Airbag Assembly With Side Panel Cavity For Offset Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airbags may not effectively protect occupants during offset, angular, or small overlap vehicle impacts, as the head can slide off the main panel and potentially contact vehicle components like the instrument panel or dashboard.
Innovation Solution
The airbag design includes a main panel with an extension and a side panel that form a cavity external to the extension chamber, which can receive the occupant's head during such impacts, reducing the risk of contact with vehicle components by maintaining airbag protection across multiple impact stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional airbag with only a main panel is used, then the structure is simple, but the airbag cannot effectively protect occupants during offset, angular, or small overlap impacts as the head can slide off the main panel
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple functional segments: a main panel for general protection, an extension with an extension chamber that projects laterally to prevent head sliding, and a side panel that forms a cavity to receive the occupant's head during offset and angular impacts. This segmentation allows each part to address specific protection needs while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag structure is extended to include extension and side panels for better protection, then protection coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extended airbag structure serves multiple protective functions simultaneously: the extension chamber prevents head sliding during normal impacts, the cavity formed by the side panel receives the head during offset and angular impacts, and the overall structure maintains positioning between the occupant and instrument panel. This multi-functionality increases adaptability across different impact scenarios without requiring separate systems for each protection need.
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 design enhances airbag protection by creating a cavity that receives the occupant's head during offset and angular impacts, reducing the risk of head contact with vehicle components and maintaining airbag positioning between the occupant and the instrument panel, thus providing comprehensive protection during various impact scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
In the event of an impact, an inflator activates and provides inflation medium to the airbags, and the airbags pressurize and act as cushions for occupants during the impact
Implementation Method 2
The airbag includes an extension extending from the main panel and defining an extension chamber. The airbag includes a side panel spaced from the main panel in the inflated position and fixed to the extension.
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag includes a main panel defining an inflation chamber and being inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag includes an extension extending from the main panel and defining an extension chamber. The airbag includes a side panel spaced from the main panel in the inflated position and fixed to the extension. The side panel is external to the extension chamber. The side panel, the extension, and the main panel define a cavity external to the extension chamber.