Airbag Module Tether Release for Adaptive Deployment and Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle occupant restraint systems face challenges in reliably adjusting the shape and hardness of airbags to achieve optimal retention effects with minimal effort, depending on specific boundary conditions such as occupant size, weight, and driving mode.
Innovation Solution
A gas bag module with a combination of shaping and opening release tethers, where a single tether release device can actively or passively control the deployment geometry and outflow opening, using a pyrotechnic or electrically activated tether release mechanism, allowing for three adjustment scenarios based on predetermined tensile forces and sensor-activated timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate release mechanisms are used for shaping strap and opening release strap, then the airbag can be adjusted for different deployment scenarios, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the release mechanisms for the shaping strap and opening release strap into a single integrated release mechanism. This single mechanism can selectively release either the shaping strap, the opening release strap, or both simultaneously, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to adjust airbag deployment for different scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If active release mechanisms are added to control retaining straps, then the restraint effect can be optimized for different boundary conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single release mechanism is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple release operations. It can release the shaping strap to adjust deployment geometry, release the opening release strap to open the outflow opening, or both simultaneously. This universal design optimizes the restraint effect for different boundary conditions without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If passive release through predetermined tensile force is used for opening release strap, then the system operates with minimal effort, but the control precision over airbag deployment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The opening release strap acts as an intermediary element that connects the passive tensile force mechanism to the outflow opening closure. The strap is designed with specific mechanical properties including a predetermined breaking force that serves as a controlled failure point. This intermediary approach allows passive operation with minimal effort while maintaining sufficient control precision through the predetermined mechanical characteristics of the strap.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an airbag module (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint system (12), comprising an airbag (14), a gas generator (18), a shaping tether (22) for influencing the airbag deployment geometry, which is connected at a tether end to the airbag (14), and an opening release tether (20), which is connected at a tether end to an outflow opening closure (26) of the airbag (14), the opening release tether (20) being connected to the outflow opening closure (26) in such a way that it releases an outflow opening (28) of the airbag (14) once a predefined tether tensile force has been reached, and an activatable tether release device (24), coupled to both the shaping tether (22) and the opening release tether (20), being provided for actively releasing the tethers (20, 22).