Side Airbag Deployment Guide with Connecting Tether and Reinforcing Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Side airbags in vehicles often deploy abnormally due to elongation of seat covers during collisions, failing to direct impact energy absorption effectively, and existing solutions require additional reinforcing members or complex configurations.
Innovation Solution
A structure featuring an airbag module with a deployment guide path, connecting tethers, and reinforcing fabric that stabilizes the deployment direction of the airbag cushion by using a connecting member with a hook and hinge shaft, allowing the airbag to deploy in a desired direction without requiring additional reinforcing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional reinforcing members are added to prevent abnormal deployment, then deployment stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reinforcing fabric with the seat cover assembly by integrating it into the existing seat structure. The reinforcing fabric is positioned between the seat cover and the airbag module, and connected via connecting tethers to the airbag module, merging the reinforcement function into the existing seat cover assembly rather than adding separate complex reinforcing members.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting tethers act as intermediaries between the airbag module and the reinforcing fabric/seat cover assembly. These tethers transmit deployment forces and stabilize the deployment direction without requiring direct rigid connections, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the seat cover material has high elongation, then comfort is improved, but deployment accuracy deteriorates due to abnormal airbag deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using reinforcing fabric with different mechanical properties (lower elongation) at specific locations where deployment accuracy is critical, while allowing the main seat cover material to maintain high elongation for comfort. The reinforcing fabric is strategically positioned to provide localized structural support during airbag deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat cover assembly is segmented into different functional zones: the main seat cover material provides comfort with high elongation, while the reinforcing fabric provides structural stability with lower elongation. This segmentation allows each material to optimize its properties for its specific function without compromising the other.
Data Source
AI summary
A structure for installing a side airbag includes: an airbag module; an airbag deployment guide path which is in communication with the outside of the vehicle seat from the accommodating space; first and second covers which surround the outside of the vehicle seat, and have one end inserted into the airbag deployment guide path; a connecting tether which has one end that is positioned at a tip portion in the airbag deployment guide path and connected with one end of each of the first and second covers, and the other end that is positioned in the accommodating space at an outer periphery of the airbag module; and a reinforcing fabric which has one end connected with the other end of the connecting tether, and the other end fixed to the airbag module.