Airbag Support Member Orientation for Tilted Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current frontal airbag systems may not optimally protect occupants during collisions, particularly due to suboptimal deployment and orientation, which can result in inadequate cushioning and increased risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an inflatable airbag system that includes a support member, which deploys in conjunction with the airbag cushion to change its orientation and provide enhanced protection by urging it in a car-rearward direction towards the occupant, thereby improving the airbag's ability to absorb impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional airbag cushion is deployed during a collision, then the occupant receives basic cushioning protection, but the airbag may not be optimally positioned or oriented to absorb impact forces effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is divided into two functional segments: the airbag cushion and the support member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function - the cushion provides occupant contact and force absorption, while the support member provides structural orientation and positioning, thereby improving overall protection effectiveness without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary between the steering wheel assembly and the airbag cushion. It mediates the positioning and orientation of the cushion, ensuring the cushion is properly angled and positioned to effectively absorb impact forces during a collision
2Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel is tilted or adjusted for comfort, then the airbag cushion becomes misaligned with the occupant, but adding adjustment mechanisms increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to flex and adjust its angle relative to the steering wheel. This dynamic capability enables the airbag cushion to maintain proper orientation toward the occupant even when the steering wheel is tilted or adjusted, providing adaptability without complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The support member can change its geometric parameters (angle, position) in response to steering wheel adjustments. This parameter change capability allows the airbag system to adapt to different steering wheel positions and angles, maintaining optimal protection effectiveness without requiring active adjustment mechanisms
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 configuration enhances the airbag's effectiveness in reducing occupant movement and force during collisions by altering the airbag's surface orientation and ensuring better positioning relative to the occupant, even when the steering wheel is tilted or adjusted.
Implementation Method 1
Both the inflatable airbag cushion and the inflatable support member may be configured to receive an inflation gas that expands and deploys the inflatable airbag cushion and the inflatable support member from a packaged state to a deployed state
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable airbag system can be configured to be mounted to a frontal region of a vehicle. The inflatable airbag system can include an inflatable airbag cushion that can expand and deploy out of a first housing, and an inflatable support member that can expand and deploy out of a second housing. The inflatable support member can contact and urge a portion of the inflatable airbag cushion in a car-rearward direction.