Segmented Air Bag Unit for Pedestrian Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air bag devices struggle to retain the shape of the deployed air bag and effectively absorb impact during collisions, as well as prevent pedestrians from slipping off the hood after being knocked up.
Innovation Solution
The air bag device employs a bag unit consisting of a first and second bag connected in an annular form, forming a mountain-like shape when deployed, with a tether connecting them, allowing for improved retention of shape and impact absorption, and a collision detection system to predict and deploy the air bag strategically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single air bag is used, then the device structure is simple, but the deployed air bag deflates as a whole and cannot retain its shape, reducing impact absorption capability
Solution Approach 1:
The air bag is divided into multiple independent bags (first air bag, second air bag, third air bag) connected by connectors. Each bag can maintain its shape independently even if others deflate, solving the shape retention problem while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single air bag is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it cannot properly absorb impact or restrain pedestrians from slipping off the hood
Solution Approach 1:
The air bag system is segmented into multiple functional bags positioned at different locations. The first air bag absorbs impact on the pedestrian's body, the second air bag prevents slipping off the hood, and the third air bag provides additional protection. This segmentation enables comprehensive protection functions while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bag system extends in multiple spatial dimensions with bags positioned at different heights and locations. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows the system to address multiple protection needs simultaneously - impact absorption at one level and slip prevention at another - thereby enhancing reliability without significantly complicating manufacturing.
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 solution enhances the air bag's ability to absorb impact and prevent pedestrians from slipping off the hood, effectively protecting them by maintaining the air bag's shape and deploying it in a manner that aligns with the pedestrian's center of gravity for optimal absorption.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator and a bag unit configured to be deployed on a front part of a vehicle body with a gas supplied from the inflator
Implementation Method 2
This air bag absorbs and reduces an impact on the protection target in case of a collision
Data Source
AI summary
An air bag device has an inflator and a bag unit configured to be deployed on a front part of a vehicle body with a gas supplied from the inflator. The bag unit includes a first bag, a second bag, and a connector, which are annularly connected to one another, and when the bag unit is deployed, the first bag and the second bag are erected on the vehicle body into a mountain-like shape in such a way that the bag unit forms a substantially triangular shape as a whole.