Rotatable Panel Airbag Assembly for Vehicle Interior Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airbag systems in vehicles often require the windshield to act as a reaction surface, limiting design flexibility and increasing constraints on vehicle design due to the need for a specific placement and size of the airbag deployment area.
Innovation Solution
An airbag assembly that includes a panel rotatably connected to an interior component, an actuator to rotate the panel, a sheet extending from the interior component to the panel, and an inflatable airbag supported by the interior component, where the sheet acts as a reaction surface for the airbag in the inflated position, allowing for controlled deployment and energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the windshield is used as a reaction surface for the airbag, then the airbag deployment is stable and reliable, but the vehicle interior design flexibility is reduced and the airbag placement is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a panel as an intermediary component between the airbag and the vehicle interior. The panel is rotatably connected to the instrument panel and can be rotated to provide a reaction surface for the airbag, eliminating the need to use the windshield. This intermediary structure enables the airbag to deploy reliably while maintaining design flexibility in the vehicle interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the airbag assembly into separate functional components: the airbag itself, the rotatable panel, the actuator mechanism, and the instrument panel mounting. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates flexible integration into different vehicle interior designs without compromising deployment reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag size is reduced for better design flexibility, then the vehicle interior design becomes more versatile, but the energy absorption capability during impacts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by rotating the panel to provide a reaction surface that extends toward the windshield. This dimensional approach allows a smaller airbag to achieve the same energy absorption effect as a larger airbag would need to provide when constrained to a two-dimensional deployment plane against the windshield.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable panel acts as a mechanical intermediary that amplifies the effect of a smaller airbag. By providing a movable reaction surface that can be positioned optimally during deployment, the panel enables enhanced energy absorption with reduced airbag size, thus resolving the contradiction between size reduction and energy absorption capability.
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
This configuration allows for a smaller airbag size and greater design flexibility by eliminating the need for the windshield as a reaction surface, enabling more versatile vehicle interior design and improved energy absorption during impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator may be a spring biasing the panel about the first end.
Implementation Method 2
an airbag supported by the interior component and inflatable to an inflated position adjacent the sheet. The airbag may abut the sheet when the airbag is in the inflated position
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for a vehicle includes interior component and a panel rotatably connected to the interior component. The assembly includes an actuator designed to rotate the panel relative to the interior component. A sheet extends from the interior component to the panel. An airbag is supported by the interior component and is inflatable to an inflated position adjacent the sheet.