Vehicle Seat Airbag Deployment Shape for Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat airbag systems are complex and unstable in structure, leading to ineffective protection of occupants from impacts during collisions, particularly when a rear seat occupant collides with the front seat back, as they rely on multiple airbags and rigid structures that complicate deployment and stability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring an airbag that deploys within the seat back, with controlled deployment shapes and directions to elastically support and absorb impact forces, using elastic support members and reaction-force-receiving members to manage deployment and impact absorption without a complex structure, ensuring reliable protection from behind.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple airbags and rigid support plates are used to protect occupants, then protection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple airbags into a single integrated airbag structure that deploys within the seat back. This single airbag replaces the need for multiple separate airbags and rigid support plates, merging their protective functions into one unified system that maintains reliability while reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag is designed to perform multiple protective functions simultaneously - it protects both front seat occupants from rear impacts and rear seat occupants from forward movement, while also providing structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each protective role
2Strength
If a rigid support plate structure is used behind the airbag, then structural strength is improved, but impact absorption effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible airbag structure instead of rigid support plates. The airbag is made of flexible material that can deform and compress during impact, allowing it to absorb impact energy through controlled deformation while still providing necessary structural support during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag's physical state changes dynamically - it transitions from a deflated state during normal operation to an inflated state during impact. This parameter change allows the structure to provide both strength when needed and compliance for impact absorption, eliminating the trade-off between rigid strength and soft absorption
3Reliability
If airbag deployment is controlled to provide precise protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple airbags into a single integrated airbag structure that deploys within the seat back. This single airbag replaces the need for multiple separate airbags and rigid support plates, merging their protective functions into one unified system that maintains reliability while reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system uses collision sensors that automatically detect impacts and trigger deployment without complex control algorithms. The system self-activates based on simple sensor input, providing precise protection control through straightforward sensor-response mechanics rather than complex electronic control
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
The design provides direct and reliable protection to occupants by controlling airbag deployment to absorb and distribute impact forces effectively, reducing the risk of injury from rear impacts without the need for complex structures, ensuring stable and efficient impact absorption.
Implementation Method 1
absorbs the impact energy by being depressurized and deflated
Implementation Method 2
the airbag elastically supports backward movement of an occupant from behind
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes a seat back, and an airbag that deploys in the seat back. After having deployed, the airbag has such a shape that a deployment amount, in a front-back direction, of the airbag near an upper part of the seat back differs from that near a lower part of the seat back. The airbag deploys in the seat back in such a way that, after having deployed, the airbag elastically supports an upper body of an occupant and elastically receives an impact force applied to a back surface of the seat back.