Gas bag for an airbag module, method and device for folding a gas bag

• US 6,250,676 B1
• Filed: 05/05/1999
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
• Original Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
• Inventors: Werstat, Wolfram, Markfort, Dieter, Sturm, Andreas, Adomeit, Heinz-Dieter, Malczyk, Axel
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US09/297,756
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.1, 280/728.1, 280/730.1, 280/731
• 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

The invention relates to a gas bag for an airbag module wherein the gas bag is folded in the rest position. According to the invention a telescopic folding is provided, as well as a method and a device for folding a gas bag, wherein chaotically folded sections extend around telescopic folds. The folding is conducted so that the gas bag is placed telescopically in folds into the inside of the gas bag step-wise, at least from one side, and is then compressed to form the chaotic folds.

Claims

1. A folded gas bag for an airbag module comprising:

a first telescopic fold, wherein the gas bag is folded telescopically;

a further telescopic fold extending around the first telescopic fold, the further telescopic fold extending into an inner cavity of the gas bag, the gasbag having an unfolding direction and the first telescopic fold and the further telescopic fold running substantially across the unfolding direction; and

at least one airbag section having crumple folds.

2. A as bag according to claim 1 wherein the telescopic folds are enclosed at least in part by the crumple folds.

3. A gas bag according to claim 1 wherein the telescopic folds have different depths.

4. A gas bag according to claim 1 wherein the telescopic folds comprise a plurality of upper folded edges which lie in surfaces included towards each other.

5. A gas bag according to claim 1 wherein the telescopic folds comprise a plurality of upper folded edges which lie substantially in one plane.

6. A gas bag according to claim 1 wherein the telescopic folds extend into the gas bag at least from one side.

7. A gas bag according to claim 1 wherein the gas bag has a tubular shape and a center line and wherein the telescopic folds extend around the center line.

8. A gas bag according to claim 1 wherein at least one fold comprises an outflow opening.

9. A gas bag according to claim 8 wherein the outflow opening is closable.

10. A gas bag according to claim 1 wherein at least one rip seam is provided in one fold.

11. A gas bag according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic folds comprise a plurality of upper folded edges lie in a surface which is curved inwards in the direction of the folds.

12. A gas bag according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic folds comprise a plurality of upper folded edges lie in a surface which is curved outwards in the direction of the folds.

13. A gas bag according to claim 1 wherein at least one rip seam is provided in between at least two folds.