Side Airbag Lobe Stiffness Control via Tether Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle airbag systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust their inflation and positioning based on the direction and severity of an impact to effectively control the kinematics of vehicle occupants, leading to suboptimal protection in various collision scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The airbag assembly includes a housing with an inflatable side airbag having an upper and lower lobe, an internal panel to separate the lobes, and a tether system that can be released to adjust the positioning and pressure of the upper lobe relative to the lower lobe, controlled by a computer that selectively inflates and vents the airbag based on the impact direction and seat orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag is inflated to a fixed position with uniform stiffness, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it cannot dynamically adapt to different impact directions and severities, reducing protection effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple lobes (first lobe and second lobe) with different stiffness characteristics. Each lobe can be independently controlled through separate inflation and venting operations, allowing the system to adapt to different impact scenarios without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system transitions from a static, fixed-stiffness structure to a dynamic system where the stiffness of each lobe can be adjusted in real-time. The computer controls inflation and venting of specific lobes based on impact detection, enabling the airbag to dynamically reconfigure its mechanical properties to match the collision scenario.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag uses a single uniform inflation chamber, then the manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot provide differentiated stiffness control for different impact scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The single inflation chamber is segmented into multiple independent lobes that can be selectively inflated and vented. This segmentation allows differentiated stiffness control across different regions of the airbag while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured using standard processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different lobes of the airbag are designed with different stiffness characteristics tailored to specific impact scenarios. The first lobe may be optimized for far-side impacts while the second lobe addresses near-side impacts, allowing each region to have the appropriate local mechanical properties for its intended function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag maintains constant pressure in all lobes, then the system is simple and reliable, but it cannot optimize occupant protection for specific impact directions
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control system transitions from maintaining constant uniform pressure to dynamically adjusting pressure in individual lobes. The computer monitors impact parameters and selectively inflates or vents specific lobes to create the optimal pressure distribution for the detected collision scenario, enabling directional adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing inflation and venting mechanisms to self-adjust pressure distribution based on impact detection. The computer controls which lobes receive inflation medium and which are vented, allowing the airbag system to autonomously reconfigure its pressure profile without requiring external intervention or complex additional actuation systems.
4Manufacturing precision
If the airbag is designed for general-purpose protection, then it covers multiple scenarios, but it cannot provide optimized protection for specific impact types like near-side or far-side collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is designed with different lobes that have specialized mechanical properties optimized for specific impact types. The first lobe may be configured for far-side impact protection while the second lobe is optimized for near-side impacts, allowing the system to provide precision-optimized protection for each scenario rather than using a single general-purpose design.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the airbag into functionally distinct lobes, the system can activate only the appropriate lobe for the detected impact type. This segmentation enables scenario-specific optimization while maintaining the ability to cover multiple impact types through selective deployment of different lobes.
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
This solution allows for enhanced occupant protection by dynamically adjusting the airbag's stiffness and positioning in response to the impact direction, improving the kinematic control of occupants during vehicle impacts, thereby enhancing safety in both near-side and far-side collisions.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator in fluid communication with the side airbag and configured to generate and supply inflation medium to inflate the side airbag from an uninflated position to an inflated position
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser extending from the inflator through the internal panel to the upper lobe
Implementation Method 3
a vent in the internal panel
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag assembly includes a housing and a side airbag inflatable to an inflated position. The side airbag in the inflated position has an upper lobe and a lower lobe supporting the upper lobe on the housing. The side airbag includes an internal panel between the upper lobe and the lower lobe. A tether has a first end anchored to the housing and a second end anchored to the upper lobe.