Rear Airbag Support Unit for Head Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rear airbag systems fail to effectively protect the upper body of an occupant, such as the head, neck, or shoulder, during a rear-end collision, as they are not stably mounted and can be damaged by flying materials like glass fragments, and lack a proper deployment guide between the rear windshield and headrest.
Innovation Solution
A rear airbag system with a rear-end collision sensor, controller, seat airbag module, and support unit that inflates an airbag cushion from the seat to protrude upwards, supported by a sliding plate to prevent damage from flying materials and ensure stable protection of the occupant's head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the conventional rear airbag is merely suspended on the roof, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability of the airbag mounting deteriorates and it gets displaced during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support unit with guide structures as an intermediary between the airbag and the roof. This support unit includes guide ribs that guide the airbag during deployment and a support plate that stabilizes the airbag position, preventing displacement while maintaining deployment effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If the conventional rear airbag lacks a guide structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the deployment precision deteriorates and the airbag fails to deploy in the correct position
Solution Approach 1:
The support unit acts as a guide mechanism with guide ribs that direct the airbag along a predetermined path during deployment. This ensures the airbag reaches the correct position between the rear windshield and headrest, improving deployment precision without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If the conventional rear airbag has no protective structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the airbag is damaged by flying materials such as glass fragments
Solution Approach 1:
The support unit is positioned in advance to create a protective barrier between flying materials and the airbag. The support plate and guide structures are designed to intercept and deflect glass fragments and other debris before they can damage the airbag, ensuring reliable operation during collision.
4Device complexity
If the conventional safety devices (active head rest and rear airbag) are used separately, then the device complexity is reduced, but the protection effectiveness for the upper body deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rear airbag system with a support unit that integrates multiple functions: mounting support, deployment guidance, and protective shielding. This integrated approach creates a more effective protection system for the upper body compared to separate active head rest and airbag systems.
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 enhanced protection for the occupant's head and neck by stabilizing the airbag deployment and preventing damage from glass fragments, ensuring effective protection during rear-end collisions.
Implementation Method 1
an airbag cushion of the seat airbag module may be inflated to protrude upwards from the seat
Implementation Method 2
a support unit connected to the airbag cushion of the seat airbag module and sliding upwards with the airbag cushion
Data Source
AI summary
A rear airbag system includes a rear-end collision sensor (10) installed on one side of a car body to sense the rear-end collision, a controller (20) outputting a control signal when an electrical signal input from the rear-end collision sensor (10) exceeds a reference value, a rear seat airbag module (100) mounted in a seat (30) and inflated to protrude upwards from the seat (30) so as to protect a rear head part of an occupant when receiving the control signal from the controller (20), and a support unit (200) sliding upwards along with the rear seat airbag module (100) when the rear seat airbag module (100) is inflated upwards out of the seat (30), supporting a rear of the rear seat airbag module (100), and protecting a head of the occupant from flying materials occurring in the event of the rear-end collision.