Segmented Inflatable Curtain Panels for Rapid Side Impact Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable vehicle occupant protection devices, such as curtains, often require larger inflators and more inflation fluid to deploy effectively, which increases costs and deployment time, and may not adequately protect occupants in side impacts or rollovers.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device with a base panel larger than an attachment panel, interconnected to form inflatable chambers, which are inflated away from the vehicle roof and anchored between the side structure and occupants, using a compact inflator and optimized material configuration to minimize size and deployment time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a larger inflator and more inflation fluid are used to deploy the inflatable curtain effectively, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the cost and deployment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable curtain is divided into multiple panels with different sizes (first panel, second panel, third panel, fourth panel) that can be selectively inflated. This segmentation allows the system to deploy only the necessary portions rather than inflating the entire curtain structure, thereby reducing deployment time and inflation fluid requirements while maintaining protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different panels are assigned different sizes and inflation priorities based on their specific protective functions. The first panel has a larger size for primary protection, while subsequent panels have progressively smaller sizes for additional protection zones. This local quality differentiation optimizes the distribution of inflation fluid and reduces overall deployment time while ensuring critical areas receive adequate protection.
2Speed
If a larger inflator is used to inflate the curtain, then the inflation speed is improved, but the size and cost of the inflator increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation system is segmented to supply inflation fluid to different panels sequentially or selectively rather than inflating all panels simultaneously with a single large inflator. This allows the use of a smaller, more compact inflator that can still achieve rapid deployment by strategically inflating critical panels first.
Solution Approach 2:
The system inflates only the necessary portions of the curtain (partial action) rather than requiring full inflation of all panels for effective protection. This approach achieves adequate protection with less inflation fluid and a smaller inflator, reducing both the size and cost of the inflation system while maintaining sufficient deployment speed.
3Area of stationary object
If more material is used to create larger panels, then the coverage area is improved, but the material usage and manufacturing waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curtain structure is segmented into multiple panels of different sizes that can be selectively deployed. This allows the system to achieve adequate coverage area by inflating only the necessary panels rather than using a single large panel, thereby reducing overall material usage and manufacturing waste while maintaining sufficient protective coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different panels are designed with different sizes and material allocations based on their specific protective requirements. Critical protection zones receive larger panels with more material, while less critical zones use smaller panels. This local quality optimization ensures adequate coverage in essential areas while minimizing material usage overall and reducing manufacturing waste.
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 provides effective protection in side impacts and rollovers by minimizing the size of the inflator and rapid deployment of the inflatable curtain, while reducing material usage and manufacturing waste, thus enhancing occupant safety and cost-efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from a vehicle roof into a deployed position between a side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source provides inflation fluid for inflating portions of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) that is inflatable to a deployed position between a side structure (32) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant (34, 36). An inflation fluid source (20) provides inflation fluid for inflating portions of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) includes a base panel (60) and an attachment panel (62) connected to the base panel. The base panel (60) has a first size. The attachment panel (62) has a second size that is smaller than the first size and a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of the portions of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (18) that are to be inflated.