Folded Airbag Mounting Tab Assembly for Compact Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag mounting systems face challenges in compacting airbag assemblies for efficient installation and ensuring adequate reinforcement during collisions, particularly in vehicles with limited reaction surfaces or autonomous vehicles, where traditional mounting methods may fail to provide sufficient safety and positioning.
Innovation Solution
The development of mounting tab assemblies that utilize a folded and layered configuration of fabric panels to minimize the volume of airbag assemblies during installation while providing robust reinforcement, featuring a bracket receiving member and airbag coupling member to securely attach the airbag to the vehicle, reducing the risk of tearing or failure during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional mounting methods are used, then installation is simpler, but the airbag assembly volume is larger and reinforcement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is divided into separate functional components: a mounting tab assembly with folded fabric panels for volume reduction, a bracket receiving member for attachment, and an airbag coupling member for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall volume while maintaining installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting tab assembly utilizes a folded and layered configuration where fabric panels are folded back and layered to create a compact structure. The bracket receiving member and airbag coupling member are integrated within this folded structure, nesting multiple functions into a minimized volume suitable for efficient installation.
2Productivity
If compact configuration is used, then installation efficiency improves, but reinforcement during collision may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting tab assembly is constructed from multiple layers of fabric panels folded and layered together, creating a composite structure. This layered composite configuration provides both compactness for efficient installation and enhanced strength for collision reinforcement, as the multiple layers work together to distribute and resist impact forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric panels are pre-folded and layered during manufacturing to create the compact mounting tab assembly configuration. This preliminary action ensures that the reinforcement structure is already in place before installation, allowing efficient installation while guaranteeing that the reinforcement geometry is optimized for collision strength.
3Volume of moving object
If folded and layered configuration is used, then volume is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct steps: providing the fabric panel, folding it back along a fold line, and forming the bracket receiving member and airbag coupling member separately. This segmentation allows each manufacturing step to be performed independently with standard equipment, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the folded configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Tabs for coupling or securing an airbag to a vehicle are provided. A tab may include a first panel and a second panel that meet at a foldable portion. First and second arms may extend away from a central portion of the first panel in substantially opposite directions. First and second recesses may extend inward from first and second lateral edges, respectively, of the second panel. The tab may be configured to be folded to form a bracket receiving member. The bracket receiving member may be configured to be disposed through an aperture of a bracket to secure the tab to the vehicle. Additionally, the first and second panels of the tab may be configured to be secured to an airbag to secure the airbag to the vehicle via the tab and the bracket.