Headrest Airbag Folding Layout for Compact Front Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat-mounted airbag devices face challenges in compactly housing the airbag without impeding its deployment performance, particularly when installed in a seatback, which can obstruct rearview visibility.
Innovation Solution
A seat-mounted airbag device with an inflator positioned at the vehicle seat, an airbag body that deploys through the gap between the passenger's head and the vehicle cabin ceiling, and fold-bent end portions that follow the headrest's external profile for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the airbag is installed in the seatback to enable deployment through the gap between the passenger's head and the ceiling, then the airbag can be disposed at the seat front side of the passenger, but the headrest dimension becomes large, lowering the rearview visibility of the passenger
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is nested within the headrest structure, with the airbag housing integrated into the headrest. The airbag is stored in a compact state within the headrest volume and deploys forward when activated, allowing the headrest to serve dual purposes as both a structural component and an airbag housing without increasing overall dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag deployment path is changed from lateral expansion to forward deployment through the gap between the passenger's head and the ceiling. This dimensional change allows the airbag to achieve its protective function without requiring increased headrest width or depth, maintaining compact dimensions while ensuring effective deployment
2Volume of stationary object
If the airbag is rolled up in a rolled shape from being spread out flat to enable compact housing, then the airbag can be housed in the headrest, but the seat width direction dimension of the airbag becomes about the same as the seat width direction dimension of the seatback
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple segments or chambers that can be compactly folded and stored within the headrest. The segmented structure allows the airbag to be compressed into a smaller volume for storage while maintaining the ability to expand to full size during deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag utilizes flexible material construction that allows it to be folded, compressed, and stored in a compact state within the headrest. The flexible nature of the airbag material enables it to conform to the housing space constraints while maintaining structural integrity for effective deployment
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 device enables compact housing without compromising deployment performance, maintaining rearview visibility by preventing the headrest from becoming bulky in both face-on and side views.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator that is provided at a vehicle seat and that ejects gas during a vehicle collision
Implementation Method 2
by being supplied with gas ejected from the inflator, moves toward a seat front side through between a head of a passenger seated on a vehicle seat and a ceiling of a vehicle cabin, and is expanded and deployed
Data Source
AI summary
A seat-mounted airbag device including an inflator that is provided at a vehicle seat and that ejects gas during a vehicle collision; and an airbag including an airbag body that, by being supplied with gas ejected from the inflator, moves toward a seat front side through between a head of a passenger seated on a vehicle seat and a ceiling of a vehicle cabin, and is expanded and deployed, so as to be disposed at the seat front side of the passenger, wherein the airbag is housed in the headrest with both seat width direction end portions fold-bent toward a seat downward side, so as to follow an external profile of a headrest of the vehicle seat in face-on view seen from the seat front side.