Driver Airbag Tether Groove Structure for Reduced Steering Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airbags deployed in reduced steering wheels may not be adequately supported, leading to potential worsening of driver injuries during collisions, as they can be pushed forward by the airbag deployment.
Innovation Solution
An airbag unit with a tether system, including a front panel, rear panel, and guide parts, where the tether is connected to the airbag's outer side to prevent it from being pushed forward, using a tether groove and guide parts to secure the airbag and distribute force effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a reduced steering wheel is used to improve visibility and interior space, then the steering wheel structure is simplified and space is increased, but the airbag cannot be adequately supported and may be pushed forward during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel structure is segmented into multiple components: the reduced rim structure for space optimization, and a separate tether system with guide parts and tether grooves specifically designed to support the airbag. This segmentation allows the rim to be reduced while the airbag support function is maintained through the dedicated tether mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether system acts as an intermediary between the reduced steering wheel structure and the airbag. The tether, guided by guide parts and tether grooves, provides the necessary support and restraint to the airbag during deployment, mediating the interaction between the simplified rim structure and the airbag safety function.
2Illumination intensity
If the steering wheel rim is reduced to improve visibility, then visibility is improved, but the airbag deployment may push the driver forward increasing injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The tether system is pre-configured with guide parts and tether grooves to provide counter-action before airbag deployment. When the airbag deploys, the tether already in place restrains the airbag's forward motion, preventing the harmful effect of pushing the driver forward while allowing the reduced rim design to maintain visibility.
3Reliability
If a tether system is added to support the airbag, then airbag support stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tether system is merged with the airbag unit structure, with the tether, guide parts, and tether grooves integrated as components of the airbag assembly. This merging allows the complex tether mechanism to be incorporated without requiring separate external support structures, thus improving airbag stability while minimizing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag unit includes an airbag to be deployed toward a driver and a tether connected to an outer side of the airbag to support the airbag. The airbag includes a front panel disposed on a driver side and a rear panel connected to a rear surface of the front panel. A tether groove is disposed in a recessed portion of the airbag at a lower side of the airbag, at least a portion of the tether is disposed on the front panel, the tether passes through the tether groove, and both ends of the tether are fixed to the rear panel so as to support the airbag when the airbag is deployed.