Fabric Diffuser Indirect Path Airbag Inflation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inflatable vehicle occupant protection devices, such as curtain airbags, face challenges in directing inflation fluid effectively and protecting the airbag fabric from hot gases and particulate matter generated by inflators, which can cause damage.

Innovation Solution

A fabric diffuser apparatus with interconnected fabric panels providing an indirect path for inflation fluid to travel from the inflator to the airbag, featuring a double layer diffuser section with non-aligned openings that redirect the fluid, preventing direct contact with the airbag fabric and potentially harmful particulate matter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If gas guides are used to direct hot gas from the inflator into the airbag, then the airbag can be inflated effectively, but the hot gases and particulate matter can damage the airbag fabric

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflation effectivenessVSAvoidfabric damage from hot gases

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A fabric diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the inflator and the airbag. The diffuser includes a double layer diffuser section with non-aligned openings that forces the inflation fluid to travel an indirect path, cooling it and filtering out particulate matter before the fluid contacts the airbag fabric, thus protecting the fabric from damage while still enabling effective inflation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If direct gas flow is used from the inflator to the airbag, then inflation speed is maximized, but the fabric is exposed to harmful hot gases and particulate matter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflation speedVSAvoidexposure to hot gases

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser section is segmented into a double layer structure with multiple non-aligned openings distributed across different layers. This segmentation creates multiple indirect flow paths that the inflation fluid must navigate, extending the flow path length to cool the gas and trap particulate matter while maintaining sufficient inflation speed through the distributed opening configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a fabric diffuser with double layer structure and non-aligned openings is used, then fabric protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric protectionVSAvoiddiffuser structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser is constructed entirely from flexible fabric panels that are interconnected along seams to form pockets and diffuser sections. This use of flexible fabric shells and thin films allows the complex double layer structure with non-aligned openings to be manufactured using textile techniques rather than rigid components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 fabric diffuser effectively directs inflation fluid through an indirect path, cooling and filtering the fluid before it reaches the airbag, thereby protecting the airbag fabric from damage and ensuring safe deployment during vehicle collisions.

Implementation Method 1

The fabric diffuser is configured to direct inflation fluid from an inflator into the airbag. The openings provide fluid communication from inside the diffuser section to the exterior of the fabric diffuser. The first and second panels are configured so that the openings of the first fabric panel do not overlie the openings of the second fabric panel when the panels are interconnected so that inflation fluid travels an indirect path from inside the diffuser section to the exterior of the fabric diffuser.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through indirect path:

Implementation Method 2

The fabric diffuser effectively directs inflation fluid through an indirect path, cooling and filtering the fluid before it reaches the airbag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal cooling through extended path:

Implementation Method 3

The fabric diffuser effectively directs inflation fluid through an indirect path, cooling and filtering the fluid before it reaches the airbag, thereby protecting the airbag fabric from damage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11465581B2Apparatus for guiding inflation fluid within an airbag

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYST US INC

AI summary

An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag and a fabric diffuser for directing inflation fluid from an inflator into the airbag. The fabric diffuser comprises first and second fabric panels arranged overlying each other and having portions interconnected along seams to define a pocket configured to receive the inflator. The pocket has a double layer diffuser section defined by the overlying first and second fabric panels that is configured to receive a discharge end of the inflator. The fabric diffuser is configured to be installed in the airbag. The first and second panels are configured so that a plurality of openings of the first fabric panel do not overlie a plurality of openings of the second fabric panel when the panels are interconnected so that inflation fluid travels an indirect path from inside the diffuser section to the exterior of the fabric diffuser.