Side-Collision Airbag Pressure Control for Door Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In side collisions, existing airbag systems struggle to effectively suppress door deformation and subsequent occupant injury due to insufficient energy absorption and faster door deformation speeds compared to the vehicle body, leading to secondary collision damage.
Innovation Solution
An airbag device with a first air chamber deployed outside the vehicle to transmit loads to the side sill, a second air chamber to control the first air chamber's behavior, and a third air chamber for energy absorption, along with a control system that adjusts internal pressures based on detected load application states to manage door deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an airbag is deployed outside the vehicle to protect occupants during side collision, then occupant protection is improved, but door deformation is insufficiently suppressed due to insufficient energy absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple air chambers (first, second, and third air chambers) with different functions. The first air chamber transmits load to the side sill, the second air chamber controls inflation pressure based on door deformation detection, and the third air chamber provides additional energy absorption. This segmentation allows each chamber to address specific aspects of the contradiction, improving both occupant protection and door deformation suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on real-time door deformation detection. The second air chamber's internal pressure is controlled based on the detected load application state, allowing the system to adapt its energy absorption characteristics during the collision process. This dynamic control enables the airbag to effectively suppress door deformation while maintaining occupant protection.
2Loss of energy
If an airbag is deployed to absorb collision energy, then energy absorption is improved, but door deformation speed cannot be controlled due to faster deformation compared to vehicle body
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where door deformation is detected in real-time, and this detection information is used to control the internal pressure of the second air chamber. This feedback loop allows the airbag to respond to the actual deformation state of the door, adjusting its energy absorption rate to match the door deformation speed, thereby effectively controlling the deformation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the internal pressure parameter of the second air chamber based on the detected load application state. By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the airbag can control its energy absorption characteristics to match the door deformation speed, resolving the contradiction between energy absorption and deformation speed control.
3Force
If load is transmitted from the airbag to the vehicle body, then collision energy is dissipated, but door deformation control is insufficient without pressure regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the internal pressure parameter of the second air chamber based on the detected load application state. By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the airbag can control its energy absorption characteristics to match the door deformation speed, resolving the contradiction between energy absorption and door deformation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The second air chamber acts as an intermediary between the first air chamber (which transmits load to the side sill) and the container. It controls the inflation pressure based on door deformation detection, mediating the load transmission process to ensure proper door deformation control while maintaining effective load dissipation to the vehicle body.
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 device effectively reduces door deformation and collision damage by distributing loads to the side sill and absorbing collision energy, thereby enhancing occupant protection during side collisions.
Implementation Method 1
The first air chamber is configured to transmit a load applied from the vehicle-widthwise outside to a side surface of the side sill
Implementation Method 2
The internal pressure controller is configured to control an internal pressure of the second air chamber based on the load application state detected by the application state detector
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag device for a vehicle provided with a door and a side sill includes an airbag and an application state detector. The airbag is deployed from a container to be disposed on a lower side of the door on a vehicle body to a region on a vehicle-widthwise outside of the door. The application state detector detects a load application state of a load from the airbag to the vehicle body. The airbag includes a first air chamber, a second air chamber, and an internal pressure controller. The first air chamber transmits a load applied from the vehicle-widthwise outside to a side surface of the side sill. The second air chamber couples a lower part of the first air chamber and the container. The internal pressure controller controls an internal pressure of the second air chamber based on the load application state detected by the application state detector.