Method for the production of a gas bag packet for an airbag module

• US 20070108752A1
• Filed: 01/12/2007
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Germany GmbH (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
• Inventors: Eckert, Nick, Isermann, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,591,123 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together

Abstract

A process for producing an airbag packet for an airbag module is provided. The airbag is folded up in a folding apparatus to form an airbag packet. Then, the airbag packet is enclosed in a gastight manner by a flexible envelope, wherein the airbag packet is at least partially enclosed by the envelope while it is still in the folding apparatus.

Claims

1. A process for producing an airbag packet for an airbag module, comprising the steps of:

folding the airbag in a folding apparatus to form an airbag packet, and

enclosing the airbag packet in a gastight manner with a flexible envelope, wherein the enclosing step includes at least partially enclosing the airbag packet with the envelope while the packet is still in the folding apparatus.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the airbag packet is enclosed at least on more than one side in a cup-like manner by the envelope in the folding apparatus.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the airbag packet is completely enclosed by the envelope while it is still in the folding apparatus.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the airbag packet is at least partially enclosed by the envelope in the folding apparatus while the airbag packet is still bounded on at least one side by folding elements which were used to fold the airbag packet.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein the airbag packet, while the envelope is being formed in the folding apparatus, is still bounded by at least one active folding element which is acting on the airbag while the airbag packet is being folded towards its center.

6. The process of claim 4, wherein the airbag packet, while the envelope is being formed, is still bounded by at least one passive folding element which was used to bound the folding space during the folding of the airbag packet.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein the airbag packet is pressed into a pre-shaped cup-like envelope element by at least one ram of the folding apparatus.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the pre-shaped cup-like envelope element is fixed to the folding apparatus in such a manner that the folded airbag packet can be pressed into the envelope element.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein a subatmospheric pressure is generated in the space enclosed by the envelope before the envelope is closed in a gastight manner.

10. The process of claim 9, wherein the subatmospheric pressure is generated by evacuation means provided at the folding apparatus.

11. The process of claim 9, wherein the envelope is closed in a gastight manner after a subatmospheric pressure has been generated in the space enclosed by the envelope.

12. The process of claim 11, wherein the envelope is closed by joining the two envelope elements.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein the two envelope elements are joined to one another by being fused together.

14. The process of claim 1, wherein when the airbag packet is being formed, at least one depression and/or projection is produced in the airbag packet and wherein the airbag packet is arranged in a positively locking manner in a module housing by a positively locking region provided on the housing being brought into engagement with the depression or projection of the airbag packet.

15. The process of claim 14, wherein a depression or projection which corresponds to the depression or projection of the airbag packet is formed in the envelope.

16. The process of claim 14, wherein the depression or projection of the envelope is formed when the airbag is being fixed to a module housing.

17. The process of claim 1, wherein at least one inlay part, by means of which the airbag packet can engage in an undercut in a module housing, is arranged in the airbag.

18. A folding apparatus comprising:

folding elements for folding an airbag to form an airbag packet, and a mechanism for introducing the airbag packet into a flexible envelope which encloses the airbag packet;

wherein the airbag packet is enclosed in a gastight manner by the flexible envelope, wherein the folding apparatus is configured so that the airbag packet is at least partially enclosed with the envelope while the packet is still in the folding apparatus.

19. The folding apparatus of claim 18, wherein the folding apparatus includes a mechanism for evacuating the envelope in order to generate a subatmospheric pressure in the envelope enclosing the airbag packet.

20. The folding apparatus of claim 19, wherein the folding apparatus includes a mechanism for closing the envelope in a gastight manner.

21. An airbag module of a motor vehicle comprising an airbag packet including a folded airbag enclosed in a gastight manner by an envelope, wherein the envelope is formed by at least two separate envelope elements, which together enclose the folded airbag in a gastight manner.

22. An airbag packet according to claim 21, wherein one envelope element is formed cup-like and the other envelope element closes off a free covering surface of the cup-like envelope element.

23. An airbag packet according to claim 22, wherein regions which adjoin one another in the folded airbag and in the envelope are each provided with a depression or a projection, so that the airbag and the envelope are fixed in a positively locking manner to a module housing.