External Airbag Deploying Laterally from Open Vehicle Door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external airbag systems struggle to effectively protect vehicles and occupants from collisions involving objects, such as two-wheeled vehicles, approaching from the rear side to the lateral side, particularly when the vehicle door is open.
Innovation Solution
An external airbag system deployed from a vehicle's door pillar, equipped with a detection sensor, airbag cushion, and control unit that deploys the airbag when an object is detected moving from the rear to the lateral side, ensuring protection by extending laterally and incorporating an inflator for rapid deployment, a housing with a tear seam for easy deployment, and a tether for support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external airbag is deployed to protect against frontal or broadside collisions, then protection for occupants is improved, but the system cannot protect against objects moving from rear side to lateral side with an opened door
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag deployment system transitions from static predetermined deployment zones to dynamic adaptive deployment based on real-time detection of object position, movement direction, and door opening status. The control unit adjusts deployment timing and target area dynamically to cover rear-to-lateral collision scenarios while maintaining protection for traditional collision types.
Solution Approach 2:
The external airbag system is designed to serve multiple protection functions: protecting occupants during frontal collisions, broadside collisions, and the previously uncovered rear-to-lateral collisions with opened doors. The same airbag cushion and detection system adaptively respond to different collision scenarios, making the system universally applicable across multiple threat types.
2Reliability
If the airbag cushion is deployed rapidly to prevent collision, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the risk of unnecessary deployment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection sensor continuously monitors the environment around the vehicle, providing real-time feedback on object position, movement direction, and speed. The control unit processes this feedback information and makes intelligent decisions about whether deployment is necessary, ensuring rapid response only when actual danger is detected while avoiding unnecessary deployment in safe conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection sensor and control unit continuously monitor conditions in advance, detecting objects approaching from the rear and assessing their trajectory before collision occurs. This preliminary detection and assessment allows the system to prepare for deployment and execute it at the optimal moment, ensuring protection effectiveness while avoiding premature or unnecessary deployment.
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
Effectively prevents collisions between moving objects and open vehicle doors or passengers by deploying the airbag cushion in a manner that absorbs impact, protecting both vehicle occupants and external object drivers, while reducing costs through a lattice-shaped cushion design and optimized panel configurations.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator connected to the airbag cushion and configured to deploy the airbag cushion by injecting gas into the airbag cushion
Implementation Method 2
deployed to extend in a leftward/rightward direction of the vehicle... preventing an object moving from a rear side to a lateral side of the vehicle from colliding with an opened door of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an external airbag system for a vehicle, the external airbag system including a detection sensor configured to detect an object moving at a rear or lateral side of a vehicle, an airbag cushion provided on a rear frame on which a door of the vehicle is mounted, the airbag cushion being configured to be deployed to extend in a leftward/rightward direction of the vehicle in a state in which the door of the vehicle is opened, and a control unit configured to perform control to deploy the airbag cushion when the detection sensor detects the object.