Single Inflator Side Rear Airbag System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle occupant restraint systems for rear seat occupants are complex, heavy, and costly due to the use of multiple components, including separate inflators for side and rear airbags, which can interfere with child seats and compromise safety.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle occupant restraint system featuring a single inflator connected to both a side airbag and a rear airbag, with the rear airbag slidably attached to the vehicle seat to accommodate different positions, allowing the seat to move between upright and reclined positions while ensuring effective cushioning for both front and rear occupants during crashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate dedicated inflator is used for the rear airbag system, then the safety and protection of rear seat occupants is improved, but the vehicle weight increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the front airbag system and rear airbag system into a single integrated restraint system that shares a common inflator. The inflator is positioned to inflate both the front airbag (for front seat occupants) and the rear airbag (for rear seat occupants), thereby reducing vehicle weight while maintaining safety protection for both rows of seats.
Solution Approach 2:
The common inflator serves multiple functions by being configured to inflate both the front airbag and rear airbag. This multi-functional component replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated inflators, reducing overall system complexity and weight while providing comprehensive occupant protection.
2Reliability
If a separate dedicated inflator is used for the rear airbag system, then the safety and protection of rear seat occupants is improved, but the device complexity and wire routing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the front and rear airbag systems into a single integrated restraint system with a shared inflator and common gas distribution manifold. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components, simplifies wire routing, and decreases system complexity while maintaining independent safety protection capabilities for both front and rear occupants.
Solution Approach 2:
The common inflator and gas distribution system perform multiple functions by serving both front and rear airbags, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems and thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If a separate dedicated inflator is used for the rear airbag system, then the safety and protection of rear seat occupants is improved, but the vehicle cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines front and rear airbag systems into a single manufactured unit with shared components, particularly the inflator and gas distribution manifold. This consolidation reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating redundant components and simplifying assembly processes while maintaining full safety protection for both front and rear seat occupants.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the rear airbag is fixed to the seatback, then the structural stability is improved, but the seat adjustability and compatibility with child seats deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic attachment system where the rear airbag is connected to the seatback through a slider mechanism that allows relative movement. This dynamic connection enables the airbag to remain stably attached during normal operation while accommodating seat adjustments and recline movements, and providing clearance when child seats are installed in rear positions.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary vehicle occupant restraint system may include a side airbag attached to a side portion of a vehicle seat. The system may further include a rear airbag attached to a rear portion of the vehicle seat. The system can also have a single inflator connected to the side airbag and the rear airbag, such that the inflator is configured to cushion a first occupant and a second occupant during a crash event with the side airbag and the rear airbag, respectively.