Airbag Inflator Stud Bolt Side Welding for Compact Module Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air bag inflators for side and curtain air bags face challenges with stud bolt placement, leading to increased size and weight, and difficulty in attachment due to interference with the air bag, particularly in restricted spaces.
Innovation Solution
The design features a cylindrical housing with open ends, where stud bolts are welded directly to the side faces of closures, reducing size and weight, and allowing for easier attachment by eliminating the need for an external housing, with resistance welding enhancing fixing strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If stud bolts are provided on the end surface of the housing, then the inflator can be fixed to the module case, but the stud bolts interfere with the air bag and attachment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the stud bolts from the end surface (one dimension) to the side surface (another dimension) of the housing. This dimensional relocation allows the air bag to be connected to the gas discharge hole without interference from the stud bolts, while still enabling secure attachment to the module case through the side-mounted bolts.
2Ease of operation
If a separate outside housing is added to attach stud bolts to the side surface, then attachment interference is resolved, but the overall size and weight of the inflator increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of the outside housing with the main housing by integrating the stud bolt attachment features directly into the housing structure itself. This eliminates the need for a separate outside housing component, thereby reducing the overall weight and complexity while maintaining the ability to attach stud bolts to the side surface for optimal air bag connection.
3Ease of operation
If a separate outside housing is added to attach stud bolts to the side surface, then attachment interference is resolved, but the overall size of the inflator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of the outside housing with the main housing by integrating the stud bolt attachment features directly into the housing structure itself. This eliminates the need for a separate outside housing component, thereby reducing the overall size and complexity while maintaining the ability to attach stud bolts to the side surface for optimal air bag connection.
4Weight of moving object
If stud bolts are welded directly to the housing, then size and weight are reduced, but fixing strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates protrusions on the housing surface at the stud bolt attachment locations before the welding process. These pre-formed protrusions increase the surface area and provide better mechanical interlocking, ensuring that the welding creates a strong bond between the stud bolts and housing while maintaining the weight reduction benefits of direct welding.
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 enables the inflator to be compact, lightweight, and easily attachable to various air bag systems, improving installation flexibility and reducing manufacturing steps while maintaining strong fixation.
Implementation Method 1
a stud bolt is fixed directly to at least one, preferably one or two, of a side face of the first closure and a side face of the second closure by welding... resistance welding is preferably applied
Implementation Method 2
By welding the stud bolts to the side face of the first closure and the side face of the second closure, the penetration depth of the welding portion can be increased, thereby increasing the fixing strength
Data Source
AI summary
Stud bolts 51, 52 are fixed by welding to the side faces of a first closure 30 and a second closure 40, which are connected to a cylindrical housing 20. When connecting a gas introduction port of the air bag to a diffuser portion 43, the stud bolts 51, 52 do not cause an obstruction, and hence the attachability of an inflator 10 to a module case using the stud bolts 51, 52 is not impaired.