Airbag Module Sleeve Layout for Tethered Deployment Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag modules face issues with loose retaining straps during assembly, which can cause delays, impair deployment, and lead to disruptions in vehicle assembly, as these straps can get caught or stuck, affecting the positioning and deployment of gas bags during accidents.
Innovation Solution
The airbag module incorporates a mounting sleeve that secures and positions the tether, ensuring no loose strap sections by using a textile band tether that is either sewn to the gas bag or designed as a gas bag extension, with a mounting cover that tears open upon deployment to tighten the strap, and features like radial openings in the mounting sleeve to deflect and fix the strap in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the retaining strap is left loose during assembly, then the airbag module can be easily installed, but the loose strap can become trapped during assembly or delay airbag deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining strap is extracted from the airbag module assembly by routing it through a gap in the housing, separating the strap from the main structure during assembly. This allows the strap to be positioned without interfering with assembly operations while preventing it from becoming trapped or causing deployment delays.
Solution Approach 2:
A gap or opening in the housing acts as an intermediary element that guides and positions the retaining strap during assembly. This intermediate structure allows the strap to be routed through a defined path, preventing it from becoming loose and trapped while maintaining ease of installation.
2Reliability
If the retaining strap is shortened or pre-tensioned, then deployment is faster and more reliable, but the strap cannot accommodate positioning adjustments during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining strap is designed with dynamic characteristics, being flexible and capable of movement through the housing gap. This allows the strap to be positioned and adjusted during assembly, then naturally tensioned during deployment to provide reliable restraint without pre-tensioning or shortening.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective length and tension of the retaining strap are changed based on the state of the airbag module. During assembly, the strap has greater effective length for positioning flexibility; during deployment, the strap becomes tensioned for reliable restraint, achieving both adaptability and reliability through parameter changes.
3Manufacturing precision
If the retaining strap extends fully from the airbag, then the airbag can be positioned accurately in the unfolded state, but the strap creates hazards during assembly and vehicle manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining strap is extracted from the airbag module housing by routing it through a gap in the housing structure. This removes the strap from the interior assembly space, eliminating hazards to assembly workers while allowing the strap to extend fully for accurate positioning when the airbag is deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining strap is routed through a gap in the housing, utilizing the spatial dimension created by the housing structure. This three-dimensional routing allows the strap to extend fully for positioning precision while being guided away from the assembly area to eliminate hazards.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an airbag module (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a folded inflatable airbag (12), a securing element (14) for assembling the airbag (12) on the motor vehicle, a mounting sleeve (16) in which the folded airbag (12) is received and fixed, and an elongated flexible holding strip (18, 19) for positioning the airbag (12) when the airbag is in its unfolded inflated state, said strip extending from a first strip end (20) secured to the airbag (12) to an opposite second strip end (22) to which the securing element (14) is attached, wherein the holding strip (18, 19) is connected to the mounting sleeve (16) when the airbag (12) is folded, or the holding strip is received in the mounting sleeve (16).