Forked Far-Side Airbag Assembly for Misaligned Seat Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current far-side airbag systems are ineffective in preventing occupant-to-occupant interaction during side impacts, especially when seats are not aligned, and often require multiple modules, increasing cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A singular forked far-side airbag assembly with three inflatable chambers (first, second, and third chambers) and a tether system that deploys independently of seat alignment, acting as a barrier to prevent contact between occupants by extending in various directions and orientations to cover a broader area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple airbag modules are used to cover different seat alignments, then protection coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag assembly is divided into three distinct inflatable chambers (first, second, and third chambers) that can inflate independently or collectively. Each chamber is positioned to cover different spatial zones, allowing the system to adapt to various seat alignment configurations without requiring multiple separate airbag modules. This segmentation enables comprehensive protection coverage while maintaining a single integrated assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag assembly with three chambers is designed to universally protect occupants regardless of seat alignment (aligned, offset forward, or offset rearward). The multiple chambers provide multi-functionality by covering different protective zones, making a single assembly capable of replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized modules for different seating configurations.
2Device complexity
If a single airbag module is used, then device complexity is reduced, but protection coverage for misaligned seats is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag assembly extends protection in multiple spatial dimensions through its three chambers. The first chamber provides primary protection, while the second and third chambers extend coverage laterally and longitudinally to account for seat misalignment. This multi-dimensional approach allows a single module to achieve comprehensive protection that would otherwise require multiple modules positioned at different locations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the airbag assembly is rigidly structured, then deployment stability is improved, but adaptability to different seat alignments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag assembly incorporates dynamic adaptability through its three-chamber structure that can inflate with different pressure distributions and volume allocations based on the detected seat alignment. The system can adjust which chambers inflate and to what extent, providing stable yet adaptable protection. The tether mechanism also provides dynamic adjustment of chamber positioning during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag control system can change physical parameters such as inflation pressure, inflation timing, and chamber volume allocation to adapt to different seat alignment conditions. By varying these parameters, the single airbag assembly maintains deployment stability while achieving adaptability across different seating configurations.
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 forked airbag assembly effectively cushions occupants regardless of seat alignment, reducing the risk of injury by providing a stable and reliable deployment configuration that prevents unwanted interaction between occupants during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator, which provides inflation gas to the inflatable airbag assembly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A forked far-side airbag assembly (100) includes a housing (102) to be mounted in an inboard portion of a seat (20) of a vehicle and an inflator assembly (104) that is at least partially disposed within the housing (102). The forked far-side airbag assembly includes an airbag in a packaged state within the housing, the airbag to receive inflation gas to expand and deploy from the housing to a deployed state. The airbag assembly includes a first inflatable chamber (110) extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and a second inflatable chamber (120) oriented at a first angle (Θ1) from an inboard side of the first inflatable chamber, and a third inflatable chamber (130) oriented at a second angle (Θ2) from the inboard side of the first inflatable chamber, wherein the first angle is different from the second angle.