Passenger Airbag Tether Stitching for Shape Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger airbags face challenges in maintaining shape integrity during inflation, leading to gas leakage and seam weakness, and fail to effectively protect passengers in various positions and sizes, especially during side impacts.
Innovation Solution
The airbag design incorporates internal tethers attached to the fabric panels along vertical lines within the airbag body, using pleats and seams to restrain inflation and guide the passenger's head into a safe position, reducing gas leakage and enhancing structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If internal tethers are added to hold the airbag shape, then the airbag shape stability is improved, but the seam strength deteriorates due to additional strain on seams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a reinforced seam structure with increased stitch density and overlapping fabric layers specifically at the tether attachment points. This localized reinforcement concentrates the structural strength where the tethers exert strain, rather than requiring uniform reinforcement across the entire airbag, thus maintaining seam strength while supporting shape stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction by combining multiple fabric layers stitched together to form a reinforced seam structure. The composite of overlapping fabric panels and dense stitching creates a stronger attachment point that can withstand the strain from internal tethers without compromising seam integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tethers are stitched to hold the airbag shape, then the airbag shape stability is improved, but gas leakage increases through stitch holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a multi-layer fabric structure at the tether attachment regions. The overlapping fabric panels and increased stitch density create a localized barrier that reduces gas permeability at the critical tether attachment points, minimizing gas leakage while maintaining shape stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag is designed to protect various passenger sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the protection effectiveness for out-of-position passengers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating pleated fabric sections that can dynamically adjust their configuration during inflation. The pleats allow the airbag to expand and conform to different passenger positions and sizes, providing adaptive protection that maintains effectiveness whether the passenger is in a standard position or out-of-position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by designing the airbag with variable density stitching patterns and reinforced zones at critical areas. The stitching density and fabric tension are adjusted in different regions to accommodate variations in passenger position, ensuring reliable protection across different scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag for a front passenger seat, comprising: an inlet port for inflation gas; a main body, formed of at least one panel of fabric, and comprising a retainer (3) adapted for mounting the airbag to a vehicle, and a passenger contact region; and at least one tether (4) located inside the main body and connecting the retainer (3) to the passenger contact region so as to restrain inflation of at least a portion of the passenger contact region, wherein the tether (4) is attached to the fabric panel along a generally vertical line by stitches (7) which pass through stitch holes which are located inside the main body.