Wrap-around Airbag Elbow Gas Flow Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee airbag devices struggle to inflate and wrap around instrument panels without external guidance hardware, adding weight and complexity, and require additional components for directional control during inflation.
Innovation Solution
An airbag device with an internal fabric panel structure that regulates gas flow through an elbow connecting the housing interface chamber and cushion chamber, allowing controlled directional deployment from a downward direction to wrap around the instrument panel, eliminating the need for external guidance hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external guidance hardware is used to control airbag inflation direction, then directional deployment is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes external guidance hardware from the system and replaces it with an internal fabric panel structure integrated into the airbag housing. The fabric panels are positioned to interact with the inflating airbag, guiding its expansion direction through the housing opening without requiring separate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric panels serve as intermediary elements between the airbag and the housing structure. These panels are strategically positioned to deflect and guide the airbag during inflation, controlling its path as it exits the housing and wraps around the instrument panel.
2Ease of operation
If control elements or structural blocking members are added to guide airbag inflation, then directional control is achieved, but weight and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function is merged with the existing airbag housing structure. The fabric panels are integrated into the housing design, combining the structural support function with the airbag guidance function in a single unified component rather than adding separate control elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible fabric panels instead of rigid structural blocking members. These thin film structures are sufficient to guide the airbag during inflation while adding minimal weight, compared to traditional rigid guidance hardware.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag housing opening faces downward for wrap-around deployment, then the airbag can wrap around the instrument panel, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the airbag to deploy in multiple directions by utilizing three-dimensional space. The airbag initially exits downward through the housing opening, then wraps upward around the instrument panel, utilizing vertical and lateral dimensions to achieve comprehensive occupant protection.
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
Enables simple and effective wrap-around deployment of airbags without external guidance devices, reducing vehicle weight and complexity while maintaining effective protection for occupants.
Implementation Method 1
an elbow that fluidly connects the housing interface chamber with the cushion chamber and is configured internally (e.g., by use of a fabric panel structure) so that it controllably regulates gas flow into the at least one airbag cushion chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An airbag device for a vehicle including at least one airbag housing interface chamber that attaches to an airbag housing; at least one airbag cushion chamber downstream of the at least one interface chamber; an elbow that fluidly connects the housing interface chamber with the cushion chamber and configured so that it controllably regulates gas flow into the at least one airbag cushion chamber; the elbow having an internal configuration, which includes at least one opening that permits back and forth gas flow between the elbow and the at least one airbag cushion chamber, and which controls the directional deployment of the airbag cushion chamber so that upon deployment the downstream end of the cushion chamber exits an airbag housing outwardly in a first direction and then in at least one second direction, so that the direction of deployment of the cushion chamber changes in direction to thereby wrap at least partially around a structure of a vehicle of the vehicle and at least temporarily interpose the cushion chamber between any occupant and the vehicle structure.