Airbag Vent Stiffness Adjustment via Reinforcement Panel Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side airbag manufacturing methods lack flexibility in producing airbags with varying stiffness levels to accommodate different vehicle models and occupant kinematics, as the vent size, which affects airbag firmness, is predetermined during production.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the alignment and stitching of reinforcement panels with main panels, followed by cutting along a selected cut line to create a vent, allowing for post-manufacturing adjustment of vent size and thus airbag stiffness, enabling production of airbags with customizable firmness based on demand and application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vent size is predetermined during production, then the manufacturing process is simple and efficient, but the airbag stiffness cannot be adjusted for different vehicle models and applications
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcement panels are pre-positioned and stitched to the main panels during manufacturing, but the vent cut line is left uncut. This preliminary action allows the airbag structure to be prepared in advance while retaining the flexibility to create vents of different sizes later based on specific application requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent size is made variable rather than fixed. By delaying the cutting operation until after production, the airbag system can dynamically adapt its stiffness characteristics to match different vehicle models and safety requirements, transforming a static component into a configurable one.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vent size is predetermined during production, then production efficiency is high, but flexibility in the supply chain is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into two distinct phases: a standard production phase where reinforcement panels are attached to main panels, and a customization phase where vents are cut according to specific orders. This segmentation allows bulk production to maintain high efficiency while enabling customizations to be made later without disrupting the main production flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement panels are pre-positioned and stitched during standard production, creating a base product that can be stored and shipped. The vent cutting is performed as a preliminary but incomplete action, leaving the final configuration to be determined by customer requirements, thus enabling flexible order fulfillment.
3Strength
If reinforcement panels are stitched to main panels before vent creation, then structural integrity is maintained during manufacturing, but post-manufacturing vent size adjustment becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement panels are stitched to the main panels during the initial manufacturing phase to ensure structural integrity is established before any vent cutting occurs. This preliminary structuring allows the airbag to maintain its strength throughout production, storage, and shipping, while the vent cutting is performed later as a separate, simplified operation on the already-assembled structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing an airbag includes fixing a first reinforcement panel to a first main panel at a first edge of the first main panel. The method includes fixing a second reinforcement panel to a second main panel at a second edge of the second main panel. The method includes overlaying the first main panel on the second main panel with the first reinforcement panel aligned with the second reinforcement panel and the first edge aligned with the second edge. The method includes fixing the first main panel to the second main panel along the first edge and the second edge. The method includes creating a vent by cutting both the first reinforcement panel and the second reinforcement panel along a cut line to form the vent.