Segmented Passenger Airbag Cushion for Screen Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current passenger airbag systems in vehicles are ineffective in protecting occupants from injuries during crashes, especially when they are positioned outside the typical predicted area due to protrusions like screens on the instrument panel, which create additional impact zones.
Innovation Solution
The airbag system features a plurality of sealed cushion segments interconnected by joints with internal vents, including slits in separator walls, that inflate sequentially to deploy across the instrument panel, including areas above and below the screen, aligning with the passenger's center of gravity to manage energy and prevent direct impact with protrusions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional single airbag cushion is used in the instrument panel, then the airbag system structure is simple, but it cannot provide adequate protection when passengers are positioned outside the typical predicted area due to protrusions like screens
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag cushion is divided into multiple sealed segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can inflate sequentially. Each segment is separated by separator walls with internal vents, allowing the cushion to adapt to different passenger positions and distribute impact forces more effectively across the instrument panel protrusions.
2Reliability
If the airbag inflates as a single unit, then the inflation process is simple, but it cannot effectively manage energy distribution and prevent direct impact with protrusions
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is segmented into multiple sealed sections with internal vents in the separator walls. These vents allow controlled gas flow between segments during inflation, enabling the cushion to expand in a sequential manner that better manages energy distribution and conforms to the instrument panel geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal vents in the separator walls enable dynamic adjustment of gas flow between cushion segments during inflation. This allows the cushion to adapt its shape and pressure distribution in real-time, optimizing impact force management as it deploys across the instrument panel protrusions.
3Reliability
If the airbag is positioned behind the instrument panel, then it avoids interfering with the screen and other protrusions, but it cannot provide protection to areas above and below the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented cushion design allows the airbag to extend into multiple spatial dimensions, covering areas both above and below the instrument panel screen. The sequential inflation of segments enables the cushion to navigate around protrusions while maintaining coverage in previously inaccessible zones.
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 configuration effectively absorbs and distributes the impact forces across the passenger, reducing injury risk by aligning with the passenger's center of gravity and preventing direct contact with protrusions like screens, enhancing protection during crashes.
Implementation Method 1
The activation of the inflator dispenses a flow of inflation gas into the cushion to sequentially inflate the plurality of sealed cushion segments from a stowed state to a deployed state
Implementation Method 2
one or more internal vents are located in the plurality of sealed cushion segments. The one or more internal vents are one or more slits in a separator wall between adjacent sealed cushion segments
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag system for a vehicle includes an inflator, and a cushion operably connected to the inflator including a plurality of sealed cushion segments interconnected by a plurality of cushion joints. The activation of the inflator dispenses a flow of inflation gas into the cushion to sequentially inflate the plurality of sealed cushion segments from a stowed state to a deployed state. A passenger compartment of a vehicle includes an instrument panel including at least an upper panel surface and a downward panel surface, and an airbag system located in the instrument panel.