Movable Arm Airbag Assembly for Secondary Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airbag systems in vehicles are limited in their ability to provide comprehensive protection to occupants by not effectively preventing secondary impacts and submarining injuries, especially in varying seat orientations and without the use of seatbelts.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat assembly with movable arms and integrated airbags that deploy from stowed to extended positions, featuring reaction surfaces to enhance airbag deployment and positioning, along with anti-submarining ramps, to cushion occupants and prevent secondary impacts regardless of seat orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fixed-position airbags are used in vehicles, then the airbag system structure is simple, but the ability to provide comprehensive protection against secondary impacts and submarining injuries is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the airbags movable rather than fixed. The airbags are mounted on slideable arms that can extend and retract, allowing the airbags to dynamically position themselves optimally during impacts. This transforms the static protection system into a dynamic one that can adapt to different impact scenarios and seat orientations, thereby improving comprehensive protection capability while managing system complexity through controlled mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the airbag system into multiple independent components: multiple airbags (first airbag, second airbag), separate arms for each airbag, and individual inflators. This segmentation allows each component to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling comprehensive coverage against different types of impacts (submarining, secondary impacts) while maintaining modular system architecture that manages overall complexity.
2Reliability
If movable arms with airbags are deployed to provide comprehensive protection, then protection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the movable airbag system to perform multiple protective functions simultaneously. The first and second airbags can protect against different types of impacts (submarining injuries, secondary impacts), and the slideable arms provide both positioning and structural support functions. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by delivering comprehensive protection that conventional fixed airbags cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service through the automatic operation of the slideable arms and airbags upon detection of an impact. The arms automatically extend to their extended position and the airbags inflate without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-activating and reducing the operational complexity burden on the user while maintaining high protection capability.
3Reliability
If airbags are positioned to protect against submarining and secondary impacts, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the system requires more components and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback through the control system that monitors impact conditions and automatically activates the appropriate airbags and arm positions. The control system receives input from impact sensors and adjusts the deployment of the first and second airbags accordingly, ensuring optimal protection effectiveness while managing component activation based on actual impact scenarios rather than deploying all components in all situations.
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 system effectively reduces the risk of submarining and secondary impacts by deploying airbags strategically around the occupant, providing enhanced protection and freedom of movement, potentially replacing the need for seatbelts during impacts.
Implementation Method 1
Each arm includes an airbag and an inflator. The inflators are configured to inflate the airbags toward the seat
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat, two arms coupled to the seat, and an airbag coupled to each arm. Each arm is movable from a stowed position beside the seat to an extended position abutting the other arm. The airbags are inflatable toward the seat when the arms are in the extended position.