Side Airbag Assembly with Overlapping Inflatable Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current side airbag systems may not effectively control the kinematics of occupants during vehicle impacts, especially when the seatback and seat bottom are in varying angular positions, as they do not provide comprehensive coverage across different seat configurations.
Innovation Solution
A dual airbag system is mounted to the seatback and seat bottom, with the second airbag overlapping the first in the inflated position, ensuring coverage regardless of the seat's angular position, and an inflator and fill tube assembly that allows independent inflation of each airbag, supported by a flexible cover and tether system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single airbag is mounted to the seatback, then the device complexity is low, but the coverage and effectiveness in controlling occupant kinematics deteriorates when seatback angle varies
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is divided into multiple separate airbags (first airbag mounted to seatback, second airbag mounted to seat bottom) that can be independently inflated and positioned. This segmentation allows each airbag to cover specific zones, ensuring comprehensive occupancy protection regardless of seatback angle while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single airbag positioned only on the seatback to a multi-dimensional configuration where airbags are distributed across different surfaces (seatback and seat bottom). This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions ensures that at least one airbag maintains effective coverage across varying seatback angles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If airbags are independently inflatable, then the adaptability to different seat configurations improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple inflators and fluid connections
Solution Approach 1:
A single inflator is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially or selectively inflating different airbags based on detected seat configuration and impact conditions. This multi-functional inflator reduces the number of inflation devices needed while maintaining the adaptability to provide appropriate coverage for various seatback angles and impact scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which airbags are inflated based on real-time detection of seatback angle and impact characteristics. This dynamic control allows the single inflator to adapt the airbag deployment strategy to match the current seat configuration, achieving versatility without requiring a separate inflator for each airbag.
3Area of stationary object
If the second airbag extends farther in the seat-forward direction, then the coverage area increases, but the risk of interfering with the first airbag inflation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of seatback angle and impact conditions before initiating airbag inflation. Based on this preliminary information, the control system determines the optimal inflation sequence and timing, ensuring that the second airbag extends far enough to provide coverage without interfering with the first airbag's inflation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflation process is executed in periodic stages with controlled timing. The first airbag is inflated in an initial phase, followed by the second airbag in a subsequent phase. This periodic, staged inflation approach allows each airbag to achieve its full extension without interfering with the other, maximizing coverage area while maintaining inflation reliability.
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 dual airbag system enhances the likelihood of effective kinematic control for occupants by maintaining coverage across different seatback and seat bottom angles, improving protection during side impacts.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator and fill tube assembly that allows independent inflation of each airbag
Implementation Method 2
The fill tube assembly may include a fill tube and a cover enclosing the fill tube
Data Source
AI summary
A restraint system includes a seat having a seatback and a seat bottom extending from the seatback in a seat-forward direction. A first airbag is fixed to the seatback at a side of the seat, and a second airbag is fixed to the seat bottom at the side of the seat. The first and second airbags are each inflatable to an inflated position. The second airbag in the inflated position overlaps the first airbag in the inflated position in a seat-rearward direction.