Structure and method for folding air bag

• US 6,231,070 B1
• Filed: 08/06/1999
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Sunabashiri, Yukisaka, Sasaki, Hiroshi, Seo, Kasumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US09/308,410
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/743.1
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

A head protecting portion (B) is rolled a plurality of times with a protection surface (Sb) thereof inside, and the head protecting portion (B) is pushed inside a chest protecting portion (A), when also a part (C) of the chest protecting portion (A) connected to the head protecting portion (B) is pushed inside the chest protecting portion (A).

Claims

1. A folding structure for an airbag with a generally L-shape spread external configuration having a chest protecting portion and a head protecting portion provided with protection surfaces for a chest protection and a head protection when spread, in which:

the head protecting portion is rolled a plurality of times with the protection surface thereof inside; and

the head protecting portion is pushed inside the chest protecting portion.

2. A folding structure for an airbag according to claim 1, wherein the chest protecting portion is rolled a plurality of times with the protection surface thereof inside.

3. A folding structure for an airbag according to claim 1, wherein a part of the chest protecting portion connected to the head protecting portion is pushed inside the chest protecting portion.

4. A folding method for an airbag with a generally L-shape spread external configuration having a chest protecting portion and a head protecting portion provided with protection surfaces for a chest protection and a head protection when spread, comprising:

rolling the head protecting portion a plurality of times with the protection surface thereof inside; and

pushing the head protecting portion inside the chest protecting portion (A).

5. A folding method for an airbag according to claim 4, further comprising rolling the chest protecting portion a plurality of times with the protection surface thereof inside.

6. A folding method for an airbag according to claim 4, further comprising pushing a part of the chest protecting portion connected to the head protecting portion inside the chest protecting portion.

7. An airbag device for use in a vehicle, comprising

an inflator;

an airbag connected to the inflator, the airbag including;

a chest protecting portion in fluid communication with the inflator and having a protection surface; and

a head protecting portion in fluid communication with the chest protecting portion and having a protection surface,

wherein the airbag is substantially L-shaped when not folded, and

wherein the airbag is folded such that the head protecting portion is rolled a plurality of times with the protection surface facing inward and the head protecting portion is pushed inside the chest protecting portion; and

a module surrounding the inflator and the airbag and that is adapted to be installed in a vehicle.

8. An airbag device as claimed in claim 7, wherein, with the head protecting portion pushed inside the chest protecting portion, the chest protecting portion is rolled a plurality of times with its protection surface facing inward.

9. An airbag device module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the airbag further includes a connecting portion connecting the chest protecting portion and the head protecting portion, and wherein the connecting portion is pushed inside the chest protecting portion.

10. A method for folding an airbag having a chest protecting portion and a head protecting portion and being substantially L-shaped when unfolded, the method comprising:

laying the airbag flat;

pushing a portion of the head protecting portion into the chest protecting portion;

folding a rearward projecting portion of the head protecting portion onto the passenger side of the head protecting portion such that the head protecting portion is now in a substantially rectangular shape;

rolling the head protecting portion a plurality of times toward the passenger side of the head protecting portion such that the head protecting portion is roll-shaped and the passenger side of the head protecting portion faces inward; and

pushing the head protecting portion into the chest protecting portion.

11. A method of folding an airbag as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

pushing a lower corner of the chest protecting portion between the head protecting portion and an external side of the chest protecting portion;

pushing a connection of the chest protecting portion and a head protecting portion further into the chest protecting portion; and

folding the head protecting portion toward the passenger side.

12. A method of folding an airbag as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

folding an upper corner of the rolled head protecting portion and a lower corner of the chest protecting portion toward the passenger side; and

rolling the chest protecting portion a plurality of times toward the passenger side such that the passenger side faces inward.