Modular Airbag Gas Generator Assembly for Adaptive Crash Activation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle occupant protection systems with two-stage gas generators have pre-defined gas release amounts that cannot be easily adjusted to varying requirements, limiting flexibility in responding to different driving situations.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle occupant protection system with separate, modular gas generators and a control unit that determines their activation times, allowing for adjustable gas release amounts and configurations to suit specific situations, without requiring changes to the production line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If two-stage gas generators with pre-defined gas release amounts are used, then the production line parameters are fixed and manufacturing is simplified, but the flexibility to adjust gas release amounts to varying requirements is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The gas generator system is divided into multiple separate gas generators (first gas generator, second gas generator) that can be independently manufactured and then combined. Each gas generator has its own separate outer housing and can be produced using fixed production line parameters, while the combination allows flexible adjustment of total gas release amounts by selecting different combinations of pre-manufactured units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate gas generators are manufactured individually and combined on a support, then flexibility to change gas amounts is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate gas generators are mounted on a common support structure that integrates them into a single functional assembly. The support provides mechanical connection, positioning, and structural support, effectively merging the separate components into one unified device that functions as a complete gas generation system while maintaining the flexibility of individual component selection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gas generators are mounted on a separate support, then adaptability to different configurations is improved, but manufacturing effort and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Gas generators are pre-manufactured with standardized outer housings and mounting interfaces before final assembly. The support structure is designed with predetermined mounting positions and connection points, allowing gas generators to be quickly attached without complex custom fabrication for each configuration, thereby reducing overall manufacturing effort and cost despite the adaptability provided.
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
Enables quick adaptation to varying load cases with minimal manufacturing effort and cost, improving occupant protection by allowing situational selection of gas generator activation times based on current driving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
two separately activatable propellants which, in a dangerous situation, are activated simultaneously or time-delayed
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicle occupant protection system, a gas generator assembly (12) comprises at least one separate support (24) mountable to the vehicle and at least two gas generators (16, 18) which are tightly mounted on the support (24). A control unit (22) determines the times of activation of the at least two gas generators (16, 18) simultaneously or time-delayed in order to be able to activate one of the gas generators (16, 18) already in advance of a possibly imminent crash situation so that the airbag (14) is filled in such a way that it starts an interaction with an associated vehicle occupant which moves the vehicle occupant by a predetermined distance.