Airbag Control Using Parallel Squib Resistances

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of squib driving units in vehicles for deploying multiple airbags leads to a higher number of output ports, connectors, and wire harnesses, increasing weight and material costs, while existing systems lack an efficient method to independently operate multiple airbags through a single output port.

Innovation Solution

An airbag operating apparatus that sets different internal resistances for each squib driving unit, allowing sequential output of varying voltage values for airbag deployment signals, enabling independent operation of multiple airbags through a single output port by adjusting internal resistances and output voltages based on deployment situations and order.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the number of squib driving units is increased to deploy more airbags, then the safety coverage and protection capability are improved, but the number of output ports, connectors, and wire harnesses increases, leading to increased weight and material cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety coverageVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple output ports into a single output port by connecting multiple squib driving units in parallel. The control unit outputs a single airbag deployment signal that simultaneously activates multiple airbags through the parallel-connected squib driving units, eliminating the need for separate output ports, connectors, and wire harnesses for each airbag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single output port is designed to serve multiple functions by controlling multiple squib driving units. The output port can selectively activate different combinations of airbags based on collision detection results, making it a universal control interface for various airbag deployment scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the number of squib driving units is increased to deploy more airbags, then the safety coverage and protection capability are improved, but the number of output ports, connectors, and wire harnesses increases, leading to increased material cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety coverageVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple output ports into a single output port by connecting multiple squib driving units in parallel. The control unit outputs a single airbag deployment signal that simultaneously activates multiple airbags through the parallel-connected squib driving units, eliminating the need for separate output ports, connectors, and wire harnesses for each airbag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple output ports are used to independently control multiple airbags, then the independent operation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple output ports into a single output port by connecting multiple squib driving units in parallel. The control unit outputs a single airbag deployment signal that simultaneously activates multiple airbags through the parallel-connected squib driving units, eliminating the need for separate output ports, connectors, and wire harnesses for each airbag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each squib driving unit is assigned a specific internal resistance value that is different from the others. This local differentiation in resistance values allows the control unit to selectively activate specific airbags by controlling the voltage output, maintaining independent operation capability while using a single output port.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution reduces the need for multiple output ports and connectors, lowering weight and material costs while ensuring efficient and independent deployment of airbags by optimizing the internal resistances and voltage outputs of squib driving units.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of squib driving units including input ports connected in parallel to one another, having internal resistances set different from one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS11518332B2Airbag operating apparatus for vehicle and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD

AI summary

An airbag operating apparatus for a vehicle may include: a sensing signal input unit configured to receive a sensing signal; a plurality of squib driving units including input ports connected in parallel to one another, having internal resistances set different from one another, installed to correspond to a plurality of airbags, respectively, and configured to drive the corresponding airbags when reaching an ignition current value according to airbag deployment signals; a storage unit configured to store the internal resistances of the plurality of squib driving units and output voltages of the airbag deployment signals according to deployment situations; and a control unit configured to receive the sensing signal from the sensing signal input unit, determine situations for deploying the plurality of airbags, and output the airbag deployment signals as output voltages to the input ports of the plurality of squib driving units according to the determination result.