Side Airbag Retainer with Engagement Claws for Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing side airbag systems face challenges in improving the rigidity of the housing box during airbag inflation and expansion, while also seeking to reduce weight and facilitate attachment to the vehicle body.

Innovation Solution

A side airbag apparatus featuring a retainer member with engagement claws that attach to the vehicle body, enhancing the attachment rigidity and stability of the base housing, and using a resin frame for the base member to reduce weight and improve compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the housing box is made of metal to improve strength and rigidity, then the rigidity of the housing box is improved, but the weight of the apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity of housing boxVSAvoidweight of apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing box is divided into two parts: a resin base housing and a metal retainer member. The resin base housing reduces overall weight, while the metal retainer member provides localized reinforcement at the back side where high rigidity is needed for attachment to the vehicle body and support during airbag inflation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Metal material is applied locally only to the retainer member at the back side of the housing box, rather than the entire housing box. This provides targeted reinforcement where structural support is most critical while minimizing weight increase in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the housing box rigidity is improved during airbag inflation, then the stability of airbag expansion direction is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of airbag expansion directionVSAvoidcomplexity of housing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing box is segmented into a resin base housing and a separate metal retainer member that can be attached to the back side. This modular approach provides structural reinforcement for stable airbag expansion while keeping the overall design relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing box uses a composite structure combining resin and metal materials. The resin base housing provides basic enclosure, while the attached metal retainer member provides additional rigidity and stability for airbag expansion direction without requiring complete redesign of the entire housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If a retainer member with engagement claws is added to improve attachment rigidity, then the attachment stability to vehicle body is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stability to vehicle bodyVSAvoidcomplexity of retainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attaching the airbag system to the vehicle door from the front side, the retainer member is designed to attach from the back side of the housing box to the vehicle body. This inverted attachment approach provides more stable anchoring while keeping the retainer member structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer member is designed as a separate, modular component with engagement claws that can be independently attached to the vehicle body. This segmentation allows for simple attachment without requiring complex integration with other airbag system components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enhances the rigidity and stability of the airbag's expansion direction, facilitates attachment to the vehicle body, and reduces the overall weight of the apparatus, while maintaining compactness and minimizing interference with the vehicle body.

Implementation Method 1

when the inflator operates to inflate the airbag, the gas pressure of the inflator inflating the airbag puts great load on the housing box

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the retainer member is provided with right and left engagement claws provided separated from each other in a vehicle width direction to protrude toward a portion of the vehicle body on the vehicle back side and engaging respectively with engagement holes provided at the portion of the vehicle body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical engagement: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS9896053B2Side airbag apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A side airbag apparatus is provided between a vehicle body and a back seat, and includes a base housing configured to house an airbag and an inflator, a base member having upper and lower base attachment portions provided to sandwich the base housing in an upper-to-lower direction and attached to a portion of the vehicle body, and a retainer member configured to hold the base housing from a vehicle back side. Right and left engagement claws at an upper end of a back wall of the retainer member are arranged to engage respectively with engagement holes provided at a portion of the vehicle body on the vehicle back side. A virtual plane passing through the upper and lower base attachment portions and extending along a vehicle front-to-back direction passes between the right and left engagement claws.