Seat-Integrated Side Airbag Chamber Control for Reclined Occupants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airbag modules in restraint devices are not adaptable to varying seating positions, which may compromise safety as autonomous and automated driving scenarios lead to diverse occupant positions, potentially resulting in inadequate support during deployments.
Innovation Solution
An airbag module with a movable actuator that fluidically connects two chambers, allowing selective inflation of either a shoulder chamber or both shoulder and head chambers based on the occupant's seating position, using a partition and a material layer to control fluid communication, ensuring appropriate support in different seating configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single airbag chamber is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different seating positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple fluidically connected chambers that can be selectively inflated. The first chamber is always inflated, while the second chamber is inflated only when the actuator is in the release position, allowing adaptation to different seating positions without requiring completely separate airbag systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system incorporates a movable actuator that can transition between blocking and release positions, dynamically controlling the inflation of different chambers. This dynamic mechanism allows the same airbag structure to adapt its configuration based on detected seating positions.
2Reliability
If multiple airbags are inflated simultaneously, then the protection coverage is improved, but the risk of mutual overlap with curtain side airbag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator dynamically controls which chambers are inflated based on the detected seating position. In upright positions, only the first chamber inflates to avoid overlap with the curtain side airbag. In reclined positions, the actuator moves to the release position allowing the second chamber to inflate as well, providing comprehensive head protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different chambers are designed with specific functions: the first chamber (shoulder chamber) provides shoulder protection and is always inflated, while the second chamber (head chamber) provides head protection and is selectively inflated only when the seating position requires it, avoiding unnecessary overlap with curtain side airbags in upright positions.
3Productivity
If the fluid communication is always open, then the inflation speed is improved, but the ability to selectively inflate chambers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves as an intermediary component between the gas generator and the second chamber, controlling the fluid communication path. When in the release position, it allows rapid inflation of the second chamber through the open fluid communication. When in the blocking position, it prevents inflation of the second chamber while maintaining the capability for future selective inflation.
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 airbag module provides flexible and effective support to vehicle occupants by selectively inflating chambers based on seating position, enhancing safety in various driving situations, particularly in upright and reclined positions, while maintaining compactness and cost-efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
When pressure builds up in the first chamber during inflation of the airbag and the actuator is in the blocking position, the material layer is thus pressed against the partition and seals the opening
Implementation Method 2
a gas generator that is fluidically connected to the first chamber. The airbag can be inflated by means of the gas generator in case of need
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag module (10) for a restraint device (14) includes an airbag (24), in particular a seat-integrated side airbag, and a slidable actuator (40), wherein the airbag (24) has at least a first chamber (26) and at least a second chamber (28) which are fluidically connected to each other via a fluid communication, wherein the actuator (40) has a blocking position in which the fluid communication is blocked and a release position in which the fluid communication is released.