Rotating Knee Airbag Module for Slim Cockpit Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
The slimming of vehicle cockpits reduces the distance between the cockpit and passengers, leading to delayed knee airbag deployment and potential injuries due to insufficient space and increased airbag weight, causing sagging issues.
Innovation Solution
A knee airbag system with a hinge structure and motor-driven airbag module that rotates based on passenger seating state, allowing the airbag to deploy at optimal angles to quickly restrain knees without increasing the airbag's package size, using sensors and a controller to adjust the deployment direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the volume of the airbag cushion is increased to quickly restrain the knees of the passenger, then the restraint speed is improved, but the airbag package size increases and the cushion sags downwards
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag module is made rotatable around a hinge structure, allowing the deployment direction to dynamically adjust based on passenger seating position. This enables the same sized airbag to effectively reach passengers at different distances, improving restraint speed without increasing package volume
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a rotational dimension to the airbag deployment mechanism. Instead of only deploying linearly forward, the airbag can now rotate and deploy in multiple directions, effectively increasing the deployment space without increasing the packaged volume
2Reliability
If the weight of the airbag cushion is increased to improve restraint effectiveness, then the restraint capability is improved, but the cushion sags downwards and deployment is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
By making the airbag module rotatable rather than stationary, the system achieves better restraint capability through positional adjustment rather than weight increase. The dynamic positioning allows effective restraint without the sagging problems associated with heavier cushions
3Area of stationary object
If the cockpit is slimmed to increase interior space utilization, then the interior space is improved, but the distance between the cockpit and passenger increases causing delayed restraint
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable airbag module can dynamically adjust its deployment angle to compensate for increased distance in slim cockpits. By rotating toward the passenger position, it reduces the effective deployment distance and maintains fast restraint times despite the slim cockpit design
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag module can be pre-positioned or rapidly repositioned before deployment to optimize the deployment path. This preliminary positioning ensures that even in slim cockpits with increased distances, the airbag reaches the passenger quickly when deployment is triggered
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 rapid and stable knee restraint without increasing the airbag's size or weight, preventing sagging and maintaining effective deployment performance across varying passenger positions.
Implementation Method 1
an airbag module coupled to a hinge structure inside a cockpit and configured to rotate around the hinge structure to change a deployment direction of a cushion
Implementation Method 2
a driving unit configured to provide rotational force to the airbag module
Data Source
AI summary
A knee airbag configured to rapidly restrain the knees of a passenger and reduce the risk of injury to the passenger by changing a deployment angle of the airbag depending on a seated state of the passenger, the knee airbag including an airbag module coupled to a hinge structure inside a cockpit and configured to rotate around the hinge structure to change a deployment direction of a cushion, a driving unit configured to provide rotational force to the airbag module, and a controller configured to adjust a rotation angle of the airbag module by operating the driving unit based on the seated state of the passenger.