JP5225602B2 - Airbag folding method and airbag folding apparatus - Google Patents

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, for airbags for passengers in the passenger seat, hold the air inlet for introducing gas into the airbag, hang the airbag and inflate it by supplying air, and then advance the side folding plate from the left and right while removing the air. A configuration is known in which the airbag is formed into a belt-like shape, and a part of the belt-like airbag is folded into a roll shape and the other part is folded into a bellows shape (see, for example, Patent Document 2). However, in this configuration, a configuration in which the airbag is held in a suspended state and a plurality of members are advanced and retracted with respect to the suspended airbag is essential, and the apparatus is likely to be large-sized, and it is not always easy to reduce the manufacturing cost. .

Furthermore, for the airbag device, it is required to easily realize desired deployment characteristics suitable for the shape of the interior member of the automobile compartment in which the airbag device is provided, the position where the airbag device is disposed, and the like. It has been.
International Publication No. 2001/76917 Pamphlet (Pages 21-23, FIGS. 1 and 5) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-186865 (Page 4, FIGS. 1 and 3)

  As described above, a method for easily folding an airbag is required, and it is required to easily realize desired deployment characteristics.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an airbag folding method and an airbag folding apparatus that can easily realize desired deployment characteristics and can easily fold an airbag. For the purpose.

Folding method of the airbag according to claim 1 is provided with a cloth part gas inlet side group having a gas inlet, a front group cloth portion Metropolitan facing the gas introduction portion side base cloth portion, the gas inlet A method for folding an airbag in which a bag-like airbag that is inflated and deployed by introduction of gas from a section is foldable so as to be housed in a predetermined region, the first step of flattening the airbag, and the first step A second step of folding the airbag spread flat in the process into a shape that can be accommodated in the predetermined region, wherein the first step includes the gas introduction side base fabric portion and the front base fabric portion. And a separation step of separating the front base fabric portion from the gas introduction portion side base fabric portion, and the front base fabric portion facing the gas introduction portion side base fabric portion. with respect to the front direction, which is substantially the center direction of deployment of the airbag in a direction A shift step of relatively moving in the direction of the difference, subsequent to the shift process, flat sleeping heavy to each other to and spaced above the gas introduction portion side base cloth portion the front group cloth portion Prefecture in the gas inlet portion near And an overlapping step of flattening and flattening.

In this configuration, in the step of folding the bag-like airbag, the gas introduction portion side base fabric portion provided with the gas introduction portion has a substantially central direction in which the airbag of the gas introduction portion side base fabric portion is deployed. overlapping a front base fabric section facing the front direction is, when flattening the airbag, overlap each other in the gas introduction portion near by shifting the position of these gas inlet side group cloth part and the front base fabric section By expanding and flattening into a flat and flat shape , the development characteristics can be easily adjusted with respect to the configuration in which the positions of the gas introduction part side base cloth part and the front base cloth part are overlapped. Further, by controlling the positions of the gas introduction part side base cloth part and the front base cloth part, the airbag is easily folded flat and the airbag is easily folded.

  The airbag folding method according to claim 2 is the airbag folding method according to claim 1, wherein the separating step introduces gas into the airbag to inflate the airbag.

  And in this structure, the state suitable for shifting and flattening the position of a gas introduction part side base cloth part and a front base cloth part is implement | achieved easily.

  The airbag folding method according to claim 3 is the airbag folding method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shifting step is performed with respect to the first predetermined point set on the gas introduction side base fabric portion. The second predetermined point of the front base cloth portion set at a position facing the front direction of the first predetermined point is moved by a predetermined dimension.

  In this configuration, desired development characteristics are easily realized.

  The airbag folding method according to claim 4 is the airbag folding method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shifting step is performed with respect to the first predetermined point set in the gas introduction side base fabric portion. The third predetermined point of the front base cloth portion set at a position not facing the front direction of the first predetermined point is moved to a position facing the first predetermined point.

  In this configuration, desired development characteristics are easily realized.

Folding device of the air bag according to claim 5 is provided with a cloth part gas inlet side group having a gas inlet, a front group cloth portion Metropolitan facing the gas introduction portion side base cloth portion, the gas inlet An airbag folding device that folds a bag-like airbag that is inflated and deployed by introduction of gas from a portion so that the airbag can be stored in a predetermined region, wherein the gas introduction side base fabric portion and the front base fabric portion are a separating means for separating from each other, the front base fabric portions relative to the gas inlet side base cloth portion spaced from said front base cloth portion by the separating means, the gas inlet side base cloth of the front group cloth portion Shift means that moves relative to the front direction that is a direction opposite to the portion and that is substantially the center direction of deployment of the airbag, and the front base cloth portion that is moved by the shift means the gas inlet side groups spaced from the front group cloth portion And overlapping means for the part in sleep heavy to each other in the gas inlet portion near to flatten and expand crushing a flat plane, folding of folding the air bag were plated into storable shape in the predetermined area Means.

In this configuration, the bag-like airbag is flattened and then folded into a shape that can be stored in a predetermined region. When folding the airbag flat has a gas inlet side base cloth portion regular Menmoto cloth portion Metropolitan moved away from each other, gas introduced by shifting the position of these gas inlet side group cloth part and the front base fabric section Deployment characteristics are easily adjusted with respect to the configuration in which the positions of the gas introduction side base fabric portion and the front base fabric portion are aligned and overlapped by overlapping each other in the vicinity of the section and squeezing into a flat plane. The Further, the airbag is easily folded flat by controlling the positions of the gas introduction part side base cloth part and the front base cloth part.

  The airbag folding device according to claim 6 is the airbag folding device according to claim 5, wherein the separating means supplies the gas into the airbag to inflate the airbag, and the shift means includes the airbag. The side base fabric portion that connects the gas introduction portion side base fabric portion and the front base fabric portion is pushed in a direction that intersects the front direction.

  And in this structure, the structure which shifts the position of a gas introduction part side base fabric part and a front base fabric part is implement | achieved easily.

  The airbag folding device according to claim 7 is the airbag folding device according to claim 5, wherein the separating means supplies gas into the airbag to inflate the airbag, and the shift means includes the airbag. The front base cloth part is pushed in a direction intersecting the front direction while holding the front base cloth part.

  And in this structure, the structure which shifts the position of a gas introduction part side base fabric part and a front base fabric part is implement | achieved easily.

According to the present invention, to expand crushed on top of one another with gas introduction portion near offset from one another by controlling the position of the gas inlet side group cloth part and the front base fabric portion on a flat plane when the folding of the air bag Thereby, a development characteristic can be easily adjusted with respect to the structure which put the gas introducing | transducing part side base fabric part and the front base fabric part together, and overlapped.

  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 to 17, 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. And although not shown, the airbag apparatus provided with this airbag is provided in the instrument panel facing the passenger seat of the passenger compartment of the automobile, and is made of a metal or synthetic resin case body, and the case body An airbag 10 that is stored in a predetermined area, folded in a small space, an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag 10, and a retainer 11 shown in FIG. 1 for attaching the airbag 10 to a case body, An opening of the housing portion of the case body, that is, the airbag 10 that is folded and stored is normally covered with a cover body that is disposed along the instrument panel, and the airbag 10 is deployed in the front direction F. It has become. Note that the airbag device is, for example, arranged such that the opening portion is inclined toward the upper rear side of the vehicle. Hereinafter, the opening portion is directed upward in accordance with the folded state of the airbag 10. Will be described. Further, the direction will be described with reference to the straight traveling direction of the vehicle. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a deployment test machine simulating a part of a vehicle. The deployment test machine 12 is inclined to a wall 13 simulating a windshield, which is a windshield, and faces the wall 13. A holding device 14 simulating an instrument panel for holding the retainer 11 with the direction F facing upward.

  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 formed by sewing one or a plurality of base fabrics together. The airbag 10 is also referred to as a gas introduction part 15 having a circular opening or the like, and a base as a gas introduction part base fabric part (vehicle body side base cloth) provided with the gas introduction part 15. A bottom base fabric portion 16 to be obtained, a front base fabric portion 17 that can also be called a top that is an anti-gas introduction portion side base fabric portion (occupant side base fabric) facing the front direction F of the bottom surface base fabric portion 16, and these bottom surfaces A side base cloth part 18 that connects the outer peripheral parts of the base cloth part 16 and the front base cloth part 17 is provided. The bottom base fabric portion 16 is reinforced with a separate base fabric or the like, and a patch 19 as a shape holding member for holding the folded shape of the airbag 10 is attached as shown in FIG. ing.

  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. The predetermined area E of the bottom surface base cloth part 16 that is arranged along the bottom surface base cloth part 16 and surrounds the gas introduction part 15 is held flat, and the mounting bolt 11b is fixed to the case body to It 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, as shown in FIG. 1, the center of a predetermined region E of the bottom base fabric portion 16, that is, the center of the gas introduction portion 15, that is, the center position of the retainer 11, is set 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 will be described as a second predetermined point P2. Further, a predetermined position spaced from the second predetermined point P2 in the front base fabric portion 17 will be described as a third predetermined point P3. 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.

  The airbag 10 is folded into a predetermined shape, which will be described later, and stored in the storage part of the case body. When the automobile collides, the airbag device activates the inflator with a signal from a control means including a sensor, and rapidly supplies gas into the airbag 10 from the gas injection port. 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.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 12, the folding device 30 includes a flat plate-like mounting portion 31 capable of flattening the airbag 10, an upper frame 32 positioned above the mounting portion 31, In addition, the apparatus main body is provided with a fixed base 33 or the like positioned below the mounting portion 31. 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.

  Then, a position corresponding to a predetermined area E including a predetermined point at the center of the placement portion 31, that is, a predetermined area E including the first predetermined point P1 of the airbag 10 attached to the folding device 30. Is provided with a retainer holding portion 35 that is a retainer fixing portion that detachably holds the retainer 11 combined with the airbag 10, and air is supplied to the inside of the airbag 10 to the retainer holding portion 35. A blower as a separating means (not shown) 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 is provided with the long side A along both directions, and the short side B extended in the front-back direction. ing.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, above the mounting portion 31, it is supported by the upper frame 32 and is driven by the pressing cylinder 41a while being parallel to the mounting portion 31, so that it advances and retreats. A stacking means 41, which is a movable plate-shaped movable top plate, is provided horizontally.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a plurality of shift means 43, which are vertical positioning plates, are provided so as to be supported by the upper frame 32 and surround the space above the placement portion 31, and these shift means 43 Is driven by the positioning cylinder 43a to move forward and backward with respect to the space above the placement portion 31.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 7 to 9, and 15 (a), 4 is an airbag fixing plate that is supported by a stacking means 41 above the mounting portion 31 and serves as a holding means. A plurality of airbag holding plates 45 are provided, which are driven by holding cylinders (height restricting cylinders) 45a to 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, the mounting portion 31 includes a plurality of, in this case, first stacking portion forming means that move forward and backward toward the central portion corresponding to the first predetermined point P1, which is a predetermined point, along the upper surface of the mounting portion 31. And four first pressing bodies 52 constituting the second accumulating portion forming means, and presses the airbag 10 and folds it in a wave shape to form a predetermined region E. Folding means is built up inside.

  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 and a front plate portion 55a and a height regulating plate portion 55c shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 slightly projecting forward from 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 stacking means 41 is raised, and the first pressing body 51, the second pressing body 52, and the shifting means 43 are moved backward 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 separation step of the first step of spreading the airbag 10 flatly, air is supplied to the inside of the airbag 10 by a blow device, as shown in FIGS. 2, 13 (b) and 14 (b). Then, the air bag 10 is inflated to a substantially fully deployed state with the retainer 11 down. That is, in this state, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), the bottom base fabric portion 16 and the front base fabric portion 17 are spaced apart from each other and face each other in the front direction F of the first predetermined point P1. The two predetermined points P2 are in opposition.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, as a shift process, each positioning cylinder 43 a is operated, and the plurality of shift means 43 are advanced or retreated toward the airbag 10 by a set dimension. Depending on the shape and the like, the airbag 10 is moved or shifted in the horizontal direction H such as front and rear as the intersecting direction, and positioned at a position suitable for the subsequent folding work. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 (d), the front direction F between the first predetermined point P1 of the bottom base fabric portion 16 and the second predetermined point P2 of the front base fabric portion 17 is a position seen from above here. Shift by a predetermined dimension L2. In this configuration, the shift means 43 is designed so that the inflated airbag 10 can be shifted from the center by the length of the radius of the airbag 10 at the maximum.

  Next, as the stacking step, while operating the blow device and applying the internal pressure, each shift means 43 is retracted, the stacking means 41 is lowered and the airbag 10 is pressed, and the bottom base fabric portion 16 separated from each other The front base fabric portion 17 is overlapped and flattened, and the airbag 10 is crushed and flattened on the placement portion 31 as shown in FIGS. 13 (c) and 14 (c). Then, by stopping the blow device, the first step of flatly spreading the airbag 10 in a desired shape to a desired position is completed.

  In this state, the airbag 10 has a substantially circular shape or a substantially elliptical shape, and is flattened in the central portion of the placement portion 31, but by the operation of the controlled shift means 43, In a state where the position of the front base fabric portion 17 is shifted (shifted) with respect to the bottom base fabric portion 16, that is, as shown in FIG. 1 (e), the first predetermined point P1 of the bottom base fabric portion 16 and The front base fabric portion 17 is folded into a flat plate shape with the second predetermined point P2 being displaced by a controlled dimension L2 in the controlled direction.

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

  That is, as a holding step, first, the holding cylinder 45a is actuated to advance the four airbag holding plates 45 downward, and a line extending radially in an oblique direction about the first predetermined point P1 that is the central portion. The air bag 10 is pressed onto the mounting portion 31 along the upper and lower sides, so to speak, and sandwiched from above and below, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the stacking means 41 has a predetermined dimension above the air bag holding plate 45. Only retreat.

  Next, as the first folding application step, the folding cylinders 64b and 65b are actuated, and as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 13 (d) and 14 (d), the upper folding device 64 is operated. The folding plate 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, left and right 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 are advanced toward the predetermined region E, and are held by the portion to which the folding is given, that is, the airbag holding plate 45 The airbag 10 is pressed toward the predetermined point C from the outer peripheral side, and as shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 13 (e), FIG. 14 (e), and FIG. The bent first accumulating portion 81 is formed at four locations, and the first accumulating portion 81 is accommodated in a predetermined region E, and a radial extension that can be called an ear portion is held in a portion held by the airbag holding plate 45. An installation portion 83 is formed. 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 overlapping means 41 are not folded. 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 second 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 overlapping means 41 are not folded. 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 overlapping means 41 is moved downward while the pressing bodies 51 and 52 are moved forward. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 16, the push-in 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 overlapping means 41 is raised, the wrapping device cylinder 37 is operated, and the airbag 10 is lifted together with the airbag wrapping device 36. Then, the airbag 10 folded with the patch 19 of the airbag 10 is wrapped, and the attachment receiving portion provided on the patch 19 is hooked on the attachment bolt 11b of the retainer 11, whereby the folding operation of the airbag 10 is completed.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the first folding step in which the airbag 10 is formed into a flat plate shape and the flat airbag 10 can be stored in a predetermined region E such as a case of an airbag device. A method of folding the bag-like airbag 10 and a first folding step in the folding device 30 with the second step of folding the airbag 10 into the airbag 10 and inflating it by applying internal pressure. Then, with respect to the bottom surface base fabric portion 16 provided with the gas introduction portion 15, the position of the front base fabric portion 17 facing the front side of the bottom surface base fabric portion 16 is adjusted and set. The airbag is pressed in a shifted state, and is overlapped and flattened in a state where the positions of the bottom base fabric portion 16 and the front base fabric portion 17 are shifted (offset) in a predetermined dimensional relationship. 10 deployment characteristics, that is, the direction in which the passenger airbag 10 is deployed Can be adjusted easily. In other words, the deployment angle of the airbag 10 can be freely changed, and the airbag 10 can be deployed at the required deployment angle. For example, the airbag 10 for the passenger on the passenger seat can be deployed on the lower side along the instrument panel.

  Therefore, with respect to the comparative example of FIG. 17 (a) in which the positions of the bottom base fabric portion 16 and the front base fabric portion 17 are not shifted, as shown in FIG. The front base fabric portion 17 is shifted to the front side, and the front base fabric portion 17 is shifted to the rear side with respect to the bottom base fabric portion 16 as shown in FIG. 17 (c), and the bottom surface is shown in FIG. 17 (d). The bottom base fabric 16 is shifted to the right side of the front base fabric portion 17 with respect to the base fabric portion 16, and the front base fabric portion 17 is shifted to the left side with respect to the bottom base fabric portion 16 as shown in FIG. By shifting the front base fabric part 17 from the front part 16 to the front, back, left and right by an appropriate size and flattening, the shape of the airbag 10, the shape of the interior member of the automobile to which the airbag device is attached, the layout of the airbag device Depending on the position and the like, desired development characteristics can be easily realized.

  FIG. 1 shows the results of an experiment using the deployment tester 12. The airbag device faces the inclined wall 13 imitating a windshield, and is arranged with the front direction F directed vertically upward. Further, h is a horizontal line on the upper surface of the developing device.

  As a comparative example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first predetermined point P1 and the second predetermined point P2 do not shift the position of the front base fabric portion 17 with respect to the bottom surface base fabric portion 16. When the deployment test is performed in a state where the two are aligned and folded, as shown in FIG. 1 (c), the first predetermined point P1 with respect to the deployment angle θ1 of the airbag 10, that is, the horizontal line h, The expansion angle θ1 formed by the line connecting the second predetermined point P2 is about 40 °.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E, in the shift step, the position of the front base fabric portion 17 with respect to the bottom base fabric portion 16 is set to a predetermined dimension L2 rearward, that is, on the windshield side. When the folding process is performed under the condition that the overlapping process is performed after shifting by 90 mm and the other conditions are the same, as shown in FIG. 1 (f), the first angle with respect to the deployment angle θ 2 of the airbag 10, that is, the horizontal line h. The expansion angle θ2 formed by the line connecting the predetermined point P1 and the second predetermined point P2 is about 60 °.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 (g) and 1 (h), in the shift step, the position of the front base fabric portion 17 is shifted by 90 mm as a predetermined dimension L3 forward of the hand, that is, to the passenger side with respect to the bottom base fabric portion 16. When the folding and unfolding test is performed with the other conditions being the same, as shown in FIG. 1 (i), the first predetermined point with respect to the unfolding angle θ3 of the airbag 10, that is, the horizontal line h. The development angle θ3 formed by the line connecting P1 and the second predetermined point P2 is about 30 °.

  In this way, by performing flattening in which the position of the front base fabric portion 17 is appropriately shifted with respect to the bottom surface base fabric portion 16 and overlapped, appropriate characteristics suitable for occupant protection can be easily realized.

  In addition, the first folding process has a simple configuration in which the airbag 10 is inflated, shifted, and pressed, and thus is suitable for mechanization, and can be quickly folded using a folding device. The work time required can be shortened and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Also, for airbags 10 of various shapes, for example, airbags 10 for driver seats having a planar shape, as well as airbags 10 for complicated and special shapes such as airbags 10 for passenger seats. By inflating and appropriately shifting and pressing to form a flat plate-like substantially circular or oval shape, the airbag 10 can be folded with the same machine with desired deployment characteristics, and the equipment cost can be reduced. That is, not only the three-dimensional airbag 10 but also the planar airbag 10 formed by stitching the outer periphery of two base fabrics can be folded and the characteristics can be easily adjusted.

  Further, in the configuration in which the airbag is flattened in the first folding process and the front base fabric portion 17 is stacked in a flat shape on the front side of the bottom surface base fabric portion 16, an important person as the airbag 10 for the passenger on the passenger seat The front base fabric portion 17 which is a surface that protects the water can be quickly deployed, and preferable deployment characteristics can be realized.

  In addition, regarding the control to shift the front base fabric portion 17 with respect to the bottom base fabric portion 16 of the inflated airbag 10 so as to be offset, a first predetermined point (base predetermined point) of the bottom base fabric portion 16 is used. ) A method of shifting the second predetermined point (top predetermined point) P2 facing the front base fabric portion 17 with respect to P1 by a predetermined dimension L2, and a first predetermined point (base predetermined point) of the bottom surface base fabric portion 16. ) A desired characteristic can be obtained by adopting one of the methods of shifting and matching the third predetermined point P3 that does not oppose the front base fabric portion 17 to a position that opposes the first predetermined point P1 with respect to P1. The airbag 10 can be easily and reliably folded.

  In addition, as a second folding process that is combined with the first folding process in which the airbag 10 is pressed in an inflated state to be inflated to form a flat shape of a desired shape, the corners of the four corners are airbag holding plates. 45, the first pressing body 51 is advanced in a state of being radially suppressed from the upper portion, and the airbag is pressed from the outer peripheral side to form a first integrated portion 81 and a radiation extending portion 83 that are accumulated in a wavy shape, Next, the second pressing body 52 is advanced so that the radiation extending portion 83 is pressed from the outer peripheral portion and accumulated in a wave shape to form the second accumulating portion 84. The airbag 10 having a complicated, three-dimensional shape and 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 to be arranged on the short side B is different, particularly 3 to 1, the airbag 10 is firmly and without slackened into a rectangular cross-section containing 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.

  In the above embodiment, as the separating means for floating the front base fabric portion 17 with respect to the bottom base fabric portion 16, a blow device that supplies air, which is a fluid, to the inside of the airbag 10 is used. Without being limited to the configuration, a holding means such as sucking or picking the front base fabric portion 17 can be used.

  Further, as the shift means for moving the front base fabric portion 17 with respect to the bottom surface base fabric portion 16, the shift means 43 that pushes the side base fabric portion 18 of the airbag 10 is used, but is not limited to this configuration. A means for moving the holding means such as sucking or picking the front base fabric portion 17 of the inflated airbag 10 can be used. The shifting means may be configured to move the bottom surface base fabric portion 16 with respect to the front base fabric portion 17.

  Furthermore, for the stacking step of overlapping and flattening the separated bottom base fabric portion 16 and the front base fabric portion 17, the stacking means 41, which is a moving top plate, is lowered and the front base fabric portion 17 is pressed. This configuration is relative, and the placing portion 31 that supports the bottom base fabric portion 16 can be moved up and down, and the placing portion 31 as the overlapping means can be raised to perform the overlapping step. Further, the configuration may be such that the top and bottom of the above configuration is reversed and the airbag 10 is supported so as to be suspended.

  Further, regarding the control to shift the inflated airbag 10 to an offset state, the front base fabric portion 17 faces the first predetermined point (base predetermined point) P1 of the bottom surface base fabric portion 16. A method of shifting the second predetermined point (top predetermined point) P2 by a predetermined dimension L2 and the first predetermined point (base predetermined point) P1 of the bottom surface base fabric portion 16 are not opposed to the front base fabric portion 17. By adopting one of the methods of shifting the third predetermined point P3 to the position facing the first predetermined point P1 and matching it, the airbag 10 having desired characteristics can be folded easily and reliably.

  In the above embodiment, the shifting means 43 and the overlapping means 41 are configured separately. However, the shifting means 43 and the overlapping means 41 are configured to serve as both the shifting means and the overlapping means, and the vertical direction along the horizontal direction H and the front direction F. It can also be set as the structure which can be moved to. The shift unit and the overlapping unit may be configured to include a plurality of motors and the like, and after moving in the horizontal direction H, can be moved downward along the front direction F. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the overlapping means 41, which is a moving top plate, is supported by a bush 92 fitted to an inclined shaft 91, and the pressing cylinder 41a is driven so that it is parallel to the placement portion 31. By moving the stacking means 41 obliquely while keeping it, the front base fabric portion 17 can be lowered while shifting the position in the horizontal direction H, and the shift process and the stacking process can be performed simultaneously. In this configuration, the portion of the lower surface of the overlapping means 41 that contacts the airbag 10 is provided with anti-slip means having a high frictional resistance so that the airbag 10 does not slip and the overlapping means 41 is shifted in the horizontal direction H. Is provided.

  Further, in the overlapping process of pressing and flattening the airbag 10, irregular wrinkles (mountains) are likely to be formed on the bottom surface base fabric portion 16 or the side base fabric portion 18 of the airbag 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, a restriction plate 95 that is horizontally advanced and retracted along the placement portion 31 by the restriction cylinder 95 a is provided, and the bottom base fabric portion of the airbag 10 is lowered by the restriction plate 95 as the stacking means 41 is lowered. It is also possible to simplify the flattened shape of the airbag 10 by pressing the lower side portion 16 or the side base fabric portion 18 to restrict wrinkles, for example, by reducing the number of wrinkles.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, the folding provision apparatuses 61 and 62 are each provided with respect to the 1st press body 51 and the 2nd press body 52, and each folding provision apparatus 61 and 62 is a direct-acting type. The folding cylinders 64b and 65b, which are air cylinders, are simultaneously moved and brought into contact with the airbag 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure, and either the first pressing body 51 or the second pressing body 52 is used. A link mechanism or a cam mechanism can be used instead of the cylinder or in addition to the cylinder. Further, the folding application devices 61 and 62 may be configured to individually drive and sequentially move the plurality of folding plates 65a, 64a, and 68.

  Further, after the airbag 10 is pressed by the first, left, right, and first pressing bodies 51, the airbag 10 is pressed by the second pressing body 52 that advances and retracts in an oblique direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. By changing the shape of the second head 56 of the body 52, the airbag 10 is first pressed and folded by the second pressing body 52, and then the airbag 10 is pressed and folded by the first pressing body 51. You can also.

  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.

  Further, the airbag 10 is not limited to the passenger seat occupant airbag 10 and can be used for folding a planar or three-dimensional airbag of an airbag apparatus provided in a steering wheel, a side portion of a seat, a pillar portion, or the like. .

  Moreover, as a 2nd folding process, various methods, such as the method of folding in order along a fold line, the method of folding in roll shape other than the method of accumulating from the outer periphery and folding, can be taken.

  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.

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

It is explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment of the folding method and folding apparatus of the airbag of this invention. 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. 2 of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the folding process following FIG. 3 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 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 equivalent cross section of FIG. 9 following FIG. 6 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. 10 following FIG. 7 of the folding apparatus of an airbag 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 shows the folding method of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows other embodiment of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows further another embodiment of the folding apparatus of an airbag same as the above.

10 airbag
15 Gas introduction part
16 Bottom base fabric as the gas introduction side base fabric
17 Front base fabric
18 Side base fabric
30 folding device
41 Stacking means
43 Shift means
51 1st press body which comprises a folding means
52 Second pressing body constituting folding means F Front direction H Horizontal direction as intersecting direction P1 First predetermined point P2 Second predetermined point P3 Third predetermined point L2 Predetermined dimension

Claims (7)

A gas inlet side group cloth part having a gas inlet, comprising a front group cloth portion Metropolitan facing the gas introduction portion side base cloth portion, bag-like that is inflated and deployed by introducing gas from the gas inlet An airbag folding method for folding an airbag so that the airbag can be stored in a predetermined area,
A first step of flattening the airbag, and a second step of folding the airbag flattened in the first step into a shape that can be stored in the predetermined region,
The first step includes
A separation step of separating the gas introduction portion side base fabric portion and the front base fabric portion from each other;
Following this separation step, the front base fabric portion is set against the gas introduction portion side base fabric portion, and the airbag is deployed in a direction in which the front base fabric portion faces the gas introduction portion side base fabric portion. A shift step of relatively moving in a direction intersecting the front direction which is substantially the center direction of
Following this shift process, overlapping process flatten and expand crushing a flat plane and a spaced the gas inlet side base cloth portion the front group cloth part Metropolitan sleeping weight to each other in the gas inlet portion near A method of folding an airbag, comprising: The airbag folding method according to claim 1, wherein the separating step includes inflating the airbag by introducing gas into the airbag. In the shift step, the second predetermined point of the front base cloth portion set at a position facing the front direction of the first predetermined point with respect to the first predetermined point set on the gas introduction portion side base cloth portion is set. The airbag folding method according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is moved by a predetermined dimension. In the shift step, the third predetermined point of the front base cloth portion set at a position not facing the front direction of the first predetermined point is set with respect to the first predetermined point set on the gas introducing portion side base cloth portion. The airbag folding method according to claim 1, wherein the airbag is moved to a position opposite to the first predetermined point. A gas inlet side group cloth part having a gas inlet, comprising a front group cloth portion Metropolitan facing the gas introduction portion side base cloth portion, bag-like that is inflated and deployed by introducing gas from the gas inlet An airbag folding apparatus that folds an airbag so that the airbag can be stored in a predetermined area,
A separating means for separating the gas introduction part side base cloth part and the front base cloth part from each other;
The front base cloth part is opposed to the gas introduction part side base cloth part with respect to the gas introduction part side base cloth part separated from the front base cloth part by the separating means. Shift means for relatively moving in a direction intersecting the front direction which is a substantially central direction of deployment of the airbag ,
The said front base fabric unit is moved by the shift means and the gas introducing portion side base cloth portion spaced from the front group cloth part with sleep heavy each other at the gas inlet vicinity expanded crushed flat planar And stacking means for flattening,
A folding device for an airbag, comprising: a folding means for folding a flattened airbag into a shape that can be stored in the predetermined region. The separation means inflates the airbag by supplying gas into the airbag,
The shift means pushes the side base fabric portion that connects the gas introduction portion side base fabric portion and the front base fabric portion of the airbag in a direction intersecting the front direction. Airbag folding device. The separation means inflates the airbag by supplying gas into the airbag,
The air bag folding device according to claim 5, wherein the shift means pushes the front base cloth portion in a direction intersecting the front direction while holding the front base cloth portion of the airbag.

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