Movable Vehicle Table for Occupant Support During Airbag Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant protection systems in vehicles, such as airbag systems, face challenges in effectively protecting occupants during collisions, especially when occupants are in non-standard seating positions or when additional support is needed beyond conventional airbag deployment.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a movable table in vehicles that can be actively driven into an occupant protection position during a collision. This table supports the occupant's body against displacement and serves as a support surface for airbags unfolding from other vehicle parts, optimizing their deployment and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional airbag system is used without additional support structures, then the device complexity is low, but the occupant protection effectiveness is insufficient for non-standard seating positions
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is divided into multiple independent components: a movable table structure and a conventional airbag system. The table can be independently positioned to provide preliminary support, while the airbag provides secondary protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without requiring complete redesign of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable table is positioned in advance before airbag deployment to provide preliminary support to the occupant. By establishing the support structure beforehand, the system prepares the occupant's body position prior to the high-impact airbag deployment, ensuring more effective protection without requiring the airbag system itself to be more complex.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the table is made fixed and integrated into the vehicle structure, then the stability is high, but the adaptability to different seating positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The table is designed with movable and adjustable characteristics, allowing it to change position and orientation according to different seating configurations. The table can be manually or automatically adjusted to various angles and locations, providing adaptability to different occupant positions while maintaining structural stability when positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The table serves multiple functions: it acts as a support surface for the occupant, a positioning aid for airbag deployment, and an adaptable structure that can accommodate different seating positions. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to provide both adaptability and stability across various scenarios without requiring multiple separate components.
3Reliability
If the table is positioned close to the occupant for better support, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the risk of injury from table impact during collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The table is positioned close to the occupant to provide support, but cushioning elements are integrated into the table structure to prevent direct hard impact during collision. The cushioning material absorbs and distributes the impact force, allowing the table to be positioned in the optimal protective location without creating a new hazard from table impact itself.
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 movable table enhances occupant safety by providing additional support during collisions, reducing the load on the chest cavity, and optimizing the deployment of airbags, thereby improving overall protection for occupants in various seating positions.
Implementation Method 1
A gas generator supplies the airbag cushion with gas to trigger the airbag cushion
Implementation Method 2
The table can be moved manually and/or electrically, in particular via an electric motor
Implementation Method 3
pneumatically and/or hydraulically and/or pyrotechnically, in particular automatically
Implementation Method 4
pneumatically and/or hydraulically and/or pyrotechnically, in particular automatically
Implementation Method 5
pneumatically and/or hydraulically and/or pyrotechnically, in particular automatically
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant protection device of a vehicle includes a table that is assigned to a vehicle seat. The table is actively movable into an occupant protection position when a collision or a danger of a collision of the vehicle is recognized. In the occupant protection position, an upper body of an occupant of the vehicle seat is supported by the table against a displacement caused by a collision.