Head-Protecting Airbag Tether and Belt Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-protecting airbag devices face challenges in deploying the central inflatable portion effectively towards the vehicle interior during oblique crashes, leading to inadequate protection of vehicle occupants.
Innovation Solution
The airbag device incorporates a tether and tension belt system, where the tether is connected to both the terminal and central inflatable portions, allowing the central inflatable portion to be pushed inward by tension, while the tension belt pushes the terminal inflatable portion further inward, enabling smooth deployment and enhanced protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If only a tension belt is used to deploy the airbag, then the terminal inflatable portion is pushed toward the vehicle interior, but the central inflatable portion is not effectively deployed toward the vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple inflatable portions (terminal and central) that can be deployed independently. The tension belt is configured to act on the terminal inflatable portion while the central inflatable portion has its own deployment mechanism, allowing separate control and optimization of each section's deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The partitioning portion acts as an intermediary element between the terminal and central inflatable portions. It transmits and distributes the deployment forces, enabling the tension belt's action on the terminal portion to indirectly influence the central portion while maintaining independent deployment capability
2Force
If the position holding section has a short width, then it is tensed on the inboard side and protects the head, but the terminal inflatable portion cannot be deployed sufficiently toward the vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from relying solely on the position holding section's tension in the front-rear direction to utilizing the tension belt's lateral tension and the partitioning portion's geometric configuration. This dimensional shift allows the terminal inflatable portion to be pushed farther inward through a different mechanical advantage mechanism
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 that both the terminal and central inflatable portions are deployed towards the vehicle interior, providing comprehensive head protection for occupants during oblique crashes and rollovers by directing the airbag deployment effectively over a wide area.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator that generates inflation gas; a bag body that is inflatable with the inflation gas
Implementation Method 2
a tether that... covers an inboard side of the terminal inflatable portion and an outboard side of the central inflatable portion; a tension belt that... extend along a front and rear direction
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag of a head-protecting airbag device includes a bag body, a tension belt extending from a front region of the bag body and a tether for covering an outer circumference of the bag body. The bag body includes a terminal inflatable portion and a central inflatable portion. The tension belt is disposed along a front and rear direction of the bag body so as to be deployable on an outboard side of the terminal inflatable portion. The tether is run through a slit formed on a partitioning portion which partitions the terminal inflatable portion from the central inflatable portion and covers an inboard side of the terminal inflatable portion and an outboard side of the central inflatable portion.