METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FOLDING AN AIRBAG FOR AN AIRBAG MODULE

• US 20110127756A1
• Filed: 02/08/2011
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Germany GmbH (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
• Inventors: BUCHHOLZ, Andre, Franke, Dirk
• Granted Patent: US 8,337,377 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2375 Folding devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

A method for folding an airbag for an airbag module in which the airbag is disposed on a support is provided. At least one piling element for folding the airbag is provided next to the exterior edge of the airbag disposed on the support. The airbag is folded together using the at least one piling element in that the piling element is moved along the support in the direction toward the interior of the airbag disposed on the support. A retainer protrudes from the at least one piling element and moving together with the piling element during the movement thereof and reaching over or under an edge area of the airbag. The at least one retainer acts on an edge area of the airbag in such a way that an undercut is formed in the airbag through the effect of the retainer.

Claims

1. A method for folding an airbag for an airbag module in which

a) the airbag is disposed on a support,

b) at least one piling element for folding the airbag is provided next to the exterior edge of the airbag disposed on the support and

c) the airbag is folded together by the means of the at least one piling element in that the piling element is moved by influencing the edge of the airbag along the support in the direction toward the interior of the airbag disposed on the support,

wherein a retainer protrudes from the at least one piling element, which is moved together with the piling element during the movement thereof and reaches over or under an edge area of the airbag, wherein the airbag is prefolded before the at least one retainer movable together with the piling element acts thereon, and that the at least one retainer acts on an edge area of the airbag such that an undercut is formed in the airbag through the effect of the retainer, wherein during formation of the undercut through the effect of the retainer on the airbag sections of the airbag—

if looked at along a direction vertical to the support—

are located below the retainer as well as above the retainer.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the edge area of the airbag is arranged along a direction vertical to the support—

above and below the retainer on the piling element.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the edge area of the airbag is arranged on the assigned piling element by impact of the retainer protruding from the piling element and/or fixing means connected therewith.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least two piling elements act on the airbag for folding the airbag.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is folded in a folding space, which is delimited by a cover above the support so that the airbag is folded between the support and the cover.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a module housing is provided below the support in which the airbag is stowed after the folding.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the airbag is pushed into the module housing after folding by the means of a punch.

13. A device for folding an airbag for an airbag module with

a support on which the airbag to be folded is to be arranged,

at least one piling element movable along the support for folding the airbag arranged on the support such that the piling element is moved by acting on the edge of the airbag, and

a retainer protruding from the piling element which is movable together with the piling element during the movement thereof,

wherein the retainer is arranged in such a distance from the support on the piling element so that it acts on an edge area of the airbag arranged on the support for forming an undercut during movement of the piling element, wherein during formation of the undercut (H) through the effect of the retainer on the airbag sections of the airbag—

if looked at along a direction vertical to the support—

are located below the retainer as well as above the retainer,

wherein the device is designed and provided for conducting a method according to claim 1.

14. An airbag package designed and provided for arrangement in an airbag module of a motor vehicle, wherein the airbag package is formed by an airbag which was folded by a method according to claim 1.

8. A device for folding an airbag for an airbag module with

a support on which the airbag to be folded is to be arranged,

at least one piling element movable along the support for folding the airbag arranged on the support such that the piling element is moved by acting on the edge of the airbag, and

a retainer protruding from the piling element which is movable together with the piling element during the movement thereof,

wherein the retainer is arranged in such a distance from the support on the piling element so that it acts on an edge area of the airbag arranged on the support for forming an undercut during movement of the piling element, wherein during formation of the undercut (H) through the effect of the retainer on the airbag sections of the airbag—

if looked at along a direction vertical to the support—

are located below the retainer as well as above the retainer.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein means are provided for arranging an edge area of the airbag on the piling element.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein at least two piling elements are provided for folding the airbag, in particular at least two piling elements opposing each other and being movable against each other.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein a cover is provided opposite to the support for delimiting a folding space inside which the airbag is folded.

12. The device according to claim 8, wherein below the support a free space is provided for the arrangement of a module housing in which the folded airbag is to be stowed.