Knee Airbag Reaction Plate Locking for Wide-Spacing Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lower limb restraint airbag devices for vehicles fail to provide sufficient restraining force when there is a wide space at the front side of a passenger's knees, especially during initial collision stages.
Innovation Solution
The airbag device includes an inflatable airbag, a reaction force plate that is pulled out and locked in place to form a reaction force surface, and a lock mechanism to prevent movement, ensuring effective knee restraint even with a wide space at the front side, with separate components for each knee and adjustable configurations for improved restraint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If left-right pair of knee airbags are merely mutually deployed toward a seat width direction center, then the device structure is simple, but sufficient restraining force is not obtained when there is a wide space present at a front side of the knees
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple independent deployment sections: a first airbag deployed from the left side toward the right knee, and a second airbag deployed from the right side toward the left knee. This cross-deployment segmentation allows each airbag to independently generate restraining force, solving the problem of insufficient force when wide space is present between the knees and the vehicle front.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the deployment dimension from simple lateral expansion to cross-lateral projection. The first airbag projects from the left side toward the right knee area, and the second airbag projects from the right side toward the left knee area, creating a cross-dimensional restraint system that effectively covers wide spaces between the knees and vehicle front.
2Ease of operation
If the front seat is moved greatly toward the rear side, then passenger comfort and accessibility are improved, but the restraining force of knee airbags becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag deployment system is designed to be dynamic and adaptive. The control unit determines deployment based on real-time detection of seat position and collision conditions. When the seat is positioned far rearward, the cross-deployment configuration automatically provides extended reach, maintaining effective restraining force across various seat positions without requiring manual adjustment.
3Device complexity
If a single airbag is used to restrain both knees, then the device structure is simplified, but improper restraint may occur for either left or right knee
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is segmented into two independent airbag units: a first airbag for restraining the right knee and a second airbag for restraining the left knee. Each airbag operates independently with its own deployment control, ensuring that improper restraint of one knee does not affect the other, thereby significantly improving overall restraint reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each airbag is optimized for its specific restraint function with localized deployment characteristics. The first airbag is configured specifically for right knee restraint while the second airbag is configured for left knee restraint, allowing each component to provide optimal local performance rather than compromising overall performance through a single generalized design.
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 device effectively restrains knees by forming a reaction force surface against the airbag, providing sufficient force during collisions, even in scenarios with a wide space at the front side, and prevents improper restraint by ensuring balanced deployment for both knees.
Implementation Method 1
an airbag (32) that is configured to be inflated and deployed toward a knee and a shin of a passenger seated in a vehicle seat by gas ejected from an inflator
Implementation Method 2
load from the knees and the shins of the passenger attempting to move toward the seat front side due to inertia is effectively borne by the airbag supported by the reaction force plate
Data Source
AI summary
A lower limb restraint airbag device, including: an airbag that is configured to be inflated and deployed toward a knee and a shin of a passenger seated in a vehicle seat by gas ejected from an inflator, and to make contact with at least the knee; a reaction force plate that is configured to be pulled out to a seat front side of the airbag in conjunction with inflation and deployment of the airbag; and a lock mechanism that is configured to block movement toward a seat front side of the pulled out reaction force plate.