Vehicle Side Airbag Panel Segmentation Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle airbag systems are inadequate in controlling the kinematics of occupants during a side impact, particularly in limiting head excursion due to insufficient width and design in the inflated position.
Innovation Solution
The airbag assembly includes a top panel with opposing side edges and a front edge extending between them, fixed at a seam, and a bottom panel with opposing side edges and a front edge, where the main panel is fixed to both panels at seams, providing a wider coverage to control lateral movement and absorb energy during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the airbag uses a conventional design with limited width, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control occupant kinematics and limit head excursion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple panels (first panel, second panel, third panel, fourth panel) that can be independently configured and stitched together. This segmentation allows each panel to be optimized for specific functions while maintaining overall system reliability for occupant protection
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag design transitions from a conventional two-dimensional inflated shape to a three-dimensional configuration with varying widths at different heights. The width between side edges increases from bottom to top, creating a volumetric structure that provides superior occupant kinematics control without excessive complexity
2Reliability
If the airbag is designed with insufficient width in inflated position, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the head excursion limitation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the airbag into separate panels that are stitched together allows for modular manufacturing. Each panel can be manufactured with standard precision tolerances, and the segmentation points (seams) are designed to accommodate normal manufacturing variations while maintaining the required overall width for head excursion limitation
Solution Approach 2:
The seam allowances and stitching patterns are specifically designed at critical locations to ensure proper panel alignment. The local quality of the seam construction provides the necessary precision at junction points while allowing the overall airbag to achieve the required width for effective protection
3Loss of energy
If the airbag uses a wider top panel design, then the energy absorption capability is improved, but the amount of material required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag achieves enhanced energy absorption by varying its width in the vertical dimension rather than uniformly increasing material throughout. The wider top panel configuration concentrates material where it is most needed for absorbing impact energy during side collisions, while the narrower bottom section reduces overall material consumption
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the airbag are designed with different widths to match the local energy absorption requirements. The top panel is wider to handle the higher energy absorption needs during impact, while the bottom panel is narrower where less energy absorption is required, optimizing the material distribution
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a seatback. The assembly includes a side airbag supported by the seatback and inflatable to an inflated position including a top panel having a pair of opposing side edges and a front edge extending between the side edges. The side airbag includes a main panel fixed to the top panel at a seam extending along the side edges and the front edge.