Compact Side Airbag Panel Folding Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side airbags in a folded state are relatively large, making them inconvenient for installation in vehicles due to the need for a large casing.
Innovation Solution
A side airbag design that includes two panels folded along specific lines, with strategically placed holes and edges for gas flow, allowing for compact folding by overlapping faces and edges, and a method of manufacturing involving specific sewing steps to create chambers and join edges efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional side airbag design is used, then the airbag can provide adequate protection, but the folded size becomes relatively large requiring a large casing
Solution Approach 1:
The side airbag is divided into multiple panels (first panel, second panel, third panel, fourth panel) that can be folded independently along specific fold lines. This segmentation allows each panel to be compacted efficiently, reducing the overall folded volume while maintaining the ability to provide comprehensive side protection when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag panels are designed to overlap and nest within each other when folded, with the second panel overlapping the first panel and the fourth panel overlapping the third panel. This nesting arrangement minimizes the folded size by allowing panels to be stored in a compact, space-efficient manner within the casing.
2Volume of moving object
If panels are folded to reduce size, then compact storage is achieved, but the structural complexity of joining edges increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is segmented into distinct panels with defined fold lines and joining lines, allowing each panel to be independently folded and joined. This segmentation simplifies the overall folding process by breaking down the complex transformation into manageable, repetitive units that follow consistent joining patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are pre-configured with fold lines and joining lines marked during manufacturing, allowing the folding and joining operations to be performed systematically. The second panel is pre-positioned to overlap the first panel along the joining line, and the edges are pre-aligned to facilitate efficient joining without complex real-time adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A side airbag includes a panel having a first left face and a first right face and folded along a fold line to form a chamber, another panel having a second left face and a second right face and folded to form a chamber, wherein the second left face has a left edge part joined to the first left face along a line from an upper edge part to a lower edge part of the first left face at a position closer to the fold line than to a left edge part of the first left face, and the second right face has a right edge part joined to the first right face along a line from an upper edge part to a lower edge part of the first right face at a position closer to the fold line than to a right edge part of the first right face.