Airbag Vent Shielding Mechanism for Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag systems face challenges in maintaining internal pressure after a collision, which is crucial for reducing neck injuries during vehicle accidents, particularly in North America's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests, due to issues with vent hole closure mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An airbag apparatus with a vent shielding mechanism, comprising a shield connected by a tether that operates to close the vent after an occupant collides with the airbag, utilizing a pocket and tether system to control the timing of vent closure and maintain internal pressure, thereby reducing impact on the occupant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a horizontal tether is used to control vent hole closure, then the vent hole can be closed at a controlled time, but the vent hole cannot be closed if the horizontal tether is not pressed
Solution Approach 1:
The tether is configured to be automatically pressed by the expanding airbag cushion itself, eliminating the need for external activation. The airbag's own expansion force serves to close the vent hole, making the system self-activating and ensuring reliable operation without additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The vent hole closure mechanism is pre-configured with the tether positioned to be pressed during airbag expansion. The closure action is prepared in advance and automatically executed as part of the deployment sequence, ensuring timely vent closure without requiring separate control input
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vent hole remains open during deployment, then the impact force on the occupant is reduced, but the internal pressure cannot be maintained after collision
Solution Approach 1:
The vent hole dynamically transitions from an open state during deployment to a closed state after collision. The tether mechanism allows the vent to be open when needed for impact reduction and automatically close when needed for pressure maintenance, adapting the system's state based on the deployment phase
Solution Approach 2:
The vent hole operates in two distinct phases: open during the deployment period to reduce impact, then closed during the post-collision period to maintain pressure. This periodic state change optimizes performance across different operational stages of the airbag system
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an airbag main body; at least one vent which is provided at a side of the airbag main body, and operated in an opened state; a shield which shields the vent; and a tether which is connected with the shield, in which when an occupant in a vehicle collides with the airbag main body, the tether is operated so that the shield shields the vent.