Vehicle Arm Rest Airbag Deployment with Reactive Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle airbag systems, such as those deployed from the steering wheel, often fail to effectively restrain vehicle occupants due to their large size and positioning, leaving a gap in protection for the seated area, and arm rests are not commonly used for occupant protection.
Innovation Solution
An arm rest design incorporating a pair of side members and a front member, coupled to a seat, which deploys an airbag from a front member that is supported by reactive-force members, providing enhanced protection by filling the space between the occupant and incoming objects during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a large-capacity airbag is deployed from the steering wheel, then the airbag can reach the seated area of the vehicle occupant, but the restraining effect is insufficient due to the distance from the occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the airbag system into two parts: a main airbag deployed from the steering wheel and a sub airbag deployed from the armrest. This segmentation allows the sub airbag to provide immediate protection at close range while the main airbag provides additional cushioning, thereby improving the overall restraining effect without requiring a single large-capacity airbag to cover the entire distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub airbag in the armrest performs preliminary protection by deploying first and closer to the occupant's head and upper body. This preliminary action occurs before the main airbag from the steering wheel can effectively reach the occupant, providing immediate restraint and reducing the harmful effects of the collision.
2Length of stationary object
If an airbag is deployed from a member located distant from the vehicle occupant, then the airbag can provide protection, but the protection effectiveness is reduced due to the distance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by placing a sub airbag in the armrest, which is locally positioned close to the occupant's head and upper body. This local deployment ensures that the airbag material is positioned exactly where it is most needed for protection, providing effective restraint without requiring the airbag to travel a long distance from the steering wheel.
3Device complexity
If a conventional airbag system is used without arm rest integration, then the system structure is simple, but there is no protection for the seated area of the vehicle occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a comfort component for the occupant and as a deployment mechanism for the sub airbag. This allows the armrest to provide occupant protection during collisions while maintaining its conventional function as a resting surface, thereby improving protection reliability without significantly increasing system complexity.
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 arm rest effectively and quickly protects vehicle occupants by deploying an airbag from a closer position than traditional systems, using a lower capacity airbag and reactive-force members to maintain the airbag's position and provide strong support during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
The airbag is configured to deploy toward the vehicle occupant from the front member
Implementation Method 2
the airbag is supported by a reactive-force member from which a reactive force is obtained as a result of the airbag abutting on the reactive-force member
Data Source
AI summary
An arm rest attachable to a seat for a vehicle occupant to sit on includes a pair of side members, a front member, and an airbag. The pair of side members are configured to be at left and right sides of the vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is seated. The side members extend in a front-rear direction and are coupled to the seat. The front member is configured to be in front of the vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is seated and is coupled to at least one of the pair of side members. The airbag is configured to deploy toward the vehicle occupant from the front member. When the vehicle occupant comes into contact with the deployed airbag, the airbag is supported by a reactive-force member from which a reactive force is obtained as a result of the airbag abutting on the reactive-force member.