Side Airbag Cushion with Interference Prevention Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current side airbag apparatuses require improvement in occupant protection performance and restraining force, and must comply with safety regulations that prohibit sharp edges in the passenger compartment, particularly in the configuration of side airbag apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A side airbag apparatus with an airbag cushion positioned in the center of the vehicle seat's side frame, utilizing a holding plate with an extended part and an interference prevention member to enhance reaction force support and prevent contact with stud bolts, ensuring smoother inflation and deployment while maintaining passenger compartment safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the airbag cushion is positioned at the edge of the seat back, then the structure is simpler, but the occupant protection performance and restraining force are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag cushion is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber and second chamber) with different inflation timings and functions. The first chamber inflates to push the occupant backward, while the second chamber inflates to restrain the occupant's upper body, creating a two-stage protection mechanism that enhances overall protection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary airbag (first chamber) inflates before the main airbag (second chamber) to perform preliminary action by pushing the occupant backward and creating space. This preliminary movement of the occupant ensures that the main airbag can then effectively restrain the occupant's upper body against the side frame.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the stud bolt tip is exposed, then the assembly is simpler, but sharp edges create safety hazards in the passenger compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The interference prevention member is installed beforehand to cover the sharp tip of the stud bolt. This member acts as a cushioning element that prevents direct contact between the sharp edge and occupants or other structures, eliminating the safety hazard before it can cause harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The stud bolt's sharp tip, which could be harmful, is transformed into a beneficial feature by using it as an anchor point for the interference prevention member. The sharp tip provides secure anchoring for the coverage element, converting the potential hazard into a functional advantage for safety.
3Force
If the airbag cushion is positioned centrally with holding plate support, then the reaction force support is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding plate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the airbag cushion, anchors the interference prevention members, and transmits reaction forces from the side frame to the airbag system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding plate combines several structural elements into a single integrated component that performs support, anchoring, and force transmission functions. By merging these functions into one element, the design achieves improved reaction force support while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
Provided is a side airbag apparatus (100) not only capable of improvement in occupant protection performance and occupant restraining force, but also designed with careful thought for safety of a passenger compartment. The side airbag apparatus includes a cushion (108)that is in the shape of a bag and in a stored state in which the cushion is rolled or folded, and an inflator (110) attached together with the cushion to a side frame of a seat back. The inflator has a main body (113) installed in a center of the side frame in a width direction of the seat back, and a stud bolt (114a, 114b) passing through the side frame from the main body and protruding outward in the width direction of the seat back. The side airbag apparatus further includes an interference prevention member (130a, 130b) protruding outward beyond the stud bolt from the side frame and having a curvature radius greater than that of a tip of the stud bolt.