Airbag Tether System for Occupant Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airbag systems require additional reaction surfaces like seats or panels to effectively restrain occupants during vehicle impacts, which can be limited in certain vehicle configurations, such as rear-facing seats, and lack efficient deployment mechanisms for specific impact directions.
Innovation Solution
An airbag assembly with inflatable legs and a tether system that supports the airbag in an inflated position without relying on additional reaction surfaces, featuring a processor-controlled deployment mechanism to actuate airbags based on impact direction, ensuring effective occupant restraint without additional support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If airbag systems use additional reaction surfaces like seats or panels to restrain occupants, then occupant restraint effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reaction surface function from external components (seats or panels) and integrates it into the airbag assembly itself through the tether system. The tethers provide the necessary reaction force directly to the airbag, eliminating the need for separate reaction surfaces and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining restraint effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides occupant restraint through inflation and simultaneously generates its own reaction force through the tether system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate reaction surfaces, as the airbag assembly itself becomes both the restraining element and the reaction force generator.
2Measurement precision
If airbag systems are designed for specific impact directions, then deployment precision is improved, but adaptability to different impact scenarios decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic tether system where the tethers can rotate and reposition themselves based on the direction of impact. This dynamic configuration allows the airbag assembly to adapt to different impact directions (frontal, side, rear) while maintaining precise deployment control through the processor, which activates the appropriate inflators based on detected impact parameters.
3Stability of the object's composition
If tethers are fixed to the airbag at multiple points, then airbag position stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tether attachment system into modular components where tethers can be individually attached to the airbag at multiple points. This segmentation allows for standardized attachment mechanisms that simplify manufacturing, as each tether can be independently positioned and secured without requiring complex integrated attachment structures.
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
The airbag assembly provides effective occupant restraint during vehicle impacts by maintaining the airbag's position using tethers, eliminating the need for additional reaction surfaces and optimizing deployment based on impact direction, thus enhancing safety in various vehicle seating configurations.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable member extending from the first inflatable leg to the second inflatable leg... a tether having a first end fixed to the first inflatable leg and a second end spaced from the first end and the airbag
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a seat. The assembly includes a housing. The assembly includes an airbag inflatable to an inflated position having a first inflatable leg and a second inflatable leg extending from the housing, and an inflatable member extending from the first inflatable leg to the second inflatable leg. The assembly includes a tether having a first end fixed to the first inflatable leg and a second end spaced from the first end and the airbag.