Stepped Side Airbag Layout to Reduce Pedestrian Ground Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pedestrians often experience a secondary collision with the ground after colliding with a vehicle, which can exacerbate injuries, and existing pedestrian protection systems do not adequately address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A pedestrian protection airbag apparatus is designed with an exterior front side airbag and rear side airbag deployed along the vehicle's side surface, featuring a configuration where the front airbag is positioned lower than the rear airbag to create a stepped structure that sustains the pedestrian from both above and below, reducing the risk of secondary collisions with the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional pedestrian protection systems are used, then the pedestrian's primary collision with the vehicle is addressed, but the pedestrian still experiences secondary collision with the ground causing exacerbated injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The side airbag is divided into multiple sections including a head protection section and a body protection section, with each section having different expansion characteristics and protection zones. This segmentation allows the airbag to provide differentiated protection for different body parts during both primary and secondary collision phases
Solution Approach 2:
The side airbag expands in a controlled sequence where the head protection section inflates first to cushion the pedestrian's head before the body section fully expands. This preliminary action prevents the pedestrian from contacting the ground during the critical moment of impact
2Reliability
If a single airbag configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide comprehensive protection for both head and body during secondary collision
Solution Approach 1:
The side airbag is divided into multiple sections including a head protection section and a body protection section, with each section having different expansion characteristics and protection zones. This segmentation allows the airbag to provide differentiated protection for different body parts during both primary and secondary collision phases
Solution Approach 2:
The head protection section and body protection section are integrated into a single side airbag system that deploys from one location. This merging approach provides comprehensive protection while maintaining relatively simple installation and control architecture
3Reliability
If the airbag expands uniformly, then the deployment is simple to control, but it cannot effectively prevent ground contact for different body parts at different times
Solution Approach 1:
The side airbag expands in a controlled sequence where the head protection section inflates first to cushion the pedestrian's head before the body section fully expands. This preliminary action prevents the pedestrian from contacting the ground during the critical moment of impact
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag employs dynamic expansion control where different sections inflate at different rates and to different pressures based on the collision detection data. This dynamic deployment optimizes protection effectiveness while managing control system complexity
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 airbag system effectively reduces the impact of secondary collisions by positioning the front airbag lower than the rear airbag, providing comprehensive protection to the pedestrian's upper body and head, thereby minimizing injuries from ground contact.
Implementation Method 1
configured to, upon being supplied with gas, be expanded and deployed along a side surface of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A pedestrian protection airbag apparatus includes an exterior front side airbag, and an exterior rear side airbag. The exterior front side airbag is disposed in a front portion of a side sill of a vehicle, and configured to, upon being supplied with gas, be expanded and deployed along a side surface of the vehicle. The exterior rear side airbag is disposed in a rear portion of the side sill of the vehicle, and configured to, upon being supplied with gas, be expanded and deployed along the side surface of the vehicle. An upper end portion of the exterior front side airbag is disposed lower than an upper end portion of the exterior rear side airbag.