Side Airbag Strip Connection Panel Deployment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side airbag devices require complex manufacturing steps, including tether mounting and folding with internal turning, to deploy in desired positions during lateral collisions, which complicates their production and deployment.
Innovation Solution
A side airbag device with a simple structure featuring an inflator fixed in a vehicle seat, an inflatable airbag with a first inflation portion fixed to the seat and a second portion inclining towards the occupant, and a strip connection panel connecting the airbag's peripheral edges, allowing deployment without tethers or sub-bags, and optionally with recessed or protruding portions for controlled thickness and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If tether(s) are mounted on the airbag to control deployment position, then the airbag can deploy in a desired position, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the tether component from the airbag structure entirely. Instead of mounting tethers on the airbag to control deployment position, the patent uses the vehicle seat structure itself as the anchoring point, eliminating the need for separate tether mounting steps and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining deployment position control
Solution Approach 2:
The inflator serves multiple functions: it generates gas for inflation and simultaneously acts as the anchoring point for the airbag. By fixing the inflator to the vehicle seat and connecting the airbag to the inflator, the system eliminates the need for separate tethers, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired deployment position
2Manufacturing precision
If the airbag is folded with internal turning to enable deployment, then the airbag can deploy in a desired position, but the folding process becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex internal turning folding step from the manufacturing process. By designing the airbag to be anchored at its base to the inflator which is fixed to the vehicle seat, the airbag can be folded in a simpler manner without requiring internal turning operations, while still achieving proper deployment positioning
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 the airbag to deploy in a desired position effectively, providing enhanced protection to occupants by stabilizing the airbag's position and enhancing protection properties without the complexity of tether-based systems, thus simplifying production and deployment.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator fixed in a vehicle seat and configured to generate a gas
Data Source
AI summary
A side airbag device includes an airbag including a first inflation portion fixed to a seat and a second inflation portion inclining toward an occupant with respect to the first inflation portion. The airbag includes an occupant side panel disposed on an occupant side, a non-occupant side panel disposed opposite the occupant side panel, and a strip connection panel connecting a peripheral edge of the occupant side panel and a peripheral edge of the non-occupant side panel. The non-occupant side panel is spaced from the occupant side panel in a vehicle width direction. The connection panel includes a bend portion between a first peripheral edge portion connected to a first part of the peripheral edge of the occupant side panel defining the first inflation portion and a second peripheral edge portion connected to a second part of the peripheral edge of the occupant side panel defining the second inflation portion, or in the second peripheral edge portion.