Console-Contacting Side Airbag Cushion for Far-Side Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional side-impact airbags are ineffective in restraining far-side occupants during a dynamic vehicle impact event, as they are typically configured to deploy between the near-side occupant and the door assembly, which limits their ability to provide adequate restraint and cushioning to far-side occupants due to the vehicle's configuration.
Innovation Solution
The occupant restraint system includes a side-impact airbag with a cushion that deploys between the console and the seat system, featuring a positioning mechanism that contacts the console to react forces and prevent lateral displacement, thereby providing additional restraint to far-side occupants by utilizing the console as a reaction surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional side-impact airbags are configured to deploy between the near-side occupant and the door assembly, then the airbag can provide restraint to the near-side occupant, but it is ineffective in restraining far-side occupants during dynamic vehicle impact events
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag cushion is divided into multiple chambers (first inflatable chamber and second inflatable chamber) with different functions. The first chamber provides restraint to the near-side occupant, while the second chamber extends to restrain the far-side occupant, allowing each segment to serve a specific protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag deployment extends beyond the traditional lateral direction between the near-side occupant and door assembly. The second inflatable chamber projects toward the far-side occupant, adding a new spatial dimension to the restraint coverage and enabling protection of previously unrestrained occupants.
2Reliability
If the airbag cushion is configured to extend below the console, then it can provide restraint to far-side occupants, but the cushion may lack lateral support and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism is specifically configured at the lower portion of the airbag cushion where it contacts the console. This localized structural feature provides lateral support and stability precisely where needed, without affecting the overall restraint function of the entire cushion.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism acts as an intermediary between the airbag cushion and the console. It facilitates stable contact between the cushion and console, transferring lateral forces to the console and preventing unwanted movement of the cushion during deployment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the positioning mechanism is configured to contact the console, then lateral support is provided to the cushion, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism is integrated with the lower portion of the airbag cushion rather than being a separate, independent component. This merging of functions reduces the number of discrete parts and simplifies the overall system while still providing the necessary lateral support through console contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides lateral support to the cushion, facilitates stable contact with the console, and helps position the cushion correctly during deployment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting complexity increase.
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
This configuration effectively limits lateral displacement of far-side occupants, providing improved restraint and cushioning by using the console to react forces imparted by the occupant, thus enhancing the overall occupant safety during side-impact events.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator configured to provide gas to inflate the inflatable chamber of the cushion
Implementation Method 2
a portion of the cushion contacts the console to receive lateral support and to react the forces imparted into the cushion induced by the occupant impacting the cushion
Implementation Method 3
the lateral support impedes lateral displacement of the cushion providing additional restraint to the occupant
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle having a seat system configured to provide seating to an occupant positioned adjacent to a console having a top surface and configured to provide utility; which includes a cushion stored in the folded configuration and having an inflatable chamber configured to inflate adjacent to an occupant to provide impact restraint to the occupant; an inflator configured to provide gas to inflate the inflatable chamber of the cushion; wherein a bottom portion of the cushion deploys to a position below the top surface of the console and a top portion of the cushion deploys to a position above the top surface of the console; wherein, during occupant loading, a portion of cushion contacts the console to receive lateral support and to react the forces imparted into the cushion induced by the occupant impacting the cushion, wherein the lateral support impedes lateral displacement of the cushion providing additional restraint to the occupant.