Vehicle Headrest Airbag Inflator Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing airbag devices face challenges in designability and functionality due to the large volume of airbags and inflators, which are difficult to stow in a headrest while maintaining the design and cushioning of a seatback.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle occupant protection device with an airbag configured as a single bag body that inflates to cover the front and sides of a vehicle occupant, where the inflator is fixed to the upper portion of the seatback frame with its long dimension in the seat width direction, and a metal pipe structure for fluid communication between the inflator and airbag, allowing efficient gas supply and load dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inflator is disposed in the headrest to enable airbag deployment, then the airbag protection function is achieved, but the designability of the headrest deteriorates due to the large volume of the inflator
Solution Approach 1:
The inflator is extracted from the headrest and relocated to the upper portion of the seatback frame. This separation removes the bulky inflator from the headrest area, allowing the headrest to maintain its original design and aesthetic appearance while the airbag protection function is preserved through the relocated inflator that can still supply gas to the airbag via the fluid communication structure
2Volume of stationary object
If the inflator is fixed to the upper portion of the seatback frame in vertical orientation to save space, then the space behind the seatback is improved, but the cushioning functionality of the seatback deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using the conventional vertical orientation of the inflator, the patent employs an asymmetric horizontal orientation where the long dimension of the inflator extends in the seat width direction. This asymmetric positioning allows the inflator to be mounted flush against the upper portion of the seatback frame, minimizing protrusion into the space behind the seatback while maintaining adequate cushioning functionality through proper positioning
3Reliability
If the airbag is configured with front and side inflation portions to provide comprehensive protection, then the occupant protection coverage is improved, but the volume required for stowage in the headrest increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system with comprehensive front and side inflation portions is extracted from the headrest stowage and relocated to the seatback frame area. This allows the multi-chamber airbag to deploy effectively for comprehensive occupant protection while the headrest maintains its original design without being compromised by the large volume requirements of the inflated airbag and its stowage 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
This configuration reduces deteriorations in designability and functionality of the headrest and seatback, providing effective protection during collisions by dispersing loads through the seatback frame, while maintaining a compact and efficient airbag deployment system.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator that is fixed to an upper portion of a seatback frame in an attitude with a long dimension of the inflator in the seat width direction... and a fluid communication structure that communicates between the inflator and the airbag to allow a flow of gas
Implementation Method 2
a metal pipe structure for fluid communication between the inflator and airbag, allowing efficient gas supply and load dispersion
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle occupant protection device includes: an airbag that is configured to be stowed in a headrest, to receive a gas supply and is formed as a single bag body that, in an inflated and expanded state, includes a front inflation portion configured to be disposed at the front in a seat front-rear direction relative to a head of a vehicle occupant, and a pair of side inflation portions configured to be disposed at both sides in a seat width direction relative to the head of the vehicle occupant; an inflator that is fixed to an upper portion of a seatback frame in an attitude with a long dimension of the inflator in the seat width direction, the upper portion of the seatback frame extending in the seat width direction; and a fluid communication structure that communicates between the inflator and the airbag to allow a flow of gas.