Airbag Traction Retainer With Self-Locking Release Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing triggerable holding devices for gas bag pulling agents often require additional safety precautions to prevent uncontrollable movement of the blocking part after triggering, which increases effort and risk, especially in test setups.

Innovation Solution

A triggerable holding device with a movable blocking part that includes a pyrotechnic device linked to the blocking part, a retention tool with a retention geometry, and a base that securely holds the blocking part in place, ensuring it remains fixed after activation, eliminating the need for additional safety measures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pyrotechnic device is used to trigger the blocking part, then the airbag deployment can be activated, but the blocking part moves uncontrollably in the surrounding area after being triggered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairbag deployment reliabilityVSAvoiduncontrolled movement of blocking part
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking part is nested within the holder structure with a retaining geometry that receives a retaining means. The retaining means is firmly connected to the blocking part and cooperates with the retaining geometry to hold the blocking part in its release position within the holder, preventing uncontrolled movement while allowing controlled deployment activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining means acts as an intermediary between the blocking part and the holder. It is firmly connected to the blocking part and cooperates with the retaining geometry in the holder to provide controlled retention, ensuring the blocking part remains contained within the holder after triggering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If additional safety precautions are taken to prevent uncontrolled movement, then safety is improved, but the effort and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against uncontrolled movementVSAvoidsafety precaution complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining function is merged into the holder structure through the retaining geometry that is integrally formed as part of the holder. The retaining means is firmly connected to the blocking part, combining the retention function with the existing holder and blocking part components, eliminating the need for separate safety mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder structure provides its own retention function through the retaining geometry that automatically engages with the retaining means on the blocking part. This self-retaining capability eliminates the need for additional external safety precautions or complex retention mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the retaining geometry is arranged in the movement path of the blocking part, then retention is improved, but the installation of the blocking part is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining geometry is arranged laterally off the movement path of the blocking part, utilizing a different spatial dimension for retention. The retaining means protrudes laterally from the base and engages with the retaining geometry in this lateral dimension, allowing the blocking part to move freely along its movement path while still providing reliable retention.

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

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 blocking part cannot detach uncontrollably, reducing the need for additional safety precautions during testing, and the design allows for reliable retention and efficient assembly with fewer parts, enhancing safety and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

a pyrotechnic device which is coupled to the blocking part in such a way that it is adjusted from the blocking to the release position when the pyrotechnic device is activated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPyrotechnic: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP4238836B1Releasable retaining device
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
  • EP4238836B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4238836B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4238836B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A triggerable holding device (10) for a traction element (12) of a gas bag is specified, comprising a holder (14), a blocking element (16) which is movably mounted in the holder (14) and which is adjustable between a blocking position in which it holds the traction element (12) blocked, and a release position in which the traction element (12) is released, a pyrotechnic device (22) which is coupled to the blocking element (16) in such a way that it is moved from the blocking position to the release position when the pyrotechnic device (22) is activated, and a retaining element (38) which is rigidly connected to the blocking element (16) and which, in the release position of the blocking element (16), interacts with a retaining geometry (40) in the holder (14) to hold the blocking element (16) in its release position in the holder (14).