Center Console Airbag With Non-Inflatable Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airbag systems in vehicles do not effectively manage the kinematics of rear seat occupants during impacts, particularly in controlling vehicle-outboard movement and interaction between occupants, which can lead to increased risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
The airbag assembly includes a center console-supported first and second airbag that inflate rearward, with non-inflatable panels extending between them to control kinematics, ensuring the airbags converge forward of these panels and extend between occupants to limit interaction and manage movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If airbags are positioned to protect rear seat occupants, then protection capability is improved, but control over occupant kinematics and interaction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple functional zones including inflatable portions and non-inflatable panels. The non-inflatable panels are positioned to control vehicle-outboard movement of the inflatable portions, creating distinct functional segments that work together to manage both protection and kinematic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-inflatable panels act as intermediaries between the inflatable airbag portions and the occupants. These panels control the deployment pattern and positioning of the inflatable portions, mediating the interaction between the airbag system and rear seat occupants to limit harmful interaction while maintaining protection.
2Reliability
If airbags inflate to provide supplemental restraint, then protection is improved, but uncontrolled movement and interaction between occupants increases injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is segmented into inflatable protection zones and non-inflatable control panels. This segmentation allows the inflatable portions to provide supplemental restraint while the non-inflatable panels control the deployment pattern to prevent uncontrolled movement and limit interaction between multiple rear seat occupants.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-inflatable panels serve as intermediaries that control and guide the movement of the inflatable portions during deployment. They mediate between the expanding airbag and the occupants, ensuring controlled kinematics that reduce harmful interactions while maintaining the protective function.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for a vehicle includes a center console. The assembly includes a first airbag supported by the center console. The first airbag is inflatable away from the center console to an inflated position. The assembly includes a second airbag supported by the center console adjacent the first airbag. The second airbag is inflatable away from the center console to an inflated position. The assembly includes a non-inflatable panel extending from the first airbag to the second airbag when the first airbag and the second airbag are in the inflated position.