Airbag Apparatus Rib Hinge Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle air bag apparatus has a complex structure due to the link mechanism used to vary the direction of air bag deployment, which complicates the system.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle air bag apparatus with a simple structure that uses ribs to connect the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion with the upper wall portion, allowing for adjustable deployment direction and enhanced strength, while the ribs can be hidden inside the walls for a better appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a link mechanism is used to vary the direction of air bag deployment, then the deployment direction can be adjusted, but the structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment direction adjustmentVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex link mechanism from the air bag apparatus, replacing it with a simplified structure consisting of a retainer, lid, and rib that directly achieves deployment direction control without intermediate mechanical linkages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using an active link mechanism to move and adjust the upper wall portion, the invention inverts the approach by using a passive rib structure that allows the upper wall portion to rotate freely about a hinge axis, achieving direction control through the absence of restrictive mechanical connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the upper wall portion is made movable to adjust deployment direction, then adaptability improves, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment direction adjustabilityVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The rib is positioned specifically at the corner portion where the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion connects with the upper wall portion, providing localized reinforcement exactly where needed to maintain structural strength while allowing movement elsewhere

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The rib is pre-positioned and connected to the upper wall portion before deployment, establishing a predetermined hinge axis that guides the rotation movement and ensures structural integrity is maintained during the deployment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10870406B2Vehicle air bag apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.12.22 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle air bag apparatus includes an air bag disposed anterior to an occupant seat, a peripheral wall portion that surrounds the air bag from outside, and a lid upper wall portion that closes an upper surface opening in the peripheral wall portion, the air bag being inflated and deployed outward through the upper surface opening. The vehicle air bag apparatus includes a rib, disposed in a rear-side corner portion that assumes a portion at which an upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion is connected with the lid upper wall portion. The rib connects the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion with the lid upper wall portion.