Floor-Mounted Airbag for Omnidirectional Occupant Kinematic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle designs do not effectively manage occupant kinematics during impacts regardless of the direction of the impact, particularly in vehicles with rotatable seats or personal mobility devices, where occupants can face multiple directions, posing a challenge for safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with an endlessly extending airbag that inflates from the floor to surround the occupant seating area, providing omnidirectional kinematic control by extending around the seating area, regardless of the occupant's direction, and includes a rotatable platform to support seats or personal mobility devices, ensuring safety in various impact scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional airbag systems are used in vehicles with rotatable seats or personal mobility devices, then the airbags can only protect occupants facing a specific direction, but they cannot effectively manage occupant kinematics during impacts from multiple directions
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is divided into multiple independent airbags, each associated with a specific seating position and impact direction. Each airbag can inflate independently to protect occupants based on their facing direction, resolving the contradiction by providing directional adaptability while maintaining reliable protection for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system transitions from a static, fixed-position design to a dynamic system where airbags can be selectively deployed based on the occupant's facing direction and impact orientation. This dynamic adaptability ensures reliable kinematic control regardless of how the rotatable seat or personal mobility device is oriented.
2Ease of operation
If rotatable seats or personal mobility devices are installed to allow occupants to face multiple directions, then occupant comfort and interaction are improved, but the complexity of ensuring safety in all orientations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is designed with universal applicability across multiple seating configurations and orientations. Each airbag unit can serve multiple purposes by protecting occupants regardless of which direction the rotatable seat or personal mobility device is facing, reducing the need for separate safety systems for each orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that detect the orientation of rotatable seats or personal mobility devices and automatically activate the appropriate airbags. This feedback loop simplifies the safety system by automating the selection process, reducing the complexity of manual configuration while maintaining comprehensive protection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If airbags are designed to extend endlessly around the occupant seating area, then omnidirectional kinematic control is achieved, but the volume and space requirements of the airbag system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The airbags are designed to nest within the vehicle structure and seating area, utilizing existing spatial configurations. When not in use, the airbags occupy minimal space within the seating area, and when deployed, they extend to provide omnidirectional protection without requiring excessive additional volume, as they leverage the existing vehicle interior space.
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 airbag system effectively controls occupant kinematics in any direction of impact, enhancing safety and comfort by accommodating rotatable seating arrangements, ensuring protection regardless of the vehicle's orientation during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
an airbag fixed to the floor and inflatable upwardly from the floor to an inflated position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a floor and an occupant seating area above the floor. An airbag is fixed to the floor and is inflatable upwardly from the floor to an inflated position. At least a portion of the airbag in the inflated position extends endlessly around the occupant seating area.