Sub-airbag Arm Clearance for Vehicle Occupant Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In autonomous driving vehicles, existing occupant protection devices face challenges in providing optimal protection when occupants are holding portable terminals, as the arm can be sandwiched between the front airbag and the upper body, hindering effective deployment and protection.

Innovation Solution

An occupant protection device comprising a collision predictor, a main airbag, an occupant state detecting device, and a sub-airbag, where the sub-airbag deploys to push the occupant's arm away before the main airbag inflates, using a sub-airbag moving device to position the sub-airbag above the arm and swiftly deflate to allow precise main airbag deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the main airbag deploys directly toward the occupant's upper body, then collision protection is provided, but the arm may be sandwiched between the airbag and upper body causing interference with effective deployment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidarm interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sub-airbag deploys in advance before the main airbag to push the occupant's arm away from the deployment path. This preliminary action clears the interference area so that when the main airbag deploys subsequently, the arm will not be sandwiched between the airbag and upper body, ensuring reliable protection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The airbag protection system is divided into two independent parts: a sub-airbag for arm clearance and a main airbag for primary protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the sub-airbag removes harmful interference while the main airbag provides comprehensive protection, resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and arm interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a sub-airbag is deployed to push the arm away before main airbag deployment, then arm interference is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm interferenceVSAvoidairbag system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sub-airbag moving device serves multiple functions: it positions the sub-airbag above the arm, enables swift deflation after deployment, and coordinates timing with the main airbag. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex mechanisms for each operation, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while effectively preventing arm interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If the sub-airbag deploys swiftly and deflates quickly, then precise timing for main airbag deployment is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment timingVSAvoidsub-airbag energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sub-airbag operates in a periodic manner: rapid deployment to push the arm away, swift deflation to clear the path, and then remaining deflated until the main airbag needs to deploy. This periodic action pattern ensures precise timing for main airbag deployment while limiting continuous energy consumption, as the sub-airbag is only actively consuming energy during brief deployment and deflation phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Ensures optimal protection by removing the arm from the main airbag's deployment area, preventing interference and ensuring the main airbag can deploy correctly, even when occupants are holding items, thereby enhancing safety.

Implementation Method 1

the sub-airbag is configured to deploy toward the arm of the occupant and to swiftly deflate after deployment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas expansion:

Implementation Method 2

The airbag is instantaneously inflated with the gas sent from the inflator and deploys in front of the occupant. Accordingly, the airbag holds the body of the occupant moving forward due to the impact with the gas pressure inside thereof and deflates while absorbing the kinetic energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure:

Data Source

PatentUS11180106B2Occupant protection device

Publication Date: 2021.11.23 SUBARU CORP

AI summary

An occupant protection device for a vehicle includes a collision predictor, a main airbag, an occupant state detecting device, a sub-airbag, and a deployment controller. The collision predictor is configured to predict a collision of the vehicle. The main airbag is configured to deploy toward an occupant from a front of the vehicle when the collision predictor predicts a collision of the vehicle. The occupant state detecting device is configured to detect a position of an arm of the occupant. The sub-airbag is configured to deploy toward the arm of the occupant and to swiftly deflate after deployment. The deployment controller is configured to, when the collision predictor predicts a collision of the vehicle, cause the sub-airbag to deploy toward the arm of the occupant detected by the occupant state detecting device and cause the main airbag to deploy after deflation of the sub-airbag.