METHOD FOR FOLDING AN AIRBAG, AIRBAG FOLDED ACCORDING TO SUCH METHOD, AIRBAG, AIRBAG MODULE, AND VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM

• US 20170174173A1
• Filed: 05/05/2015
• Published: 06/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.), Dalphi Metal Espana SA (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Peyre, Jean-Christophe, Ramos, Ramon
• Granted Patent: US 11,351,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/214 in roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of folding an airbag (10), especially an airbag (10) to be arranged beneath a vehicle roof (50), comprising an injection orifice (11), a guiding portion (13) arranged adjacent thereto in the longitudinal direction and an inflating portion (12) arranged adjacent to the guiding portion (13) in the longitudinal direction, the method including flatly spreading the airbag (10); laterally folding, especially zigzag folding, at least in portions at least one side part (30; 30′) of the airbag (10) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the airbag (10); furling the inflating portion (12) at least in portions starting from a trailing edge (26) of the airbag (10) that is maximally spaced from the injection orifice (11) in a first furling direction (AR) in the direction to the injection orifice (11); and forming the guiding portion (13) by laying at least one folding including a first folding bend (14) against the first furling direction (AR) so that the deployment behavior of the airbag (10) is influenced.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A method of folding an airbag (10), to be arranged beneath a vehicle roof (50), the airbag including an injection orifice (11), a guiding portion (13) arranged adjacent thereto in the longitudinal direction and an inflating portion (12) arranged adjacent to the guiding portion (13) in the longitudinal direction, the method comprising the steps of:

flatly spreading the airbag (10);

laterally folding, at least in portions at least one side part (30;

30′

) of the airbag (10) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the airbag (10);

furling the inflating portion (12) at least in portions starting from a trailing edge (26) of the airbag (10) that is maximally spaced apart from the injection orifice (11) in a first furling direction (AR) in the direction of the injection orifice (11);

forming the guiding portion (13) by laying at least one folding including a first folding bend (14) against the first roll-up direction (AR) so that the deployment behavior of the airbag (10) is influenced.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the guiding portion (13) is folded concertina-like at least in portions against the first furling direction (AR).

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least a first folded layer (17) and a second folded layer (18) of the guiding portion (13) are laid starting from the first folding bend (14) so that they constitute a first opening (19) pointing in the direction of the injection orifice (11).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein formation of at least a second folding bend (20) in the guiding portion (13), wherein starting from the second folding bend (20) the second folded layer (18) and a third folded layer (21) constitute a second opening (22) pointing away from the injection orifice (11).

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein formation of at least a third folding bend (23) in the guiding portion (13), wherein starting from the third folding bend (23) the third folded layer (21) and a fourth folded layer (24) constitute a third opening (25) pointing in the direction of the injection orifice (11).

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein additional folding of at least one side part (32;

32′

) of the furled inflating portion (12), the folding being carried out at right angles with the first furling direction (AR).

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the additional folding of at least one side part (32;

32′

) is performed up to the width (BE) of the injection orifice (11).

24. An airbag (10) folded according to a method in accordance with claim 17.

33. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of laterally folding comprises zigzag folding.

34. The method according to claim 22, wherein the additional folding comprises zigzag folding.

25. The airbag (10), especially for an airbag module for being arranged beneath a vehicle roof (50), comprising an injection orifice (11) and an inflating portion (12), wherein a guiding portion (13) arranged between the injection orifice (11) and the inflating portion (12), wherein the inflating portion (12) is furled in a first furling direction (AR) in the direction of the injection orifice (11) and the guiding portion (13) is formed by laying at least one folding including a first folding bend (14) against the first furling direction (AR) such that the deployment behavior of the airbag (10) can be influenced.

26. The airbag (10) according to claim 25, wherein the guiding portion (13) is folded concertina-like at least in portions against the first furling direction (AR).

27. The airbag (10) according to claim 25, wherein a first folded layer (17) and a second folded layer (18) of the guiding portion (13) are laid starting from the first folding bend (14) so that they constitute a first opening (19) pointing in the direction of the injection orifice (11).

28. The airbag (10) according to claim 27, wherein in the guiding portion (13) a second folding bend (20) is formed, wherein starting from the second folding bend (20) a second opening (22) pointing away from the injection orifice (11) is formed by the second folded layer (18) and a third folded layer (21).

29. The airbag (10) according to claim 27, wherein in the guiding portion (13) a third folding bend (23) is formed, wherein starting from the third folding bend (23) a third opening (25) pointing in the direction of the injection orifice (11) is formed by the third folded layer (21) and a fourth folded layer (24).

30. An airbag module, especially for being arranged beneath a vehicle roof (50), comprising an airbag (10) according to claim 25, and an inflator (28) for inflating the airbag (10).

31. A vehicle safety system comprising an airbag (10) and/or comprising an airbag module according to claim 25.

32. The vehicle safety system according to claim 31, wherein the airbag (10) and/or the airbag module are arranged behind a cover of the vehicle roof liner in the area of an upper windscreen rim (55), wherein upon release the airbag (10) can be deployed and inflated along the windscreen (60).