WO2000064708A2

WO2000064708A2 - Passenger airbag bias fold for out-of-position injury mitigation

Info

Publication number: WO2000064708A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/011295
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Schneider
Original assignee: Autoliv Asp, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-04-27
Filing date: 2000-04-26
Publication date: 2000-11-02
Also published as: WO2000064708A3; AU4669500A

Abstract

A unique fold pattern for an airbag cushion (200) is described. This pattern has the airbag folded to fit within the width of a reaction can (213) and positioned to reduce the out-of-position injuries of vehicle passengers and the process for folding (210) the cushion is described. Angular folds permit the biasing of the cushion (200) to one side of the reaction can (213), thereby providing control for the deployment of the airbag. The process of this invention permits a variety of alternative folding patterns easily adaptable to various airbag systems and positions within the vehicle.

Description

PASSENGER AIRBAG BIAS FOLD FOR OUT-OF-POSITION INJURY MITIGATION

Background of the Invention

This invention relates to vehicle safety restraint devices. More specifically, this invention relates to air bag restraint modules and air bag cushion configurations.

Description of Related Art

A variety of air bag cushion configurations and folds have been developed to attempt to find the most efficient configuration for deployment of the air bag. Typically, these prior cushion configurations use a series of pleats or have portions of the cushion folded inside out. These configurations are difficult and costly to manufacture. Other approaches used center the cushion fold on the reaction can rather than the preferred bias to one side through the initial fold steps .

For general background material, the reader is directed to the following United States patents, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for the material disclosed therein.

U.S. Patent No. 4,840,397 describes a restraint device for the occupants of motor vehicles is described in which part of the wall of an airbag is designed as a filter.

U.S. Patent No. 4,877,264 describes a motor vehicle modularized airbag assembly adapted for facilitating an aspirating flow of ambient atmosphere through the module and into the air bag to facilitate the inflation thereof and thereafter so as to vent the contents into the surrounding atmosphere.

U.S. Patent No. 4,913,461 describes an airbag module that comprises a pyrotechnic inflator device; an inflatable air cushion operatively associated therewith; a retainer for lockingly engaging the air cushion to the inflator and a mounting plate configured and adapted for securing the inflator, the air cushion and retainer in operative association . U.S. Patent No. 4,915,410 describes a vehicle air bag module that includes a container for a folded air bag and a structure for attaching an inflator to the container.

U.S. Patent No. 4,944,529 describes an inflatable protective cushion (air bag) for use in an automotive vehicle. The cushion in its folded condition is of substantially quadrilateral configuration and includes superposed congruent impact surfaces joined to each other along their longitudinal margins and, along their lateral margins, side surfaces folded inwardly. U.S. Patent No. 5,242,192 describes a chute guide device for directing the deployment of a passenger side air bag along a predetermined path to the inside of a rupturable instrument panel.

U.S. Patent No. 5,275,435 describes an inflatable air bag for restraining an occupant of a vehicle that has a deflated, folded condition and an inflated, unfolded condition. When in the folded condition, the air bag has a plurality of folded portions disposed in a stack adjacent to an inflator assembly. U.S. Patent No. 5,286,054 describes a modularized aspirating/venting motor vehicle passenger passive restraint assembly.

U.S. Patent No. 5,290,061 describes an inflatable air bag, for restraining an occupant of a vehicle, that has a deflated, folded condition and an inflated, unfolded condition. The airbag has layers defining between them an inflation volume into which gas is directed to inflate the air bag. U.S. Patent No. 5,382,047 describes a cover assembly for concealing a supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system in a vehicle passenger compartment is formed as an integral part of an automotive instrument panel.

U.S. Patent No. 5,445,414 describes an expansible occupant restraint cushion, that includes a first section of material having a plurality of perimeter edges and "Z" profile lap structures disposed along selected perimeter edges .

U.S. Patent No. 5,478,113 describes an inflatable airbag for restraining an occupant in a vehicle which is first laid out flat and turned inside out before being rolled into the form of a bag roll.

U.S. Patent Nos. 5,482,317, 5,533,755, and 5,607,182 describe an apparatus and method for making low cost, self- venting, inflatable protective cushion of simple and structurally efficient design with a shape and construction that optimizes the cushion's ability to withstand inflation pressures and impact when deployed which includes a sheet defined by at least one fold line and a plurality of flap portions .

U.S. Patent No. 5,531,476 describes an occupant restraint system for motor vehicles having a gas bag or airbag which, when not in use, is accommodated collapsed in a housing or the like. U.S. Patent No. 5,560,643 describes an airbag module that incorporates an inflatable airbag cushion having an inflatable body and a collar defining an open mount for receiving inflation gas, with a stiffening collar ring secured to the collar. U.S. Patent No. 5,597,179 describes methods and an apparatus for inflating airbags in vehicles.

U.S. Patent No. 5,607,180 describes airbag systems for protecting passengers during collision. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,613,348 and 5,694,737 describe a method and apparatus for packing an inflatable air bag cushion into a housing of an air bag module assembly of an occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle.

U.S. Patent No. 5,636,860 describes an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint that has a folded condition which causes the restraint to move in a sideways direction when the restraint is unfolded and inflated by inflation fluid entering the restraint through an inlet opening.

U.S. Patent No. 5,697,636 describes an airbag cushion attachment section, which may be assembled in the flat condition, and a method of assembling the same.

U.S. Patent No. 5,746,447 describes an inflatable restraint airbag module for the protection of an occupant of a vehicle, wherein portions of a tethered airbag cushion are separately folded and stored within a module housing to provide a deployed process that can serve to minimize or avoid problems such as bag slap and improper positioning of the airbag cushion upon deployment.

U.S. Patent No. 5,746,690 describes an automatic inflatable cushion folding process, wherein cushion tension and cushion wear is reduced during the folding process.

U.S. Patent No. 5,765,863 describes an airbag module having a cushion with a compression-deployed volume.

U.S. Patent No. 5,772,238 describes an airbag module to protect an occupant in the passenger compartment in the event of a crash of the vehicle.

U.S. Patent No. 5,785,350 describes an air bag against side collision, wherein two faces of a mutually opposed peripheral wall portion has a substantially rectangular shape that is connected by tethers in a strip or band-like shape .

U.S. Patent No. 5,803,483 describes an airbag cushion and method of folding thereof, which utilizes a series of pleated folds which unfold in sequence one after another when an inflating fluid flows into the airbag cushion.

U.S. Patent No. 5,803,495 describes a variable volume airbag cushion, that includes a front wall having a central region for contacting the passenger and a periphery.

Summary of the Invention

It is desirable to provide an airbag cushion, for a vehicle safety system that is folded in a manner so as to reduce injuries to out-of-position occupants.

Therefore, it is the general object of this invention to provide an airbag cushion folded so as to reduce injuries to out-of-position occupants.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an airbag cushion that is folded to bias the deployment of the airbag to one side through the initial fold steps.

It is another object of this invention to provide an airbag cushion that uses a fold method, which optimizes the deployment performance of the airbag. Another object of this invention is to provide an airbag cushion that uses a fold method, which optimizes airbag system hardware integrity.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an airbag cushion that uses a fold method, which optimizes manufacturability of the airbag cushion.

These and other objects of this invention are intended to be covered by this disclosure and are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following drawings, detailed description, claims and abstract of this invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 depicts the top-level process steps of folding in the preferred embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 depicts a detailed first process steps of folding in the preferred embodiment of this invention. Figure 3 depicts the first alternative continued detailed process steps of folding in the preferred embodiment of this invention.

Figure 4 depicts the second alternative continued detailed process steps of folding in a preferred embodiment of this invention.

Figure 5 depicts the third alternative continued detailed process steps of folding in a preferred embodiment of this invention.

Figure 6 depicts the fourth alternative continued detailed process steps of folding in a preferred embodiment of this invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description of the Invention

This invention is essentially a novel airbag cushion folding pattern, primarily for passenger airbag cushions. This invention reduces the likelihood of out-of-position injuries by controlling the deployment of the airbag.

Figure 1 shows the preferred process steps of this invention. Initially the airbag cushion is laid flat 101, Then beginning at one of the outermost corners the airbag is folded or, alternatively, rolled 102 toward the reaction can at an angle. Continue rolling 103 toward the corner opposite to that at which the fold began. This results in an initial cushion pack, which is biased to one side of the airbag reaction can. The folded cushion is next positioned 104 parallel and adjacent to the opening of the reaction can. The cushion is then folded 105 toward the opposite side of the reaction can and then folded again 106 toward the opening of the reaction can. The folding continues alternating between toward the reaction can and toward the opposite side of the reaction can as required. It should be noted that the folding toward the reaction can opening and toward the opposite side can be accomplished in a variety of specific fashions. Several of these different methods are more specifically described in drawings 3 through 6 following.

Figure 2 shows the first four folding steps of the preferred process of this invention. First 201, the cushion 200 is laid flat with side panels 206a, 206b flared out from the center panel 205. The leading edge 207 of the cushion is tucked in at the tether attachment, if the tether attachment is present. The reaction can 213 is shown at the top of the cushion 200. Next 202, beginning at a corner 208 the cushion 200 is folded, or alternatively rolled 209 toward the opposite corner 215 proximate to the reaction can 213. Alternatively, the folding may begin at the other corner 214 and rolled/folded in the opposite direction. The folding 210 continues 203 until the fold reaches the reaction can 215. Folding continues until a long narrow pack is achieved 211. Next 204, the long narrow cushion pack 211 is rotated 216 toward the side of the reaction can 213 forming a generally parallel pack 212.

Figure 3 shows a first alternative of the last two folding steps 308, 309 of the preferred embodiment of the invention. In this alternative, the next step 308 is to fold 303 the pack 212 toward the opposite 307 of the reaction can 213, creating a fold 302 and a second long portion 301. Next 309, the second long portion 301 is folded 306 once more toward the first side 310 of the reaction can 213 to create a second fold 304 and a final segment 305 which will fit within the width of the reaction can 213.

Figure 4 shows a second alternative of the last two folding steps 407, 408 of the preferred embodiment of the invention. In this alternative, the next step 407 is to fold 403 the pack 212 over to the first edge 310 of the reaction can 213, thereby creating a first fold 401 and a second portion 402. Next 408, the pack 212 and the second portion 402 is folded 406 toward the opposite edge 307 of the reaction can 213, thereby creating a second fold 405 and a third interior portion 404. The folded cushion 200 again fits within the reaction can 213.

Figure 5 shows a third alternative of the last two folding steps 507, 508 of the preferred embodiment of the invention. In this alternative, the next step 507 is to fold 513 the pack 212 over toward the opposite edge 307 of the reaction can 213, thereby creating a first fold 501 and second portion 502, which typically extends past the opposite edge 307 of the reaction can 213. Next 508, the second portion 502 is folded or rolled 504 back toward the first edge 310 of the reaction can, turning second portion 502 into two portions 505, 506 having two additional folds 509, 510. This fold process also positions the cushion 200 within the reaction can 213.

Figure 6 shows a fourth alternative of the last two folding steps 606, 607 of the preferred embodiment of the invention. In this alternative, the next step 606 is to roll or fold 603 the pack 212 over toward the opposite side 307 of the reaction can 213 by making one or more folds 608, 609, thereby creating a second 602 and third 610 portions of the pack 212. Next 607, the cushion pack 212 is folded over 605 once more toward the opposite side 307 of the reaction can, creating a roll 604 of cushion 200 biased toward one side 310 of the reaction can 213.

These described steps of this invention are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not as restrictive. Although specific preferred and alternative embodiments of this process are shown, this invention is not limited thereto. The scope of this invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

What is claimed is :

1. A process for folding a vehicle airbag, comprising:

(A) laying an airbag cushion generally flat, wherein said airbag is attached to a reaction can, and wherein said reaction can has a first edge, an opposite edge and a width, and has a first opposite corner and a second opposite corner;

(B) folding said airbag cushion from said first opposite corner toward said reaction can;

(C) rotating said folded airbag cushion toward said reaction can creating a long narrow cushion pack; and

(D) folding said long narrow cushion pack so as to fit within said width of said reaction can.

2. A process for folding a vehicle airbag, as recited in claim 1, wherein said folding said long narrow cushion pack step, further comprises folding said long narrow cushion pack toward said opposite edge of said reaction can.

3. A process for folding a vehicle airbag, as recited in claim 2, wherein said folding said long narrow cushion pack step, further comprises again folding said cushion pack once again toward said first edge of said reaction can.

4. A process for folding a vehicle airbag, as recited in claim 1, wherein said folding said long narrow cushion pack step, further comprises folding said long narrow cushion pack toward said opposite edge of said reaction can ending at said first edge of said reaction can.

A process for folding a vehicle airbag, as recited in claim 4, wherein said folding said long narrow cushion pack step, further comprises again folding said cushion pack once more toward said opposite edge of said reaction can creating a cushion roll within said width of said reaction can.

A process for folding a vehicle airbag, as recited in claim 1, wherein said folding said long narrow cushion pack step, further comprises folding said long narrow cushion pack toward and beyond said opposite side of said reaction can.

A process for folding a vehicle airbag, as recited in claim 6, wherein said folding said long narrow cushion pack step, further comprises again folding said cushion pack once more toward said first edge of said reaction can creating a cushion roll within said width of said reaction can.

A process for folding a vehicle airbag, as recited in claim 1, wherein said folding said long narrow cushion pack step, further comprises folding said long narrow cushion pack toward said opposite edge of said reaction can but not to said first edge of said reaction can.

A process for folding a vehicle airbag, as recited in claim 8, wherein said folding said long narrow cushion pack step, further comprises further folding said long narrow cushion pack back toward said first edge of said reaction can.

10. A process for folding a vehicle airbag, as recited in claim 9, wherein said folding said long narrow cushion pack step, further comprises again folding said long narrow cushion pack back toward said opposite side of said reaction can.

11. A process for folding a vehicle airbag, as recited in claim 1, wherein said folding said long narrow cushion pack step, further comprises 10, folding again said long narrow cushion so as to position said cushion pack within the width of said reaction can wherein said positioning is biased toward said first side of said reaction can.

12. An airbag cushion pack, comprising:

(A) a main panel fixed to a reaction can;

(B) a first side panel fixed to said main panel; and

(C) a second panel fixed to said main panel.

13. An airbag cushion, as recited in claim 12, wherein said reaction can further comprises a first edge, a second edge and a width.

14. An airbag cushion, as recited in claim 13, wherein said first side panel is folded across to said second edge of said reaction can.

15. An airbag cushion, as recited in claim 13, wherein said main panel is folded across to said second edge of said reaction can.

16. An airbag cushion, as recited in claim 13, wherein said second side panel is folded across to said second edge of said reaction can. An airbag cushion, as recited in claim 13, wherein said first side panel, said second side panel and said center panel are folded to fit within said width of said reaction can.

An airbag cushion, as recited in claim 13, wherein said first side panel, said second side panel and said center panel are folded to bias said cushion to said second side of said reaction can.