Vehicle Safety Net Wire Loop Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening systems for safety nets in vehicle luggage compartments are prone to failure when the curtain airbag deploys, causing the headliner to swing out and potentially breaking the top cap, which can fly into the passenger compartment.

Innovation Solution

A universal suspension device formed by a wire double loop with hooks on each side, where the outer loop exceeds the inner loop in length and is inclined, allowing the head airbag to be deflected and preventing ejection, while the cover is secured to the headliner with a U-shaped base plate and locking elements, ensuring the structure remains attached during headliner displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the top cap is pushed through the headliner and attached to the body, then the safety net can be fastened, but the top cap can break off when the headliner swings out during airbag activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening reliabilityVSAvoidairbag activation damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is divided into separate functional components: the cover with opening that remains attached to the headliner, the U-shaped base plate that attaches to the suspension device, and the locking elements that secure the connection. This segmentation allows the cover to stay with the headliner while the base plate provides secure attachment to the body, preventing the entire assembly from breaking off during airbag activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The U-shaped base plate acts as an intermediary component between the cover and the suspension device. It transfers and distributes the mechanical loads, providing a robust connection point that can withstand the forces generated during airbag deployment while maintaining the cover's attachment to the headliner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the cover is securely fastened to the headliner, then the safety net structure is stable, but the top cap can fly into the passenger compartment when it breaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure stabilityVSAvoidbroken part ejection
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The double-loop suspension device with the outer loop exceeding the inner loop length provides a buffer zone and redundant attachment path. When forces are applied during airbag activation, this design absorbs and distributes the stress, preventing sudden catastrophic failure and the ejection of broken parts into the passenger compartment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The inclined outer loop allows the suspension device to dynamically adjust and deflect during airbag activation. This dynamic response absorbs the impact forces and prevents the rigid breakage that would otherwise occur, keeping the cover securely attached to the headliner while preventing harmful ejection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the outer loop exceeds the inner loop length and is inclined, then the head airbag can be deflected and hook ejection prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehook retentionVSAvoidsuspension structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The double-loop suspension device performs multiple functions: it provides structural support for the safety net, deflects the head airbag during activation, prevents hook ejection, and strengthens the overall attachment structure. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated component, the design achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2797777B1Fixation of the bar of the security net
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 SKODA AUTO AS
  • EP2797777B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2797777B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2797777B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Fastening of the rod (2) of the safety net (3), which rod is arranged in the vehicle luggage compartment and is formed by the support (6), which is fastened to the bodywork (16), and a covering (4). The support (6) is formed by a wire double loop, wherein the length of the outer loop (8, 8') protrudes over the inner loop (7, 7') and the covering (4) is arranged in the roof lining (1) and is connected to the shim (5). The shim (5) has a U shape and is connectable to the support (6).