Integrated Hood Lifter Airbag Assembly for Single-Actuation Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle safety systems require separate hood lifters and airbags, increasing complexity and error risk, and there is a need for a combined device that can perform both functions with a single actuation process.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle hood lifter and airbag assembly that integrates a housing, piston assembly, and pressurized gas system to simultaneously lift the hood and deploy an airbag using a single actuation mechanism, with gas release mechanisms through orifices to inflate the airbag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate hood lifter and airbag assemblies are installed, then each device can perform its specific safety function, but the overall system complexity increases and the risk of actuation errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hood lifter mechanism and airbag deployment system into a single integrated assembly. The piston rod serves dual functions: it acts as the hood lifter arm and simultaneously triggers airbag deployment through a trigger mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate actuators and control systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining or improving actuation reliability through a unified failure mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston rod is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the mechanical lever for hood lifter operation and as the activation trigger for the airbag system. This universal component approach reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the actuation process, addressing the technical contradiction by reducing system complexity while maintaining the safety functions of both devices.
2Reliability
If separate hood lifter and airbag assemblies are installed, then comprehensive safety coverage is achieved, but the installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the hood lifter and airbag assemblies into a single integrated unit, the patent reduces installation labor, mounting hardware requirements, and system integration costs. The combined assembly requires only one installation location and one actuation system, directly reducing installation cost while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage through the dual-function design.
3Reliability
If separate hood lifter and airbag assemblies are installed, then redundant safety mechanisms are provided, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag assembly is nested within or integrated with the hood lifter housing structure. The trigger mechanism for airbag deployment is incorporated into the piston rod assembly, allowing the airbag system to occupy space within the existing hood lifter volume. This nesting approach provides redundant safety mechanisms without significantly increasing the overall device size, as the components share common structural 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
The integrated system reduces complexity, enhances safety, and potentially lowers costs while ensuring effective cushioning for pedestrian impact, making it more feasible for widespread adoption in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurized gas is disposed within a gas chamber and an airbag is coupled to the outer surface of the wall. Upon actuation of the vehicle hood lifter and airbag assembly, the pressurized gas is released from the gas chamber causing the piston to move from adjacent the first end to adjacent the second end of the housing. The pressurized gas then exits the housing through the gas exit orifice and flows into the airbag
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle hood lifter and airbag assembly according to various implementations includes a housing having a first end, a second end, and a wall extending from the first end to the second end. The wall comprises an inner surface and an outer surface and defines a gas exit orifice disposed between the first end and the second end. The vehicle hood lifter and airbag assembly further includes a piston assembly which is slidably engaged with the inner surface. The vehicle hood lifter and airbag assembly further includes a pressurized gas disposed within a gas chamber. Upon actuation, the pressurized gas is released from the gas chamber causing the piston assembly to move from adjacent the first end to adjacent the second end. The pressurized gas then exits the housing through the gas exit orifice and flows into an airbag which is coupled to the outer surface.