Compact airbag installation

• US 5,681,052 A
• Filed: 11/06/1996
• Issued: 10/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Morton International Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Malone, Matt D., Stites, David A., Ricks, Merle K., Lee, Roger T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/746,126
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.1, 280/731, 280/730.2, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

A driver'"'"'s side airbag module of reduced thickness includes a housing, a cylindrical inflator, and a folded airbag. The airbag is first folded into a rectangle and the ends of the rectangle are thereafter folded or rolled to lie between the periphery of the inflator and the side walls of the housing. The thickness of the resulting module is not substantially greater than the height of the inflator.

Claims

1. A method of folding a deflated automotive airbag formed from first and second substantially circular panels joined at their circumferences, one of said panels having a central opening connected to receive gas from a substantially cylindrical inflator mounted within a generally rectangular housing comprising a base and at least one sidewall, the inflator having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the base of said housing, said method comprising:

folding said airbag into a first configuration substantially in the form of a rectangle lying along a central axis forming a diameter of said unfolded airbag, said rectangle having first and second ends extending beyond said housing, the width of said rectangle being substantially receivable within said housing; and

folding each of said first and second ends of said rectangle in vertical pleats formed substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said inflator to lie within said housing adjacent said inflator and said at least one sidewall of the housing, such that the height of the folded airbag and vertical pleats thereof within said housing do not substantially exceed the height of said inflator.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first configuration is achieved by:

successively folding a first half of said airbag to lie along said central axis; and

successively folding the second half of said airbag to overlie said first half along said central axis.

3. A driver'"'"'s side airbag module which comprises:

a substantially rectangular housing including a base and one or more sidewalls surrounding said base;

a right circular cylindrical inflator centrally contained within said housing, mounted on said base, spaced from said sidewalls, and having an axis of rotation perpendicular to said base;

an airbag formed of first and second substantially circular panels joined at their circumferences, one of said panels having a central opening connected to receive inflating gas from said inflator, said airbag being folded into a substantially elongated rectangle having first and second ends, each end being folded in vertical pleats substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the inflator and lying within a space between a different opposed diametrical side of said inflator and one of said sidewalls and adjacent said inflator.

4. A method of folding a deflated automotive airbag formed from first and second substantially circular panels joined at their circumferences, one of said panels having a central opening connected to receive gas from a substantially cylindrical inflator mounted within a generally rectangular housing comprising a base and at least one sidewall, the inflator having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the base of the housing, said method comprising:

folding said airbag into a first configuration substantially in the form of a rectangle lying along a central axis forming a diameter of said unfolded airbag, said rectangle having first and second ends extending beyond said housing, the width of said rectangle being substantially receivable within said housing;

rolling each of said first and second ends of said rectangle toward the central opening to form a roll to be within the housing adjacent said inflator and said at least one sidewall of the housing, such that the length of the folded airbag and rolls thereof within said housing do not substantially exceed the height of said inflator.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said first configuration is achieved by:

successively folding a first half of said airbag to lie along said central axis; and

successively folding the second half of said airbag to overlie said first half along said central axis.

6. A driver'"'"'s side airbag module which comprises:

a substantially rectangular housing including a base and one or more sidewalls surrounding said base;

a right circular cylindrical inflator centrally contained within said housing, mounted on said base, spaced from said sidewalls, and having an axis of rotation perpendicular to said base;

an airbag formed of first and second substantially circular panels joined at their circumferences, one of said panels having a central opening connected to receive inflating gas from said inflator, said airbag being folded into a substantially elongated rectangle having first and second ends, each end of said rectangle being rolled into a roll lying within a space between a different opposed diametrical side of said inflator and one of said sidewalls and adjacent said inflator.