Vehicle Seat Airbag Selective Deployment Oblique Impact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle airbag systems face challenges in effectively deploying airbags during oblique impacts, as they often fail to selectively inflate airbags based on the direction and magnitude of the impact, leading to inadequate energy absorption and potential occupant injury.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vehicle seat airbag assembly with dual airbag systems, where one airbag deploys based on the impact direction, utilizing a panel to absorb energy and divert occupants from contacting other occupants or vehicle components, while the other airbag remains non-deployed, ensuring targeted energy absorption and occupant protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If airbags are deployed during all impacts, then occupant protection is improved, but energy waste occurs from unnecessary deployments
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system transitions from a static always-deploy configuration to a dynamic selective-deploy configuration based on real-time impact sensing. The control system dynamically determines whether to inflate airbags based on impact direction and magnitude, optimizing both protection reliability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the deployment parameter (inflated/uninflated state) based on varying impact parameters (direction, magnitude). By sensing these parameters and adjusting the deployment decision accordingly, the system avoids unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining protection when needed.
2Loss of energy
If airbags are selectively deployed based on impact direction, then energy absorption efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is segmented into multiple independent airbags (driver side, passenger side, curtain airbags) that can be selectively deployed. This segmentation allows targeted energy absorption in specific zones based on impact direction, improving efficiency while the modular structure manages complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
An impact sensing system acts as an intermediary between the collision event and the airbag deployment decision. This mediator analyzes impact parameters and translates them into appropriate deployment commands, managing the complexity of selective deployment through a dedicated control layer.
3Reliability
If multiple airbags are deployed simultaneously, then occupant protection is improved, but the risk of occupant contact with multiple surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different airbags are deployed based on the local impact conditions (driver side vs. passenger side impacts). The system applies different deployment qualities to different locations, ensuring protection where needed while avoiding unnecessary airbag inflation that could create harmful contact surfaces.
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 solution enhances occupant safety by selectively deploying airbags to absorb energy and divert occupants during oblique impacts, reducing the risk of injury and improving overall protection in various impact scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
airbags that can deploy during a vehicle impact. Airbags can assist in absorbing energy from vehicle occupants during the impact.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes a seatback extending from a first side to a second side. An airbag assembly having a housing is supported by the seatback at one of the first and second sides. An airbag is inflatable from the housing to an inflated position. In the inflated position, the airbag has a first leg extending away from the seatback and a second leg spaced from the seatback, and extending from the first leg in a cross-seatback direction to a distal end of the second leg. A panel extends from the distal end of the second leg to the housing.