Curtain Airbag Chamber Layout for Faster Third-Row Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional curtain airbag cushions face delays in deployment due to pillar trims, particularly affecting the third-row area, leading to inadequate protection for passengers.
Innovation Solution
The curtain airbag apparatus includes a first, second, and third main chamber, with an extra chamber and partitions to facilitate rapid deployment, and a diffuser to distribute gas efficiently, ensuring swift shape formation and protection across all rows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the airbag cushion is extended to cover the third-row area, then the protection area is increased, but the deployment speed of the third chamber is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag cushion is divided into multiple independent chambers (first, second, and third chambers) with separate inflation pathways. Each chamber can inflate simultaneously through its own gas passage, allowing the third chamber to deploy at the same speed as the first and second chambers, eliminating the deployment delay while maintaining extended protection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
A gas passage acts as an intermediary component that directly connects the inflator to the third chamber, enabling gas to reach the third chamber simultaneously with the first and second chambers. This intermediary structure eliminates the sequential inflation problem by providing a dedicated gas supply route.
2Volume of moving object
If the third chamber is folded over towards the second chamber for storage, then the storage space is optimized, but the deployment speed of the third chamber is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gas passage is pre-configured in a folded state within the airbag cushion structure during manufacturing, following the same folded arrangement as the third chamber. This preliminary configuration ensures that when deployment occurs, the gas passage is already in position to deliver gas immediately, eliminating deployment delay while maintaining compact storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas passage is nested within the folded structure of the airbag cushion, following the same folding pattern as the third chamber. This nesting allows the gas passage to be compactly stored within the folded airbag while remaining functional for rapid gas delivery during deployment.
3Shape
If the airbag cushion contacts the rear pillar trim during deployment, then the shape formation is obstructed, but the structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The gas passage is pre-positioned and pre-configured to direct gas flow that promotes proper shape formation of the third chamber from the beginning of deployment. This preliminary gas distribution ensures the third chamber inflates with the correct shape immediately, preventing contact with the rear pillar trim and maintaining protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas passage is designed with specific geometric parameters and flow characteristics that control the inflation pressure and distribution to the third chamber. By optimizing these parameters, the third chamber achieves proper shape formation during inflation, preventing it from contacting the rear pillar trim while maintaining structural integrity.
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 swift and uniform deployment of the airbag cushion, preventing delays and enhancing protection for passengers in all areas, especially the third-row, by using an extra chamber and partitions to manage gas distribution effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser coupled to the airbag cushion and configured to distribute gas directed towards the first main chamber, the second main chamber, and the third main chamber
Implementation Method 2
an extra chamber arranged between the second main chamber and the third main chamber, and configured to assist in increasing speed of deployment of the third main chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A curtain airbag apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes an airbag cushion including a first main chamber, a second main chamber, and a third main chamber respectively arranged in a first-row area, a second-row area, and a third-row area in the vehicle, and a diffuser coupled to the airbag cushion to distribute gas directed towards the first main chamber, the second main chamber, and the third main chamber. The airbag cushion further includes an extra chamber arranged between the second main chamber and the third main chamber to assist in increasing speed of deployment of the third main chamber. The curtain airbag is for installation between pillar trims in the vehicle.