Deployable Headrest Airbag for Omni-Directional Occupant Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle airbag systems are not designed to provide comprehensive protection for a vehicle occupant's head and neck from omni-directional external forces, particularly in autonomous vehicles with swivel seats, where existing airbags may not effectively contain the head during oblique rear impacts.
Innovation Solution
A deployable headrest airbag system that automatically adjusts its height based on occupant biometric data, deploying from within the headrest to cover the head and neck, comprising multiple airbag chambers that communicate fluidly to provide protection in various directions, eliminating the need for a roof rail airbag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If separate airbags are designed for frontal, side, and rear protection, then protection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases and omni-directional head/neck protection remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple airbag chambers (first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth chambers) into a single integrated headrest airbag system that provides omnidirectional protection. This merging approach replaces the need for multiple separate airbags while maintaining comprehensive coverage for frontal, side, and rear impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest airbag system is designed to provide universal protection against impacts from multiple directions (frontal, side, and rear). The multi-chamber configuration allows a single system to perform the functions previously requiring separate airbags for different impact directions.
2Volume of moving object
If the headrest airbag is mounted inside the headrest, then space utilization is improved, but deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag chambers are nested within the headrest structure during storage, with the first chamber positioned closest to the headrest, followed by subsequent chambers. This nesting arrangement maximizes space utilization while allowing sequential deployment from the compact stored configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system is divided into multiple segmented chambers (first through sixth chambers) that can deploy in a controlled sequence. Each chamber is in fluid communication with the others, allowing staged inflation that manages deployment complexity while achieving comprehensive head and neck protection.
3Speed
If the airbag chambers are arranged in fluid communication, then deployment speed is improved, but control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system uses segmented chambers with controlled fluid communication pathways. The sequential arrangement of chambers (first chamber closest to headrest, followed by second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth chambers) allows controlled inflation progression while maintaining rapid overall deployment through fluid communication between chambers.
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 system effectively protects the occupant's head and neck from omni-directional forces by deploying from the headrest, ensuring the head remains contained during impacts, enhancing safety in autonomous vehicles with swivel seats.
Implementation Method 1
The airbag chamber has a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the deployable headrest airbag is disposed outside of the headrest to protect a head and a neck of a vehicle occupant.
Data Source
AI summary
A deployable headrest airbag includes an airbag chamber configured to be coupled to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The airbag chamber has a stowed position and a deployed position. In stowed position, the airbag chamber is disposed inside the headrest. In the deployed position, the deployable headrest airbag is disposed outside of the headrest to protect a head and a neck of a vehicle occupant.