Instrument Panel Knee Airbag Structure for Multi-Direction Impact Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airbag designs in vehicles do not effectively control the kinematics of occupants' knees and pelvis during various impact directions, such as frontal, oblique, and side impacts, due to limitations in packaging and deployment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An instrument-panel assembly with an inflatable airbag that includes a knee-forward panel, first and second wings, and a top panel, which are designed to extend and curve to create a knee cavity to receive and control the movement of occupants' knees and pelvis, supported by an inflator and deflector system for deployment during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional airbag designs are used, then packaging space is reduced, but the ability to control kinematics of knees and pelvis during various impact directions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple functional panels including a knee-forward panel, first and second wings, and a top panel. Each panel serves a specific purpose in controlling different aspects of occupant kinematics during various impact directions, enabling versatile protection while maintaining compact packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag structure extends in multiple dimensions with wings projecting laterally and a top panel extending upward, creating a three-dimensional protective envelope that addresses kinematic control in frontal, oblique, and side impact directions simultaneously, maximizing adaptability within limited packaging space.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact airbag structure is used, then packaging constraints are alleviated, but the effectiveness in controlling occupant kinematics during impacts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different panels of the airbag are designed with specific geometric configurations tailored to their local functions: the knee-forward panel addresses frontal impact forces on the knees, the wings provide lateral support for oblique impacts, and the top panel controls pelvis movement. This localized optimization ensures reliable kinematic control despite compact overall dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple airbag geometry is used, then manufacturing is easier, but the ability to create structured inflation chambers for multi-directional impact control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag panels are designed with flexible geometric features including curved surfaces and articulated connections that allow the structure to dynamically adapt its shape during inflation based on pressure distribution and occupant position. This enables complex inflation chamber geometry to form automatically during deployment without requiring pre-formed rigid structures, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the needed complexity for multi-directional impact control.
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 airbag assembly effectively controls the kinematics of occupants' knees and pelvis across multiple impact directions by providing a structured inflation chamber and deployment mechanism that alleviates packaging constraints and enhances occupant safety during vehicle impacts.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator activates and provides inflation medium to the airbags, and the airbags pressurize
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument-panel assembly for a vehicle includes an instrument panel. The instrument-panel assembly includes a steering column adjacent to the instrument panel. The instrument-panel assembly includes an airbag mounted to the instrument panel below the steering column. The airbag is inflatable to an inflated position below the steering column. The airbag defines a knee cavity in the inflated position. The airbag in the inflated position has a knee-forward panel vehicle-forward of the knee cavity; a first wing and a second wing that extends vehicle-rearward from the knee-forward panel on opposite sides of the knee cavity; and a top panel that extends vehicle-rearward from the knee-forward panel and extends from the first wing to the second wing above the knee cavity.