Sunvisor Assembly With Frangible Hinge for Airbag Energy Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sunvisor assemblies do not effectively dissipate the energy generated by a curtain airbag deployment, leading to potential damage to surrounding structures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a frangible connection or a living hinge connection in the sunvisor assembly that breaks or bends in response to a predetermined force, allowing energy absorption and dissipation from the curtain airbag deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the sunvisor assembly is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but energy dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sunvisor assembly is divided into multiple segments including a first panel portion, a second panel portion, and a mirror assembly portion. These segments are connected through frangible connections that allow the assembly to segment further during airbag deployment, enabling energy dissipation while maintaining structural integrity during normal use
Solution Approach 2:
The sunvisor assembly transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic segmented structure. The frangible connections are designed to remain intact during normal operation but break under specific force conditions during airbag deployment, allowing the assembly to adapt its structural properties based on operational conditions
2Loss of energy
If the sunvisor assembly is made fragile to dissipate energy, then energy dissipation capability is improved, but strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible connections are strategically positioned at specific locations within the sunvisor assembly where energy dissipation is most needed during airbag deployment. The connections have localized reduced strength compared to the rest of the assembly, allowing controlled breaking at predetermined locations while maintaining overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of the sunvisor assembly becoming a projectile during airbag deployment is converted into a benefit by designing frangible connections that break under deployment forces. This controlled breaking dissipates the harmful kinetic energy and prevents damage to surrounding structures, transforming the harmful impact force into useful energy dissipation
3Reliability
If the sunvisor assembly remains intact during airbag deployment, then reliability is improved, but harmful effects worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible connections are pre-designed and pre-positioned within the sunvisor assembly to break at predetermined locations under specific force conditions. This preliminary preparation ensures that when airbag deployment occurs, the connections will automatically break to dissipate energy and prevent damage, without requiring real-time decision-making or control systems
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 frangible or living hinge connections effectively absorb and dissipate the energy from the curtain airbag deployment, reducing the risk of damage to the sunvisor assembly and surrounding vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
The frangible connection being configured to break in response to a force greater than a predetermined amount being applied to the first panel portion
Implementation Method 2
the living hinge connection being configured to bend in response to a force greater than a predetermined amount being applied to the first panel portion
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle sunvisor assembly includes a panel body, a first vehicle attachment and a second vehicle attachment. The panel body includes a first panel portion and a second panel portion. The first vehicle attachment is movably coupled to a first end of the panel body, and attached to a vehicle body structure. The second vehicle attachment is coupled adjacent a second end of the panel body, and is releasably coupled to the vehicle body structure. The panel body includes at least one of a frangible connection and a living hinge connection that connects the first portion to the second portion. The frangible connection breaks in response to a force greater than a predetermined amount being applied to the first panel portion. The living hinge connection bends in response to a force greater than a predetermined amount being applied to the first panel portion.