Releasable Airbag Tether Restraint for Controlled Volume Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag systems with adjustable volumes controlled by tether elements lack precise control over the expansion and positioning of the airbag, leading to inadequate cushioning and potential excessive movement during restraint situations.
Innovation Solution
An airbag system with an actively releasable tether element and a tether element restrainer, where the tether element is securely connected to the airbag and can expand to a larger volume upon release, while the restrainer prevents excessive movement, ensuring the airbag maintains optimal positioning and cushioning without requiring destruction of the tether element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tether element is used to control airbag volume adjustment, then the airbag can be positioned at different volumes, but the tether element may inadvertently move excessively in the direction of the contact zone when released
Solution Approach 1:
A tether element restrainer is introduced as an intermediary component between the tether element and the airbag interior. This restrainer acts as a mediator that allows the tether element to be released for volume adjustment while preventing excessive movement toward the contact zone, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The tether element system is segmented into functional zones: the tether element itself for volume control, the restrainer for movement limitation, and the permanent fixation for stable anchoring. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, enabling both volume adjustment and positioning stability
2Reliability
If the detachable fixing point is made stable to prevent accidental release, then all forces are properly introduced to the vehicle, but the airbag cannot be released when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable fixing point is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be stable under normal conditions (resisting accidental release) while being capable of controlled release when activated. The fixing point transitions from a static locked state to a released state through controlled activation, enabling both reliability and ease of operation
3Reliability
If the tether element is permanently fixed to the vehicle, then the airbag position is stable, but the airbag volume cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The tether element is segmented into a permanently fixed portion (providing stability) and a releasable portion (enabling adjustment). The permanent fixation anchors the tether to the vehicle for position stability, while the detachable fixing point allows controlled release for volume adjustment, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The tether element system transitions from a static permanently fixed state to a dynamically adjustable state. The detachable fixing point enables the system to switch between stable (fixed) and adaptable (released) configurations, allowing both position stability and volume adjustability
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint system has an actively releasable tether element (14) disposed in an interior (16) of the airbag (10) which is connected, at an airbag-side fixation (18), permanently to the airbag (10) in the region of a contact zone (20) for the occupant, and which comprises a detachable fixing point (22) for the release. The airbag (10) can take up a smaller first filled volume (V1) in which the tether element (14) and the detachable fixing point (22) are not released, and a larger second filled volume (V2) in which the tether element (14) is released at the actively detachable fixing point (22). In addition to the tether element (14), a tether element restrainer (26) disposed in the interior (16) of the airbag (10) is provided which acts upon a point of action (28) on a vehicle-side portion (34) of the tether element (14) distant from the airbag-side permanent fixation (18) of the tether element (14) and which is permanently fixed to a coupling point (30) distant from the contact zone (20) so that the vehicle-side portion (34) of the released tether element (14) remains connected fixedly to the vehicle via the tether element restrainer (26).