Airbag Vent Tether Release Mechanism for Adaptive Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inflatable airbag systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust inflation gas retention based on occupant size or position, leading to suboptimal cushioning during collisions, especially for out-of-position occupants or those wearing seat belts.
Innovation Solution
An airbag system with an inflatable cushion membrane, active vent, and vent tether, featuring a release mechanism that responds to vehicle sensors to adjust the vent tether's configuration, allowing for optimized gas retention and cushioning by varying the vent aperture size based on sensed conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed vent aperture size is used in the airbag system, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to different occupant sizes and positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent aperture is made dynamic through the vent tether mechanism that can change its configuration between closed and open states. The tether connects the vent aperture to the housing, allowing it to be pulled open by a release mechanism when deployment conditions are met, thus adapting the vent size dynamically rather than being fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of the vent aperture size from a fixed state to a variable state. By introducing the vent tether and release mechanism, the aperture can transition between different opening degrees (closed, partially open, fully open) based on occupant detection, thereby changing the gas flow parameter adaptively
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed inflation pattern is used, then the system reliability is maintained, but the adaptability to different collision scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation pattern becomes dynamic through the controllable vent mechanism. Instead of a fixed discharge rate, the system can adjust gas retention by controlling when and how the vent aperture opens, allowing different inflation patterns (rapid full inflation, controlled gradual inflation, partial inflation) based on the collision scenario and occupant position
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect occupant conditions and collision parameters, then the release mechanism automatically actuates the vent tether based on pre-programmed logic, making the system self-adjusting without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems
3Reliability
If the vent tether remains in a fixed closed position, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the ability to optimize gas retention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent tether system is segmented into functional components: the tether itself, the release mechanism, and the sensor system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the tether holds the vent closed, the release mechanism controls opening, and sensors detect conditions - improving reliability through functional specialization while keeping the overall structure relatively simple
Data Source
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AI summary
An inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a release device and a release device mounting bracket. The release device is in electronic communication with at least one sensor in a vehicle and is configured to release one or more active vent tethers or airbag restraining tethers.