Corrugated Boron Steel Guard for Restraints Control Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle restraint control modules are vulnerable to damage in severe collisions, leading to unplanned or timed deployment issues due to detachment of seat tracks and subsequent movement, which can cause impact on the module attached to the vehicle floor between the seats.
Innovation Solution
A corrugated guard with boron steel right and left sidewalls and a base is attached to the vehicle floor, featuring furrows and ridges that absorb impact forces by bending and transferring them laterally, thereby protecting the restraint control module from side impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the restraints control module is attached directly to the vehicle floor, then the deployment timing and accuracy are maintained, but the module is vulnerable to damage from seat track detachment and impact in severe collisions
Solution Approach 1:
A corrugated guard structure is introduced as an intermediary protective element between the restraints control module and the external impact environment. The guard includes a base attached to the vehicle floor and corrugated sidewalls that extend upward to shield the module, absorbing and distributing impact forces before they reach the control module.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated guard structure is pre-installed around the restraints control module before any collision occurs. The corrugated design with multiple ridges and valleys creates a cushioning effect that absorbs impact energy through controlled deformation, protecting the module from direct impact forces during severe collisions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective guard is added around the restraints control module, then the module is protected from impact damage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guard structure utilizes thin-walled corrugated panels that provide protective functionality without adding excessive mass or complexity. The corrugated geometry inherently provides structural strength while maintaining a relatively simple form factor that integrates with the existing vehicle floor mounting arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated sidewalls feature curved ridges and valleys rather than sharp angular transitions. This curvature distributes stress more evenly during impact and simplifies the manufacturing process compared to complex angular structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining protection effectiveness.
3Strength
If the guard structure uses thick walls for maximum protection, then the impact resistance is improved, but the weight of the guard increases
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated geometry with curved ridges and valleys provides structural strength through geometric optimization rather than relying solely on increased wall thickness. The curved surfaces distribute impact forces more efficiently, achieving high impact resistance with thinner walls and reduced weight compared to flat or angular designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard structure employs corrugated metal panels that combine the inherent strength of metal materials with the structural advantages of corrugated geometry. This composite approach of material plus structural form achieves high impact resistance without requiring excessive material thickness, thereby controlling weight.
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 solution effectively absorbs and distributes impact forces, preventing direct contact with the restraint control module and ensuring timely and accurate deployment of safety restraints during collisions, as demonstrated by reduced lateral contact force applied to the module.
Implementation Method 1
an impact force applied to either of the right or left sidewalls deforms the rib walls in a lateral direction
Implementation Method 2
The corrugated walls may include a gusset formed where the lower end of the right and left corrugated walls join the right and left edges of the base
Data Source
AI summary
A guard for a restraints control module includes a corrugated base and right and left corrugated sidewalls. The sidewalls extend above the base and are spaced from a restraints control module secured to the base. The sidewalls diverge from each other in a vertical direction above the base and include alternating furrows and ridges that form the corrugations. The furrows and ridges are connected by rib walls that strengthen the guard against lateral collision forces. A method is disclosed for protecting a restraints control module in a side impact collision. According to the method, in a side impact collision, an object driven into the guard bends the sidewall towards the restraints control module to absorb the impact force applied by the object.