Side Airbag Cushion Skeletal Venting for Stable Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side airbag devices face issues with unstable deployment behavior and shape, leading to reduced occupant restraining performance and delayed restraint due to improper deployment of the airbag cushion.
Innovation Solution
The airbag cushion is designed with a skeletal region that deploys prior to the main chamber in a rod shape, stabilized by high rigidity, and includes a core structure to prevent deformation, with gas flow channels ensuring rapid expansion and uniform deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the airbag cushion deploys without a skeletal region, then the deployment speed is fast, but the deployment shape is unstable and the occupant restraint performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag cushion is segmented into three distinct regions: an inflator housing region, a skeletal region, and a main chamber region. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function - the skeletal region provides structural stability while the main chamber provides occupant restraint, resolving the contradiction between deployment shape stability and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The skeletal region deploys prior to the main chamber region, performing preliminary action to establish the deployment shape and provide structural stability before the main restraint function activates. This preliminary deployment of the skeletal framework ensures stable shape formation before full inflation occurs.
2Reliability
If the airbag cushion uses a complex skeletal structure, then the deployment shape is stable, but the deployment time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the airbag into separate skeletal and main chamber regions with dedicated vent holes, the skeletal region can deploy rapidly to establish shape stability without waiting for full main chamber inflation, reducing overall deployment time while maintaining shape stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Vent holes are strategically positioned in both the skeletal region and inflator housing region to control gas flow dynamics. This pneumatic control allows the skeletal region to inflate rapidly to its stable configuration before the main chamber completes inflation, minimizing deployment time while ensuring shape stability.
3Reliability
If the airbag cushion lacks internal structural support, then the device complexity is low, but the occupant restraint performance is reduced due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into functional segments with the skeletal region serving as internal structural support. This segmentation provides necessary rigidity to prevent deformation during occupant contact while keeping the overall design relatively simple through clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The skeletal region deploys in advance to establish internal structural support before the occupant contacts the airbag. This preliminary formation of the rigid framework ensures the airbag maintains its shape and provides effective restraint performance when needed.
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 stabilizes the deployment posture and shape of the airbag cushion, ensuring rapid and effective restraint of occupants by preventing deformation and ensuring a quick expansion rate, thereby enhancing occupant safety.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator that supplies expansion gas to the airbag cushion
Implementation Method 2
a first vent hole that discharges the expansion gas into the main chamber is formed in the skeletal region
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is a side airbag device (20) housed in a vehicle seat, having: an airbag cushion (30) that restrains an occupant by expanding and deploying; and an inflator (32) that supplies expansion gas to the airbag cushion. Furthermore, the airbag cushion includes: an inflator housing region (134) that houses the inflator; a main chamber region (135) that primarily contributes to restraining an occupant; and a skeletal region (136) that is connected to the inflator housing region and deploys in a rod shape prior to the main chamber. Furthermore, a first vent hole /144) that discharges the expansion gas into the main chamber is formed in the skeletal region.