Bi-directional Airbag Cushion Wrapper for Pinching Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airbag cushion assemblies face issues with pinching during assembly, leading to deployment failures and damage, as single layer wrappers fail to protect both the cushion and wires effectively, and no solution provides both inboard and outboard wrapping.

Innovation Solution

A bi-directional, dual-layer wrapper made from a single unitary piece of material, with two sections that wrap around the airbag cushion in opposite directions, providing protection to both the cushion and wires by coupling at one end and leaving the other end loose, allowing for four-layer protection and visibility of the inflator wire.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single layer wrapper is used, then the structure is simple, but the cushion and wires may be pinched during assembly leading to deployment failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrapper structureVSAvoiddeployment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapper is divided into two distinct sections (first section and second section) that wrap in opposite directions. This segmentation allows each section to independently protect different aspects of the assembly - the cushion and the wires - thereby preventing pinching while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-layer wrapper to a dual-layer bi-directional wrapping system. The first section wraps in one direction while the second section wraps in the opposite direction, creating a multi-dimensional protective structure that prevents pinching forces from compromising deployment reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If no wrapping is provided, then the assembly process is straightforward, but the wires and cushion lack protection against pinching and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidpinching and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dual-layer wrapper is designed to be applied before final assembly operations. The first section provides initial protection to the cushion, while the second section adds protective layering for the wires, cushioning them against pinching forces that may occur during subsequent assembly steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The wrapper utilizes flexible material structure that can conform to the cushion and wire geometry while providing protective encasement. This flexible thin-film approach protects against pinching and damage without significantly complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a dual-layer bi-directional wrapper is used, then protection against pinching is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepinching protectionVSAvoidwrapper structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-layer bi-directional wrapper performs multiple protective functions simultaneously: the first section protects the cushion from pinching, the second section protects the wires from pinching, and together they provide comprehensive protection against damage. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by delivering superior pinching protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the wrapper is tightly coupled at both ends, then protection is maximized, but the inflator wire position cannot be inspected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection levelVSAvoidwire position inspection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapper structure implements different coupling characteristics at different locations: the first end is tightly coupled to maximize protection, while the second end remains loose to enable visual inspection of the inflator wire position. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of protection and inspectability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11465580B2Bi-directional airbag cushion wrappers and related airbag assemblies and methods

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 AUTOLIV ASP INC

AI summary

Airbag cushion wrapper and related airbag assemblies, along with related assembly/manufacturing methods. In some embodiments, the airbag cushion assembly may comprise an airbag cushion and an inflator comprising an inflator wire. A wrapper may extend about the airbag cushion, which wrapper may comprise a first section wrapped about the airbag cushion in a first direction and a second section coupled with the first section, the second section being wrapped about the airbag cushion in a second direction opposite the first direction and such that the first section extends at least partially within the second section.