Airbag Compression Wrapper for Circular Container Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airbag cushions often face difficulties in being compressed into shapes that match their containers, leading to inefficient use of space and potential stress on the cushion or container, which can inhibit proper deployment kinematics.
Innovation Solution
A compression wrapper system comprising radial and vertical straps that reshape the airbag cushion from a rectangular shape to a more circular shape, with strategically placed weakened regions to facilitate deployment, allowing for efficient placement within a circular container while maintaining deployment kinematics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the airbag cushion is compressed into a non-matching shape to fit the container, then the container volume utilization is improved, but the deployment kinematics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The compression wrapper is divided into multiple functional segments: a body portion with a bottom surface and side surface, radial compression elements extending from the bottom surface, and vertical compression elements extending from the side surface. This segmentation allows different regions to apply compression forces in different directions, enabling the cushion to be reshaped into a circular configuration that fits the container while preserving the deployment characteristics through strategic placement of weakened regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression wrapper incorporates localized weakened regions at specific positions (radial weakened regions on radial compression elements and vertical weakened regions on vertical compression elements) that are designed to fail in predictable patterns during deployment. This local quality modification allows the wrapper to maintain compression for storage while ensuring proper deployment kinematics by controlling where and how the wrapper fails during airbag deployment.
2Volume of moving object
If the airbag cushion is compressed into a circular shape to match the container, then the space utilization is improved, but the cushion is subjected to stresses that may inhibit deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The compression wrapper applies compression through distributed radial and vertical elements rather than concentrated forces, spreading the stress across the cushion surface. The weakened regions are strategically positioned to fail first during deployment, releasing compression stresses in a controlled manner that prevents inhibition of deployment kinematics while maintaining efficient circular packaging configuration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the compression wrapper is made robust to maintain cushion shape, then the shape maintenance is improved, but the deployment is inhibited due to excessive strength
Solution Approach 1:
The compression wrapper exhibits spatially varying mechanical properties: most regions are constructed with sufficient strength to maintain the circular compressed shape during storage and handling, while specific localized weakened regions are intentionally designed with reduced strength to fail in predictable patterns during deployment. This local quality differentiation allows the wrapper to serve dual functions of shape maintenance and deployment facilitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapper is pre-configured with weakened regions during manufacturing, establishing predetermined failure paths before the airbag is deployed. This preliminary action ensures that during deployment, the wrapper will fail in a controlled manner that facilitates proper cushion expansion rather than resisting deployment due to excessive overall strength.
Data Source
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AI summary
Airbag cushion wrappers and related airbag cushion assemblies and methods. In some embodiments, an airbag cushion assembly may comprise an airbag cushion (145) in a folded configuration, a plurality of studs (142), which may extend from a retainer ring, and a compression wrapper (110) wrapped around the airbag cushion. The compression wrapper may comprise a plurality of vertical straps (122,124,126,128) coupled with the plurality of studs. Each of the plurality of vertical straps may extend along and compress a corner region of the airbag cushion to reshape the airbag cushion. In some embodiments, a radial strap (112,114,116,118) may extend between each adjacent vertical strap of the compression wrapper.