Vehicle Airbag Vent Tether for Contact Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle occupant protection systems, such as air bag modules, face challenges in controlling the volume and shape of inflated air bags to optimize occupant safety, as they often result in excessive contact force due to uniform inflation, which can be harmful to occupants positioned incorrectly during deployment.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a vehicle occupant protection apparatus with an inflatable device and a support member featuring vent openings, where a movable vent member and tether mechanism allow for controlled inflation fluid flow, enabling the air bag to adjust its volume and shape based on occupant positioning through actuation of release mechanisms, thereby reducing contact force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the air bag inflates uniformly with fixed volume, then the inflation speed is fast and simple, but the contact force with the occupant becomes excessive and harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the air bag volume controllable and adjustable during inflation. The tether mechanism allows the air bag to transition from a fixed-volume to a variable-volume configuration, enabling the system to adapt its inflation characteristics in real-time to reduce contact force while maintaining inflation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the volume parameter of the air bag during the inflation process. By releasing the tether at controlled times, the air bag volume is reduced after initial inflation, which directly modifies the physical parameters of the system to decrease contact force with the occupant while preserving the rapid initial inflation response.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the air bag volume is reduced to decrease contact force, then the safety for incorrectly positioned occupants is improved, but the inflation fluid flow control becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the inflation control function into two distinct phases: initial rapid inflation controlled by the main inflation system, and subsequent volume reduction controlled by the tether release mechanism. This segmentation allows each subsystem to perform its function independently, simplifying the overall control architecture while achieving complex volume management.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether mechanism operates autonomously based on predetermined conditions or timing, releasing to allow air bag volume reduction without requiring continuous active control. This self-service approach simplifies the control system by eliminating the need for complex real-time monitoring and adjustment mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the tether is released early to control air bag shape, then the contact force is reduced, but the inflation pressure control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by ensuring the air bag completes its initial inflation and reaches the desired pressure level before the tether is released. This timing strategy allows the inflation pressure to be established first, and then the volume reduction occurs as a secondary action that maintains pressure while reducing contact force.
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 solution allows for tailored inflation depth, shape, and pressure of the air bag, enhancing safety by minimizing contact force with occupants and optimizing deployment configurations, thereby improving protection and comfort during vehicle collisions.
Implementation Method 1
When the air bag inflates beyond a predetermined distance relative to the support member, the tethers close the vent members to reduce the flow of inflation fluid through the vent openings
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (38) and a support member (56) having a vent opening (78) through which inflation fluid may flow. A vent member (106) is movable relative to the support member (56) for varying a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (78). The vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) also includes a tether (144) for moving the vent member (106) and an actuatable mechanism (170) that has a first condition preventing the tether (144) from moving the vent member (106) and a second condition enabling the tether (144) to move the vent member (106).