Eccentric Impact Air Bag Module for Driver Head Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle safety systems fail to effectively protect a driver's head during eccentric collisions, where the vehicle overlaps an object by a predetermined distance, as the air bag expansion force is lost when designed to unfold towards an A-pillar, creating a blind spot for head protection.
Innovation Solution
An eccentric impact preventing air bag module is introduced, comprising a gas-filled air bag cushion that unfolds between the driver air bag module and the windshield glass, with a tear line in the cluster housing or dashboard panel to direct the air bag cushion towards the A-pillar, ensuring coverage of the A-pillar and the driver's head during eccentric collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driver air bag module is designed to unfold toward the A-pillar to protect the driver's head during eccentric collisions, then head protection coverage is improved, but expansion force is lost during actual head-on collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The driver air bag module is divided into two separate modules: a first driver air bag module that unfolds toward the A-pillar for eccentric collision protection, and a second driver air bag module that unfolds toward the driver's seat for head-on collision protection. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific collision type without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bag system is designed to provide multiple functions through the two modules: the first module handles eccentric collisions by protecting the head near the A-pillar, while the second module handles head-on collisions by protecting the driver's seat area. Together, they create a universal protection system that addresses various collision scenarios.
2Area of stationary object
If the driver air bag module is designed to unfold toward the A-pillar to cover the blind spot, then protection coverage is improved, but protection effectiveness is reduced when the driver moves in a straight front direction
Solution Approach 1:
The air bag protection system is segmented into two functional modules with different deployment directions. The first module targets the A-pillar area to cover the blind spot during eccentric collisions, while the second module targets the driver's seat area for straight-front collision protection. This segmentation ensures that each module maintains high effectiveness for its designated protection zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the driver's space are assigned different protection qualities through the two modules. The A-pillar region receives specialized protection from the first module during eccentric collisions, while the driver's seat region receives optimized protection from the second module during head-on collisions. Each module provides locally optimized protection quality for its specific target area.
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 air bag module effectively protects the driver's head during both front and eccentric collisions by unfolding to cover the A-pillar, enhancing safety by preventing head injuries in scenarios where the vehicle overlaps an object horizontally.
Implementation Method 1
an air bag cushion filled with gas, and unfolded between the DAB module and the windshield glass
Implementation Method 2
capable of effectively protecting a head of a driver eccentrically moving due to an eccentric collision
Data Source
AI summary
Present invention relates to a device for protecting a passenger of a vehicle which includes curtain air bag (CAB) modules disposed at left and right sides of a roof panel inside the vehicle, a driver air bag (DAB) module disposed at a steering wheel inside the vehicle, and an eccentric impact preventing air bag module disposed to be unfolded toward an A-pillar disposed so as to divide a windshield glass disposed at a front side of the vehicle and side doors disposed at lateral sides of the vehicle, thereby effectively protects a driver seat passenger even when an unexpected front collision accident of a vehicle occurs.