Instrument Panel Airbag System with Prebag for Leg Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle cabin designs with integrated airbag systems in instrument panels often compromise on space and safety, as they require a balance between providing a comfortable and fatigue-free journey while ensuring adequate protection in case of an accident.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cabin design featuring an instrument panel with a two-part airbag system, comprising a prebag and an airbag, where the prebag is supported on the prebag in the inflated state, and both are connected to separate gas generators, allowing for increased leg space and enhanced safety by bridging the distance between the instrument panel and the passenger seat, with the prebag providing a stable mechanical support and the airbag offering lateral protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional instrument panel with integrated airbag is used, then passenger protection is provided, but leg space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is divided into two separate airbags (first airbag and second airbag) with different functions. The first airbag serves as a ramp airbag to guide the passenger away from the instrument panel, while the second airbag provides energy absorption. This segmentation allows each airbag to be optimized for its specific function, enabling better space utilization and improved leg space while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The first airbag acts as an intermediary element between the instrument panel and the passenger. It deploys first to create a ramp structure that redirects the passenger's movement, preventing direct impact with the instrument panel. This intermediary approach allows the second airbag to function more effectively as an energy absorption device, thereby improving overall protection efficiency without requiring a larger instrument panel volume.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the instrument panel is made voluminous to accommodate airbag system, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is divided into two separate airbags (first airbag and second airbag) with different functions. The first airbag serves as a ramp airbag to guide the passenger away from the instrument panel, while the second airbag provides energy absorption. This segmentation allows each airbag to be optimized for its specific function, enabling better space utilization and improved leg space while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system employs dynamic deployment sequencing where the first airbag inflates initially to form a ramp structure, followed by the inflation of the second airbag. This dynamic, staged deployment allows the system to adapt to the collision sequence, providing guidance followed by energy absorption, thereby improving protection efficiency without requiring a larger or more complex instrument panel structure.
3Device complexity
If a single airbag is used in the instrument panel, then device complexity is reduced, but protection effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is divided into two separate airbags (first airbag and second airbag) with different functions. The first airbag serves as a ramp airbag to guide the passenger away from the instrument panel, while the second airbag provides energy absorption. This segmentation allows each airbag to be optimized for its specific function, enabling better space utilization and improved leg space while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system employs dynamic deployment sequencing where the first airbag inflates initially to form a ramp structure, followed by the inflation of the second airbag. This dynamic, staged deployment allows the system to adapt to the collision sequence, providing guidance followed by energy absorption, thereby improving protection efficiency without requiring a larger or more complex instrument panel structure.
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 design enhances traveling comfort by providing a feeling of greater space while ensuring safe travel by effectively bridging the distance between the instrument panel and the passenger seat, with the airbag system capable of rapid and controlled deployment to protect the passenger.
Implementation Method 1
both are connected to separate gas generators, allowing for increased leg space and enhanced safety by bridging the distance between the instrument panel and the passenger seat
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle cabin having a vehicle seat is provided and the vehicle seat is aligned in a frontal direction. An instrument panel extends on the front side toward the vehicle seat and forms a foot well in the perpendicular projection onto a projection plane that is defined by a vehicle floor or sections thereof. A leg space extends between the foot well and the vehicle seat, and an airbag system is provided that is integrated at least in sections in the instrument panel and which has a prebag and an airbag. In the inflated state, the airbag is supported on the prebag. In the projection plane, the leg space in the frontal direction is at least twice as long, preferably at least three times as long as the foot well.