Steering Wheel Airbag Venting With Tethered Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle airbag devices have complex structures that increase costs and do not adequately address occupant restraint performance and safety, particularly in terms of gas pressure adjustment during deployment.
Innovation Solution
A simplified airbag device structure featuring a notched gas discharge section and a first tether that reduces gas discharge area during expansion, then increases it upon occupant contact to manage pressure and load, incorporating a second tether for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cylindrical opposing sheet part and two tethers are used to adjust internal pressure, then gas discharge control is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary cylindrical opposing sheet part from the prior art structure, retaining only the essential tether mechanism connected to the vent hole to achieve gas discharge control with simpler structure and lower manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The tether is designed to automatically control the vent hole opening based on airbag expansion state and internal pressure, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms. The tether itself serves both as a structural support and a pressure-regulating component
2Reliability
If a cylindrical opposing sheet part and two tethers are used to adjust internal pressure, then gas discharge control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the expensive cylindrical opposing sheet part while keeping the simple tether mechanism, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while preserving the essential gas discharge control function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive materials for the tether and vent hole structure, replacing complex and expensive components with basic elements that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed
3Stress or pressure
If the gas discharge section opening area is reduced during expansion, then internal pressure is maintained, but gas discharge capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vent hole opening area is designed to dynamically change during airbag deployment. Initially small to maintain pressure during expansion, then automatically enlarges when internal pressure exceeds the threshold, allowing controlled gas discharge to prevent excessive pressure buildup
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the opening area parameter of the vent hole based on internal pressure conditions. The tether mechanism automatically adjusts the opening size from small to large as pressure increases, optimizing both pressure maintenance and gas discharge capability at different deployment stages
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 solution provides improved occupant restraint performance and safety by maintaining high internal pressure during deployment and reducing load on the occupant through controlled gas discharge, while also simplifying the device structure and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the edge of the gas discharge section can be pulled inside the chamber by a taut first tether
Implementation Method 2
when the occupant comes into contact with the occupant side panel, the first tether relaxes, increasing the area of the gas discharge section opening
Data Source
AI summary
Airbag devices for a vehicle. The airbag cushion may include a gas discharge section, a first tether, and a chamber having an occupant side panel and a steering wheel side panel. The first tether may include a first end directly or indirectly connected to the occupant side panel and second ends connected to the steering wheel side panel. The edge of the gas discharge section can be pulled into the chamber by the taut first tether and the area of the gas discharge section opening with the edge of the gas discharge section pulled into the chamber is smaller than when the first tether is relaxed.