Head side airbag cushion fold

• US 7,059,630 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Maertens, Paul G., Perez, Jaime F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US10/816,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20050218639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/743.1, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/237 characterised by the way they are folded

Abstract

A method of folding an airbag 10, and more particularly, a side curtain airbag whereby the airbag is folded to facilitate a relatively more rapid deployment given that the folds as described create a thrusting motion of the airbag out and over the B-pillar and the adjustable turning loop.

Claims

1. A method of folding an airbag comprising a front portion, a back portion joined to the front portion, a throat portion connected to an associated inflator, a first top longitudinal edge, a first bottom longitudinal edge, a first side edge, a second side edge proximate to the inflator, and an airbag width formed between the top and bottom longitudinal edges, the method comprising:

orienting the front portion to face upwardly;

folding the first bottom longitudinal edge toward the first top longitudinal edge wherein a first bottom fold is formed about one-eighth to one-tenth of the total width of the airbag, wherein the first bottom fold forms a second bottom longitudinal edge;

folding the second bottom longitudinal edge toward the first top longitudinal edge wherein a second bottom fold is formed about one-half to one-fifth of the width of the first bottom fold;

folding the second bottom fold toward the first top longitudinal edge thereby forming a first plurality of folds extending to about one-eighth to one-fifth of the width of the airbag from the first top longitudinal edge, wherein the first plurality of folds comprises a backside downwardly oriented;

orienting the back portion of the folded airbag upwardly and the front portion downwardly;

folding the backside of the first plurality of folds to the first top longitudinal edge to form at least one additional roll; and

folding the second edge beneath the inflator to form a third fold wherein the third fold is formed beneath the inflator.

2. An airbag module comprising an airbag formed as claimed in claim 1.

3. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising an airbag formed as claimed in claim 1.

4. An airbag folded as claimed in claim 1.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said airbag is a head side airbag.

6. An airbag device comprising:

a housing;

a gas generator contained within said housing;

an airbag also contained within said housing and in fluid communication with said gas generator,

wherein said airbag is folded as claimed in claim 1.