Modular Side Airbag Cushions for Compact Occupant Restraint
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side airbags require significant space and manufacturing costs due to the complexity of tethers and positioning means used to restrain occupants and control airbag inflation, which complicates their deployment and adaptation for effective torso and head protection in vehicle collisions.
Innovation Solution
A side airbag design featuring separate inflatable head and torso gas cushions connected via a fastening section, allowing for independent manufacturing and easy adaptation to form complex shapes, reducing the need for external tethers and positioning means, and enabling early and gentle contact with occupants during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tethers and positioning means are used to restrain occupants and control airbag inflation, then the airbag can be positioned and inflated effectively, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the tethers and positioning means from the airbag system. The airbag is designed to achieve self-positioning and self-restraint through its own structure and inflation characteristics, removing the need for separate restraining components.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system performs self-positioning and self-control functions through its own structure. The airbag's geometry and inflation behavior automatically define its positioning and restraint characteristics without requiring external control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If tethers and positioning means are used to prevent occupant over-oscillation, then occupant restraint is improved, but the space required and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate tethers and positioning means that occupied additional space. The airbag itself is designed to provide restraint functionality without requiring extra space-consuming components.
3Shape
If separate head and torso gas cushions are used, then complex three-dimensional shapes can be realized with little effort, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into separate head and torso gas cushion modules. Each module can be manufactured independently using standard processes, and then assembled together. This segmentation allows complex three-dimensional shapes to be achieved while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the head gas cushion is fastened to the torso gas cushion in various orientations, then the position can be adapted to requirements, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into separate head and torso gas cushion modules that can be independently positioned and oriented. The modular design with simple fastening mechanisms allows flexible configuration adaptation without increasing overall device complexity.
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 design achieves quick and safe positioning of the airbag with minimal space requirements, providing effective protection for vehicle occupants by allowing for complex three-dimensional shapes and reducing manufacturing costs, while ensuring early and gentle contact with the occupant during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable head gas cushion (18) and an inflatable torso gas cushion (20) connected to the head gas cushion
Data Source
AI summary
A side airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint system (10) which is provided to be mounted on a vehicle seat (14) comprises an inflatable head gas cushion (18) and an inflatable torso gas cushion (20) connected to the head gas cushion (18) both of which form separate inflatable compartments of the side airbag (12). The head gas cushion (18) and the torso gas cushion (20) are formed by separate inflatable cushions which are fastened to each other in a connecting section (22). In a vehicle occupant restraint system, the side airbag (12) is mounted on a vehicle seat (14) of a vehicle on the side facing a passenger seat (16) of the vehicle.