Vehicle Side Airbag Blocking Member Vent Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional side airbag units lack effective control over the inflation and deflation process, leading to potential injuries from excessive gas discharge or incomplete deflation, as they rely solely on vent holes without separate control mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

An airbag unit with a blocking member and tethers that controllably block the vent hole, allowing for precise control of gas discharge by adjusting the position of the blocking member relative to the vent hole based on the inflation state and occupant interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vent hole is formed in the airbag member to enable deflation, then the airbag member can be deflated to reduce pressure on occupants, but the inflation gas may be excessively discharged causing injury to occupants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeflation controlVSAvoidinjury risk from excessive gas discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is designed to move dynamically between blocking and non-blocking positions based on the inflation state. During inflation, the blocking member moves to a position that does not block the vent hole, allowing rapid deflation. During deflation, it moves to partially block the vent hole to control gas discharge rate, preventing excessive discharge that could injure occupants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the inflation state of the airbag member as feedback to control the blocking member's position. When the airbag is fully inflated, the blocking member is positioned to allow free venting. As deflation progresses and pressure decreases, the blocking member automatically adjusts to partially block the vent hole, creating a feedback control mechanism that prevents over-deflation and associated injuries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Strength

If the airbag member is rapidly inflated to protect occupants from collision, then impact protection is improved, but the risk of injury from the inflated airbag member itself increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidinjury risk from inflated airbag

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag system operates in periodic phases: rapid inflation phase for impact protection, followed by controlled deflation phase to reduce pressure. The blocking member enables this periodic action by initially allowing rapid deflation after inflation, then progressively blocking the vent hole to control the deflation rate, creating a safe pressure reduction cycle that maintains protection while minimizing injury risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member is pre-positioned to enable controlled deflation before the airbag becomes over-deflated. By partially blocking the vent hole during the deflation process, the system proactively prevents the situation where the airbag becomes too soft or collapses suddenly, which could cause occupant injury from contact with the vehicle interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If no separate control members are used and only a vent hole is formed, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control discharge of inflation gas is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanism complexityVSAvoidgas discharge control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is designed to automatically position itself based on the airbag's inflation state without requiring external actuators or complex control systems. The mechanical interaction between the airbag pressure, the blocking member, and the tether system creates a self-regulating mechanism that provides reliable gas discharge control while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution minimizes the risk of injury by ensuring controlled deflation and maintaining adequate pressure reduction, reducing the difference in rib deformity degrees during and after impact, thereby enhancing occupant safety.

Implementation Method 1

a blocking member that partially blocks the vent hole of the airbag member and is deployed inside the airbag member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas discharge control through partial blocking:

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of tethers connecting the blocking member to the airbag member; the plurality of tethers comprise first through third tethers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical connection and positioning:

Data Source

PatentEP2427351B1Side airbag unit for vehicle

Publication Date: 2013.11.13 AUTOLIV DEV AB

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6

AI summary

Provided is an airbag unit including: a gas generator; an airbag member that is inflatable by the gas generator and includes a vent hole in one side of the airbag member; a blocking member that partially blocks the vent hole of the airbag member and is located inside the airbag member; and a plurality of tethers connecting the blocking member to the airbag member. The airbag unit controllably blocks the vent hole.