Side Airbag Barrier for Controlled Gas Flow Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle occupant restraint systems with side gas bags face high manufacturing and assembly costs due to multiple attachment points, which can compromise the controlled deployment behavior, especially in smaller single-row airbags.
Innovation Solution
A side airbag design with a barrier that extends from the opposite side towards the inflation side, partially blocking gas flow to ensure controlled deployment from the inflation side to the opposite side, utilizing a single attachment point and cost-effective seam formation to reduce costs and simplify assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple attachment points are used to secure the side airbag, then the deployment behavior is controlled, but the manufacturing and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas flow control function from the attachment points and relocates it to a barrier structure integrated into the airbag chamber. This separates the deployment control function from the securing function, allowing the airbag to be attached at fewer points while maintaining controlled deployment through the barrier's gas flow restriction
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier acts as an intermediary element within the airbag chamber that mediates gas flow distribution. It controls the deployment behavior by restricting gas flow along the counter-side, enabling controlled deployment without requiring multiple attachment points to the vehicle body
2Reliability
If the barrier extends further into the chamber, then the gas flow control is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is implemented as a thin film or seam extending from the counter-side towards the inflation side, rather than a rigid structural element. This flexible implementation provides effective gas flow control while minimizing manufacturing complexity and integration difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier extends partially into the chamber from the counter-side, which is sufficient to achieve the desired gas flow control without requiring the barrier to extend the full length of the chamber. This partial extension achieves the necessary control while reducing structural complexity
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 design achieves controlled and cost-effective deployment of the side airbag, ensuring uniform inflation direction and reducing production and assembly expenses while maintaining effective protection for vehicle occupants.
Implementation Method 1
the barrier prevents or delays a gas flow along the opposite side that would result in deployment perpendicular to the desired deployment direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A side gasbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system (14) of a vehicle (10) has an inflation side (32) and a counter side (34) opposite the inflation side (32), between which, when the side gasbag is inflated, a chamber (26) of the side gasbag (16) is provided. The side gasbag (16) is designed to restrain the occupants of a single row of seats in the vehicle (10), the side gasbag (16) having a barrier (40) that extends from the counter side (34) towards the inflation side (32) into the chamber (26) and that at least partially blocks a gas flow along the counter side (34). A vehicle occupant restraint system (14) and a vehicle (10) are also shown.