Vehicular supplemental restraint device simulation using finite element modeling

• US 8,392,162 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Wu, Fubang, Chai, Li, Saha, Nripen
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, SHAMBHAVI K
• Application Number:
  US11/307,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20070179764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,588 Days
• Field of Search: 703/8
• US Class Current: 703/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/15 Vehicle, aircraft or watercraft design
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/23 using finite element methods [FEM] or finite difference methods [FDM]

Abstract

A method and system for modeling an inflatable supplemental restraint device for a vehicle includes operating a simulation system according to a first step in which the restraint device is modeled in a fully inflated configuration using a finite element model. The modeled airbag is then deflated and flattened. The flattened airbag is subjected to simulated folding using a finite element model. Inputs drawn from the results of successive portions of the simulation are used in the later modeling steps.

Claims

1. A method for modeling an inflatable supplemental restraint device for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

modeling the restraint device in a fully inflated state, using a finite element model;

reconfiguring the modeled restraint device from a fully inflated to a fully deflated and flattened configuration using data from the model of the fully inflated state in the finite element model;

using the results corresponding to the fully deflated and flattened configuration as an input to a finite element model to simulate continuous folding of the restraint device from its fully deflated and flattened configuration to a folded configuration;

comparing package dimensions of the modeled folded configuration to corresponding package dimensions of a housing for said restraint device; and

using the modeled folded configuration to model a fully inflated configuration of said supplemental restraint device.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said airbag is modeled as having small venting holes and uniform gas pressure within the airbag as the airbag is reconfigured to said fully deflated and flattened configuration.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said airbag is compared with said housing by simulating insertion of said folded airbag into said housing with defined contacts between a plurality of lays of the folded airbag and the housing.