Airbag cushion folding process

• US 5,775,733 A
• Filed: 05/06/1997
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lunt, Larry F., Rose, Russell I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/852,177
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.1, 280/732, 53/120, 53/429, 53/117, 493/451, 493/458, 493/406, 493/405, 493/940
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2375 Folding devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 63/04 for folding or winding articles, e.g. gloves or stockings

Abstract

The process comprises the steps of gripping top and bottom boundaries of the face portion of the main panel of the cushion and pulling it so that the front face portion is generally planar and the side panels extend generally outward from the canister. First and second folding combs move inward from the opposite sides of the cushion. From the front a third folding comb moves rearward. Plates of the combs interdigitate with portions of the cushion inbetween, thus creating accordion folds. Fourth and fifth folding combs move in from the sides and their plates interdigitate with the plates of the other three combs, tucking excess portions of the cushion inbetween the accordion folds already formed. The package thus formed is compressed and then moved into the canister. A dust cover is slid over the front of the canister.

Claims

1. A method for folding an inflatable airbag cushion having an inflation opening therein, the cushion secured about the inflation opening to a canister, the cushion comprising a main panel having opposite side margins and extending forward from the canister to a face panel portion, having a width and a periphery, and back to the canister, and side panels secured to respective side margins of the main panel, said folding method comprising the steps of:

a. gripping the main panel at spaced points about the periphery of the face panel portion and arranging the face panel portion generally taut and in a direction away from the canister;

b. folding the face panel portion and side panel portions adjacent the face panel into accordion pleats parallel to the width of the front face portion and leaving excess portions of the cushion at either end of the pleats;

c. tucking the excess portions inbetween the respective accordion pleats to form a folded package of the airbag cushion; and

d. inserting the folded package into the canister.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 including the additional step of partially inflating the cushion between the steps of folding the face panel portion and adjoining side portions into accordion pleats and tucking in the excess portions.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 including the additional step of compressing the folded package prior to inserting it into the canister.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 including the additional step, after inserting the folded package in the canister of attaching a dust cover to the front of the canister.

9. A folded inflatable airbag cushion in a canister produced by the method of claim 1.

5. A method for folding an inflatable airbag cushion disposed in a rigid canister having opposite sidewalls and a rear wall formed with an inflation fluid opening, the cushion having side panels and a main panel joined to edges of the side panels, the main and side panels defining an open mouth of the cushion anchored in the canister about the inflation fluid opening, the method comprising the steps of:

a. gripping the main panel from top and bottom at spaced-apart locations on the main panel, all locations being spaced from the canister, and pulling the main panel so that a generally planar front face portion is formed and the side panels extend in generally planar shape outwardly from the canister;

b. moving first and second folding combs from opposite sides of the cushion inward to indent the respective side panels, the first and second folding combs each comprising groups of parallel vertically aligned, spaced, horizontal plates;

c. moving from the front of the cushion toward the canister a third folding comb comprising a group of parallel vertically aligned, spaced, horizontal plates and engaging the front face portion to interdigitate the plates of the third folding combs with the plates of the first and second folding combs with affected portions of the face portion and side panels inbetween said plates, thereby shaping the affected portions into accordion folds;

d. moving fourth and fifth folding combs inward from opposite sides of the cushion, each of the fourth and fifth folding combs comprising groups of parallel vertically aligned, spaced, horizontal plates, engaging with the plates of the fourth and fifth folding combs remaining portions of the side panels and main panel remaining to the outside of the interdigitated first, second and third folding combs, and interdigitating the plates of the fourth and fifth folding combs with the plates of the first, second and third folding combs thereby inserting between the accordion folds additional folds of said remaining portions to form a folded package of the airbag cushion;

e. withdrawing all folding combs from the folded package of the cushion; and

f. moving the folded package of the airbag cushion in a rearward direction into the canister.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 including the additional steps, after interdigitating the plates of the first, second and third folding combs, of retracting the third folding comb slightly and partially inflating the cushion, and deflating the cushion after inserting the remaining portions.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 including the additional step, after deflating the cushion, of compacting the package from directions above and below the package.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 including the additional step, after inserting the package into the canister, of installing a dust cover on the front of the canister.

10. A folded inflatable airbag cushion in a canister produced by the method of claim 5.