Side Airbag Folded Chamber Layout for Stable Staged Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Side airbag systems with both a main and auxiliary airbag face challenges in deployment speed and behavior, with the auxiliary airbag potentially disrupting the main airbag's deployment and requiring inconvenient and costly separate covers for packaging.
Innovation Solution
A side airbag device with a pre-push chamber and a main chamber connected by a breakable sewn part, where the pre-push chamber deploys first, maintaining a favorable posture and deployment speed, and eliminating the need for a separate cover by integrating the folded parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the auxiliary airbag deploys first to protect the occupant, then the occupant protection is improved, but the main airbag deployment behavior is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary airbag deploys first as a preliminary action to move the occupant away from the side panel before the main airbag deploys. This staged deployment ensures the occupant is in a favorable position to receive the main airbag restraint, improving overall protection while maintaining proper deployment sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The seat cushion acts as an intermediary element between the auxiliary and main airbags. The auxiliary airbag deploys through or alongside the seat cushion to reach the occupant, while the main airbag deploys from the side port. This intermediary structure allows both airbags to function effectively without interfering with each other's deployment behavior
2Ease of operation
If a separate cover is used to cover the entire airbag module, then the handling convenience is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary airbag is integrated into the seat cushion structure rather than being a separate component requiring a cover. The auxiliary airbag pouch is positioned within or through the seat cushion, allowing it to be handled and installed as part of the seat assembly rather than as a separate airbag module, simplifying manufacturing and eliminating the need for additional covering components
3Volume of moving object
If the airbag is packaged compactly in the side supporting part, then the space utilization is improved, but the deployment speed may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is segmented into two separate deployment zones: the auxiliary airbag integrated in the seat cushion and the main airbag in the side port. This segmentation allows each airbag to deploy independently from its compact stowage position, with the auxiliary airbag deploying first through the seat cushion and the main airbag deploying simultaneously or subsequently from the side, maintaining fast deployment speed while utilizing compact packaging space
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
Enhances deployment speed and stability of the airbag, improving occupant restraint performance without increasing deployment time or manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator that supplies expansion gas to the airbag
Implementation Method 2
the sewn part is configured to break during deployment of the airbag
Data Source
AI summary
A side airbag device that is stowed inside a vehicle seat and protects an occupant seated in the seat, including an airbag that restrains the occupant by expanding and deploying, and an inflator that supplies expansion gas to the airbag. The airbag includes a pre-push chamber that contains the inflator inside and deploys mainly on the occupant side (inside), and a main chamber that is connected to the pre-push chamber and deploys mainly toward the front of the vehicle. When the airbag is in the stowed state, the pre-push chamber forms the first folded part and the main chamber forms the second folded part. At the portion where the first folded part and the second folded part overlap, a sewn part joins the first folded part and at least a portion of the pre-chamber, and the sewn part is configured to break during deployment of the airbag.