Side Air Bag Bent Portion Interference Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side air bag devices and occupant protection methods face interference issues between the side air bag member and the curtain air bag member during side impacts, which can hinder their appropriate expansion and increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Innovation Solution
A side air bag device with a bent portion that allows the upper portion of the side air bag member to direct towards the compartment in the widthwise direction, avoiding interference with the curtain air bag member, and includes a regulating member to ensure proper expansion, thereby preventing interference and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the curtain air bag member is expanded below the door belt to protect the passenger from rollover, then the head protection capability is improved, but the side air bag member and curtain air bag member interfere with each other, hindering appropriate expansion of both members
Solution Approach 1:
The side air bag member is designed to expand not only in the widthwise direction but also in the vertical direction with a specific orientation. The upper portion of the side air bag member directs toward the compartment in the widthwise direction, creating a three-dimensional expansion pattern that avoids the curtain air bag member while maintaining protective coverage of the shoulder and chest areas.
2Device complexity
If the size of the side air bag member in the vertical direction is set to be short to prevent interference, then the interference with curtain air bag member is reduced, but the shoulder protection capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The side air bag member incorporates a bent portion that allows dynamic orientation adjustment during expansion. This bent portion enables the upper portion of the side air bag member to direct toward the compartment in the widthwise direction, creating a dynamic expansion pattern that adapts to the presence of the curtain air bag member while maintaining adequate vertical coverage for shoulder protection.
3Reliability
If the side air bag member expands vertically to protect the shoulder, then the shoulder protection is improved, but the expansion is hindered by the curtain air bag member
Solution Approach 1:
The side air bag member is functionally segmented into different portions with distinct expansion characteristics. The bent portion creates a separation between the upper portion that directs toward the compartment and the lower portion that provides vertical support. This segmentation allows each portion to expand optimally without being constrained by the curtain air bag member, ensuring both shoulder protection and smooth expansion.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a side air bag device, an occupant protection device and an occupant protection method. The side air bag device that expands a side air bag member and a curtain air bag member between a side door and a passenger in a widthwise direction of a vehicle so as to protect the passenger from a shock caused by a side impact on the side door. The side air bag member is expanded such that a first chamber of the side air bag member directs toward a compartment in the widthwise direction of the vehicle.