Airbag Valve Two-Layered Inlay Gas Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag valve designs are complex and lack efficient throttling mechanisms, making them difficult to manufacture and tune for defined gas flow control in both unthrottled and throttled directions.
Innovation Solution
A two-layered inlay valve with a connection-free area between the layers at one end, where the layers are connected to the gas flow channel only at specific points, allowing unthrottled gas flow from a higher-pressure chamber to a lower-pressure chamber and blocking or throttling gas flow in the opposite direction by using fold connections and optional positioning seams to control flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a two-layered inlay valve is used with connection-free area between layers, then gas flow control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two separate layers (first layer and second layer) that are connected only at specific points rather than continuously. This segmentation allows gas to pass through the connection-free area when flowing from first chamber to second chamber, while still providing structural support and flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The two layers are connected to each other only in specific local areas (at the first end and at specific connecting points) rather than uniformly throughout. This local connection approach creates connection-free areas that enable unthrottled gas flow in one direction while maintaining valve functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If circumferential seam connects two layers to side walls, then structural stability is improved, but gas flow throttling capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential seam connection is completely removed from the valve design. Instead of connecting the two layers to the side walls along their entire circumference, the patent uses only two discrete connecting points, creating connection-free areas that enable proper gas flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous circumferential connection is segmented into discrete connecting points only. This segmentation creates the necessary connection-free areas between the layers that allow gas to pass through unthrottled in the forward direction while maintaining structural stability through the discrete connection points.
3Strength
If two layers are fully connected to each other, then structural strength is improved, but throttling capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The two layers are connected to each other only in specific local areas (at the first end and at specific connecting points) rather than uniformly throughout their entire surface. This local connection approach maintains sufficient structural strength while creating connection-free areas that enable flow rate control through the valve.
4Ease of manufacture
If simple valve design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but defined throttling capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into two separate layers with specific connection points, which simplifies the manufacturing process compared to creating complex integrated structures. The segmentation allows each layer to be manufactured and positioned independently, then connected at predetermined locations to achieve the desired flow control characteristics.
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
Simplifies the assembly of airbags while enabling precise control of gas flow, ensuring reliable unthrottled flow when pressure is higher in the first chamber and blocking or throttling when pressure is higher in the second chamber, with the ability to tune the valve for specific flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
gas can stream unthrottled through the gas flow channel if the pressure inside the first chamber is higher than the pressure in the second chamber, but the gas stream through the gas flow channel is blocked or at least throttled if the pressure in the second chamber is larger than in the first chamber
Implementation Method 2
the two-layered inlay is inflated towards the side walls of the gas flow channel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5~5b
AI summary
An airbag, especially a side airbag is described. This airbag comprises a first chamber a second chamber, and a gas flow channel (16) connecting the two chambers (12, 14). A valve is located inside the gas flow channel (16) which allows an unthrottled gas stream from the first chamber to the second chamber if the pressure inside the first chamber is higher than the pressure in the second chamber and that blocks or throttles the gas stream through the gas flow channel (16) if the pressure inside the second chamber is higher than in the first chamber. This valve is comprised of a two-layered inlay extending from a first end pointing towards the first chamber to a second end pointing towards the second chamber, wherein said two-layered inlay is connected to the gas flow channel (16) at its first end via at least two connecting points being remote from each other.In order to make the manufacture of the airbag very easy and in order to provide a construction that allows the possibility of a defined throttling of the gas flow in the gas flow direction opposite to the unthrottled gas flow direction,a connection free area in which at least one layer (21, 22) of the two-layered inlay is without connection to the gas flow channel (16), is provided between the two connecting points and the two layers (21, 22) of the two-layered inlay are at least partially connected to each other in the area of the first end (Figure 3).