Rotatable Arm Flexible Sheet for Oblique Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems are inadequate for effectively absorbing crash energy during oblique vehicle impacts, where occupants move forward and laterally, leading to insufficient protection.
Innovation Solution
A passenger protection system featuring a rotatable arm, a base attachable to the vehicle roof, and a flexible sheet deployed via a rotation mechanism triggered by an impact sensing sub-system, positioning the sheet to absorb impact energy from occupants during oblique impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fixed safety systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot effectively absorb crash energy during oblique impacts where occupants move laterally
Solution Approach 1:
The safety system employs a rotatable arm that can dynamically change its orientation from a retracted position to an extended position angled relative to the vehicle roof. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to oblique impact directions and effectively intercept occupants moving laterally during crashes, thereby improving crash energy absorption capability without requiring a completely complex structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the safety function into separate components: a base attached to the vehicle roof, a rotatable arm mechanism, and a flexible sheet. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability and reducing structural complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible sheet is deployed to absorb impact energy, then occupant protection is improved, but the deployment mechanism increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sheet is designed to deploy automatically through the rotation of the arm mechanism when triggered by an impact. The system uses the impact force itself to initiate the deployment sequence, eliminating the need for complex external actuation systems. The flexible sheet naturally extends to intercept the occupant, providing protection without requiring additional complex deployment controls.
3Reliability
If the system remains in a retracted state, then the system structure is compact, but the system cannot provide protection during oblique impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable arm mechanism transitions from a compact retracted position along the vehicle roof to an extended position angled outward to intercept occupants. This dynamic transformation allows the system to maintain a small footprint during normal operation while providing full protective coverage when needed, effectively resolving the conflict between compact storage and protective functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger protection system includes a rotatable arm, a rotation mechanism rotatably attached to the rotatable arm, and a flexible sheet connected to the rotatable arm and connectable to a vehicle roof.