METHOD OF FOLDING AN AIRBAG, AIRBAG, AIRBAG MODULE AND VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of folding an airbag (10), especially for a driver airbag module, comprising a front airbag layer (11) which is connected at least in portions to a rear airbag layer (12), the method comprising the following steps of: a) flatly spreading the airbag (10) onto a support surface (15) so that the front airbag layer (11) comes to rest on the rear airbag layer (12), b) folding, especially zigzag folding, at least in portions each of an upper airbag portion (20) and a lower airbag portion (21) in the direction of a transverse axis (Q) of the airbag (10), c) furling each of a left-hand lateral airbag portion (30) and a right-hand lateral airbag portion (31) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the airbag (10).

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A method of folding a driver airbag (10) including a front airbag layer (11) connected at least in portions to a rear airbag layer (12), the method comprising: a) flatly spreading the airbag (10) onto a support surface (15) so that the front airbag layer (11) comes to rest on the rear airbag layer (12), b) zigzag folding, at least in portions, each of an upper airbag portion (20) and a lower airbag portion (21) in the direction of a transverse axis (Q) of the airbag (10), and c) furling each of a left-hand lateral airbag portion (30) and a right-hand lateral airbag portion (31) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the airbag (10).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the longitudinal axis (L) and the transverse axis (Q) extend substantially perpendicularly to each other, and/or wherein the longitudinal axis (L) preferably extends through a 6 o'clock position and a 12 o'clock position of the airbag (10), and/or wherein the transverse axis (Q) extends through a 3 o'clock position and a 9 o'clock position of the airbag (10), and wherein the airbag (10) includes at least one gas discharge device at the 12 o'clock position of the airbag (10) or extending from the middle (M) to the 12 o'clock position of the airbag (10), and wherein a tether device (13) is positioned so that it extends on the longitudinal axis (L) or substantially in parallel to the longitudinal axis (L), and wherein prior to step a) at least one of an inflator (60) and an airbag fixture is placed in a clearance (55) formed by the front airbag layer (11) and the rear airbag layer (12), and wherein between the upper airbag portion (20) and the lower airbag portion (21) a non-folded center strip (51) is formed and extends on the transverse axis (Q) or in parallel to the transverse axis (Q).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the tether device (13) comprises at least one of a restraint, a tether strap, and a tether seam.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein in step b) comprises the following for zigzag folding each of the lower airbag portion (21) and the upper airbag portion (20): aligning a first folding blade (40) substantially in parallel to the transverse axis (Q) and put substantially perpendicularly onto the front airbag layer (11) so that a lateral edge (50) of the center strip (51) is formed, wherein subsequently the airbag portion (20, 21) is folded in the direction of the first folding blade (40) so that the front airbag layer (11) is laid over the first folding blade (40) and at least one surface portion of the rear airbag layer (12) is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the support surface (15), and wherein a second folding blade (41) is put against the surface portion of the rear airbag layer (12) and subsequently the airbag portion (20, 21) is laid over the second folding blade (41) so that between the first folding blade (40) and the second folding blade (41) a first folding portion (71) is formed and above the second folding blade (41) a first folding bend (22) is formed and adjacent to the first folding bend (22) a second folding portion (72) is formed, and wherein a third folding blade (42) is put against the second folding portion (72) and subsequently the airbag portion (20, 21) is folded in the direction of the third folding blade (42) so that the front airbag layer (11) is laid over the third folding blade (42) and at least one surface portion of the rear airbag layer (12) is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the support surface (15) and subsequently a fourth folding blade (43) is put against the surface portion of the rear airbag layer (12) and subsequently the airbag portion (20, 21) is laid over the fourth folding blade (43) so that beneath the third folding blade (42) a second folding bend (23) is formed and between the third folding blade (42) and the fourth folding blade (43) a third folding portion (73) is formed and above the fourth folding blade (43) a third folding bend (24) is formed and adjacent to the third folding bend (24) a fourth folding portion (74) is formed, and wherein the steps for zigzag folding are carried out by at least six folding blades (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) so many times that at least five folding bends (22, 23, 24, 25, 26) and at least six folding portions (71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) are formed, and wherein prior to carrying out step c) the folding portions (71 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) are turned over in the direction of the transverse axis (Q) such that the first folding portion (71) rests on the center strip (51), wherein the folding blades (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) are moreover removed, and wherein the folding portions (71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) of the upper airbag portion (20) and the folding portions (71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) of the lower airbag portion (21) are turned over in the direction of the transverse axis (Q) such that the respective first folding portions (71) rest on the center strip (51) and preferably cover the inflator (60) in the clearance (55) formed by the front airbag layer (11) and the rear airbag layer (12), and wherein in step c) the left-hand lateral airbag portion (30) and the right-hand lateral airbag portion (31) are furled in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the airbag (10) starting from a lateral edge (14), wherein at least portions of the inflator (60) are not covered by the left-hand (30) or the right-hand lateral airbag portion (31).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the left-hand lateral airbag portion (30) and the right-hand lateral airbag portion (31) are furled in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) by means of a roll blade (65).

15. An airbag (100) folded according to the method of claim 10.

16. An airbag module for being arranged within a steering wheel, comprising an airbag (10) folded following a method according to claim 10 and an inflator for inflating the airbag (10).

17. A vehicle safety system comprising an airbag (10) folded following a method according to claim 10 and at least one sensor unit for detecting data as well as an electronic decision-making unit which is suited to incorporate the data detected by the sensor unit to define the presence of a trigger case for the airbag module and for transmitting a trigger signal to the airbag module.

18. A folded airbag (100) comprising a front airbag layer (11) which is connected at least in portions to a rear airbag layer (12), an upper airbag portion (20), a lower airbag portion (21), a left-hand lateral airbag portion (30) and a right-hand lateral airbag portion (31), each of the upper airbag portion (20) and the lower airbag portion (21) being zigzag folded, and each of the left-hand lateral airbag portion (30) and the right-hand lateral airbag portion (31) being furled in the direction of the middle (M) of the airbag (10).

19. The airbag (100) according to claim 18, wherein the upper airbag portion (20) and the lower airbag portion (21) are folded so that a first folding portion (71) of each of the upper airbag portion (20) and of the lower airbag portion (21) rests on a center strip (51) of the front airbag layer (11) such that an inflator (60) positioned within a clearance (55) formed by the front airbag layer (11) and the rear airbag layer (12) is covered at least in portions by at least one of the upper airbag portion (20) and the lower airbag portion (21).

20. The airbag (100) according to claim 19, wherein the inflator (60) is not covered by the left-hand lateral airbag portion (30) or the right-hand lateral airbag portion (31).

21. An airbag module for being arranged within a steering wheel, comprising the folded airbag (100) according to claim 16 and an inflator for inflating the airbag (100).

22. A vehicle safety system comprising an airbag module comprising a folded airbag (100) according to claim 16 and at least one sensor unit for detecting data as well as an electronic decision-making unit which is suited to incorporate the data detected by the sensor unit to define the presence of a trigger case for the airbag module and for transmitting a trigger signal to the airbag module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Hereinafter the invention shall be illustrated by way of embodiments with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings, in which:

[0055] FIG. 1 shows an airbag spread on a support surface;

[0056] FIGS. 2 to 5d show individual steps of the method according to the invention for folding an airbag; and

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a folded airbag.

DESCRIPTION

[0058] Hereinafter the same reference numerals are used for equal and equally acting parts.

[0059] In FIG. 1 an airbag 10 is shown in a state spread on a support surface 15. The support surface 15 is the surface of a working table or a desk, for example.

[0060] The airbag 10 includes a front airbag layer 11 and a rear airbag layer 12. The rear airbag layer 12 is not visible in the representation as it rests on the support surface 15. The front airbag layer 11 is visible which is connected, especially stitched and/or welded, at least in portions to the rear airbag layer 12. When flatly spreading the airbag 10 onto the support surface 15, care has to be taken that no forces are applied to the seams intended to tear in the inflated state of the airbag 10 during the subsequent method steps.

[0061] The representation of FIG. 1 corresponds to the viewing direction of a person folding the airbag 10 lying in front of her/him. A longitudinal axis L and a transverse axis Q are visible. The airbag 10 may be divided into an upper airbag portion 20, a lower airbag portion 21, a left-hand lateral airbag portion 30 and a right-hand lateral airbag portion 31. The given 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions of the airbag 10 are defined with respect to the orientation of the airbag normally mounted and inflated in the steering wheel and the vehicle, respectively. The longitudinal axis L extends through the 6 o'clock position and through the 12 o'clock position. The transverse axis Q, on the other hand, extends through the 3 o'clock position and through the 9 o'clock position of the airbag 10. The longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis Q are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0062] A tether device 13 is indicated which especially comprises at least one restraint and/or at least one tether strap and/or at least one tether seam. The tether device 13 is positioned so that it extends in parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

[0063] In a clearance formed by the front airbag layer 11 and the rear airbag layer 12 an inflator (not shown) is already provided. The latter is preferably centrally placed. The middle M of the airbag 10 is evident by way of a circular seam. When positioning the inflator and an airbag fixture care has to be taken that the tether device 13 will not be impaired by the inflator or by an airbag fixture.

[0064] A gas discharge device may be configured at the 12 o'clock position of the airbag 10 and, respectively, extending from the middle M to the 12 o'clock position of the airbag 10. The gas discharge device may be a so called self-adapting vent and/or flap vent for example.

[0065] After having spread the airbag 10 flatly onto the support surface 15, in a step b) the upper airbag portion 20 and the lower airbag portion 21 are zigzag folded in the direction of the transverse axis Q of the airbag 10.

[0066] As is illustrated in FIG. 2, a first folding blade 40 is aligned substantially in parallel to the transverse axis Q. The first folding blade 40 is put substantially perpendicularly onto the front airbag layer 11. Hence a lateral edge 50 of a center strip 51 extending in parallel to the transverse axis Q is formed. The center strip 51 is non-laid, especially non-folded.

[0067] The first folding blade 40 is a ruler-type aid. The length LK of the first folding blade 40 is longer than the width B of the airbag 10. The first folding blade 40 may be inserted in holding fixtures 49 arranged on the right side and on the left side of the airbag 10.

[0068] In a further method step, the upper airbag portion 20, especially the portion of the airbag 10 composing the 12 o'clock position, is folded in the direction of the first folding blade 40 so that the front airbag layer 11 is laid over the first folding blade 40 and at least one surface portion of the rear airbag layer 12 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the support surface 15.

[0069] In FIG. 3 the airbag 10 is shown in a viewing direction from the 12 o'clock position. It is evident that the airbag 10 includes an airbag sheath 18. The latter initially is not folded and rather will stay resting on the support surface 15. As can be inferred from FIG. 3, the folding operation is carried out by a total of six folding blades, i.e. the first folding blade 40, the second folding blade 41, the third folding blade 42, the fourth folding blade 43, the fifth folding blade 44 and the sixth folding blade 45. Above and, resp., beneath the folding blades folding bends are formed (cf. FIG. 4b in this context). Said folding bends interconnect the individual folding portions. The zigzag folding operation in connection with the upper airbag portion 20 is carried out with the lower airbag portion 21 as well.

[0070] FIG. 4a illustrates that both the upper airbag portion 20 and the lower airbag portion 21 are folded, especially zigzag folded, in the direction of the transverse axis Q of the airbag 10. It is shown in FIG. 3 that the openings of the foldings are configured perpendicularly to the support surface 15, wherein a folding consists of one folding bend and two folding portions. According to FIG. 4a, the folding portions are turned over in the direction of the transverse axis Q so that each of the first folding portions rests on the center strip 51. The folding blades 40-45 have already been removed in this process step.

[0071] In FIG. 4b depicting a sectional view according to the arrows shown in FIG. 4a, the upper airbag portion 20 and the lower airbag portion 21 are shown in the folded state. In the clearance 55 formed by the front airbag layer 11 and the rear airbag layer 12 an airbag inflator 60 is placed. Equally, the center strip 51 which is not folded or, resp., is unfolded is visible. The center strip 51 is constituted by the two lateral edges 50 on each of which folding blades stood upright in the previous method steps. The upper airbag portion 20 includes a first folding bend 22, a second folding bend 23, a third folding bend 24, a fourth folding bend 25 and a sixth folding bend 26.

[0072] There are equally evident the first folding portion 71, the second folding portion 72, the third folding portion 73, the fourth folding portion 74, the fifth folding portion 75 as well as the sixth folding portion 76. The folding portions 71-76 are interconnected by the folding bends 22-26. In total five folding bends 22-26 as well as six folding portions 71-76 are formed by six folding blades 40-45. The openings 77 of the foldings are configured to be parallel to the support surface 15 according to the representation of FIG. 4b.

[0073] The lower airbag portion 21, too, includes five folding bends 22-26 as well as the folding portions 71-76. Also in this respect it is true that the openings 77 of the folds are configured to be parallel to the support surface 15. The respective first folding portions 71 of the upper airbag portion 20 as well as of the lower airbag portion 21 are turned over in the direction of the transverse axis Q such that they rest on the center strip 51. The inflator 60 is covered by the respective first folding portions 71, wherein this pertains especially to the portion of the front airbag layer 11 which is formed above the inflator 60.

[0074] FIG. 5a illustrates a sub-step of step c). Accordingly, the right-hand lateral airbag portion 31, especially the 3 o'clock position portion of the airbag 10, is furled starting from the lateral edge 14 of the airbag 10 by means of a roll blade 65 especially in the form of a ruler in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the airbag 10.

[0075] It is shown in FIG. 5b that the right-hand lateral airbag portion 31 is not completely furled. Rather, the inflator 60 is not covered by the right-hand lateral airbag portion 31 at least in portions. In other words, the inflator 60, especially the portion of the front airbag layer 11 and, resp., the portions of the upper airbag portion 20 as well as of the lower airbag portion 21 arranged above the inflator 60, remain free from the right-hand lateral airbag portion 31.

[0076] As is illustrated in FIG. 5c, also the left-hand lateral airbag portion 30 is furled in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the airbag 10 as in the manner shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b. The inflator 60, especially the portion of the front airbag layer 11 arranged above the inflator 60 and, resp., the portions of the upper airbag portion 20 and of the lower airbag portion 21 arranged above the inflator 60, remain free, at least in portions, from the left-hand lateral airbag portion 30.

[0077] FIG. 5d illustrates the furled state of the left-hand lateral airbag portion 30 and of the right-hand lateral airbag portion 31.

[0078] FIG. 6 shows a folded airbag 100. Each of the upper airbag portion 20 and the lower airbag portion 21 is zigzag folded. The left-hand lateral airbag portion 30 and the right-hand lateral airbag portion 31 are furled toward the middle and, resp., toward the longitudinal axis L of the airbag 10. The folded airbag 100 is provided within a module casing 110. The folded airbag 100 requires relatively little space. It is additionally characterized by a directed inflating behavior.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0079] 10 airbag [0080] 11 front airbag layer [0081] 12 rear airbag layer [0082] 13 tether device [0083] 14 lateral edge [0084] 16 support surface [0085] 18 airbag sheath [0086] 20 upper airbag portion [0087] 21 lower airbag portion [0088] 22 first folding bend [0089] 23 second folding bend [0090] 24 third folding bend [0091] 25 fourth folding bend [0092] 26 fifth folding bend [0093] 30 left-hand lateral airbag portion [0094] 31 right-hand lateral airbag portion [0095] 40 first folding blade [0096] 41 second folding blade [0097] 42 third folding blade [0098] 43 fourth folding blade [0099] 44 fifth folding blade [0100] 45 sixth folding blade [0101] 49 holding fixture [0102] 50 lateral edge [0103] 51 center strip [0104] 55 clearance [0105] 60 inflator [0106] 65 roll blade [0107] 71 first folding portion [0108] 72 second folding portion [0109] 73 third folding portion [0110] 74 fourth folding portion [0111] 75 fifth folding portion [0112] 76 sixth folding portion [0113] 77 opening of folding [0114] 100 folded airbag [0115] 110 module casing [0116] B width of airbag [0117] L longitudinal axis [0118] LK length of folding blade [0119] M middle of airbag [0120] Q transverse axis