Nested Side Airbag Device for Compact Seat Back Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side airbag devices face challenges in compact storage due to large volume and interference between primary and secondary airbags during deployment, necessitating a solution to enhance deployment efficiency and reduce storage size.
Innovation Solution
The side airbag device incorporates a primary airbag and secondary airbag connected via a communication hole, with specific folding mechanisms along different axes to minimize storage height and allow independent inflation and deployment, utilizing a case to accommodate the airbags and inflator, ensuring compact storage and smooth deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the primary airbag and secondary airbag are connected and deployed together, then the protective coverage is improved, but the storage volume becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary airbag is nested within the primary airbag structure. The connecting portion of the primary airbag forms a pocket that accommodates the secondary airbag in the storage state, allowing one airbag to be stored inside the other, thereby significantly reducing the overall storage volume while maintaining both airbags functional for protection
2Volume of stationary object
If the secondary airbag is placed inside the primary airbag, then the storage volume is reduced, but the airbags may interfere with each other during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is segmented into two independently deployable units: the primary airbag and the secondary airbag. Although they are nested in storage, each airbag has its own inflation pathway and deployment mechanism, allowing them to inflate and deploy independently without interfering with each other, ensuring reliable protective function
3Volume of stationary object
If the seat back has limited space, then the device must be compact, but the airbags need sufficient space to deploy properly
Solution Approach 1:
The airbags are nested in the storage state to achieve compact device size suitable for limited seat back space. The primary airbag is folded and stored, with the secondary airbag positioned within its connecting portion. During deployment, the airbags expand outward from this compact nested configuration, achieving both compact storage and effective deployment space
Data Source
AI summary
A side airbag device is provided in a seat back of a vehicle seat. The side airbag device includes: a primary airbag configured to be deployed forward and in an up-and-down direction from an outer portion of the seat back in a vehicle width direction; and a secondary airbag connected to the primary airbag via a connecting portion, communicating with the primary airbag through a communication hole provided in the connecting portion, and configured to be deployed in the vehicle width direction from the primary airbag. The secondary airbag is folded to a side opposite to the primary airbag along a first fold passing above the connecting portion and extending in a front-and-rear direction. In a state where the secondary airbag is folded along the first fold, the primary airbag and the secondary airbag are wound or folded around an axis extending in the up-and-down direction.