Airbag Device Segmentation for Simplified Sewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas bags for vehicles require complex three-dimensional sewing processes, increasing production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A gas bag design consisting of a main piece and two minor pieces, connected by four two-dimensional seams, allowing for simplified manufacturing and reduced production costs, with an optional tether to distribute loads on vehicle occupants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If complex three-dimensional sewing processes are used for gas bag manufacturing, then the gas bag can achieve proper three-dimensional shape, but production costs and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas bag is divided into three separate pieces (one main piece and two minor pieces) that can be manufactured independently as flat two-dimensional components. This segmentation allows each piece to be sewn using simple two-dimensional sewing processes before assembly, avoiding the need for complex three-dimensional sewing while achieving the final three-dimensional deployed shape through the combination of flat pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from working in three-dimensional space during manufacturing to achieving three-dimensional form during deployment. The gas bag pieces are designed and sewn as flat two-dimensional patterns, then folded and assembled into a three-dimensional structure when inflated, effectively using the inflation process to create the third dimension rather than requiring complex three-dimensional sewing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple fabric pieces are used to form the gas bag, then the gas bag can achieve proper structure, but the number of seams and manufacturing steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas bag is divided into three separate fabric pieces (one main piece and two minor pieces) that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. This limited segmentation achieves the necessary structural integrity while keeping the number of pieces minimal, resulting in only four seams required for assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple fabric pieces into a unified gas bag structure through a minimal number of seams. The main piece and two minor pieces are joined together in a systematic way that creates a structurally sound gas bag with only four seams, reducing the overall complexity compared to using more pieces with more seams.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a gas bag for vehicles, having a flat, two-dimensional shape when being in an uninflated, vented condition and a three-dimensional shape in an inflated condition, the gas bag having a main piece with opposite end portions, each of the end portions having an end contour, and two minor pieces which each have a connecting portion with a contour with corresponds to the end contour of the main piece, and which each have a filling portion, the two filling portions having similar shapes and similar dimensions. The invention also relates to a method of sewing this gas bag.