Curtain Airbag Virtual Tether Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curtain airbags in motor vehicles face challenges in maintaining their deployed position without physical tethers, particularly at the bottom edge, which can lead to reduced safety during accidents.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a virtual tether system where the curtain airbag engages with adjacent vehicle parts, such as trim members, using bulbous portions, recesses, and inflatable edges to form a self-engaging mechanism that resists movement, eliminating the need for conventional tethers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If physical tethers are used to retain the curtain airbag, then the airbag position stability is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of implementation at the bottom edge increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the physical tether component entirely and replaces it with a virtual tether mechanism where the curtain airbag itself engages with the vehicle body structure through shaped edges and recesses, eliminating the need for separate tether elements while maintaining position stability
Solution Approach 2:
The curtain airbag is designed with self-engaging features where its own edge geometry (bulbous portions, recesses, lips) creates the retention mechanism automatically during deployment, without requiring external tether components or additional fastening systems
2Stability of the object's composition
If the curtain airbag engages with adjacent vehicle parts, then the resistance to movement away from desired position is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement features are localized to specific areas of the curtain airbag (edges, corners, or specific zones) rather than requiring precision across the entire structure, concentrating the manufacturing precision requirements to manageable local regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs bulbous portions and curved engagement features that are more tolerant to manufacturing variations compared to sharp geometric features, as curvature provides a larger acceptable tolerance range while maintaining effective engagement
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
This solution effectively maintains the curtain airbag's position during deployment, reducing the risk of injury by preventing movement away from the desired position and maintaining the airbag's integrity, thus enhancing occupant safety without the use of physical tethers.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable curtain secured along its upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle. When deployed, a portion of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable curtain airbag is secured along an upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle and deploys downwardly when inflated. Prior to deployment, the lower edge of the curtain is not tethered to the vehicle body. When nearly or fully deployed, the lower edge of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween resisting relative movement between the curtain and the adjacent part.