VALIDATION METHODOLOGY ON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT PROCESS OF DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG

摘要

Recent years the numerical method of the simulation for the airbag deployment process has been improved with new material model and thermodynamic model, and has become a standard application of finite element codes. With such simulation tools, it is possible to attempt supporting the airbag module design and evaluating the injuries of dummy in airbag hazard area or out-of-position. Although the simulation model for the airbag's deployment process is usually correlated with the static airbag deployments and reaction force results, up-to-date the numerical approach to represent the fluid flow within the airbag is both costly and time consuming. This paper will provide an overview of the correlation process for reducing the resource to be invested. The following two tests are conducted for acquiring the reference data. 1. Static deployment test for acquiring the airbag internal pressure during the deployment process and 2. Drop tower test for acquiring the fully deployed airbag's reaction force. The drop tower test is simulated to determine the parameter related to the leakage of fabric and vent holes with the airbag model using the uniform pressure method offering the relatively short solving time. And then Static deployment test is simulated for determining the parameter related to the unfolding phase with the airbag model using the corpuscular (particle) method. These two simulations are compared to the test results and satisfactory correlation is found in both the cases. The drop tower simulation using the uniform pressure method leads to reduce the total correlation time and to easily extend the application for protection of the driver occupant while in-position. This airbag model can be used in parametric studies to investigate the effects of airbag module design changes and to study the out-of-position (OOP) load case.