Vehicle Airbag Ramp Bracket Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional guide brackets for curtain air bags in vehicles lack sufficient shock-absorbing capability and fail to meet FMH impact requirements, as they are not designed to effectively absorb and distribute the forces generated during a side impact.
Innovation Solution
A ramp bracket assembly is designed with a first and second engagement portion that disengage during a vehicle impact, allowing the bracket to absorb shock and guide the air bag deployment, featuring saw teeth or an engagement groove mechanism for enhanced shock absorption and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional guide bracket is used, then the structure is simple, but the shock-absorbing capability is insufficient and FMH impact requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The guide bracket is divided into multiple segments including a first bracket body, a second bracket body, and an engagement portion that can disengage. This segmentation allows each part to independently absorb and distribute impact forces, significantly improving shock-absorbing capability while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portion is designed to dynamically disengage from the engagement groove during impact events. This dynamic behavior allows the bracket to transition from a rigid constrained state to a more compliant state, enabling effective shock absorption and deformation to meet FMH impact requirements
2Strength
If the engagement portion is designed to disengage during impact, then shock absorption is improved, but the reliability of the bracket connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portion is pre-configured with specific geometric features including saw teeth that engage with corresponding grooves. This preliminary design ensures that under normal conditions, the connection is secure and reliable, while pre-planned disengagement paths are established to activate only during impact events, thus maintaining reliability while enabling shock absorption
3Loss of energy
If the ramp bracket is designed to deform during impact, then energy absorption is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket incorporates regions with varying material properties and cross-sectional geometries that are optimized to deform in controlled manner during impact. By carefully designing the parameters of these deformation zones, the bracket can absorb impact energy through predictable deformation patterns while maintaining manufacturability and meeting functional requirements
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 ramp bracket assembly effectively absorbs shock and ensures proper deployment of the air bag by disengaging and deforming during an impact, enhancing protection and compliance with impact regulations.
Implementation Method 1
the ramp bracket has an engagement portion, removably engaged into the engagement groove, and disengaged therefrom in a vehicle impact such that the bracket absorbs shock and guides deployment of the air bag
Implementation Method 2
in a vehicle impact such that the bracket absorbs shock
Data Source
AI summary
A ramp bracket assembly for a vehicle air bag is configured to be mounted to an inner panel of the vehicle. The assembly includes a first ramp bracket with a first engagement portion, and a second ramp bracket with a second engagement portion removably engaged with the first engagement portion. The second engagement portion is disengaged from the first engagement portion in a vehicle impact, such that the assembly absorbs shock and guides deployment of the air bag. Alternatively, a ramp bracket for a vehicle air bag is configured to be mounted to an inner panel of the vehicle. The inner panel has an engagement groove, and the ramp bracket has an engagement portion, removably engaged into the engagement groove, and disengaged therefrom in a vehicle impact such that the bracket absorbs shock and guides deployment of the air bag.