Inflatable Bladder Door Panel for Side-Impact Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Side-impact collisions pose a greater safety challenge for vehicle occupants as existing safety features do not effectively limit occupant movement toward the vehicle door, leading to inadequate energy absorption and increased risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door module with inflatable bladders attached to the interior side of the door, which inflate during a collision to force the trim panel away from the door, thereby reducing occupant movement and increasing energy absorption by the vehicle structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid door assemblies with energy absorbing blocks and metal beams are used, then structural strength is improved, but occupant movement toward the door during collision cannot be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the door panel movable rather than fixed. The door panel is designed to move away from the occupant during a side-impact collision, dynamically responding to the crash force. This is achieved through a movable connection between the door panel and door assembly that allows controlled movement to reduce occupant movement toward the door while maintaining structural integrity through the rigid door assembly framework
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by positioning an energy-absorbing block between the door panel and the door assembly in advance of collision. This block is designed to compress and absorb crash energy before it reaches the occupant, providing pre-positioned protection. The block is held in place by a retainer mechanism that allows it to function as a cushion during impact
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the door panel is made movable to reduce occupant movement, then occupant safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the door assembly into distinct functional components: a movable door panel, a fixed door assembly framework, an energy-absorbing block, and a retainer mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the panel moves to protect the occupant while the framework maintains structural strength, and the retainer manages the energy block - thereby achieving safety improvements without requiring complete redesign of the entire door system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a retainer mechanism as a mediator between the door panel and the door assembly. This retainer provides a controlled connection that allows the panel to move during collision while maintaining normal attachment during regular vehicle operation. The energy-absorbing block also serves as an intermediary element that mediates the force transmission between the panel and the door assembly, absorbing impact energy
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 inflatable bladder system effectively reduces occupant movement toward the door, enhances energy absorption by the vehicle structure, and distributes crash energy over a larger surface area, improving occupant safety during side-impact collisions.
Implementation Method 1
The bladder is configured to change from a deflated state to an inflated state in the event of a collision. The inflatable bladder forces the trim panel away from the vehicle door when the bladder changes to the inflated state.
Data Source
AI summary
A door module is equipped with an inflatable bladder configured to move an interior trim panel away from the door and toward a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision. The result is reduced occupant movement, additional absorption of kinetic energy, and distribution of remaining energy over an increased surface area. The bladder can have an accordion-like configuration that unfolds when changing from a deflated state to an inflated state, and more than one bladder can be used to control which portions of the trim panel move relative to each other.