Removable Airbag Bracket for Easy Vehicle Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing airbag units are difficult to install and remove due to their location on the forward side of the cowl top and the length corresponding to the vehicle width, which complicates installation and removal processes.

Innovation Solution

An airbag unit design that includes an airbag covering the hood or windshield, a gas generator, a cover bottom member, a cover lid member, and a bracket removably supported by the vehicle body, with a stopper to prevent deformation and a central portion elevation to secure engine room space, allowing easy assembly and disassembly by attaching the bracket to the vehicle body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the airbag unit is located on the forward side of the cowl top with length corresponding to the vehicle width, then the airbag can effectively cover the hood and windshield area, but the installation and removal becomes troublesome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairbag coverage effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation and removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag unit is divided into separable components: the airbag module itself and the bracket assembly. The bracket is detachably coupled to the vehicle body, allowing the airbag unit to be installed or removed as a complete module without complex disassembly. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling easy installation/removal while maintaining proper positioning for effective coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the airbag unit and the vehicle body. The bracket provides a simplified attachment interface that facilitates easy installation and removal while ensuring the airbag unit is properly positioned to cover the hood and windshield area effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the bracket is removably supported by the vehicle body, then the airbag unit can be easily installed and removed, but the structural stability during airbag expansion may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation and removal easeVSAvoidstructural stability during expansion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is designed with predetermined attachment positions and coupling mechanisms that ensure optimal structural support is established before airbag deployment. The removable coupling maintains strength during expansion while allowing easy installation and removal when the vehicle is not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables easy installation and removal of the airbag unit, prevents deformation during expansion, and secures a larger space under the hood for the engine room, while effectively covering the hood and windshield during deployment.

Implementation Method 1

a gas generator that ejects gas into the airbag

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas ejection:

Data Source

PatentEP3109099B1Airbag apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 JOYSON SAFETY SYST JAPAN KK
  • EP3109099B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3109099B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3109099B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To provide an airbag unit that can be easily installed and removed. [Solution] The airbag unit 20 includes an airbag 10 that covers, upon being unfolded, at least a part of a hood 4 or a windshield 6 outside a vehicle 1, a gas generator 11 that ejects gas into the airbag 10, a cover bottom member 21 that accommodates therein the airbag 10 yet to be expanded and the gas generator 11, a cover lid member 22 that covers the cover bottom member 21 in which the airbag 10 is accommodated, and a bracket 29 removably supported by the body of the vehicle 1, and removably supporting the cover bottom member 21 and the cover lid member 22.