Airbag Deployment Zone Sensing for Loose Object Inhibition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airbag systems in vehicles often deploy airbags quickly, which can result in loose objects being thrown around the vehicle, necessitating a need for effective object detection systems to prevent airbag deployment when objects are present at or near deployment locations.

Innovation Solution

Integration of object detection sensors, such as capacitive or resistive touch pads, within object detection zones on vehicle components, which provide signals to a controller to inhibit airbag deployment if objects are detected within these zones, ensuring safe deployment conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If airbags are deployed quickly in the event of a collision, then the response time and safety effectiveness are improved, but loose objects can be thrown around the vehicle causing additional harm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairbag deployment speedVSAvoidharm caused by loose objects

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The object detection sensor detects objects at the airbag deployment location before the airbag is deployed. Based on this preliminary detection, the controller determines whether to inhibit airbag deployment, preventing loose objects from being thrown around the vehicle while maintaining quick deployment capability when the location is clear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If object detection sensors are integrated into airbag deployment locations, then object detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The object detection sensor serves multiple functions: it detects objects at the airbag deployment location, provides signals to the controller for deployment decisions, and can be integrated into existing vehicle structures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated detection systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Prevents airbag deployment when objects are detected, thereby minimizing the risk of injury from loose items and ensuring safer airbag deployment scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

Integration of object detection sensors, such as capacitive or resistive touch pads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

Integration of object detection sensors, such as capacitive or resistive touch pads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive sensing: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS11833989B1Object detection systems for vehicles and methods of controlling airbags using object detection systems

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A vehicle includes a vehicle structure an airbag deployment location and an external skin layer that covers the airbag deployment location. An object detection sensor is located on or covered by the external skin layer of a vehicle component and located within an object detection zone. The object detection sensor is configured to provide a signal to a controller upon detecting an object within the object detection zone.