Console Box Hinge Biasing for Unobstructed Side Airbag Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of side airbags in vehicles can be hindered by console box lids, which can restrict their proper deployment during impacts, potentially causing injuries to occupants.
Innovation Solution
A safety arrangement that includes a hinge assembly with biasing members to position the console box lid in a way that prevents overlap with the airbag deployment path, using a combination of coil springs and gravitational assistance to bias the lid into an intermediate position that allows safe airbag deployment without obstructing it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the console box lid is provided to close the storage compartment opening, then the storage compartment can be sealed, but the lid may overlap with the airbag deployment path and restrict proper airbag deployment during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to be movable between a closed position and a fully open position, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on safety requirements. During normal operation, the lid remains closed to seal the storage compartment. During airbag deployment, the lid can move to a fully open position or intermediate position to clear the deployment path, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is pre-configured with biasing members (springs) that automatically position the lid in a safe configuration before impact occurs. The biasing members maintain the lid in an intermediate position during normal operation, and upon airbag deployment, the pre-stored elastic energy in the springs automatically moves the lid out of the deployment path, eliminating the need for active control systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lid is hingeably coupled to the console box to allow movement between open and closed positions, then the lid can be positioned to avoid overlapping the airbag deployment path, but the hinge assembly increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: hinge plates for connection, shaft for rotation, and biasing members for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design and making the system easier to manufacture and maintain while still achieving the safety objective.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing members (springs) are self-contained within the hinge assembly and automatically perform the function of positioning the lid without requiring external control systems, motors, or sensors. The springs self-generate the necessary force to move the lid to safe positions, eliminating the need for complex active control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lid is biased to an intermediate position with less than 15 degrees opening angle to prevent overlapping the airbag deployment path, then airbag deployment is ensured, but the lid cannot provide full access to the storage compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The lid operates in two distinct states: during normal operation, it remains in an intermediate position (less than 15 degrees opening angle) to prevent airbag deployment restriction; during storage access, it can be manually opened to a fully open position. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by providing the appropriate configuration for each operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing members are pre-configured to maintain the lid in the intermediate safe position during normal operation. When full access is required, the user can manually overcome the biasing force to open the lid fully, and the preliminary positioning ensures that the lid returns to the safe intermediate position automatically after use, maintaining safety without permanent compromise to accessibility.
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
Ensures the side airbag can deploy without hindrance, preventing injuries to occupants and maintaining a simple, robust, and economical design.
Implementation Method 1
The hinge assembly may include a first biasing member and a second biasing member. The first biasing member is adapted for biasing the lid in a direction towards the closed position and the second biasing member is adapted for biasing the lid in a direction towards the fully open position.
Implementation Method 2
The first biasing member and the second biasing member are arranged around the shaft connected across a portion of the body of the console box. The relationship between biasing forces of the first and the second biasing members biases the lid to the first position
Implementation Method 3
The lid is coupled to the console box by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly may facilitate movement of the lid between the fully open position and the closed position.
Implementation Method 4
The hinge assembly may include a first biasing member and a second biasing member arranged around the shaft, creating a mechanical system that balances forces to maintain the lid in a specific position
Data Source
AI summary
A safety arrangement for a vehicle interior. The safety arrangement includes a seat with an airbag configured to be deployed in the vehicle interior in case of an impact and a console box arranged adjacent/beside the seat. The console box may include a storage compartment for storing articles and a lid for closing/opening the storage compartment. The lid is moveable between a fully open position and a close position. Particularly, the lid is coupled to the console box by a hinge assembly facilitating the lid to move between the fully open position and the closed position. The hinge assembly biases the lid in a first position to prevent the lid from overlapping a deployment path of the airbag.