Knee Airbag Inflator Guide Portion Prevents Falling Out
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee protection airbag apparatuses face issues with the inflator being inclined during operation, leading to potential falling out due to insufficient protruding pieces, which require a large size to prevent this, thereby complicating connector connection and increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a guide portion on the case's connector opening that guides the inflator to a position where it is securely supported by a protruding piece, even with a small protruding piece, preventing oscillation and falling out, while allowing for easier connector connection and reduced manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the protruding piece is made large to prevent the inflator from falling out during operation, then the reliability of preventing falling out is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solution divides the function of preventing inflator displacement into two separate components: the guide portion (with guide surfaces) that directs the inflator's movement path, and the protruding piece that performs the final positioning and pressing function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the protruding piece to be smaller while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion acts as an intermediary element between the connector opening and the protruding piece. It mediates the inflator's movement by providing guide surfaces that constrain the inflator's path, ensuring the inflator is properly positioned before reaching the protruding piece. This intermediary function eliminates the need for an oversized protruding piece.
2Reliability
If the protruding piece is made large to press the end surface of the inflator even when inclined, then the reliability of maintaining contact is improved, but the ease of operation for connector connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the guiding function (guide portion) from the pressing function (protruding piece), the system allows the protruding piece to be smaller and less intrusive. This segmentation enables connector connection to proceed smoothly without being obstructed by a large protruding piece, while reliability is maintained through the combined action of both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion performs a preliminary action by directing and positioning the inflator before it reaches the protruding piece. This preliminary guidance ensures that the inflator is already properly aligned when it contacts the protruding piece, allowing the protruding piece to be smaller while still maintaining reliable contact during operation.
3Reliability
If the protruding piece is made large to accommodate inflator inclination, then the reliability of preventing falling out is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the functional requirements into two separate components (guide portion and protruding piece) allows for more efficient use of materials. The guide portion can be formed as an integrated feature of the case, while the protruding piece can be a smaller, simpler component. This segmentation reduces overall material consumption and manufacturing complexity, lowering costs while maintaining reliability.
4Manufacturing precision
If the guide portion is added to guide the inflator, then the manufacturing precision of inflator positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion is designed to perform multiple functions: it guides the inflator during installation, maintains proper positioning during operation, and works in conjunction with the protruding piece to prevent falling out. By making the guide portion multi-functional, the increase in device complexity is justified by the multiple benefits it provides, particularly the improvement in positioning precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A knee protection airbag apparatus is provided with a case, an airbag received in the case, and an inflator received in the case. The inflator includes a gas discharging port at one end side and a connection port portion at the other end side. The connection port portion is exposed through a connector opening of the case. A protruding piece that prevents the inflator from falling-out is formed on a peripheral edge of the connector opening. When the inflator is attached to the case, the inflator is guided by a guide portion to a location where falling-out of the inflator is prevented by the protruding piece.