Side Airbag Upper Chamber Restricting Portion Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing side airbag apparatuses have limitations in effectively protecting the thorax region due to restricted energy absorption capacity of the upper inflation chamber, which is inflated with lower internal pressure and dimension compared to the lower inflation chamber.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sheet-like upper restricting portion in the upper inflation chamber that is tensioned in the front-rear direction, allowing the chamber to inflate more widely in the widthwise direction of the vehicle seat, while maintaining a higher internal pressure in the lower inflation chamber to effectively restrain the lumbar and thorax regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upper inflation chamber is inflated with lower internal pressure to protect the thorax region, then the thorax region is restrained, but the energy absorption capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a novel dimension of control by providing different restricting lengths in the front-rear direction at different positions within the upper inflation chamber. The first restricting portion has a longer restricting length than the second restricting portion, creating a gradient restriction structure that redirects inflation energy horizontally into the widthwise direction, thereby increasing energy absorption capacity without compromising thorax protection
2Use of energy by moving object
If the inflated dimension of the upper inflation chamber is increased in the widthwise direction, then the energy absorption amount increases, but the lateral partition restricts the inflated dimension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the upper inflation chamber into multiple zones with different restricting characteristics. By dividing the chamber into regions with different restricting portion lengths, the system allows selective expansion in the widthwise direction while maintaining structural control, enabling increased energy absorption without requiring a complete increase in overall chamber dimension
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
This configuration enhances the protection performance for the thorax region by increasing the energy absorption capacity of the upper inflation chamber without increasing the weight of the airbag module, while maintaining appropriate pressure distribution for both the lumbar and thorax regions.
Implementation Method 1
The upper restricting portion has a front-rear length that is shorter than a circumferential length in a front-rear direction of the first section of the upper inflation chamber and is tensioned in the front-rear direction as the upper inflation chamber is inflated
Implementation Method 2
the lower inflation chamber is inflated with an internal pressure higher than that of the upper inflation chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A lateral partition divides the interior of an airbag main body into an upper inflation chamber including a first section and a lower inflation chamber including a second section. The upper inflation chamber is located above the second section of the lower inflation chamber. An upper restricting portion is provided in a bridging manner in the first section. The upper restricting portion has a front-rear length that is shorter than a circumferential length in a front-rear direction of the first section. The upper restricting portion is tensioned in the front-rear direction when the upper inflation chamber is inflated. The upper restricting portion restricts an inflated dimension in the front-rear direction of the upper inflation chamber such that an inflated dimension of the first section in a lateral direction of the automobile is greater than an inflated dimension of the lower inflation chamber in the lateral direction.