Armrest Box Cover Deflection for Lateral Collision Airbag Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety airbag systems between vehicle seats lack effective support during lateral collisions, as the airbag's opening mechanism does not adequately adjust to provide sufficient protection against the inertia-driven movement of the driver's or passenger's upper body.
Innovation Solution
The armrest box safety airbag system features a moveable cover with a connecting rod mechanism and actuator, allowing the cover to deflect at different angles based on the collision side, with adjustable inflation of airbags to support the airbag's opening direction, and includes sensors and a controller to proactively position the cover for optimal support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag is arranged in a fixed position in the armrest box, then the structure is simple, but the airbag cannot provide effective support in different collision directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the armrest box cover movable instead of fixed. The cover can deflect at different angles (first angle for one collision direction, second angle for opposite collision direction) to provide optimal support for the airbag opening in each scenario. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability through motion while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the cover at different deflected positions based on predicted collision directions. The controller receives collision information and proactively adjusts the cover angle before the airbag needs to deploy, ensuring the airbag has the correct support structure already in place when inflation occurs, rather than adjusting during the collision event.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cover is fixed in a single position, then the manufacturing is simple, but the cover cannot provide optimal support for airbag opening in different directions
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with rotational movement capability around a hinge axis, allowing it to assume different angular positions. This dynamic feature enables the cover to provide optimal geometric support for airbag deployment in either collision direction while maintaining a straightforward manufacturing process that involves standard hinge mechanisms and actuator assemblies.
3Reliability
If the cover is moved to different positions using a mechanical mechanism, then the support effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-component mechanical actuation systems with a more streamlined approach using actuators (electromagnetic or electro-hydraulic) that directly control the cover's angular position. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining the ability to reliably position the cover for optimal airbag support in different collision scenarios.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an armrest box assembly (200) in one or more embodiments. The armrest box assembly comprises: an armrest box body, comprising a receiving space having an opening; a first cover (210) disposed above the armrest box body and moveable relative to the armrest box body, the first cover being moveable between a first deflected position and a second deflected position; and a safety airbag (218) disposed in the first cover. The upper surface of the first cover is deflected in order to provide support as the safety airbag is opening.