Auxiliary Airbag Gap Blocking for Oblique Collision Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
During an oblique vehicle collision, the occupant's head may move forward and collide with the vehicle structure due to the inertial force, potentially passing between the driver airbag and the curtain airbag or the passenger airbag and the curtain airbag, leading to head injuries.
Innovation Solution
A curtain airbag apparatus comprising a curtain airbag, an auxiliary airbag that inflates and protrudes into the vehicle interior, and a support panel that couples with both to prevent the occupant's head from moving forward, thereby blocking the gap between the primary airbags and the curtain airbag, and supporting the auxiliary airbag to maintain its position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only a curtain airbag is installed at the side inner panel, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the occupant's head can pass between the driver/passenger airbag and the curtain airbag during oblique collision, causing head injury
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is segmented into multiple functional components: a driver airbag or passenger airbag for frontal protection, a curtain airbag for lateral protection, and an auxiliary airbag positioned at the lower end of the curtain airbag to specifically block the gap between these airbags during oblique collisions. This segmentation allows each component to address specific collision scenarios independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary airbag extends the protection coverage to a new spatial dimension by positioning it at the lower end of the curtain airbag and configuring it to protrude into the vehicle interior. This creates an additional protective layer that blocks the diagonal path between frontal and lateral airbags, preventing head injury during oblique collisions.
2Reliability
If an auxiliary airbag is added to block the gap between airbags, then head protection during oblique collision is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary airbag is coupled to the curtain airbag, merging their functions while maintaining independent operation. The support panel is integrated to simultaneously support both the curtain airbag and auxiliary airbag, reducing the need for separate support structures and minimizing overall system complexity despite adding protective functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary airbag is designed to be self-inflating using the same gas source as the curtain airbag, eliminating the need for a separate inflator system. The support panel automatically positions and maintains the auxiliary airbag in its protective position without requiring active control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the auxiliary airbag protrudes into the vehicle interior, then it can effectively prevent head movement forward, but it may increase the risk of injury during normal operation or minor accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary airbag operates on demand rather than remaining continuously inflated. It inflates periodically only when collision sensors detect an oblique collision scenario, providing protection precisely when needed while remaining retracted during normal vehicle operation to avoid causing injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary airbag transitions from a static to a dynamic state based on collision conditions. During normal operation, it remains deflated and flush with the vehicle interior. Upon detecting an oblique collision, it rapidly inflates to protrude into the vehicle interior and restrain the occupant's head, then deflates after the collision event.
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 auxiliary airbag effectively prevents the occupant's head from colliding with the vehicle structure by blocking the gap between the primary airbags and the curtain airbag, ensuring safer protection during oblique collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a curtain airbag which is inflated when gas flows into the curtain airbag; an auxiliary airbag which is coupled to the curtain airbag, is inflated when gas flows into the auxiliary airbag
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a curtain airbag apparatus capable of preventing a head of an occupant from being moved forward at the time of an oblique collision of the vehicle. To this end, a curtain airbag apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an auxiliary airbag which is coupled to the curtain airbag, is inflated when gas flows into the auxiliary airbag, and protrudes into the interior of a vehicle; and a support panel which is coupled to the curtain airbag and the auxiliary airbag, and supports the protruding auxiliary airbag.