DE102018124104B4 - Gas bag with a clamping area and method for forming a gas bag package - Google Patents

Abstract

The gas bag (10) which extends in a first direction (X) from a first longitudinal extension end (11) to a second longitudinal extension end (12), this gas bag (10) having a first outer layer (14) and a second outer layer (15) ), wherein the first outer layer (14) and the second outer layer (15) are connected to one another by means of an edge connection surrounding a gas space (16), the edge connection having a first end section (11) of the gas bag (10) at the first longitudinal extension end ( 20), a side section (21) extending from a starting point (21a) at the first end section (20) and a second side section (22) extending from a second starting point (22a) at the first end section (20), a first non-inflatable Area (30) is present on the outside of the first side section (21) of the edge connection and a second non-inflatable area (34) is present on the outside of the second side section (21) of the edge connection and the first non-inflatable area (30) adjacent to the first lateral end (20a) of the first end section (20) having a first clamping area (31) and the second non-inflatable area (34) adjacent to the second lateral end (20b) of the first end section ( 20) has a second clamping area (35), characterized in that each clamping area (31, 35) has a geometric point (P, P ') whose minimum distance (d, d') from the gas space exceeds 3 cm, and that the clamping areas (31, 35) extend in the first direction beyond the first end portion (20) of the edge connection.

Description

The invention relates to a gas bag according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for forming a gas bag package according to claim 10.

The invention relates primarily to so-called knee airbags, but can also be applied to other types of airbags which have a suitable structure.

A knee airbag extends in the first direction from a first longitudinal extension end to a second longitudinal extension end. According to the definitions chosen in this application, the second longitudinal extension end is the end close to the fastening points to the vehicle when the knee airbag is fastened to it. An inflator is normally received within the airbag at or near the second longitudinal extension end. Such a knee airbag has at least a first and a second outer layer and these two layers are connected to one another by means of an edge connection which at least partially surrounds the gas space of the airbag. This edge connection has a first end section at the first longitudinal extension end (the end close to the occupant when the airbag is installed and inflated) and two side sections extending from this first end section. Often times, the two plies form a single blank and the first end portion is a fold or a portion of a fold. The side portions of the edge joint are usually seams. Since these seams cannot of course be arranged exactly on the edge, there is a first non-inflatable area on the outside of the first side section and a second non-inflatable area on the outside of the second side section if the airbag is not turned over after the sewing process.

A generic knee airbag is shown, for example, in US 2009/0302 585 A1.

When such a knee airbag is packed, an introductory rolling step is often carried out in such a way that the airbag is rolled from its first longitudinal extension end. In order to do this, a rolling machine with two clamping tools, which hold the gas bag near its first longitudinal extension end, is used. In order to make the rolling process possible, these clamping tools have to clamp the gas bag precisely at a narrow edge area. Therefore, the rolling machine must be set up anew for each type of gas bag, even if the dimensions in the length of this gas bag only change by a few centimeters.

Starting from this, the present invention has the object of providing an airbag, in particular a knee airbag, which makes production, in particular the first rolling process, more effective.

This object is achieved by a gas bag with the features of claim 1. A method for forming an airbag package from such an airbag is specified in claim 10.

According to the invention, the two non-inflatable areas have a relatively large clamping area adjacent to the first end section (which is usually a fold) of the edge connection. This makes the clamping process a lot easier. “Relatively large” means that each clamping area has a geometric point whose minimum distance from the gas space exceeds three centimeters, preferably five centimeters. These clamping areas extend in the first direction beyond the first end section of the edge connection.

In order to have enough space for the clamping tools, it is further preferred that each clamping area has a square with a minimum dimension of 3 cm × 3 cm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, which can be produced simply and inexpensively, the first end region of the edge connection is a fold, so that at least the section of the airbag near its first longitudinal extension end is produced from a single blank.

In order to be able to use the same rolling machine for gas bags of different dimensions (especially lengths of the gas space in the first direction) without having to adjust the rolling machine, the clamping areas of some of the gas bags (namely the smaller ones) extend over the first according to the invention End portion of the edge connection in the first longitudinal direction addition. This is possible in particular if the clamping areas are at least partially designed as a single layer.

Further preferred exemplary embodiments are defined in the further subclaims and result from the exemplary embodiments now described.

The invention is now described in detail by means of preferred exemplary embodiments with a view to the figures.

• 1 ein Gewebetuch,
• 2 ein aus dem Gewebetuch der 1 ausgeschnittener Zuschnitt,
• 3 den Zuschnitt aus 2 nach einem Faltvorgang,
• 4 einen aus dem Zuschnitt der 3 gemachten Gassack,
• 5 einen erfindungsgemäßen Gassack in einer der 4 entsprechenden Darstellung,
• 6 die beiden Gassäcke der 4 und 5, welche unterschiedliche Längen aufweisen, und die Positionen der Klemmwerkzeuge einer Rollmaschine, welche für beide Gassäcke passen, und
• 7 ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Gassackes in einer 4 entsprechenden Darstellung.

The figures show:

• 1 a tissue,
• 2 one from the tissue of the 1 cut-out blank,
• 3 the blank 2 after a folding process,
• 4th one from the cut of the 3 made gas bag,
• 5 a gas bag according to the invention in one of the 4th corresponding representation,
• 6th the two gas bags of the 4th and 5 , which have different lengths, and the positions of the clamping tools of a rolling machine, which fit for both gas bags, and
• 7th a second embodiment of a gas bag according to the invention in one 4th corresponding representation.

The 1 shows a rectangular cloth (which normally consists of a textile plastic material) which is used to manufacture the gas bag according to the invention of the first embodiment. Instead of using a single cloth, a continuous material which is provided from a roll could of course also be used; however, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention it appears simpler to show a single cloth.

In a first step, the in 2 shown blank from the cloth of the 1 cut out. Usually this blank is with respect to a central line C, which is in a first direction X extends, mirror-symmetrical, but has no further symmetry. This cut 7th has a first section which is the first outer layer 14th of the airbag, and a second section which forms the second outer layer 15th of the gas bag to be produced from this blank. A fold line F is also drawn in and you can see that a gap is left and right of this fold line G on the side of the second outer layer 15th is available.

In the next step (see 3 ) becomes the second outer layer 15th along the fold line F onto the first outer layer 14th folded so that a fold 20th is produced. Because of the asymmetry described above (i.e. that gaps on the side of the second outer layer 15th are provided), the second outer layer covers the first outer layer 14th not completely; Sections of the first outer layer 14th extend over that of the second outer layer 15th covered area essentially to the left and right of the fold 20th . These areas are called the first and second clamping areas 31 , 35 designated.

Now (see 4th ) becomes a seam to close the gas space 16 of the gas bag 10 arranged. That seam and that fold 20th form an edge connection which encloses the gas space. This edge connection has four sections, namely the fold, which is the first end section 11 forms the first side section 21st , which at a starting point 21a at the fold 20th begins a second page section 22nd , which at a starting point 22a the fold begins, and a second end section 23 , on. The starting points 21a , 22a are also the end points of the first end section. Since the gas bag is not turned over after the sewing process, a non-inflatable edge area remains on the outside of the seam, so that a first non-inflatable edge area 30th is present on the outside of the first edge portion of the edge connection and a second non-inflatable edge area 34 is present on the outside of the second side portion of the edge connection.

The gas bag 10 extends in a first direction from the first longitudinal extension end 11 to a second end of the longitudinal extension 12th and has a maximum width W in a second direction Y which is perpendicular to the first direction X is.

• Zunächst hat der Gassack natürlich weniger Material, sodass Packraum und die beim Aufblasen des Gassacks zu beschleunigende Masse eingespart werden. Ein weiterer Vorteil ist in den 5 und 6 gezeigt:
  • Die asymmetrischen Lücken wie sie in der 2 gezeigt sind, können erfindungsgemäß genutzt werden, um die Klemmbereiche 31, 35 länger zu machen, sodass sie sich in der ersten Richtung X über die Endverbindung (Falte 20) der Randverbindung hinaus erstrecken. Die ist in 5 gezeigt. Dadurch können Gassäcke, welche etwas unterschiedliche Größen des Gasraumes 16 haben, so gestaltet werden, dass sie durch dieselbe Rollmaschine gehandhabt werden können, ohne die Notwendigkeit, die Positionen der Klemmwerkzeuge 40 einzustellen. Dies in 6 dargestellt: Auf der linken Seite ist ein Gassack wie in 4 gezeigt dargestellt, auf der rechten Seite ist ein Gassack wie in 5 gezeigt dargestellt. Der Gasraum 16 des Gassacks auf der linken ist ein wenig länger als der Gasraum 16 des Gassackes auf der rechten. Dieser Längenunterschied (in Richtung X) wird durch den Umstand ausgeglichen, dass sich die Klemmbereiche 31, 34 des rechten Gassackes über das Ende des Gasraumes (welches durch die Falte 20 definiert ist) hinauserstrecken, sodass die Klemmbereiche beider Gassäcke dieselbe Position in X-Richtung haben, sodass sie ohne die Notwendigkeit einer Neujustierung durch dieselben Klemmwerkzeuge 40 gegriffen werden können. Dies führt natürlich zu Zeit- und somit Kostenersparnissen.

The left and right corners at the first end of the longitudinal extension (ie left and right of the fold 20th ) are relatively large, so they act as clamping areas 31 , 35 can serve for a clamping tool of a packing machine. Relatively large means that they each have a point P, P 'whose minimum distance D, D' from the gas space (this means from the edge connection) exceeds 3 centimeters, preferably 5 centimeters, and preferably each a square with a minimum size of 3 cm × 3 cm. In principle, these clamping areas could 31 , 35 be double-layered (in this case, a cut like in 2 shown, there is no gap), but the complete or partial single-layer design of these clamping areas 31 , 35 (as in the case of the embodiment shown) has numerous advantages, as will now be explained:

• First of all, the gas bag naturally has less material, so that packing space and the mass to be accelerated when the gas bag is inflated are saved. Another benefit is in the 5 and 6th shown:
  • The asymmetrical gaps like those in the 2 are shown, can be used according to the invention to the clamping areas 31 , 35 make it longer so that it is in the first direction X over the end connection (fold 20th ) extend beyond the edge connection. It's in 5 shown. This allows gas bags which have slightly different sizes of the gas space 16 must be designed so that they can be handled by the same rolling machine without the need to change the positions of the clamping tools 40 adjust. This in 6th shown: On the left is a gas bag as in 4th shown, on the right is a gas bag as in 5 shown shown. The gas room 16 the gas bag on the left is a little longer than the gas space 16 of the gas bag on the right. This difference in length (towards X ) is compensated by the fact that the clamping areas 31 , 34 of the right airbag over the end of the gas space (which is through the fold 20th is defined) so that the clamping areas of both gas bags have the same position in the X direction so that they can be adjusted without the need for readjustment by the same clamping tools 40 can be grasped. This of course leads to time and therefore cost savings.

The in 7th The gas bag shown is somewhat more complex than that in the 4th and 5 The airbag shown and has a structure which essentially leads to an L-shaped cross section when the airbag is fully inflated. Such a gas bag can, for example, have the structure as in FIG DE 10 2016 119 613 A1 or in the WO 2014 / 163337A1 have described. The inventive idea, large clamping areas, as described here and in the 4th and 5 shown can of course also be applied to such gas bags, as shown in FIG 7th is shown.

List of reference symbols

5

bow

7th

Cutting

10

Gas bag

11

first end of longitudinal extension

12

second end of longitudinal extension

14th

first outer layer

15th

second outer layer

16

Gas compartment

20th

first end section of the edge connection (fold)

21st

first side section of the edge connection (first seam section)

21a

Starting point

22nd

second side section of the edge connection (second seam section)

22a

Starting point

23

second end section

30th

first non-inflatable edge area

31

first clamping area

34

second non-inflatable edge area

35

second non-inflatable edge area

40

Clamping tool

G

gap

X

first direction

Y

second direction

Claims (10)

The gas bag (10) which extends in a first direction (X) from a first longitudinal extension end (11) to a second longitudinal extension end (12), this gas bag (10) having a first outer layer (14) and a second outer layer (15) ), wherein the first outer layer (14) and the second outer layer (15) are connected to one another by means of an edge connection surrounding a gas space (16), the edge connection having a first end section (11) of the gas bag (10) at the first longitudinal extension end ( 20), a side section (21) extending from a starting point (21a) at the first end section (20) and a second side section (22) extending from a second starting point (22a) at the first end section (20), a first non-inflatable Area (30) is present on the outside of the first side section (21) of the edge connection and a second non-inflatable area (34) is present on the outside of the second side section (21) of the edge connection is present, wherein the first non-inflatable area (30) adjacent to the first lateral end (20a) of the first end portion (20) has a first clamping area (31) and the second non-inflatable area (34) adjacent to the second lateral end (20b) of the first End portion (20) has a second clamping area (35), characterized in that each clamping area (31, 35) has a geometric point (P, P '), the minimum distance (d, d') of which exceeds 3 cm from the gas space, and that the clamping areas (31, 35) extend in the first direction beyond the first end section (20) of the edge connection. Gas bag after Claim 1 , characterized in that each clamping area (31, 35) has a geometric point whose minimum distance (d, d ') from the gas space exceeds 5 cm. Airbag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each Clamping area (31, 35) has a square with a minimum dimension of 3 cm x 3 cm. The gas bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping areas (31, 35) are essentially triangular. The gas bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first end section (20) of the edge connection is a fold (30). The gas bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum width (W) of the gas bag exceeds the length of the first end section (20). The gas bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping areas (31, 35) define the maximum width (W) of the gas bag (10). The gas bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping areas (31, 35) are at least partially single-layer. Gas bag after Claim 8 , characterized in that the parts of the clamping areas (31, 35) which extend beyond the first end section are completely single-layer. Method for forming a package from a gas bag having the features of one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping areas (31, 35) are each held by a clamping tool during an introductory rolling step.

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