Variable Vent Airbag Cushion Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle airbags suffer from unnecessary internal pressure loss due to continuous gas escape through fixed vents, leading to inadequate rapid deployment and insufficient cushioning during impacts, potentially causing injuries due to excessive contact with the vehicle body.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle airbag with a variable vent system that controls gas escape through a panel and tether mechanism, allowing the vent hole to open only during full deployment and close when internal pressure is reduced, minimizing pressure loss and ensuring proper cushioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a vent with a certain size flow path is provided in the airbag cushion, then gas can escape to prevent occupant injury from rapid inflation, but internal pressure is excessively reduced during deployment preventing rapid deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the vent hole variable rather than fixed. The vent hole opens and closes based on the operational conditions of the airbag cushion, specifically responding to internal pressure levels and deployment stage. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between preventing occupant injury and maintaining rapid deployment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the opening area of the vent hole during different deployment stages. The control unit adjusts the vent hole opening area based on detected internal pressure and deployment progress, changing the parameter from a fixed value to a variable one that adapts to real-time conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If gas continuously escapes through the vent during deployment, then occupant protection from excessive pressure is provided, but the airbag cushion cannot function properly as a cushion due to excessive pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling the vent hole to open and close at different deployment stages rather than remaining continuously open. The vent hole opens when internal pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold and closes when pressure is reduced, creating a periodic action that maintains cushioning function while preventing excessive pressure on the occupant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a sensor to detect internal pressure and deployment conditions, then using this information to control the vent hole opening area. The control unit continuously monitors the state and adjusts the vent accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains optimal pressure for both occupant safety and cushioning function.
3Reliability
If a variable vent system is introduced to control internal pressure, then rapid deployment and cushioning function are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a vent control mechanism that automatically responds to internal pressure conditions without requiring complex external control systems. The vent hole opening area is controlled based on predetermined pressure thresholds, allowing the system to self-regulate and reduce complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag for a vehicle is proposed. The airbag includes an inflator configured to generate gas, the airbag cushion connected to the inflator and configured to expand by the gas, and a variable vent provided in a first side of the airbag cushion and configured to control opening and closing state of a vent hole of the variable vent for gas escape from the airbag cushion in response to an operational condition of the airbag cushion.