Extendable Airbag Housing for Faster Cushion Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing airbag housing designs often hinder the rapid expansion and deployment of airbags during emergencies, as they do not readily open, which can delay the deployment process and increase the risk of injury to occupants.
Innovation Solution
The airbag module features extendable walls that widen the housing opening on the upper side, allowing for quicker deployment of the airbag cushion by folding into a bellows shape or forming a triangular configuration, facilitating faster and more stable deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the housing is made with a fixed, non-extendable structure, then the housing maintains structural integrity and strength, but the airbag deployment speed is reduced due to restricted opening
Solution Approach 1:
The housing transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one by incorporating extendable walls that can change configuration during airbag deployment. The extendable walls move from a retracted state during normal operation to an extended state during deployment, allowing the housing opening to dynamically adapt to the deployment requirements while maintaining structural integrity when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into fixed wall portions and extendable wall portions, allowing different parts of the housing to serve different functions. The fixed portions maintain structural strength while the extendable portions provide deployment speed enhancement by widening the opening when needed.
2Speed
If the housing opening is made larger to facilitate faster airbag deployment, then the deployment speed increases, but the amount of housing material required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing a permanently large opening that would require more housing material, the invention uses extendable walls that temporarily widen the opening only when needed for airbag deployment. This dynamic approach allows the housing to maintain a smaller, material-efficient structure during normal conditions while providing a larger effective opening during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The extendable walls are pre-positioned in a retracted state during normal operation, and only extend when airbag deployment is initiated. This preliminary positioning allows the housing to use less material while still providing the capability for rapid deployment when the extendable walls are activated.
3Speed
If the housing is designed with extendable walls to widen the opening, then the airbag deployment speed increases, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The extendable walls provide a dynamic solution that adds functionality without requiring completely separate mechanical systems. The walls themselves serve dual purposes: as structural housing elements and as deployable mechanisms for widening the opening, thereby reducing overall system complexity compared to adding entirely separate actuation systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
PROBLEM The present invention enables providing an airbag module with housing readily capable of opening when the airbag expands and deploys. SOLUTION A configuration of the airbag module according to the present invention is an airbag module 100 including an airbag cushion 102 that is folded or wound, an inflator 104 equipped in the airbag cushion 102, and a case-shaped housing 110 where the airbag cushion 102 is stowed. Herein, the housing includes four side walls 112, 114, 116, and 118, the upper part thereof being open; one side wall of the four side walls and two side walls positioned and connected on both sides thereof; and two extendable walls 120a and 120b at the opening above the four side walls that are in a folded state prior to expansion and deployment of the airbag cushion and open up when the airbag cushion expands and deploys.