Vehicle Seat Inflatable Assembly with Movable Tethers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle airbag systems are limited in their ability to effectively retain occupants during sudden deceleration, rollovers, and impacts, as they are primarily fixed in position and lack adaptive mechanisms to adjust to varying impact directions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat assembly with inflatable airbags and tethers that deploy from the seat panels, connected by a controller-activated inflator system, allowing for multi-directional occupant retention through sequential inflation of upper, lower, and front airbags, along with movable tethers that adjust to impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If airbags are fixed at various positions in the passenger cabin, then the airbag system provides basic impact protection, but the system lacks adaptability to adjust to varying impact directions and cannot effectively retain occupants during sudden deceleration and rollovers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the airbag system movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The inflatable assembly can be repositioned along the seatbelt path and the tethers can extend or retract based on impact direction and force, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to varying impact scenarios while maintaining reliable occupant retention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the airbag system into multiple functional components: upper airbags, lower airbags, tethers, and inflators positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function during different impact scenarios, improving both adaptability to various impact directions and overall reliability of occupant retention
2Reliability
If multiple airbags and tethers are added to improve occupant retention during various impact scenarios, then the adaptability and protection effectiveness increase, but the device complexity and structural requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the inflatable assembly to serve multiple protective functions simultaneously - providing upper body protection, lower body retention, and lateral support through the same integrated structure. The tethers also serve dual purposes by both restraining the assembly and allowing controlled movement, reducing the need for separate components and managing structural complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inflatable assembly is designed to be movable along the seatbelt path, then the system can adapt to different impact directions, but the structural complexity and control mechanisms required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the inflatable assembly to automatically move and position itself along the seatbelt path in response to impact forces without requiring complex external control mechanisms. The assembly uses the impact forces themselves to drive its repositioning, and the tethers automatically extend or retract based on the direction and magnitude of forces applied, reducing control system complexity while maintaining high adaptability
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
Enhances occupant retention in various impact scenarios by providing adaptive cushioning and stability, increasing the likelihood of retaining occupants during sudden decelerations and rollovers, regardless of the seat's orientation.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator activates and provides inflation medium to the airbags, and the airbags pressurize
Implementation Method 2
the airbags pressurize and act as cushions for occupants during the impact
Implementation Method 3
a tether extending from one lateral panel to the other lateral panel. The tether is connected to the inflatable assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seatback including a left lateral panel and a right lateral panel opposite the left lateral panel, a left airbag inflatable from the left lateral panel to an inflated position, a right airbag inflatable from the right lateral panel to an inflated position, and a tether extending from the left lateral panel to the right lateral panel. The tether is connected to the airbags.