Vehicle Airbag Inflatable Support Tubes Kinematics Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airbag systems in vehicles do not effectively control the kinematics of occupants during impacts, as they lack a comprehensive mechanism to guide and position the airbag for optimal protection.
Innovation Solution
The airbag assembly includes inflatable support tubes and a dome-shaped airbag supported by a seat back, with an inflator and fill tubes that inflate the airbag and support tubes to guide and position the airbag around the occupant, ensuring controlled kinematics through fluid communication and varying inner diameters of fill tubes for balanced inflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional airbag systems are used without support tubes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control occupant kinematics during impact is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: the main airbag, multiple support tubes (first support tube, second support tube, third support tube), and an inflator. Each component serves a specific function in controlling airbag deployment and positioning, thereby improving occupant protection while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Support tubes act as intermediary elements between the inflator and the airbag. These tubes guide the airbag's inflation process and positioning, ensuring the airbag deploys in the correct orientation and location to effectively control occupant kinematics during impact.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple fill tubes with varying inner diameters are used, then the inflation balance and airbag positioning are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different fill tubes are designed with different inner diameters tailored to their specific functions. The first fill tube has a larger inner diameter for rapid initial inflation, while the second and third fill tubes have smaller diameters for controlled positioning. This local differentiation of quality optimizes inflation balance and positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner diameter parameter of fill tubes is varied to achieve different inflation rates and control airbag positioning. By changing this geometric parameter across different fill tubes, the system achieves precise control over airbag deployment characteristics without requiring complex control systems.
3Speed
If the first fill tube has a larger inner diameter than the second and third fill tubes, then the inflation speed and response time are improved, but the structural complexity of the fill tube system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first fill tube with its larger inner diameter is designed to provide rapid initial inflation, achieving preliminary deployment of the airbag before the smaller fill tubes complete the positioning process. This preliminary action ensures the airbag is inflated quickly to provide immediate protection.
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 ensures the airbag is effectively deployed to control the kinematics of occupants, providing comprehensive protection by guiding and positioning the airbag to surround the head and torso, enhancing safety during vehicle impacts.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator in fluid communication with the airbag and the plurality of support tubes
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of support tubes inflatable to inflated positions extending from the seat back along the outer panel
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a seat back having a top end. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the seat back and inflatable to an inflated position including an inner panel and an outer panel defining an inflation chamber therebetween. The assembly includes a plurality of support tubes inflatable to inflated positions extending from the seat back along the outer panel, at least one of the support tubes in the inflated position extending from the top end of the seat back.