Vehicle Table Airbag Cushion Deployment for Object Confinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airbags do not effectively protect rear seat passengers from injuries caused by objects on the table surface during a vehicle collision, as they either push the passenger against the table or displace objects towards the passenger, leading to additional harm.
Innovation Solution
An airbag system for a vehicle table with a tear line and limiting tethers that deploy to cover the table surface, confining objects and preventing them from hitting the passenger, while also using pulling tethers to direct the airbag deployment and concave portions for passenger protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional airbag is installed at the front seat only, then the front passenger is protected from collision impact, but the rear passenger is pushed against the front seatback increasing injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is segmented into multiple deployment locations: front seat airbag and rear seat airbag. The rear seat airbag is specifically positioned behind the front seatback to protect rear passengers, creating independent protection zones for different passenger positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag protection is extended from the front seat dimension to the rear seat dimension by installing the airbag at the rear surface of the front seatback, adding a new spatial dimension for passenger protection.
2Ease of operation
If a table is deployed at the front seatback for passenger convenience, then passenger comfort is improved, but objects on the table become harmful projectiles during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is pre-positioned inside the table structure and the tear line is pre-formed on the table surface. During collision, the airbag automatically deploys through the predetermined tear line path, confining objects within the airbag before they can become projectiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag acts as an intermediary substance between the table and the passenger. It intercepts objects that would otherwise be projected toward the passenger, absorbing and containing them within the airbag cushion.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the airbag cushion is fully contained within the table, then the table structure is maintained, but the airbag cannot effectively cover the upper surface to confine objects
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into two functional portions: a first end portion fixed inside the table to maintain structural integration, and a second end portion that protrudes through the tear line to cover the upper surface for effective object confinement.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag is nested within the table structure at its fixed end, while the protruding end extends outward to perform the confinement function, creating a nested configuration that satisfies both structural and protective requirements.
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
Effectively covers the table surface and confines objects during a collision, reducing the risk of injury to passengers by positioning the airbag cushion between the table and passenger, thereby minimizing impact and shock.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag cushion
Implementation Method 2
a tear line for connecting the second edge and the opposite edges to each other may be formed on the table and a second end portion of the airbag cushion may protrude above the table as the tear line is torn while the airbag cushion is deployed
Data Source
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AI summary
An airbag system for a vehicle table (100) is provided. The system includes a table disposed in front of a passenger and an airbag cushion (200) that is provided inside the table. The airbag cushion expands while being deployed in a state in which a first end portion of the airbag cushion is fixed to an internal portion of an edge of the table to allow a second end portion to protrude above the table and to cover an upper surface of the table. The airbag cushion also includes a bottom surface portion that faces the table, which is positioned at an interval from the upper surface of the table while the airbag cushion is deployed. An inflator (600) supplies gas to the airbag cushion to deploy the airbag cushion.