Inflatable Device Mounted to Vehicle Cage Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles with detachable doors, existing inflatable devices are compromised when the doors are detached, leaving the vehicle without adequate occupant protection in the event of a collision.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable device that transitions from a less expanded to a more expanded position, mounted to a cage member spanning the door opening, which is deployed when the door is detached, providing a cushioning effect against the cage member during impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If detachable doors are removed from the vehicle to enable open-air driving, then ease of operation and versatility are improved, but occupant protection is worsened because the inflatable device is removed with the door

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor detachmentVSAvoidoccupant protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the door panel from the protective function by mounting the inflatable device to the cage member that remains on the vehicle body, while the door panel can be detached. This segmentation allows the door to be removed for open-air driving while the protective inflatable device remains attached to the permanent cage structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cage member acts as an intermediary between the detachable door and the inflatable device. The inflatable device is mounted to the cage member rather than the door itself, creating a permanent mounting structure that remains on the vehicle when the door is removed, ensuring continuous protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the inflatable device is mounted to the door, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability is worsened because the device is removed when the door is detached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice installationVSAvoidprotective function continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable device is extracted from its traditional mounting location on the door panel and relocated to the cage member that remains on the vehicle body. This extraction solves the problem of device removal by separating the mounting structure (cage member) from the detachable component (door panel).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cage member serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the vehicle body, serves as the mounting structure for the inflatable protective device, and remains on the vehicle when the door is detached. This multi-functionality ensures the protective system remains intact regardless of door attachment status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If cage members are installed in the door opening area to provide structural support, then occupant protection is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional structural components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidcage member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the structural support function and the protective device mounting function into a single integrated component - the cage member. By combining these functions, the patent avoids adding separate structural elements solely for mounting the inflatable device, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both structural support and protective functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Ensures occupant protection by deploying the inflatable device within the door opening to absorb impact forces when the door is removed, effectively reducing injury risk during collisions.

Implementation Method 1

openings in the cage member open to openings in the inflatable device to provide a plurality of paths for communicating a gas to an interior of the inflatable device. The gas transitions the inflatable device from the less expanded position to the more expanded position.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas communication:

Data Source

PatentUS10501043B2Assembly and method using an inflatable device within a vehicle having a detachable door

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

An exemplary vehicle assembly, includes, among other things, an inflatable device that transitions between a less expanded position and a more expanded position. The inflatable device in the more inflated position is disposed within a door opening of a vehicle. A side door of the vehicle is detached from the vehicle to provide the door opening. An exemplary occupant protection method includes, among other things, after a side door of a vehicle is detached from the vehicle to provide a door opening, transitioning an inflatable device from a less expanded position to a more expanded position. The inflatable device in the more inflated position is disposed within the door opening.