Airbag Venting via Occupant Tether for Stiffness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airbag systems face increased production costs due to the complexity of sensor systems required to control airbag inflation, which is necessary to meet stringent regulatory requirements for varying occupant sizes and positions.
Innovation Solution
An airbag assembly with a selectively actuatable vent that is controlled by an occupant classification system, allowing for adjustable stiffness during deployment by opening or closing the vent based on occupant data, using a tether mechanism to manage the vent's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensor systems are added to control airbag inflation for varying occupant sizes and positions, then airbag adaptability improves, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control function from complex sensor systems and implements it through a simple mechanical tether mechanism. The tether is detached or retained based on occupant position, automatically controlling vent closure without requiring sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system uses the occupant themselves as the control mechanism. When an occupant sits in the rear seat, their presence automatically retains the tether closed, which closes the vent and controls inflation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external sensor systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensor systems are added to control airbag inflation for varying occupant sizes and positions, then airbag adaptability improves, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive sensor systems from the design and replaces them with a simple mechanical tether and vent mechanism. This extraction of complex components directly reduces production cost while maintaining the ability to adapt to different occupant configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive mechanical components (tether, vent mechanism) instead of expensive electronic sensor systems. These simple mechanical parts are cost-effective to manufacture and replace, thereby reducing overall production cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vent is opened during airbag deployment, then airbag stiffness is reduced for smaller occupants, but inflation control precision must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vent is pre-positioned in a closed state during manufacturing, and the tether is pre-configured to automatically open or retain the vent based on occupant presence. This preliminary configuration ensures that the correct venting action occurs automatically during deployment without requiring complex real-time control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether acts as an intermediary mechanism between occupant presence and vent closure. It translates the physical condition of occupant presence into the appropriate vent state (open or closed), providing simple mechanical mediation that achieves precise inflation control without complex systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag assembly including an airbag inflatable from a housing in operation with an occupant classification system is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. The occupant classification system is incorporated into a vehicle seat and is in communication with the airbag. A selectively actuatable vent formed in the airbag is opened during deployment of the airbag based on a determination from the occupant classification system.