Breakaway Visor Retention Check for Collision Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle visor assemblies can cause injuries during collisions due to exposed portions that obstruct the motion of objects, such as occupants' heads, and provide irregular surfaces for impact.
Innovation Solution
A breakaway retention check system for vehicle visors, featuring a weakened portion between a protruding member and a fastener, designed to fracture under impact forces, allowing the visor to detach and reduce injury risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the visor is securely retained to the header, then the visor stability is improved, but the injury risk during collision increases due to irregular surfaces obstructing object motion
Solution Approach 1:
The retention check is divided into a main body and a protruding member that can separate from each other. The protruding member is designed to fracture and separate from the main body upon impact, allowing the visor to detach safely while the main body remains attached to the header. This segmentation enables the system to transition from a secure retention state to a safe detachment state during collision.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding member, which creates harmful irregular surfaces during collision, is extracted as a separate detachable component. When impact occurs, this protruding portion is designed to break away and be removed from the assembly, eliminating the source of injury while maintaining the structural integrity of the main retention check body.
2Strength
If a protruding member is used to retain the visor, then the retention strength is improved, but the harmful effect increases due to irregular surfaces causing injury during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The retention check transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic system with a movable fracture line. The protruding member is designed with a specific fracture line that allows it to dynamically respond to impact forces by separating from the main body. This dynamic behavior enables the system to maintain strong retention during normal use while automatically disengaging the harmful protruding portion during collision.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding member, which initially appears to be a harmful irregular surface during collision, is actually designed as a beneficial safety feature. Its controlled fracture and separation convert what would be a harmful rigid obstacle into a safe, detachable component that eliminates injury risk while maintaining retention strength during normal operation.
3Reliability
If the retention check is made robust to ensure secure attachment, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the breakaway capability under impact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retention check exhibits different structural qualities at different locations. The main body is designed with robust material and structure for reliable attachment to the header, while the protruding member incorporates a localized weakened region or fracture line that is specifically designed to fail under impact. This local quality differentiation allows the system to maintain overall attachment reliability while enabling controlled breakaway capability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fracture line is pre-established in the protruding member during manufacturing, creating a predetermined failure path before any impact occurs. This preliminary action ensures that when impact happens, the protruding member will reliably separate along the pre-designed fracture line, providing consistent breakaway behavior without requiring complex real-time structural analysis during collision.
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 breakaway retention check system effectively reduces the risk of injury by fracturing under impact forces, allowing the visor to disengage and minimize resistance to passing objects, thereby enhancing safety during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
A weakened portion is disposed between the member and the fastener and it is configured to fracture when the member receives an impact force.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle visor assembly having a visor which includes a first end pivotally coupled with a header, an intermediate portion, and a second end. A retention check is coupled with the header about a fastener. The retention check includes an outward protruding member for retaining the second end of the visor. A perforation is disposed between the member and the fastener and it is configured to fracture when the member receives an impact force.