Inflator Bracket With Interference Portion for Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflator brackets for side curtain airbags in vehicles are constrained by limited space along the roof rail and do not effectively absorb impact energy, potentially leading to rattling and compromising occupant protection.
Innovation Solution
An inflator bracket with a main body portion and interference portions that extend from the rear side to contact the vehicle frame, providing energy absorption through deformation, thus preventing rattling and enhancing impact protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the inflator bracket is made compact to fit limited space in the roof rail, then the space constraint is satisfied, but the energy absorbing capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into distinct functional segments: a compact main body for mounting the inflator, and separate interference portions extending from the rear side. This segmentation allows the bracket to occupy minimal space while distributing energy absorption across multiple contact points with the frame, resolving the contradiction between compactness and energy absorbing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference portions extend in a direction perpendicular to the main body length, utilizing the depth dimension of the available space. This dimensional approach allows the bracket to maintain a compact footprint in the transverse cross-section while achieving sufficient energy absorption through the extended interference portions that contact the frame at a distance from the inflator mounting location.
2Volume of moving object
If the inflator bracket is made compact to fit limited space in the roof rail, then the space constraint is satisfied, but rattling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into distinct functional segments: a compact main body for mounting the inflator, and separate interference portions extending from the rear side. This segmentation allows the bracket to occupy minimal space while distributing energy absorption across multiple contact points with the frame, resolving the contradiction between compactness and energy absorbing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference portions act as intermediary elements between the bracket main body and the vehicle frame. These portions make contact with the frame to prevent rattling and provide energy absorption, serving as a mediator that resolves the conflict between maintaining a compact bracket design and ensuring stable, rattling-free operation.
3Strength
If the interference portion is made longer to increase energy absorption, then the energy absorbing capability is improved, but the available space in the roof rail is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket employs local quality by concentrating the energy absorption function specifically in the interference portions that extend toward the frame, while keeping the main body compact for inflator mounting. The interference portions are strategically positioned and dimensioned to provide sufficient energy absorption locally at the frame contact points without requiring the entire bracket to be long, thus resolving the contradiction between energy absorption capability and overall bracket length.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference portions extend in a direction perpendicular to the main body length, utilizing the depth dimension of the available space. This dimensional approach allows the bracket to maintain a compact footprint in the transverse cross-section while achieving sufficient energy absorption through the extended interference portions that contact the frame at a distance from the inflator mounting location.
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 inflator bracket effectively absorbs impact energy and prevents rattling, enhancing the energy-absorbing capabilities and stability of the airbag system within the limited space constraints of the vehicle roof rail.
Implementation Method 1
The interference portion is adapted to deform for absorbing energy from an impact force
Data Source
AI summary
An inflator bracket for mounting an inflator of an airbag arrangement to a frame of a vehicle includes a main body portion elongated along a length between a first end and a second end. The main body portion includes a front side for receiving the inflator. The inflator bracket additionally includes first and second mounting portions for attachment to the frame of the vehicle. The inflator bracket further includes an interference portion extending from a rear side of the main body portion for contacting the frame of the vehicle and offsetting at least a portion of the main body portion from the frame. The interference portion has a first end depending from the main body portion and a second end. The second end is a free end. The interference portion is adapted to absorb energy from an impact force.