Conical Air Bag Panel Design for Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air bags have complex constructions due to the use of multiple panels and tethers, which complicate their design and manufacturing process, while also limiting the ability to tailor their coverage and depth without additional structural elements.
Innovation Solution
A simplified two-panel conical air bag design where the front and rear panels are interconnected, allowing for adjustable configuration to achieve desired coverage and depth without the need for additional structural elements like tethers, using a conical configuration for the rear panel to position the front panel effectively during inflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple panels and tethers are used to control air bag depth and coverage, then the desired inflated depth and coverage area are achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tether component from the air bag construction entirely. Instead of using tethers to limit panel separation and control depth, the invention uses the conical configuration of the rear panel itself to achieve depth control, thereby simplifying the overall construction while maintaining the desired inflated depth
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a conical (curved) configuration for the rear panel instead of a flat panel. This curvature inherently limits the separation between front and rear panels when inflated, controlling the inflated depth without requiring additional tether structures. The conical shape transforms the depth control function from an active constraint (tether) to a passive geometric property
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional structural elements like tethers are added to achieve desired coverage and depth, then the air bag configuration is controlled, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves coverage and depth customization by varying the geometric parameters of the conical rear panel (such as cone angle, height, and base diameter) rather than adding different structural elements. This allows for adaptable air bag configurations while maintaining a simple two-panel construction that is easier to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The conical rear panel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the rear boundary of the air bag, controls the inflated depth through its geometric shape, and defines the coverage area. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate tether components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining adaptability
3Length of stationary object
If tethers are used to interconnect opposing panels, then the inflated depth is limited, but the overall construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conical configuration of the rear panel inherently limits the distance the front panel can move away during inflation, controlling the inflated depth without requiring tethers. The curved geometry transforms depth control from an active mechanical constraint to a passive geometric limitation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the depth control function with the rear panel structure itself. Instead of having a separate tether component that connects the front and rear panels, the conical rear panel's geometry directly imposes the depth limitation, combining structural and control functions into a single element
Data Source
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AI summary
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a front panel (102) and a rear panel (122) that are interconnected to at least partially define an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. The rear panel (122) has a conical configuration resulting from portions of the rear panel being interconnected with each other.