Airbag Sub-Cushion Gas Flow Control for Head Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag apparatuses face challenges in properly timing the opening and closing of vent holes during deployment to effectively restrain passengers, particularly in ensuring early protection of the head, due to delayed deployment and inadequate forward protrusion, which fails to meet safety regulations like North American low risk deployment (LRD) standards.
Innovation Solution
The airbag apparatus includes a main cushion part, a vent hole part, a tube part, and a sub-cushion part with a sub-blocking part that guides gas flow and supports the head, where the sub-blocking part blocks the gas passage when pressed by the passenger, maintaining internal pressure and preventing secondary injuries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the vent hole part is formed in the main cushion part to discharge gas, then the deployment speed is improved, but the head protection timing is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into two functional segments: the main cushion part for body support and the sub-cushion part for head protection. This segmentation allows the head protection function to be performed by a dedicated sub-cushion part that protrudes forward, independent of the main cushion deployment timing, thereby solving the timing issue while maintaining fast overall deployment through the vent hole part in the main cushion.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-cushion part is pre-positioned to protrude forward beyond the main cushion part before deployment occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when deployment happens, the sub-cushion part is already in the correct position to protect the head immediately, without waiting for the main cushion to fully deploy or for gas to reach it through the vent hole.
2Reliability
If the sub-cushion part protrudes forward more than the main cushion part, then the head protection effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-cushion part is integrated with the main cushion part through coupling parts, forming a unified airbag structure. The sub-cushion part includes a sub-coupling part that connects to the main cushion, and the tube part connects both cushions, merging their functions while maintaining the protruding geometry for effective head protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-cushion part serves multiple functions: it protrudes forward to position the supporting surface for head contact, it contains the tube part for gas flow control, and it provides the sub-supporting part for actual head support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while improving reliability.
3Reliability
If the sub-blocking part blocks the gas passage when pressed by the passenger, then the internal pressure is maintained for neck protection, but the gas flow control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-blocking part is designed to be dynamically movable within the tube part based on pressure conditions. When the passenger presses the sub-cushion part, the blocking part moves to block the gas passage, maintaining pressure for neck protection. When pressure is sufficient, it can move back to allow gas flow. This dynamic behavior provides automatic pressure regulation without complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-blocking part automatically responds to pressure changes caused by passenger contact, moving to block or open the gas passage as needed. This self-service mechanism maintains internal pressure for neck protection without requiring external sensors or control systems, thereby achieving reliable neck protection while minimizing gas flow control complexity.
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 ensures rapid deployment and effective protection of the passenger's head by controlling gas flow, meeting safety regulations and preventing neck injuries through controlled gas discharge and retention.
Implementation Method 1
a tube guide part connected by the tube coupling part and configured to guide the movement of the gas passed through the vent hole part
Implementation Method 2
a sub-supporting part configured to extend from the sub-coupling part and be protruded toward the head of the passenger, and thereby supporting the head of the passenger
Implementation Method 3
The sub-supporting part is moved toward the tube guide part and blocks the passage formed in the tube guide part, when the sub-supporting part is pressed by the passenger
Implementation Method 4
An end portion of the blocking bar portion is opened and the other end portion of the blocking bar portion, which directs to the tube part, is closed, so that the blocking bar portion is expanded toward the tube part when the gas is introduced
Implementation Method 5
a main cushion part configured to support the body of a passenger by being deployed
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an airbag apparatus for a vehicle. The disclosed airbag apparatus for a vehicle includes a main cushion part configured to support a passenger's body by being deployed, a vent hole part formed in the main cushion part and configured to pass gas, a tube part coupled to the main cushion part and configured to guide a movement of the gas passed through the vent hole part, and a sub-cushion part coupled to the main cushion part, formed to surround the tube part, and configured to support the head of the passenger at the time of deployment.