastener/stiffener pieces, such as stiffener plates combined with pushpins extending therefrom. In some embodiments, a mounting plate for mounting an inflatable curtain airbag assembly to a vehicle may comprise a plate having a stiffness greater than a stiffness of a tab of an inflatable curtain airbag assembly to which it is attached. An opening may be formed in the plate, the opening being configured to receive a first fastener therethrough. A second fastener, such as a non-threaded fastener, may be fixedly and/or integrally coupled with the plate and may extend from one side of the plate.