Method for folding an occupant protection device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of folding an airbag cushion comprising the steps of:
- providing an airbag cushion having a longitudinal fill chamber in fluid communication with a contact chamber, the chambers each having an inboard face and an outboard face;
flattening the inboard face of the airbag cushion against the outboard face of the airbag cushion;
compression-folding the contact chamber portion of the airbag cushion; and
individually pleat-folding the inboard face and the outboard face of the longitudinal fill chamber portion of the airbag cushion,wherein the step of pleat-folding the inboard face and the outboard face of the longitudinal fill chamber portion of the airbag cushion comprises producing a single pleat in the inboard face of the airbag cushion and a single pleat in the outboard face of the airbag cushion.
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Abstract
Folding methods and patterns for folding an inflatable curtain airbag cushion for use in vehicles are provided. The folding patterns and methods of the invention assist in preventing failure of inflatable curtain airbag cushions by reducing the stress placed on specific regions of the longitudinal fill chambers of the cushions. These methods result in proper airbag deployment with reduced rates of cushion failure, thus providing reliable protection to vehicle occupants.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of folding an airbag cushion comprising the steps of:
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providing an airbag cushion having a longitudinal fill chamber in fluid communication with a contact chamber, the chambers each having an inboard face and an outboard face; flattening the inboard face of the airbag cushion against the outboard face of the airbag cushion; compression-folding the contact chamber portion of the airbag cushion; and individually pleat-folding the inboard face and the outboard face of the longitudinal fill chamber portion of the airbag cushion, wherein the step of pleat-folding the inboard face and the outboard face of the longitudinal fill chamber portion of the airbag cushion comprises producing a single pleat in the inboard face of the airbag cushion and a single pleat in the outboard face of the airbag cushion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of folding an inflatable curtain airbag cushion comprising the steps of:
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providing an inflatable curtain airbag cushion having an attachment edge, a distal edge and a longitudinal fill chamber in fluid communication with a contact chamber, the chambers each having an inboard face and an outboard face; flattening the inboard face of the airbag cushion against the outboard face of the airbag cushion; compression-folding the contact chamber portion of the airbag cushion; and individually pleat-folding the inboard face and the outboard face of the longitudinal fill chamber portion of the airbag cushions, wherein the step of pleat-folding the inboard face and the outboard face of the longitudinal fill chamber portion of the airbag cushion comprises producing a single pleat in the inboard face of the airbag cushion and a single pleat in the outboard face of the longitudinal fill chamber portion of the airbag cushion. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of folding an inflatable curtain airbag cushion comprising the steps of:
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providing an inflatable curtain airbag cushion having an attachment edge, a distal edge, a longitudinal fill chamber in fluid communication with a contact chamber, the chambers each having an inboard face and an outboard face; flattening the inboard face of the airbag cushion against the outboard face of the airbag cushion; compression-folding the contact chamber portion of the airbag cushion; individually pleat-folding the inboard face and the outboard face of the longitudinal fill chamber portion of the airbag cushion to produce a single pleat in the inboard face of the airbag cushion and a single pleat in the outboard face of the airbag cushion; and wrapping the pleat of the inboard face and the outboard face of the longitudinal fill chamber about the compression-folded contact chamber portion of the airbag cushion.
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Specification