Side Airbag Radial Folded Region for Rapid Lumbar Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Side airbag devices face challenges in quickly and smoothly deploying in narrow vehicle spaces to effectively restrain occupants during lateral impacts.
Innovation Solution
A side airbag device with a bag-shaped airbag that includes a lower tuck-in region folded into a fan shape and radial pleated region, which deploys first to quickly restrain the occupant, along with parallel folded regions and a baffle member to optimize gas distribution and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the airbag is deployed in a narrow vehicle space, then the deployment speed must be increased, but the deployment smoothness and restraint effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple folded regions with different folding patterns (radial folded region at the lower end, parallel folded regions at the upper end). This segmentation allows different parts to deploy in a controlled sequence, with the radial folded region deploying first to provide immediate lumbar restraint, followed by the parallel folded regions for complete coverage, thus resolving the contradiction between fast deployment and effective restraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag employs two-dimensional folded patterns (radial and parallel folding) that transform the deployment trajectory from a single direction to multiple directions. The radial folded region expands in a radial pattern from the lower end, while the parallel folded regions expand horizontally from the upper end, enabling the airbag to quickly fill the narrow vehicle space between the seat and door trim while maintaining smooth deployment and effective occupant restraint.
2Productivity
If the airbag uses traditional folding methods, then the structure is simple, but the deployment speed and initial restraint capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is pre-folded into specific radial and parallel folded regions before deployment. The radial folded region at the lower end and the parallel folded regions at the upper end are arranged in advance to ensure that when deployment occurs, the radial folded region expands first to provide immediate lumbar restraint, followed by the parallel folded regions. This preliminary folding configuration enables rapid initial restraint without requiring complex deployment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag employs curved fold lines that form radial and parallel patterns, creating a fan-shaped radial folded region and horizontally extended parallel folded regions. These curved folding patterns allow the airbag to expand smoothly in a controlled manner, with the radial folded region deploying first in a radial expansion pattern, followed by the parallel folded regions, thereby achieving fast deployment efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Loss of time
If the airbag deploys quickly to restrain the occupant, then the initial restraint is effective, but the space utilization and deployment smoothness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is segmented into a radial folded region at the lower end and parallel folded regions at the upper end, each with specific folding patterns. The radial folded region is positioned to deploy first and quickly fill the narrow vehicle space between the seat and door trim, providing immediate lumbar restraint. The parallel folded regions then deploy to complete the coverage, ensuring effective space utilization while maintaining rapid response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag uses two-dimensional folded patterns (radial and parallel folding) that enable the airbag to expand in multiple directions simultaneously. The radial folded region expands radially from the lower end to quickly occupy the necessary vehicle space, while the parallel folded regions expand horizontally from the upper end. This multi-dimensional expansion achieves both fast restraint response and efficient space utilization within the narrow vehicle compartment.
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
Enables rapid deployment and effective restraint of the occupant's lumbar region by prioritizing the radial folded region's deployment, enhancing the airbag's initial deployment efficiency and space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator that supplies inflation gas into the airbag
Data Source
AI summary
A side airbag device including: a bag-shaped airbag that deploys from a lateral portion of a vehicle seat toward a front side of a vehicle; and an inflator that supplies inflation gas into the airbag. The airbag has, at least at a lower portion thereof, a lower tuck-in region tucked into the airbag. Further, at least a part of the lower tuck-in region is folded into a fan shape and forms a radial folded region folded into a pleated shape along a line extending rearward in a radial direction from a central point of the fan shape positioned on a front side of the airbag.