Pre-Collision Airbag Control for Seat Position and Posture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag systems in vehicles are not adaptive and fail to provide effective protection for occupants in different seat positions and sitting postures, especially with the changes brought on by autonomous driving, as they work independently and cannot support varied body shapes and collision scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an in-vehicle observation system, an inflatable restraint system, and a collision prediction system that acquires occupant and vehicle data to formulate a deployment strategy for airbag inflation based on seat position, posture, and collision probability, using sensors and cameras to optimize airbag deployment before a collision occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional airbag systems are used with fixed deployment strategies, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot adapt to occupants in different seat positions and sitting postures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring occupant posture data and collision information before the collision occurs, formulating a deployment strategy in advance. The control unit determines which airbags to deploy and calculates target inflation volumes based on predicted collision scenarios and real-time occupant position, enabling adaptive protection without requiring complex real-time adjustments during impact
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts airbag deployment strategies based on real-time occupant posture data and collision predictions. The control unit modifies deployment decisions and inflation volumes according to changing occupant positions and predicted collision scenarios, transforming the static airbag system into a dynamic adaptive protection system
2Reliability
If multiple airbag assemblies are deployed simultaneously for all occupants, then comprehensive protection is provided, but energy consumption increases and unnecessary inflation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by selectively deploying specific airbag assemblies based on the predicted collision scenario and individual occupant positions. The control unit determines the precise location and nature of the collision, then activates only the airbags relevant to protecting occupants in affected zones, avoiding unnecessary deployment of other airbags and reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by deploying only the necessary subset of airbag assemblies required for effective protection in each specific collision scenario. Rather than inflating all airbags simultaneously, the control unit calculates and activates only those airbags needed based on collision prediction and occupant positioning, optimizing energy usage while maintaining protection reliability
3Loss of time
If airbag deployment is delayed until collision detection, then system response time is extended, but adaptive protection before collision cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously acquiring occupant posture data and collision information before collision occurs, formulating a deployment strategy in advance. The control unit uses predicted collision scenarios to pre-determine which airbags should deploy and calculates target inflation volumes beforehand, enabling rapid response when collision actually occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring occupant posture changes and collision predictions, then adjusting the deployment strategy accordingly. The control unit receives real-time data from sensors, updates the collision scenario assessment, and modifies airbag deployment decisions based on this feedback loop, optimizing both response time and adaptability
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 provides adaptive protection by ensuring the right airbag is deployed to the appropriate size and location, enhancing safety and reliability in various collision situations by formulating a deployment strategy before the collision, thus optimizing protection for occupants.
Implementation Method 1
an airbag assembly configured to be inflated under control of the integrated safety domain control unit to form a protective cushion for the occupant
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system for improving safety of an occupant by an airbag, which can provide adaptive protection for occupants in different seat positions and different sitting postures. Further, there is provided a method for improving safety of an occupant by an airbag. Further, there is provided a computer-readable medium. The system for improving safety of an occupant by an airbag includes an in-vehicle observation system, an inflatable restraint system, a collision prediction system, and an integrated safety domain control unit. The integrated safety domain control unit formulates a deployment strategy based on data transmitted from the in-vehicle observation system, the inflatable restraint system, and the collision prediction system, to selectively inflate at least one airbag assembly and control an inflation volume for the airbag assembly to be inflated.