Vehicle Airbag Tether Tension Control for Multi-Angle Impact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional side airbag devices struggle to effectively protect passengers from various types of collisions, especially in automated driving scenarios where seat layouts and passenger positions become more variable, making it difficult to provide comprehensive protection using airbags integrated into the steering or instrument panels.
Innovation Solution
A passenger protection apparatus featuring an airbag deployed via a seat, a tether system, and a tension member controlled by a controller, which activates the tension member during or after airbag deployment to ensure the airbag covers the passenger's upper and lower body from different collision angles, using detectors to predict collisions and adjust the deployment accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional side airbag devices are used, then the airbag can be deployed to protect the passenger, but the airbag cannot effectively cover the passenger's upper and lower body from various collision angles
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple independent chambers (first chamber and second chamber) that can deploy independently or simultaneously. Each chamber is positioned to cover specific body regions, allowing the system to adapt to different collision angles and provide comprehensive protection from frontal, lateral, and oblique impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag deployment extends beyond the traditional lateral direction by incorporating vertical and diagonal expansion capabilities. The multiple chambers are arranged to provide three-dimensional coverage, enabling the airbag to protect against collisions from various angles including frontal, lateral, rear, and oblique directions.
2Ease of operation
If the airbag deploys without tension member control, then the deployment is simple and fast, but the airbag cannot maintain proper position and shape to cover the passenger effectively
Solution Approach 1:
A tension member is introduced as an intermediary element between the airbag chambers and the seat structure. This tension member controls the expansion and positioning of the airbag by applying controlled tension, ensuring the airbag maintains the proper shape and position to effectively cover the passenger's body during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the deployment characteristics by adjusting parameters such as tension force, deployment timing, and chamber pressure. The controller regulates these parameters to optimize the airbag's position and shape, ensuring effective coverage while maintaining deployment simplicity through automated control.
3Shape
If the tension member is activated before airbag deployment, then the airbag position is pre-controlled, but the deployment speed and responsiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tension member is pre-installed and connected to the airbag chambers, but it is activated only after deployment initiation. This preliminary positioning setup allows for controlled deployment without pre-activation delays, as the tension member engages automatically during the deployment process to control the airbag's expansion and final position.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment process occurs in distinct phases: initial rapid expansion of the airbag chambers followed by controlled positioning through tension member activation. This periodic action sequence ensures both rapid deployment speed and proper position control, with each phase optimized for its specific function.
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger protection apparatus for vehicle includes an airbag, a tether, a tension member, and a controller. The airbag is configured to deploy via a seat on which a passenger sits or a periphery member of the seat. The tether has a first end coupled to a front portion of the airbag in a deployment direction of the airbag. The tension member is coupled to a second end of the tether and configured to pull the first end to the seat side. The controller is configured to activate the tension member to pull the tether at the same time as the airbag deploys, when the airbag is deploying, or after the airbag has deployed.