Side Air Bag Guide Structure for Uniform Head Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle HVAC systems fail to effectively protect occupants from airborne contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, which can be introduced through circulated air or external sources, posing a risk to vehicle occupants.
Innovation Solution
An HVAC system equipped with electromagnetic radiation sources emitting wavelengths between 200-280 nanometers, controlled by a sensor network and a controller, to sterilize and manage air quality and pressure differentials to reduce contaminant levels within the vehicle cabin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a side air bag is deployed to protect the occupant's head, then head protection is improved, but the air bag may contact the B-pillar or window frame causing uneven expansion and reduced protection effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the side air bag and the vehicle body (B-pillar/window frame). This guide structure includes a guide surface that directs the expansion of the air bag away from contact with the B-pillar or window frame, ensuring uniform expansion and maintaining protection effectiveness.
2Speed
If the side air bag is designed to expand quickly to protect the occupant, then protection response time is improved, but the air bag may contact the B-pillar or window frame causing uneven expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure serves as a mediator that manages the rapid expansion of the air bag. The guide surface is specifically designed to redirect the quickly expanding air bag away from the B-pillar or window frame, allowing fast deployment while preventing harmful contact and ensuring uniform expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure introduces a spatial dimension to control air bag expansion. By creating a defined expansion path through the guide surface, the air bag's movement is directed in a specific trajectory that avoids contact with obstructing structures, transforming the expansion from an uncontrolled three-dimensional deployment to a controlled directional movement.
3Reliability
If the side air bag is positioned close to the occupant's head for immediate protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the air bag may contact the B-pillar or window frame reducing expansion uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure acts as an intermediary that enables the air bag to be positioned close to the occupant's head while maintaining expansion uniformity. The guide surface provides a controlled expansion path that prevents contact with the B-pillar or window frame, allowing the air bag to deploy effectively near the occupant without compromising expansion uniformity.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
A system for protecting an occupant of a vehicle comprises a vehicle having an interiorly, an exterior 19 and a portal 15. An HVAC system circulates air in the vehicle. A source of electromagnetic radiation (UV) disposed in the HVAC system reduces contaminant in air. Sensors monitor adjacent air quality (interior air 21, exterior air 25) and air pressure (interior air pressure 27, exterior air pressure 29). A controller is connected with the sensors.