Movable Airbag Module Tracking Seat Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airbag systems are fixed and unable to effectively protect occupants in vehicles with movable and rotatable seats, as they cannot adjust to varying seat positions and reclined angles, leading to inadequate safety during collisions.
Innovation Solution
An airbag system with movable and rotatable airbag modules, controlled by a controller and actuator system, which adjusts the airbag module's position and orientation to match the seat's position and reclined angle, ensuring the cushion is deployed correctly towards the occupant during a collision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed airbag systems are used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the system cannot adapt to movable and rotatable seats in autonomous vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag module is transformed from a fixed static structure to a dynamic movable structure. The module can move in longitudinal and lateral directions through slider mechanisms, and rotate through a rotary actuator, allowing it to dynamically adapt to different seat positions and orientations in autonomous vehicles with movable seating configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag module is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: it can deploy in different positions (longitudinal and lateral movement), orient toward different directions (rotation capability), and protect occupants regardless of seat configuration. This universal design allows a single module type to handle various seating arrangements in autonomous vehicles.
2Reliability
If airbag modules are made movable and rotatable to track seat positions, then occupant protection effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller receives information about seat position and orientation, processes this data, and automatically adjusts the airbag module's position and orientation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the airbag remains properly positioned to protect occupants without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
A controller acts as an intermediary between the seat position sensors and the airbag module actuators. The controller processes seat position data and generates appropriate control signals to move and rotate the airbag module, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing the control logic in a dedicated processing unit.
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag system for a vehicle includes: a plurality of airbag modules disposed at a roof of a vehicle, allowing a cushion to be deployed toward an indoor space of the vehicle when deployed, and arranged to correspond to respective seats of the vehicle; at least one actuator configured to move an airbag module of the plurality of airbag modules in a longitudinal or lateral direction of the vehicle and to rotate the airbag module in place; and a controller controlling the at least one actuator to move the airbag module corresponding to a matched seat of the vehicle when a position of a seat or a reclined angle of a seatback is changed, and to rotate the airbag module when an orientation angle of the seat is changed, and to control the cushion of the airbag module to be deployed when a vehicle collision occurs.