Curtain Airbag Enlarged Lower Section for Reclined Seat Head Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional curtain airbags may fail to protect the passenger's head during a side collision when the vehicle seat is slid to the rear and the seatback is reclined, as the head may be out of the airbag's inflating range, and enlarging the airbag can interfere with the side airbag or fail to expand properly.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle passenger protecting device with a side airbag and a curtain airbag, where the curtain airbag has an enlarged inflating portion that overlaps the passenger's head when the seat is rearward and seatback is reclined, positioned to avoid interference with the side airbag and extend below the head, and includes mechanisms to prevent improper seating that could expose the head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the inflating portion of the curtain airbag is enlarged toward the vehicle lower side to broaden the head protecting region, then the head protecting region is improved, but the curtain airbag may interfere with the side airbag and may not expand normally
Solution Approach 1:
The curtain airbag is designed with an enlarged inflating portion only at the lower end portion region, while the upper portion maintains its original dimensions. This localized enlargement targets the specific area where head protection is needed when the seat is in the rearmost position, without causing interference with the side airbag in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system is configured to detect the seat position and predict potential collision scenarios in advance. The control unit determines whether to inflate the curtain airbag based on the predicted seat position and collision type, ensuring the airbag is inflated only when necessary and in the appropriate configuration.
2Area of stationary object
If the curtain airbag is enlarged to cover the head when the seat is at the rearmost position, then the head protection coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of enlarging the entire curtain airbag, the invention applies localized enlargement only to the lower end portion region. This approach achieves the necessary head protection coverage for rearmost seat positions while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity and material usage.
3Area of stationary object
If the curtain airbag expands to the vehicle lower side, then the head protecting region is improved, but the side airbag attachment and expansion is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The curtain airbag is designed with an enlarged inflating portion only at the lower end portion region, specifically targeting the area needed for head protection without extending into the region where the side airbag attaches and expands. This spatial differentiation allows both airbags to function independently without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system divides the protection zones of the curtain airbag and side airbag through strategic positioning and selective enlargement. The curtain airbag's enlarged lower end portion serves the head protection function, while the side airbag maintains its own expansion space, creating segmented functional zones that avoid conflict.
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 passenger's head is within the airbag's protection range during a side collision, preventing interference with the side airbag and maintaining effective expansion, while minimizing airbag volume and preventing ejection during rollovers.
Implementation Method 1
a side airbag that is installed in a side portion at a vehicle transverse direction outer side of a seatback of a vehicle seat, and that inflate and expands toward a vehicle transverse direction outer side of a passenger seated on a seat cushion of the vehicle seat due to gas being supplied thereto at a time of a side collision of a vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle passenger protecting device includes: a side airbag installed in a side portion at an outer side of a seatback of a vehicle seat, and inflating and expanding toward an outer side of a passenger seated on the vehicle seat due to gas being supplied at a time of a side collision of a vehicle; and a curtain airbag installed in at least a roof side rail, and inflating and expanding toward a vehicle lower side due to gas being supplied at a time of a side collision of the vehicle. The curtain airbag has an enlarged inflating portion that overlaps a center of a head of the passenger as seen in a side view, when the vehicle seat has been slid to a predetermined position at a vehicle rear side and the seatback has been set in a relaxed posture of being reclined to a recommended limit position.