Method and system for folding airbags

• US 20060138762A1
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Jang, Jin-soo
• Application Number:
  US11/315,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20060138762A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2375 Folding devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

Systems and methods for folding airbags are disclosed. An airbag folding body includes a cavity having a rear wall and a top wall, the rear wall being opposite an entrance of an airbag cushion. The airbag folding body also includes a notch formed at an intersection of the top wall and the rear wall, the notch being adapted to capture, engage or secure a leading edge of the airbag cushion. The rear wall is adapted to direct the leading edge of the airbag toward the notch.

Claims

1. An airbag folding body, comprising:

a cavity having a rear wall and a top wall, the rear wall located opposing an entrance for an airbag; and

a notch formed at an intersection of the top wall and the rear wall, the notch being adapted to capture, engage or secure a leading edge of the airbag;

wherein the rear wall is adapted to direct the leading edge of the airbag toward the notch.

2. The airbag folding body of claim 1, wherein the cavity is adapted to accommodate the airbag in a folded configuration.

3. The airbag folding body of claim 1, further comprising a bottom wall, wherein the transition between the rear wall and the bottom wall is rounded to direct the leading edge of the airbag toward the notch.

4. The airbag folding body of claim 1, further comprising:

a bottom wall connected to the rear wall, the bottom wall having a ramp adapted to guide the airbag into the cavity.

5. A method of folding an airbag, comprising:

causing relative movement of an airbag toward a folding body, the folding body having a cavity with a rear wall and a top wall; and

directing a leading edge of the airbag toward a notch formed at an intersection of the top wall and the rear wall of the folding body, the notch being adapted to capture, engage or secure the leading edge.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the cavity is adapted to accommodate the airbag cushion in a folded configuration.

7. The airbag folding body of claim 5, wherein the step of directing includes using a rounded transition provided on the rear wall.

8. An airbag folding arrangement, comprising:

a first comb portion comprising;

two or more folding regions, the folding regions being separated by stationary blades; and

a fastener for securing an end of an airbag cushion; and

a second comb portion having one or more movable blades adapted to translate at least partially into the folding regions, thereby forming a fold of an airbag cushion positioned between the first comb portion and the second comb portion.

9. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein the second comb portion includes a movable plate configured to push the movable blades into the folding regions.

10. An airbag folding method, comprising:

positioning an airbag between a first comb portion and a second comb portion, the first comb portion having two or more folding regions, the folding regions being separated by stationary blades, the second comb portion having one or more movable blades positioned above corresponding folding regions and being adapted to translate at least partially into the folding regions;

securing one end of the airbag on one side of the folding regions;

translating the movable blades sequentially into the folding regions proceeding from a folding region closest to the secured end of the airbag to a folding region further from the secured end of the airbag.