Airbag Device Vertical Deployment via Retainer Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airbag devices for saddle-type vehicles face challenges in compactly disposing and deploying airbags vertically upward to provide effective rider protection.
Innovation Solution
The airbag device includes a retainer with a top surface opening and a rider-side opening, positioned rearward of the steering shaft, allowing the airbag to inflate and deploy vertically upward, with the rider-side opening adjustable for varying deployment behaviors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the airbag device is disposed compactly rearward of the steering shaft, then the deployment space is limited, but the airbag can still deploy vertically upward through the top surface opening
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag deploys in a vertical direction (upward through top surface opening 49) rather than horizontally forward, changing the deployment dimension from the conventional frontward direction to the vertical direction. This allows compact disposal rearward of the steering shaft while achieving effective rider protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is divided into multiple functional openings: top surface opening 49 for vertical upward deployment and rider-side opening 62 for lateral inflation. This segmentation allows the airbag to inflate through multiple paths, optimizing both compact disposal and deployment effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If the rider-side opening is made larger, then the airbag inflates more easily on the rider-side opening side, but the airbag deployment path becomes less controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The size of rider-side opening 62 can be adjusted to control the inflation behavior. By changing this parameter, the airbag inflation ease and deployment path stability can be optimized for different application requirements.
3Volume of moving object
If the top surface opening is disposed rearward of the steering shaft, then the airbag device can be compactly placed, but the space for airbag expansion is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag expands vertically upward through the top surface opening rather than expanding horizontally forward, utilizing the vertical dimension for expansion space. This resolves the constraint imposed by the compact rearward placement of the top surface opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The rider-side opening 62 serves multiple functions: it allows lateral inflation of the airbag, provides an alternative deployment path, and compensates for the constrained expansion space caused by the compact disposal configuration.
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 enables compact placement of the airbag device while ensuring vertical upward deployment, allowing for adjustable operation and improved protection by optimizing the airbag's inflation and deployment path.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator (43) and an airbag (42) that is housed in the retainer (41), is inflated by means of a gas discharged by the inflator (43)
Data Source
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AI summary
For an airbag device for a saddle-type vehicle, the airbag device can be disposed compactly and the airbag is enabled to deploy vertically upward. The airbag device includes a retainer 41 that is provided in front of a seat for a rider, an inflator and an airbag that is housed in the retainer 41, is inflated by means of a gas discharged by the inflator and is thereby deployed in front of the rider, the retainer 41 includes a top surface opening 49 through which the airbag, which deploys upwardly, passes, the top surface opening 49 is disposed rearward of a steering shaft, and the retainer 41 includes a rider-side opening 62 that communicates with the top surface opening 49 and is opened rearwardly toward the seat side.