Triangular Airbag for Offset Barrier Impact Redirection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current airbag systems are inadequate in mitigating intrusion during small offset rigid barrier impacts, as they do not effectively redirect impact energy to minimize vehicle intrusion and optimize vehicle performance in such collision scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A deployable airbag system mounted to the front side rail of a vehicle, triggered by an impact detection sensor, which inflates in a triangular shape with an angular leading edge to generate a lateral force against the rigid barrier, redirecting the vehicle's movement and minimizing intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional airbag system is used, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot effectively redirect impact energy to minimize vehicle intrusion in small offset rigid barrier impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is designed to transition from a static stowed configuration to a dynamic deployed configuration with a specific triangular shape and angular leading edge. This dynamic transformation allows the airbag to generate optimal lateral force during impact, resolving the contradiction by enabling effective impact energy redirection through motion-induced geometric changes rather than complex mechanical structures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the airbag by controlling its inflation pattern to create a triangular shape with a specific angular leading edge (approximately 30 degrees). This parameter change optimizes the airbag's ability to generate lateral force and redirect impact energy, achieving improved reliability without requiring complex device structures
2Force
If an airbag with a standard deployment shape is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot generate sufficient lateral force to push the vehicle away from the barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag's inflation parameters are controlled to achieve a specific triangular geometry with an angular leading edge at approximately 30 degrees. This precise parameter control maximizes lateral force generation during impact while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing processes, resolving the contradiction between force generation and manufacturing precision
3Reliability
If the airbag deploys without a specific angular configuration, then the deployment is simple, but it cannot effectively redirect impact energy by lateral movement of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag utilizes dynamic deployment where the inflation process itself creates the desired triangular shape with angular leading edge. This dynamic approach achieves effective impact mitigation through the motion and geometric transformation of the airbag rather than requiring complex pre-configured mechanical structures or multi-stage deployment mechanisms
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 redirects impact energy by generating a high lateral force, reducing vehicle intrusion and optimizing vehicle performance in small offset rigid barrier impacts, as demonstrated by the 40 mph Small Offset Rigid Barrier test protocol.
Implementation Method 1
An impact detection sensor generates a signal upon an impact event
Implementation Method 2
An inflator is operationally coupled with the airbag and is responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible optical impact detection sensor is mounted on an outboard portion of the front bumper for signaling an offset rigid barrier impact event to a forward corner of a motor vehicle and deployment of a small offset rigid barrier airbag mounted on the front rail. The airbag is attached proximate a distal end of a front rail. The flexible optical impact detection sensor, attached to a rear surface of an outboard portion of the front bumper, generates a signal upon a corner impact event, whereby a controller processes the signal generated by the impact detection sensor and electrically actuates an inflator upon a predetermined impact severity. The airbag in the inflated condition acts against the offset rigid barrier to generate a lateral force against the offset rigid barrier to push the motor vehicle away from the barrier and thereby redirect impact energy by lateral movement of the motor vehicle.