Knee Airbag Cover Securing Means for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Knee airbag units face challenges in maintaining a long service life due to exposure to various forces, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations, which can lead to deformation and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A knee airbag unit design featuring a cover with edge-side securing means connected to the module holder, either directly or indirectly via an intermediate element, to prevent deformation and ensure the cover remains in its intended position, enhancing the unit's stability and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a flexible, non-inherently rigid module housing is used to reduce weight, then weight advantage is achieved, but the housing becomes susceptible to deformation under forces, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible, non-inherently rigid module housing made of fabric material that provides weight advantage while maintaining sufficient structural stability through its material properties and design configuration to keep the airbag in its untriggered state over a long service life
Solution Approach 2:
The module housing is constructed from fabric material that combines flexibility with sufficient stability, creating a composite structure that achieves both weight reduction and resistance to deformation under various forces, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations
2Device complexity
If the cover is left unsecured to maintain simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but the cover deforms and shifts position under environmental forces
Solution Approach 1:
The module holder serves a dual function by both supporting/positioning the airbag during triggering and securing the cover against lowering and deformation, eliminating the need for separate securing components and maintaining structural simplicity
3Reliability
If the cover is rigidly secured to prevent deformation, then position stability is improved, but the opening flap cannot open smoothly during airbag deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is secured at its edges to the module holder while leaving the flap region unsecured, creating different structural properties in different locations - the secured edges provide stability against lowering and deformation, while the unsecured flap region allows smooth opening during airbag deployment
Data Source
AI summary
A knee airbag unit (10) of a vehicle occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle is described. The knee airbag unit (10) comprises an airbag module (12), which has a module holder (14), a gas generator (16) and a flexible, non-inherently rigid module housing (18) that at least partially surrounds the gas generator (16) and the airbag in the untriggered state, wherein the gas generator (16), the airbag and the flexible module housing (18) are fastened to the module holder (14). Also provided is a cover (20) forming a module covering and defining an outer side in the installed state of the knee airbag unit (10), which is connected to the airbag module (12). Furthermore, there is an edge-side means (26) securing the cover (20) against lowering, originating from the module holder (14).