Dual Flange Airbag Inflator Attachment Structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inflator attachment structures for airbag apparatuses require complex assembly processes and apparatuses to secure the inflator, retainer, and airbag together, which lowers efficiency and increases labor and material costs.
Innovation Solution
An inflator attachment structure using a pair of flange members that are pressed onto the inflator and secured to a retaining member, with one flange member bolt-secured to the retaining member and the other nipped between them, eliminating the need for welding and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pins are bent to secure the bag ring, airbag, and retainer together, then the components are retained and secured, but the assembly process becomes complex and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flange member is divided into two separate parts: a first flange member for securing the inflator, and a second flange member for securing the bag ring and airbag. This segmentation allows each flange member to be attached independently through pressing, eliminating the need for complex pin bending operations while maintaining securement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional pin bending mechanism is replaced with a pressing attachment mechanism. The first and second flange members are simply pressed onto the inflator and bag ring respectively, converting a complex mechanical securing process into a simple pressing operation that reduces assembly complexity
2Reliability
If multiple process steps and apparatuses are used for assembling and bending pins, then the components are secured together, but assembly efficiency decreases and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the flange structure into two independent flange members that can be attached separately through pressing, the invention eliminates the need for multiple process steps including pin bending apparatuses, thereby improving assembly efficiency while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The flange members are designed to be self-securing through the pressing mechanism, where the first flange member secures itself to the inflator and the second flange member secures itself to the bag ring, eliminating the need for additional securing operations and specialized apparatuses
3Strength
If welding is used to attach the flange member, then strong attachment is achieved, but material thickness must be increased and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The welding process is replaced with a pressing attachment mechanism. The flange members are simply pressed onto the cylindrical parts, eliminating the need for welding operations, reducing material thickness requirements, and simplifying manufacturing processes while maintaining adequate attachment strength
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An inflator attachment structure for attaching an inflator of an airbag apparatus to a retaining member of the airbag apparatus includes a first flange member including a first cylindrical part having a shape matching a substantially cylindrical projecting part provided on a lateral surface of the inflator, and including a first flange part extending outwardly in a radial direction from the first cylindrical part, the first flange member being pressed onto and engaged with the inflator from one side of the projecting part in an axial direction, and a second flange member including a second cylindrical part having a shape matching the projecting part, and including a second flange part extending outwardly in a radial direction from the second cylindrical part, the second flange member being pressed onto and engaged with the inflator from another side of the projecting part in the axial direction, wherein the first flange member includes a securing part for use in bolt securement to the retaining member, and wherein the second flange member is nipped between the first flange member and the retaining member when the first flange member is bolt-secured to the retaining member.