Foldable Vent Rate Adjusting Member for Airbag Gas Discharge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing airbag systems for front passenger seats require increased manufacturing processes and costs due to the need for both LRD and active vents to accommodate different occupant sizes, which complicates the adjustment of airbag deployment pressure.
Innovation Solution
An airbag apparatus with a vent hole and a foldable vent rate adjusting member that covers the vent hole, featuring a communicating hole that opens with the expansive force of the airbag to control gas discharge, allowing initial deployment pressure reduction for children and maintaining appropriate pressure for adults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both LRD vent and active vent are installed in the airbag, then the airbag can protect both children and adults, but the number of manufacturing processes increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of LRD vent and active vent into a single integrated vent structure. The vent includes a vent hole and a flexible closure member that can assume different positions (open, closed, partially closed) to provide both low risk deployment functionality and active vent functionality, eliminating the need for separate vent components
Solution Approach 2:
The vent incorporates a flexible closure member that can dynamically change its state based on deployment conditions. The closure member transitions from an open state during initial deployment to a closed state after full inflation, and can be actively controlled to open or close based on occupancy detection, providing adaptive protection
2Adaptability or versatility
If both LRD vent and active vent are installed in the airbag, then the airbag can adjust deployment pressure for different occupant types, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple vent functions into a single integrated structure, reducing the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation directly reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to adjust deployment pressure for different occupant types
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vent rate adjusting member is folded and coupled to the airbag, then the initial deployment pressure is reduced for children, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The vent rate adjusting member uses a flexible closure member made of elastic material that can be folded and coupled to the airbag. This flexible structure allows the member to be compressed during initial deployment to open the vent hole, reducing pressure, while maintaining structural integrity and simplicity
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
The system effectively discharges gas during initial deployment to prevent child injury, maintains pressure for adult protection after full inflation, and adjusts pressure upon occupant pressure, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the vent rate adjusting member is folded and coupled to the airbag, and has a communicating hole, such that the communicating hole comes into communication with the vent hole when the vent rate adjusting member is unfolded by expansive force of the airbag
Implementation Method 2
gas discharged from an airbag
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an airbag apparatus in which a discharge rate of gas discharged from an airbag is adjusted. To this end, the airbag apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an airbag which has a vent hole through which gas is discharged; and a vent rate adjusting member which is coupled to the airbag while covering the vent hole, and adjusts a discharge rate of gas discharged through the vent hole, in which the vent rate adjusting member is folded and coupled to the airbag, and has a communicating hole, such that the communicating hole comes into communication with the vent hole when the vent rate adjusting member is unfolded by expansive force of the airbag.