Curved Side Airbag Tether Assembly for Autonomous Vehicle Occupant Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles lack a conventional passenger cabin configuration, making it difficult to effectively deploy side airbags due to the absence of traditional structural reaction surfaces and occupant positioning, which complicates the protection of occupants during crashes.
Innovation Solution
A side airbag system with a tether assembly that restricts deployment to assume a curved shape, providing enhanced protection by distributing tension forces across the airbag's periphery, allowing it to deploy effectively inboard and counteract occupant movement during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional side airbag deployment is used in autonomous vehicles, then the airbag can provide protection in conventional passenger cabins, but it cannot effectively deploy in autonomous vehicles lacking traditional structural reaction surfaces and conventional occupant positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is designed with a curved deployment shape that dynamically adapts to different occupant positions and vehicle configurations. The tether assembly allows the airbag to assume a curved shape during deployment, enabling effective protection whether the occupant is positioned conventionally or in alternative configurations typical of autonomous vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the deployment parameters of the airbag by introducing a curved deployment geometry controlled by the tether assembly. This parameter change allows the airbag to effectively engage occupants in various positions and orientations, making the system adaptable to autonomous vehicle configurations while maintaining protection reliability.
2Reliability
If the side airbag deploys in a straight configuration, then the deployment structure is simpler, but the response time to protect the occupant is slower and the protection level is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag deployment structure is changed from a straight configuration to a curved configuration through the tether assembly. This curvature allows the airbag to more effectively engage the occupant's body, improving protection levels by better distributing impact forces across the occupant's torso and reducing response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether assembly is pre-configured to guide the airbag into a curved deployment shape, preparing the protection structure in advance. This preliminary configuration ensures that when deployment is triggered, the airbag immediately assumes the optimal curved shape for occupant engagement, improving response time without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
3Force
If the side airbag uses traditional reaction surfaces such as the vehicle side structure or center console, then the airbag can effectively absorb impact energy, but autonomous vehicles may not have these structures or occupants may be positioned away from them
Solution Approach 1:
The curved airbag deployment acts as an intermediary between the occupant and the vehicle structure. By deploying in a curved shape that directly engages the occupant's body, the airbag creates an effective reaction surface independent of traditional vehicle structures like center consoles or side panels, enabling impact energy absorption in autonomous vehicle configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system is designed to provide universal protection across different vehicle configurations. The curved deployment mechanism enables the airbag to function effectively whether traditional reaction surfaces are present or absent, and whether occupants are in conventional or alternative positions, making the system universally applicable to both traditional and autonomous vehicles.
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 curved airbag configuration improves response time and protection by ensuring the airbag engages the occupant more effectively, even in the absence of traditional structural reaction surfaces, and reduces stress concentrations, enhancing overall occupant safety.
Implementation Method 1
a tether assembly that restricts deployment of certain portions of the side airbag so that the airbag assumes a curved shape when fully inflated and deployed
Data Source
AI summary
A side airbag inflatable between an occupant of a vehicle seat and structure of the vehicle adjacent the vehicle seat. The side airbag includes a first airbag panel for being positioned facing away from the vehicle seat and a second airbag panel for being positioned facing the vehicle seat. The first and second panels define an inflatable volume of the side airbag. A tether assembly includes a first anchor panel attached to a first portion of the first airbag panel, a second anchor panel attached to a second portion of the first airbag panel, and a strap that interconnects the first anchor panel and the second anchor panel. The tether assembly is dimensioned and configured to limit movement of the first and second portions away from each other in response to inflation of the side airbag so that the side airbag assumes a curved shape when inflated.