JP2009051372A - Folding method of airbag and folding device of airbag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily fold an airbag for a front passenger seat occupant by a folding device. <P>SOLUTION: This folding method has a first process to expand the airbag 10, a second process to make the airbag 10 in a flat plate shape by pressurizing it and a third process to fold the airbag 10 made in the flat plate shape in a shape free to store the air bag in a storage part of an airbag device. Air is introduced to the airbag 10, a regulating plate 43 is made contact with both sides of the airbag 10 and vent holes 16 formed at both the sides of the airbag 10 are closed in the first process. It is possible to sufficiently expand the airbag 10 by preventing the leakage of the air by the regulating plate 43 to position the airbag 10 at a favorable position, and to easily fold the airbag 10 in a desired shape by using the folding device 30 in the second process and the third process. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an airbag folding method and an airbag folding apparatus for folding an airbag for a passenger in a passenger seat of an automobile, for example.

  Conventionally, for example, an airbag device provided in a steering wheel or an instrument panel of an automobile is known. The airbag device includes a bag-shaped airbag, and the airbag is normally folded small and stored inside the cover body or the case body. And in order to reduce manufacturing cost, implement | achieving a favorable expansion | deployment characteristic, the various folding method and folding apparatus which fold an airbag automatically are proposed.

  For example, for an airbag for a driver's seat provided on a steering wheel, a compressed air is blown into the airbag to inflate it from a state in which the airbag is spread and placed on a table in a flat plate shape, and is arranged radially. A configuration is known in which an airbag is sandwiched from above and below by a blade and pressed to the center side to accumulate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this configuration, an airbag with good deployment characteristics can be folded, but for airbags with a large three-dimensional shape, such as an airbag for a passenger on the passenger seat, the airbag is spread on a flat plate on the table. The work itself is not always easy.

  In addition, the airbag for the passenger on the passenger seat holds the air inlet for introducing gas into the airbag, hangs down the airbag, supplies air to the airbag, and inflates it. Is lowered and placed on the support arm, the side folding plate is moved forward from the left and right to make the airbag into a belt-like shape with the same width as the blowing port, and a part of this belt-like airbag is folded into a roll, etc. The structure which folds in the shape of a bellows is known (for example, refer patent document 2). However, this configuration requires a configuration in which the airbag is held in a suspended state, the suspended airbag is lowered, and a plurality of members are advanced and retracted with respect to the airbag. It is easy to increase the size and it is not easy to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Moreover, about the airbag etc. for passenger's seat passenger, the circular vent hole is provided in two places, and the air introduced in the airbag at the folding process leaks from each vent hole. Therefore, in the folding method of inflating the airbag by supplying air to the airbag, it is necessary to continue supplying air with a powerful device, and the device becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost increases. It is difficult to make the airbag fully inflated, and it is difficult to stabilize the position of the airbag.
International Publication No. 2001/76917 Pamphlet (Pages 21-23, FIGS. 1 and 5) Japanese Patent No. 3421222 (page 5-6, FIGS. 1 and 3)

  As described above, there is a demand for a configuration that can easily fold an airbag and reduce manufacturing costs.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the airbag folding method and airbag folding apparatus which can fold an airbag easily.

  The airbag folding method according to claim 1 is provided with a gas introduction part for introducing gas into a bag-like base fabric constituting the outer shell and a vent hole for allowing exhaust of the introduced gas from the gas introduction part. An airbag folding method for folding an airbag that is inflated and deployed by introducing a gas so that the airbag can be stored in a predetermined region, wherein the airbag is inflated by introducing gas into the airbag And a second step of pressing and flattening the inflated airbag, and a third step of folding the airbag flattened in the second step into a shape that can be stored in the predetermined region. And the first step introduces gas from the gas introduction portion into the outer shell of the airbag, closes at least a part of the vent hole with a closing member, and covers the closing member with the air. Hit the bag And is for supporting and positioning the airbag suppresses leakage of gas from the vent hole.

  In this configuration, when the airbag is folded, the gas leaks from the vent hole by closing at least a part of the vent hole with the closing member in the first step of introducing the gas and inflating the airbag. Is suppressed, and the airbag can be easily inflated sufficiently, and the closing member can be brought into contact with the airbag to position and support the airbag. Therefore, in the second step, the airbag is flattened in a suitable state by pressing the airbag supported in a sufficiently inflated state at a suitable position. Further, in the third step, the airbag is folded. It becomes easy to fold an airbag into a desired shape using the apparatus. Further, the folding device does not need to continue to supply a large volume of gas in the first step, and the second following the first step on the assumption that the airbag is sufficiently inflated at a suitable position. Therefore, the configuration of the folding device is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

  The airbag folding device according to claim 2 is provided with a gas introduction part for introducing gas into a bag-like base fabric constituting the outer shell and a vent hole for allowing exhaust of the introduced gas from the gas introduction part. An airbag folding apparatus that folds an airbag that is inflated and deployed by introducing a gas so that the airbag can be stored in a predetermined region, wherein the air is introduced into the outer shell of the airbag from the gas introducing portion. Inflating means for inflating the bag, and a closing member that closes at least a part of the vent hole and abuts against the airbag, suppresses gas leakage from the vent hole, and positions and supports the airbag And flattening means for pressing and flattening the inflated airbag, and folding means for folding the flattened airbag into a shape that can be stored in the predetermined region. A.

  In this configuration, when the airbag is folded, gas is leaked from the vent hole by closing at least a part of the vent hole with a closing member in the step of inflating the airbag by introducing gas by the inflating means. Is suppressed, and the airbag can be easily inflated sufficiently, and the closing member can be brought into contact with the airbag to position and support the airbag. Therefore, in the subsequent process, the airbag is flattened in a suitable state by pressing the airbag supported in a sufficiently expanded state at a suitable position with the flattening means, and further, in the later process, It becomes easy to fold the airbag into a desired shape using the folding means. Further, the inflating means does not need to continue to supply a large volume of gas, and the flattening means can be operated on the assumption that the airbag is sufficiently inflated at a suitable position. The configuration of the apparatus is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

  The airbag folding device according to claim 3 is the airbag folding device according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the closing member is inserted into the vent hole to position the vent hole. It is a thing.

  In this configuration, a part of the lid part enters the inside of the airbag through the vent hole, so that the airbag is locked by the lid part, so that the airbag can be reliably positioned.

  The airbag folding device according to claim 4 is the airbag folding device according to claim 2, wherein the closing member includes a curved support surface portion that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer shell of the inflated airbag. It is provided.

  And in this structure, position alignment with respect to the vent hole of a closure member becomes easy. Even when the airbag is moved so as to be swayed by the force of the introduced gas, it can be stably supported by the curved support surface portion.

  The airbag folding device according to claim 5 is the airbag folding device according to claim 4, wherein the closing member is provided with a gas flow part through which gas can flow at a position facing the vent hole. It is.

  In this configuration, the vent hole and the gas flow portion face each other in a state where the inflated airbag and the closing member are aligned, and a slight amount of gas flows, so that the airbag is stabilized by the closing member. Supported.

  According to the present invention, when the airbag is folded, at least a part of the vent hole is closed with the closing member, so that the gas introduced into the airbag can be prevented from leaking from the vent hole, and the closing member is used as the airbag. The airbag can be positioned and supported. Therefore, in the subsequent process, the airbag is supported in a sufficiently inflated state at a suitable position to flatten the airbag in a suitable state, and in the subsequent process, the airbag is used using a folding device. Can be easily folded into a desired shape. Furthermore, the folding device does not need to continue to supply a large volume of gas, and the subsequent process is possible on the assumption that the airbag is fully inflated at a suitable position. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an airbag folding method and an airbag folding apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 10 denotes an airbag. The airbag 10 is a bag-like airbag 10 provided in an airbag device for a passenger in a passenger seat of an automobile. Although not shown, the airbag device including the airbag 10 is provided on the instrument panel so as to face the passenger seat of the automobile cabin, and a metal or synthetic resin case body, and the case body An airbag 10 that is stored in a storage area that is a predetermined area E of the airbag 10; an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag 10; and a retainer 11 shown in FIG. 14 that attaches the airbag 10 to the case body. The cover of the case body is normally covered, that is, the airbag 10 that is folded and stored is normally covered, and the cover 10 is disposed along the instrument panel. It is developed in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG. Note that the airbag device is disposed, for example, with the opening of the case body inclined toward the upper rear side of the vehicle, and the direction toward the upper rear side may be the front direction. A description will be given assuming that the opening, that is, the front direction is directed upward, according to the state of 10 folding. Further, the directions such as the both-side direction and the front-rear direction will be described based on the straight traveling direction of the vehicle.

  The case body of the airbag device has a rectangular box shape and a rectangular cross section, and the housing portion, that is, the upper opening of the case body has a longitudinal direction in the vehicle width direction, that is, both side directions, and a front-rear direction. Is formed in a rectangular shape with a short direction.

  The airbag 10 has a three-dimensional or three-dimensional bag-like outer shell 10a formed by sewing one or more base fabrics together. The outer shell 10a of the airbag 10 is disposed on the base end side that is the inflator side and provided with a circular hole-like opening, and the gas introduction portion 15 is disposed apart from the gas introduction portion 15. In the present embodiment, in the present embodiment, a vent hole (exhaust port) 16 that is a pair of circular openings on both sides heading slightly forward from the side is formed. The vent hole 16 is set to have various diameters depending on the shape of the airbag 10, but is set to, for example, a diameter of 50 mm in the present embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the airbag 10 is deployed, the gas introduction part 15 is connected to the bottom base cloth part 18 located on the bottom side with respect to the front base cloth part 17 that is a base cloth part located on the front side. Is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the retainer 11 includes, for example, a metal annular retainer main body 11 a and a mounting bolt 11 b projecting from the retainer main body, and the retainer main body 11 a is disposed inside the airbag 10. A predetermined region E that is disposed along the gas introduction portion 15 is held in a planar shape, and the mounting bolt 11b is fixed to the case body, and the airbag 10 is fixed to the case body.

  Here, the front direction F is a substantially central direction in which the airbag 10 is deployed, and is a direction perpendicular to a virtual plane formed by the gas introduction unit 15 supported by the retainer 11. Further, the predetermined area E is along the shape of the storage portion in which the airbag 10 is folded and stored.

  The inflator is for injecting gas from, for example, a gas injection port provided in a cylindrical main body, and the gas injection port is disposed inside or outside the gas introduction unit 15.

  Then, the airbag 10 is folded into a predetermined shape by a method to be described later and stored in the storage portion of the case body. When the automobile collides, the airbag device activates the inflator and injects gas from the gas injection port according to a signal from the control means including a sensor, The gas is supplied rapidly. Then, the airbag 10 is rapidly inflated and deployed, and a tear line, which is a weak portion provided in the cover body, is broken by the pressure of the inflation, and a protruding opening of the airbag 10 is formed in the cover body. The airbag 10 bulging outward from the cover body is inflated and deployed forward of the occupant in the passenger compartment, restrains the occupant thrown forward, and protects the occupant from the impact of the collision.

  Next, a method for folding the airbag 10 and the folding device 30 will be described.

  This folding device 30 is an automatic folding device, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, a flat plate-like mounting portion 31 capable of spreading the airbag 10 flatly, above the mounting portion 31. The apparatus main body is provided with a fixed upper pedestal 32, a lower pedestal 33 positioned below the placement unit 31, and the like. The placement unit 31 can be provided with an inclination in consideration of the workability of the operator. Hereinafter, the upper surface of the placement unit 31 will be described as a horizontal plane.

  A retainer 11 combined with the airbag 10 is provided at a predetermined area E in the center of the placement portion 31, that is, at a position corresponding to the predetermined area E of the airbag 10 attached to the folding device 30. A retainer holding portion 35 that is a retainer fixing portion that is detachably held is provided, and the retainer holding portion 35 is a blower as an inflating means (not shown) that supplies air to the inside of the airbag 10 and inflates upward. A blow device is provided. Further, at the lower part of the central portion of the placement portion 31, there is provided an air bag wrapping device 36 that can store the air bag 10 folded together with the retainer holding portion 35, and the air bag wrapping device 36. A wrapping device cylinder 37 for moving the airbag up and down and an airbag take-out cylinder 38 for pushing the airbag 10 out of the airbag wrapping device 36 are provided. And this predetermined area | region E respond | corresponds to the planar shape of the accommodating part of the case body in which the airbag 10 is accommodated, and as shown in FIG. 9, the long side A along both sides and the front-back direction And a short side B extending.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 to 8, the upper portion 32 is supported above the placement portion 31 and is driven by the pressing cylinder 41 a while being parallel to the placement portion 31. Flattening means 41, which is a flat-plate-type movable top plate that can be moved back and forth, that is, vertically movable, is provided horizontally.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the positioning means is supported by the upper frame 32 and surrounds the space above the mounting portion 31, and in the present embodiment, the positioning means surrounds both sides and the rear side. 42 is arranged. The positioning means 42 located on both sides includes a restricting plate 43 serving as a plate-like closing member, and the positioning means 42 located on the rear side includes a plate-like position restricting plate 44. The restricting plate 43 and the position restricting plate 44 can also be called positioning plates, and are driven by the cylinder 42a to advance and retreat with respect to the space above the placement portion 31, that is, the airbag 10 inflated in this space. The front surface, which is the surface of each regulating plate 43 and the position regulating plate 44 that faces the airbag 10, is a support surface portion having a curved surface such as a cylindrical surface or a spherical surface along the outer shape of the inflated airbag 10. In the present embodiment, for each regulating plate 43, the radius of these curved surfaces is set to be a cylindrical surface larger than the radius of the curved surface formed by the outer shell 10a at the corresponding position of the inflated airbag 10. The regulation plates 43 that are paired on both sides are arranged corresponding to the positions of the vent holes 16 of the inflated airbag 10, that is, in a state in which each regulation plate 43 is advanced toward the inflated airbag 10. Each regulating plate 43 can close the vent hole 16 of the airbag 10 in an airtight manner, or can face each other with a slight gap and close in an almost airtight manner. Further, the position restricting plate 44 is a so-called airbag rear restricting plate that prevents the inflated airbag 10 from falling backward. More preferably, the position restricting plate 44 is more preferable than the completely inflated airbag 10. On the other hand, the position restricting plate 44 is moved forward so that the position of the airbag 10 can be held at a preferred position.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 to 8, and 15 (a), an airbag fixing plate as a holding means is supported above the mounting portion 31 by being supported by the flattening means 41. Four airbag holding plates 45 are provided, which are driven by holding cylinders 45a, each of which can be called a height regulating cylinder, and move up and down. Each airbag holding plate 45 is arranged to extend radially from the corner of the predetermined region E or the portion of the long side A close to the corner to the outer peripheral side in a diagonal line.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a pushing cylinder 48 for pushing the folded airbag 10 into the lower airbag wrapping device 36 is provided in the central portion of the placement portion 31, that is, above the predetermined region E.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6 to 12, the placement portion 31 includes a plurality of advancing and retreating along the upper surface of the placement portion 31 toward the predetermined point P <b> 1 in the central portion. Then, there are provided four first pressing bodies 51 constituting the first stacking portion forming means and four second pressing bodies 52 constituting the second stacking portion forming means, and the airbag 10 is pressed to form a wave shape. Folding means that folds up and accumulates in a predetermined region E is configured.

  The first pressing body 51 can also be called a folding head. As shown in FIG. 9, the first pressing body 51 is disposed on the front and rear sides of the predetermined area E and on both the left and right sides, and is disposed below the placement portion 31. It is driven by a folding cylinder 53, which is a direct acting air cylinder, and advances and retreats vertically with respect to the central portion of the long side A and the central portion of the short side B of each predetermined region E. Each of the first pressing bodies 51 has a front plate portion 55a disposed at the tip portion in parallel with the long side A and the short side B of the predetermined region E, and an outer peripheral side from both ends of the front plate portion 55a. And an outer peripheral plate portion 55b extending so as to expand to the front plate portion 55a and a height regulating plate portion 55c shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 slightly protruding forward from the front plate portion 55a and the upper edge portion of the outer peripheral plate portion 55b. A first head 55 is provided. And the front board part 55a of the 1st press body 51 located in both sides is formed substantially equal to the length dimension of the short side B. As shown in FIG.

  The second pressing body 52 can also be called a folding head, and extends radially along a diagonal line from the corner of the predetermined region E or the portion of the long side A close to the corner toward the outer periphery. The corners or corners of the predetermined region E are driven by the folding cylinder 53 as the second driving means, which is a linear motion air cylinder that is arranged below the placement part 31. Advancing and retreating with respect to the part of the long side A close to. Each of the second pressing bodies 52 has a front plate portion 56a disposed at the tip portion in parallel with the portion of the long side A facing the corner portion of the predetermined region E or close to the corner portion. A second head 56 provided with an outer peripheral plate portion 56b extending from the both end portions of the face plate portion 56a to the outer peripheral side is provided.

  The second head 56 is prepared in a plurality of shapes, and can be selectively mounted, that is, can be replaced, and can be used for retainers of various sizes or shapes and housing portions for case bodies. It has become. For example, as the second head 56, a configuration in which the front plate portion 56a is parallel to the long side A, a configuration in which the front plate portion 56a is substantially parallel to the long side A and slightly bites into a corner portion, or a front plate portion A configuration in which 56a moves forward more than the other heads and is compatible with a small storage portion is used.

  And as shown in FIG. 9 etc., the 1st press body 51 and the 2nd press body 52 are arrange | positioned alternately, but about each long side A of the predetermined area | region E, one 1st 1st respectively. And the second pressing body 52 arranged on both sides of the first pressing body 51 are arranged, and for each short side B of the predetermined region E, one first pressing body 51 is arranged. Has been.

  In addition, the folding device 30 includes a first fold serving as a fold imparting means for imparting a wavy fold to the base fabric of the airbag 10 pressed by the first pressing body 51 and the second pressing body 52. A comb imparting device 61 and a second folding imparting device 62 are provided.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the first fold imparting device 61 is arranged above and below the predetermined region E in the four directions up and down, that is, above and below the path of the first pressing body 51. The upper folding device 64 and the lower folding device 65 are provided. The upper and lower folding devices 64 and 65 include a plurality of vertical folding plates (vertical bellows folding plates) 64a and 65a, and the folding plates 64a and 65a are moved up and down, that is, Folding cylinders 64b and 65b that are driven in the vertical direction are provided. Then, the first folding application device 61 is in a standby state, and the folding plate (upper folding plate) 64a of the upper folding device 64 is retracted above the mounting portion 31, and the lower folding device 65 is The folding plate (lower folding plate) 65a moves backward below the placement portion 31. In the operating state, the folding cylinders 64b and 65b operate, and the folding plate 64a of the upper folding device 64 advances downward to be positioned near the upper surface of the mounting portion 31, and the lower folding device 65 The folding plate 65a advances upward and protrudes above the placement portion 31. In this operating state, the tips of the folding plate 64a of the upper folding device 64 and the folding plate 65a of the lower folding device 65 are alternately and gently combined at the height of the upper surface of the mounting portion 31.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the second folding imparting device 62 is disposed on each first pressing body 51 and is supported by the outer peripheral plate portions 55 b on both sides of each first pressing body 51 so as to be able to advance and retreat. A plurality of vertical folding plates (lateral bellows folding plates) 68, and direct-acting air (not shown) that moves these folding plates 68 back and forth so as to protrude and retract from the outer peripheral plate portion 55b along the placement portion 31. A folding cylinder, which is a cylinder, is provided. Then, in the standby state, the second folding application device 62 retreats so that each folding plate 68 does not protrude from the outer peripheral plate portion 55b. In the operating state, the folding cylinder operates, and each folding plate 68 projects vertically from the outer peripheral plate portion 55b. In this operating state, the front ends of the folding plates 68 protruding from the first pressing bodies 51 adjacent to each other are gradually and gently combined along the upper surface of the mounting portion 31.

  The folding device 30 is provided with an operation unit that can be manually operated while the entire process is controlled according to a program by a control device including a computer.

  Next, a folding process of the airbag 10 using the folding device 30 will be described.

  First, each drive unit is controlled by the control unit, and each unit is set in a standby state. That is, the flattening means 41 is raised, and the first pressing body 51, the second pressing body 52, the restricting plate 43, and the position restricting plate 44 are retracted to the outer peripheral side.

  Then, the retainer 11 is attached to the gas introduction part 15 of the airbag 10 by the operator's manual work, and the retainer 11 is held by the retainer holding part 35 of the folding device 30. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 14 (a), the airbag 10 has an undefined shape, that is, is flat on the placement portion 31 with an undesired shape.

  Next, as a first step of introducing gas into the airbag 10 to inflate the airbag 10, air is supplied to the inside of the airbag 10 by a blow device, and FIGS. 1, 2, 13 (b) and As shown in FIG. 14B, the airbag 10 is inflated to a substantially fully deployed state with the retainer 11 down. That is, in this state, as shown in FIG. 1, the front base fabric portion 17 and the bottom base fabric portion 18 are opposed to each other while being vertically separated. In the first step, the restricting plate 43 and the position restricting plate 44 of the positioning means 42 are moved to a predetermined position in the process of supplying air to the inside of the airbag 10 by the blowing device or before supplying air. The restricting plate 43 and the position restricting plate 44 are moved forward so that the airbag 10 is positioned and held in contact with the base fabric of the outer shell 10a of the inflated airbag 10, and the pair of restricting plates 43 on both sides are vented. The holes 16 are covered, and the vent holes 16 are closed in an airtight or substantially airtight manner to suppress air leakage.

  Further, the air bag 10 is inflated by being blown in air, and depending on how the air enters, the airbag 10 moves so as to swing in the front-rear direction, but the restriction plate 43 is formed in a circular arc shape. As shown by arrow C in FIG. 3, the airbag 10 is protected without excessive force while suppressing the shake, and finally the airbag 10 is stabilized in a stopped state where the shake does not occur or the shake is small. To support positioning. In this state, the cylinder 42a is operated, and the restricting plate 43 and the position restricting plate 44 are advanced or retracted, that is, moved forward or backward toward the airbag 10, and the airbag 10 is crossed according to the shape of the airbag 10. It can also be moved or shifted in the horizontal direction such as front and back as the direction, and positioned at a position suitable for the subsequent folding work.

  Next, as a second step of expanding the airbag 10 into a flat plate shape, as shown in FIG. 4, the restricting plate 43 and the position restricting plate 44 of the positioning means 42 are retracted while operating the blow device and applying the internal pressure. At the same time, the flattening means 41 is lowered to press the airbag 10, and the airbag 10 is flattened on the mounting portion 31 as shown in FIGS. 9, 13 (c) and 14 (c). Crush into a shape and expand. Then, by stopping the blow device, the second step (primary folding) for flattening the airbag 10 at a desired position in a desired shape is completed.

  In this state, the airbag 10 is formed in a substantially circular shape or a substantially elliptical shape, and is flattened at the center portion of the placement portion 31. In other words, the airbag 10 is folded into a flat plate shape.

  Next, the third step of folding the airbag 10 spread flat in the second step into a shape that can be stored in the storage portion is started.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, first, as a holding step, the holding cylinder 45a is operated to advance the four airbag holding plates 45 downward, with a predetermined point P1 being the center as a substantial center. The airbag 10 is pressed onto the mounting portion 31 along a line extending radially in an oblique direction, so that it is sandwiched and held from above and below, and the flattening means 41 is retracted by a predetermined dimension above the airbag holding plate 45. Let

  Next, as the first folding application step, the folding cylinders 64b and 65b are operated, and the folding plate of the upper folding device 64 is operated as shown in FIGS. 7, 13 (d) and 14 (d). 64a is advanced downward, and the folding plate 65a of the lower folding device 65 is advanced upward. In this state, the airbag 10 is pressed by the front end portions of the folding plates 64a and 65a, and is positioned at four positions on the front and rear, left and right of the base fabric of the airbag 10, that is, on the front and rear and right and left of the predetermined region E In other words, it gives vertical wavy (bellows-like) folds. Next, the folding cylinders 64b and 65b are operated, the folding plate 64a of the upper folding device 64 is retracted upward, and the folding plate 65a of the lower folding device 65 is retracted downward.

  Next, as the first stacking portion forming step, the four first pressing bodies 51 arranged so as to surround the airbag 10 are moved forward toward the predetermined region E, that is, a portion to which folding is given, that is, The portion of the airbag 10 other than that held by the airbag holding plate 45 is pressed from the outer peripheral side toward the predetermined point C in the central portion, and FIGS. 8, 10, 13 (e), 14 (e), As shown in FIG. 15 (a), the first integrated portion 81 bent in a wave shape is formed at four locations, and the first integrated portion 81 is accommodated in a predetermined region E, and the airbag holding plate 45 is attached to the airbag holding plate 45. A radiation extending portion 83 that can also be called an ear portion is formed in the held portion. Further, in the process of pressing, the airbag 10 that has already been folded is smoothly folded. However, the height regulating plate portion 55c provided on the first pressing body 51 and the flattening means 41 are folded. To prevent disturbance. Then, by retracting the airbag holding plate 45 upward, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the first stacking portion forming step (secondary folding) is completed.

  Next, as the second folding application step, the folding cylinder of the second folding application device 62 provided in each first pressing body 51 is operated, and FIG. 11, FIG. 13 (f), FIG. As shown in f) and FIG. 15 (c), the folding plate 68 is advanced so as to protrude from the outer peripheral plate portion 55b. In this state, the folding plate 68 presses each radial extending portion 83 of the airbag 10, and imparts a lateral wavy (bellows-like) folding to the base fabric of the radial extending portion 83. To do. Next, each folding cylinder is operated, and the folding plate 68 is retracted to the inside of the first pressing body 51.

  Next, as the second stacking portion forming step, the second pressing body 52 in the four oblique directions is advanced toward the predetermined region E, and the radial extending portions 83 to which folding is applied are pressed from the outer peripheral side. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13 (g) and FIG. 14 (g), the second integrated portions 84 bent in a wave shape are formed at four locations, and these second integrated portions 84 are formed along the long side A. Thus, the second stacking portion forming step (third fold), that is, the third step is completed by positioning the first stacking portion 81 on both sides of the first stacking portion 81 and placing it in the predetermined region E. Further, in the process of pressing, the airbag 10 that has already been folded is smoothly folded. However, the height regulating plate portion 55c provided on the first pressing body 51 and the flattening means 41 are folded. To prevent disturbance.

  In this state, the first stacking portion 81 is folded in a wavy shape only along a fold line along one direction except for the front end portion on the outer peripheral side, whereas the second stacking portions 84 cross each other and are orthogonal to each other. It is folded in a wavy shape along fold lines along two directions.

  Next, a lapping operation, which is a folded shape holding step for holding the shape of the folded airbag 10, is performed. That is, since the folded airbag 10 cannot hold the folded shape when the pressing bodies 51 and 52 are retracted, the flattening means 41 is moved downward while the pressing bodies 51 and 52 are moved forward. 5 and FIG. 16, the pushing cylinder 48 is operated, and the folded airbag 10 is pushed into the lower airbag wrapping device 36 while the retainer 11 is held by the retainer holding portion 35. . In the airbag wrapping device 36, the folded shape of the airbag 10 is maintained by the outer peripheral plate portion.

  In the state where the airbag 10 is housed in the airbag wrapping device 36 as described above, the flattening means 41 is raised and the wrapping device cylinder 37 is operated to raise the airbag 10 together with the airbag wrapping device 36. Then, the airbag 10 is folded by wrapping the airbag 10 folded with the patch 19 provided integrally with the airbag 10, and the attachment receiving portion provided on the patch 19 is hooked on the mounting bolt 11b of the retainer 11. Is completed.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the first step of introducing gas into the airbag 10 to inflate, the second step of pressing and flattening the inflated airbag 10, and the flat plate The airbag 10 for the passenger in the passenger seat of the vehicle is formed into a desired shape by the third step of stacking the airbag 10 on the center side and folding the airbag 10 so that it can be stored in a predetermined region E such as a case of the airbag device. It can be folded easily and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. That is, this process is suitable for mechanization, can be quickly folded using the folding device 30, can reduce the work time required for folding, and can reduce the manufacturing cost.

  In the first step of introducing and inflating a gas into the airbag 10, at least a part of the vent hole 16, which is an opening provided in the base fabric, is closed with a restriction plate 43, which is a closing member, thereby venting. Air leakage from the hole 16 can be suppressed, the airbag 10 can be easily and sufficiently inflated, and the airbag 10 can be positioned and supported by contacting the regulating plate 43 with the airbag 10.

  Therefore, in the second step subsequent to the first step, the airbag 10 is flattened in a suitable state by pressing the airbag 10 supported in a sufficiently inflated state at a suitable position. In the third step, the airbag 10 can be easily folded into a desired shape using the folding device 30.

  Furthermore, the folding device 30 does not need to continue supplying a large volume of air in the first step, and continues after the first step on the assumption that the airbag 10 is sufficiently inflated at a suitable position. Since the second step can be performed, the blow device can be downsized, the configuration of the folding device 30 can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, the restriction plate 43 covering the vent hole 16 is formed into a three-dimensional shape such as a cylindrical surface or a curved surface such as a spherical shape that abuts along the outer peripheral surface of the outer shell 10a of the inflated airbag 10. 43 can be aligned with the vent hole 16 to reliably cover the vent hole 16. That is, the curved surface along the outer peripheral surface of the outer shell 10a of the airbag 10 can not only stably support the regulating plate 43 in contact with the airbag 10 in a plane but also the airbag 10 inflated by applying internal pressure. However, even when it moves so as to be shaken by the flow rate of air, it is possible to stably support the surface by suppressing the shaking stably by the support surface portion of the front surface having a curved surface.

  Further, the deflection of the airbag 10 is suppressed by making the radius of the curved surface formed by the support surface portion of the regulating plate 43 larger than the radius of the curved surface formed by the outer shell 10a of the airbag 10 at a position facing the regulating plate 43. And the effect which can be supported stably can be enlarged.

  Further, the folding device 30 can fold the airbag 10 of various shapes, for example, the airbag 10 for a passenger seat as well as the airbag 10 for a driver seat having a planar shape. Also, the airbag 10 having a complicated or special shape is inflated and pressed, and can be folded as an airbag 10 having desired deployment characteristics with the same machine by making a flat circular or substantially elliptical shape. The facility cost can be reduced and the folding time of the airbag 10 can be greatly shortened. That is, not only the three-dimensional airbag 10 but also the planar airbag 10 in which the outer peripheries of two base fabrics are sewn together can be easily folded.

  In addition, as a folding process that is combined with a folding process that is pressed in an inflated state by applying an internal pressure to the airbag 10 to form a flat shape of a desired shape, the corners of the four corners are viewed from above by the airbag holding plate 45. In a state where the first pressing body 51 is held down in a radial state, the air bag is pressed from the outer peripheral side to form the first integrated portion 81 and the radial extending portion 83 that are accumulated in a wave shape, and then the second The pressing member 52 is advanced to press the radial extending portion 83 from the outer peripheral portion and is accumulated in a wave shape to form the second accumulating portion 84, thereby forming a complicated and three-dimensional structure like the airbag 10 for the passenger on the passenger seat. The airbag 10 having various shapes can be easily and automatically folded by the folding device 30. The airbag 10 having various shapes can be folded by the same folding device 30, and includes a device for rotating the airbag 10, a device for winding in a roll, or an exhaust device for generating negative pressure. Since it is not necessary, the versatility can be improved, the folding process and the structure of the folding device 30 can be simplified, and folding by an automatic machine can be easily realized. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the airbag device can be reduced.

  In addition, before each pressing body 51, 52 is advanced by each fold-applying device 61, 62, since the wavy fold in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is applied to the base fabric of the airbag 10 in advance, it is easily desired. The first integrated portion 81 and the second integrated portion 84 having a shape can be formed.

  Further, the passenger seat occupant airbag 10 is housed in a housing portion of a rectangular case body that is long in both sides. In the present embodiment, one first stacking portion 81 is provided on each short side B. Are folded on the long side A so that one first stacking unit 81 and two second stacking units 84 are disposed on both sides of the first stacking unit 81. Since the number of the stacking portions 81 and 84 arranged on the short side B is different, particularly 3: 1, the airbag 10 is firmly and securely attached to the storage portion having a rectangular cross section having the long side A and the short side B. A preferable storage state that can be stored and can maintain a stable storage state for a long time can be realized.

  In addition, since each of the collecting portions 81 and 84 is folded in a wave shape toward the gas introducing portion 15 into which the gas is introduced, each of the collecting portions when the gas is introduced into the gas introducing portion 15 of the airbag 10. It is possible to easily realize good deployment characteristics that 81 and 84 can be deployed quickly. Furthermore, since the front part of the airbag 10 that faces the gas introduction part 15 is composed of a single base fabric, this front part can be quickly deployed to achieve favorable characteristics as the airbag 10 for the passenger on the passenger seat. it can. That is, when the airbag 10 for the passenger seat is deployed, it can be deployed from the aspect of protecting the most important person, and the person can be quickly protected.

  In this manner, the airbag 10 for the passenger seat can be folded automatically, and the manufacturing cost of the airbag device can be reduced without complicating the configuration of the folding device 30.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vent holes 16 are hermetically closed by the restricting plates 43 on both sides. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and even if the restricting plates 43 cover the vent holes 16, the vent holes 16 The pressure is released by setting so that some gas flows out of the air, and the position of the airbag 10 can be positively stabilized by the outflowing gas.

  For example, regarding the relationship between the outer shell 10a of the airbag 10 in a state where the airbag 10 is completely inflated and the forward limit position of the support surface portion that is the front surface of the regulation plate 43, the size of the gap is set to 0 or 0 or less. In other words, the restricting plate 43 bites into the outer shell 10a of the airbag 10 so that each vent hole 16 is airtightly closed. The airbag 10 can also be stably supported by the force of the air to be generated.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, a gas flow that allows air as a gas to flow through the restriction plates 43 on both sides at the same position as each vent hole 16 in a state where the airbag 10 is completely inflated. The part 101 can also be provided. The gas flow part 101 is formed as a lattice-shaped through hole, for example, and is a restriction plate with a lattice hole through which air can flow with a predetermined ventilation resistance. Therefore, in this configuration, as shown in FIG. 17 (b), the vent holes 16 and the gas circulation portions 101 are arranged as indicated by an arrow F1 in a state where the positions of the vent holes 16 and the gas circulation portions 101 coincide with each other. A slight amount of gas flows in a straight line through the air bag 10, and the airbag 10 can be held in an optimal position without shaking. Further, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), with the positions of the vent holes 16 and the gas flow portions 101 being slightly shifted and partially matching, the vent holes 16 and the gas flow portions are shown as indicated by an arrow F2. While some gas flows through 101, as shown by an arrow F3, the gas flows in a direction in which the positions of the vent holes 16 and the gas circulation portions 101 coincide with each other. The position can be easily matched.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), since the vent hole 16 that is an opening is present obliquely forward, the air bag 10 that is inflated is prevented from falling backward. The position restriction plate 44 is provided on the rear side of the bag 10 so as to be a three-side restriction type, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the vent hole 16 of the airbag 10 is inflated. If the air bag 10 is present in the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction, the position restricting plate 44 that is the rear positioning means 42 is not provided, and the air bag 10 is held by the restricting plates 43 on both sides. It can also be a type. Further, in addition to the rear position restricting plate 44 or in place of the rear position restricting plate 44, position restricting plates that move forward and backward can be provided at two locations in front of the airbag 10 and behind the airbag 10. .

  In the above embodiment, the restricting plate 43 and the position restricting plate 44 are formed as curved plates. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be a vertical plate.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the restriction plate 43 serving as a closing member has a larger area than the vent hole 16, covers the vent hole 16, and faces the outer surface of the base fabric around the vent hole 16. However, instead of this configuration, or together with this configuration, a part of the vent hole 16 is inserted, and the vent hole 16 is closed by contacting the entire periphery of the edge of the vent hole 16. It is also possible to use a closing member.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 22, the positioning means 42 of the folding device 30 has a pair of hemispherical lid portions 71 on both sides as a closing member instead of the plate-like regulating plate 43 as a closing member. I have. In the following description, the same parts as those shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.

  The lid 71 is disposed with the spherical surface facing the vent hole 16 of the airbag 10, and a cylinder 42a is attached to the flat side. The size of the lid 71 is larger than that of the vent hole 16, and is, for example, a hemisphere having a diameter of 100 mm with respect to the vent hole 16 having a diameter of 50 mm.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, when the airbag 10 is inflated as indicated by the broken line to the solid line, the lid portion 71 is disposed in a predetermined position in advance, or the inflated airbag By moving the lid portion 71 toward the 10 vent holes 16, a part of the lid portion 71, that is, the insertion portion 72 which is the distal end portion of the lid portion 71 is inserted into the vent hole 16, and the lid portion 71 serves as a lid to completely block the vent hole 16 and hermetically close it, prevent air leakage, and completely inflate the airbag 10.

  Further, in this configuration, the tip of the lid portion 71 enters the inside of the airbag 10 from the vent hole 16, so to speak, the airbag 10 is locked by the lid portions 71 on both sides. Further, the airbag 10 can be easily and surely positioned at a desired position as shown in FIG. 19 by moving the lid 71 back and forth, etc. As shown in FIGS. 22, 13 (c) and 14 (c), the airbag 10 can be folded into a circular or elliptical plane.

  The following steps can easily and quickly fold the airbag 10 by the same steps as those shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, and have the same effects as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like. Can do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lid 71 is hemispherical, but is not limited to this shape, and the vent hole 16 is sealed, and a part of the lid 71 enters the inside of the airbag 10 from the vent hole 16 as appropriate. The shape can be taken. For example, in order to facilitate insertion into the vent hole 16, the tip can be made to protrude thinly to have a substantially conical shape. Furthermore, as the closing member, as shown in FIG. 23, the distal end side is bent thinly, for example, a substantially conical lid portion 75 having a nail shape in a side view in which the position of the insertion portion 74 is shifted substantially in parallel downward is provided. can do. In this configuration, as indicated by the solid line from the broken line in FIG. 23, the vent hole 16 whose position is shifted downward or the vent hole 16 of the airbag 10 in the process of inflating so as to rise from the lower side. In contrast, if the distal end portion of the insertion portion 74 is in contact with the vent hole 16, the insertion portion 74 functions as a guide, and the insertion portion 74 can be easily and reliably inserted.

  Further, in the configuration of the lid portions 71 and 75 provided with these insertion portions 72 and 74, since the airbag 10 can be held and reliably positioned, the lid portions 71 and 75 are folded in the process of lowering the flattening means 41. By performing a shift process of moving the airbag forward, backward, left and right, the folded shape of the airbag 10 can be changed so as to be offset, and the deployment characteristics such as the deployment direction of the airbag can be adjusted. In addition, the offset adjustment dimension varies depending on the shape of the airbag 10, but the movement range of the lid portions 71 and 75 can be shifted from the center of the airbag 10 by the maximum length of the radius of the airbag 10. Thus, the deployment direction of the airbag 10 can be freely set, and the angle at which an occupant can be quickly protected can be freely set.

  Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 24, the center of a predetermined region E of the bottom base fabric portion 18, that is, the center of the gas introduction portion 15, that is, the center position of the retainer 11, is defined as a first predetermined point P1, and the airbag 10 is another member. At the position of the front base fabric portion 17 facing the front direction F of the first predetermined point P1 in the unfolded state when it is assumed that the unfolded state is unaffected by gravity and is unaffected by gravity. A certain center point on the upper surface of the airbag is defined as a second predetermined point P2, and is substantially in the center direction of the deployment of the airbag 10, and is perpendicular to the virtual plane formed by the gas introduction part 15 supported by the retainer 11. The direction will be described as the front direction F.

  Then, while air is supplied to the inside of the airbag 10 by the blow device, and the lid portions 71 and 75 are inserted into the vent holes 16 and closed, the retainer 11 is lowered as shown in FIG. Thus, the airbag 10 is inflated to a substantially fully deployed state. That is, in this state, the bottom base fabric portion 18 and the front base fabric portion 17 are spaced apart from each other and face each other, and the second predetermined point P2 faces the front direction F of the first predetermined point P1. From this state, by lowering and pressing the flattening means 41, the airbag 10 is crushed and flattened on the mounting portion 31 as shown in FIGS. 24 (b) and 25 (a). To do. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 24 (b) and 25 (a), the first predetermined point P1 and the second predetermined point P2 are not shifted without shifting the position of the front base fabric portion 17 with respect to the bottom surface base fabric portion 18. Will be in a folded state.

  On the other hand, as a shift step from the state in which the airbag 10 is inflated, each positioning cylinder 42a is operated, and the respective lid portions 71 and 75 functioning as a shift means and the rear side position restricting plate 44 are set as necessary. By moving in the direction and dimensions, as shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 24 (c), the airbag 10 is moved or shifted in the horizontal direction H such as front and rear, which is suitable for the subsequent folding work. Position to position. That is, the front direction F between the first predetermined point P1 of the bottom base fabric portion 18 and the second predetermined point P2 of the front base fabric portion 17 is shifted here by a predetermined dimension L2. Then, from this state, the flattening means 41 is lowered and pressed, so that the airbag 10 is crushed into a flat plane on the mounting portion 31 as shown in FIGS. 24 (d) and 25 (b). And expand.

  In this state, the airbag 10 is formed in a substantially circular shape or a substantially elliptical shape, and is flattened in the center of the placement portion 31, but each lid portion 71 functions as a shift means. With the operation of 75, the position of the front base fabric portion 17 is shifted (shifted) with respect to the bottom surface base fabric portion 18, that is, as shown in FIG. The second predetermined point P2 is folded into a flat plate in a state shifted by a controlled dimension L2 in the controlled direction. Therefore, the deployment characteristics of the airbag 10, that is, the direction in which the airbag 10 for the passenger on the passenger seat is deployed can be easily adjusted, in other words, the deployment angle of the airbag 10 can be freely changed, and the required deployment The airbag 10 can be deployed at an angle.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 24 (a) and 24 (b), when the unfolding test is performed with the first predetermined point P1 and the second predetermined point P2 aligned and folded, The development angle formed by the line connecting the first predetermined point P1 and the second predetermined point P2 was about 40 °. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, the second predetermined point P2 is shifted by 90 mm as the predetermined dimension L2 on the windshield side with respect to the first predetermined point P1, and other conditions are set. When the folding unfolding test was conducted with the same, the unfolding angle formed by the line connecting the first predetermined point P1 and the second predetermined point P2 with respect to the horizontal line was about 60 °.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 (e) and 1 (f), the second predetermined point P2 is shifted by 90 mm as a predetermined dimension L3 on the passenger side with respect to the first predetermined point P1, and the other conditions are the same. When the development test was performed, the development angle formed by the line connecting the first predetermined point P1 and the second predetermined point P2 with respect to the horizontal line was about 30 °.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 25 (b), the bottom surface base fabric portion 18 is different from the comparative example of FIG. 25 (a) in which the positions of the bottom surface base fabric portion 18 and the front base fabric portion 17 are not shifted. The front base fabric portion 17 is shifted to the front side, the front base fabric portion 17 is shifted to the rear side as shown in FIG. 25 (c), and the front base fabric portion 17 is moved to the right side as shown in FIG. 25 (d). As shown in FIG. 25 (e), the front base fabric portion 17 is shifted to the left by shifting the front base fabric portion 17 from the bottom base fabric portion 18 to the front, back, left and right by appropriate dimensions. Accordingly, desired deployment characteristics suitable for occupant protection can be easily realized according to the shape of the airbag 10, the shape of the interior member of the automobile to which the airbag device is attached, the layout position of the airbag device, and the like.

  Further, in the configuration in which the insertion portions 72 and 74 are provided, the airbag 10 can be reliably positioned using the vent hole 16 of the airbag 10, and therefore the rear position regulating plate 44 can be omitted.

  Further, as a third step following the second step of flattening the airbag 10, in addition to the method of accumulating and folding from the outer periphery, a method of sequentially folding along the fold line, a method of folding in a roll shape, etc. Various methods can be taken.

  Further, the airbag 10 is not limited to the passenger seat occupant that is provided in the instrument panel and is deployed to face the head and chest of the passenger in the passenger seat, but is provided in the lower part of the instrument panel and the lower part of the seat. A so-called knee airbag that is deployed to face the knee of the vehicle, a so-called side airbag that is provided on the side of the seat, an airbag device that is provided on the steering wheel, a planar device that is provided on the pillar portion, etc. Or it can also be used as a method of folding a three-dimensional airbag.

  In addition, for the curtain airbag provided in the side pillar portion of the vehicle, the side airbag provided in the side portion of the seat, and the like, there may be a configuration in which the airbag device does not include a case. The present invention can be widely applied to the airbag 10 arranged in the above.

  Further, the airbag 10 can be removed from the folding device 30 without performing the wrapping operation by the patch 19 in a state in which the airbag 10 is folded into a desired shape.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, an airbag for a passenger in an automobile.

It is explanatory drawing seen from the side which shows one Embodiment of the folding method and folding apparatus of the airbag of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above, (a) is a front view, (b) is sectional drawing of the II equivalent position of (a). It is explanatory drawing of the operation | movement which expanded a part of folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing seen from the side of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the folding process following FIG. 4 of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the folding process of the II-II cross section equivalent position of FIG. 9 following FIG. 5 of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the folding process of the II-II cross section equivalent position of FIG. 9 following FIG. 6 of the airbag folding apparatus same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the folding process of the III-III cross section equivalent position of FIG. 10 following FIG. 7 of the airbag folding apparatus same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the folding process of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the folding process following FIG. 9 of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the folding process following FIG. 10 of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the folding process following FIG. 11 of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows the planar shape of the airbag of the folding method of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape seen from the side surface of the airbag of the airbag folding method same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape seen from diagonally upward of the airbag of the airbag folding method same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of a part of airbag folding apparatus same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which expanded a part which shows other embodiments of the folding device of the air bag of the present invention, (a) is in the state where the position of the gas circulation part shifted from the vent hole, (b) This is a state where the position of the gas circulation part is aligned with the vent hole. It is explanatory drawing of the operation | movement which shows other embodiment of the folding apparatus of the airbag of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the operation | movement which shows other embodiment of the folding apparatus of the airbag of this invention. It is explanatory drawing seen from the front side of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which expanded a part of folding device of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing seen from the side of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which expanded a part which shows other embodiment of the folding apparatus of the airbag of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows other embodiment of the folding method of the airbag of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the folding method of an airbag same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

10 airbag
10a outer shell
15 Gas introduction part
16 Bent hole
30 folding device
41 Flattening means
43 Restriction plate as a blocking member
51 1st press body which comprises a folding means
52 Second pressing body constituting folding means
71 Lid as a closing member
75 Lid as a closing member
101 Gas distribution part E Predetermined area

Claims (5)

An air bag that is provided with a gas introduction portion for introducing gas into a bag-like base fabric constituting the outer shell and a vent hole that allows the introduction of the introduced gas to be inflated and deployed by introduction of the gas from the gas introduction portion. A method of folding an airbag that can be stored in the area of
A first step of inflating the airbag by introducing gas into the airbag;
A second step of pressing and flattening the inflated airbag;
A third step of folding the airbag flattened in the second step into a shape that can be stored in the predetermined region;
In the first step, gas is introduced into the outer shell of the airbag from the gas introduction portion, at least a part of the vent hole is closed with a closing member, and the closing member is applied to the airbag. The airbag folding method, wherein the airbag is positioned and supported while suppressing gas leakage from the vent hole. An air bag that is provided with a gas introduction portion for introducing gas into a bag-like base fabric constituting the outer shell and a vent hole that allows the introduction of the introduced gas to be inflated and deployed by introduction of the gas from the gas introduction portion. An airbag folding device that folds so that it can be stored in the area of
Inflating means for inflating the airbag by introducing gas into the outer shell of the airbag from the gas introducing portion;
A closing member that closes at least a portion of the vent hole and abuts against the airbag, suppresses gas leakage from the vent hole, and positions and supports the airbag;
Flattening means for pressing and flattening the inflated airbag;
Folding means for folding a flattened airbag into a shape that can be stored in the predetermined area. The air bag folding device according to claim 2, wherein the closing member is provided with a lid portion which is at least partially inserted into the vent hole and positions the vent hole. The airbag folding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the closing member is provided with a curved support surface portion that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer shell of the inflated airbag. The air bag folding device according to claim 4, wherein the closing member is provided with a gas flow part through which gas can flow at a position facing the vent hole.

Images