Side Impact Airbag Test Apparatus with Linear Motion Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current side impact testing methods require full-vehicle testing for each iteration, which is resource-intensive and costly, and do not efficiently simulate the dynamic forces experienced during a side impact collision.
Innovation Solution
A compact test apparatus utilizing a linear-motion generator, airbag, crushable member, and adjustable guide bars to simulate the forces and movements of a side impact, allowing for cost-effective and frequent testing of airbag designs while measuring head injury criteria (HIC) and brain injury criterion (BrIC) effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full-vehicle testing is performed for each airbag design iteration, then accurate side impact protection evaluation is achieved, but resource consumption and testing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the full-vehicle testing system into a dedicated side impact test module that can be independently configured and tested. This modular approach allows airbag design iterations to be evaluated in the segmented test environment without requiring complete full-vehicle assembly and testing, thereby reducing resource consumption while maintaining evaluation accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If full-vehicle testing is performed for each airbag design iteration, then comprehensive airbag performance data is obtained, but testing time and development cycle extend
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the side impact test module with all necessary sensors, actuators, and measurement systems before airbag design iterations begin. This preliminary setup eliminates the need to reassemble and reconfigure full vehicles for each test iteration, enabling rapid successive testing while maintaining comprehensive performance measurement capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple full-vehicle tests are conducted to optimize airbag design, then design refinement is achieved, but resource expenditure and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal side impact test module that can evaluate multiple airbag design variations using the same standardized test bench and measurement systems. This multi-functional test module replaces the need for separate full-vehicle testing configurations for each design iteration, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize airbag designs through comparative testing.
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 realistic and efficient testing of airbag designs with reduced resources, providing accurate measurements of HIC and BrIC, facilitating quicker optimization and refinement of airbag performance without the need for full-vehicle testing.
Implementation Method 1
a linear-motion generator (32) deployable in a deployment direction (D)
Implementation Method 2
The airbag (34) is spaced from the linear-motion generator (32) and inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position
Implementation Method 3
The crushable member (40) is fixed relative to the airbag (34) in the uninflated position and disposed in the deployment direction (D) from the plate (36)
Data Source
AI summary
A test apparatus includes a linear-motion generator, an airbag, a plate, an anthropomorphic test device, a crushable member, and a guide bar. The linear-motion generator is deployable in a deployment direction. The airbag is spaced from the linear-motion generator and inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The plate and the anthropomorphic test device are movable together by the linear-motion generator. The crushable member is fixed relative to the airbag in the uninflated position and disposed in the deployment direction from the plate. The guide bar has an end fixed relative to the airbag in the uninflated position and is positioned to intersect the airbag in the inflated position. The test apparatus has a beltline bar that is elongated along an axis transverse to the deployment direction, adjacent the airbag in the uninflated position, and spaced farther from the linear-motion generator than the airbag in the inflated position.