An apparatus for folding an airbag for a vehicle and a method of pressing

Abstract

The application discloses a folding machine for automobile safety airbags and a material pressing method, and belongs to the technical field of automobile safety airbag production equipment. The folding machine comprises a lower machine base, an upper machine frame, an airbag base positioning assembly, a folding assembly, roll folding assemblies symmetrically arranged on both sides of the folding assembly, a turnover assembly erected directly above the folding assembly, and a material pressing assembly. The material pressing method is as follows: a flat airbag is placed on the folding assembly, and is folded through the folding assembly; during the folding process, a pressing arm of the material pressing assembly presses a to-be-folded line, so that the airbag is folded along the specified folding line; after being folded to a specified step, the airbag is clamped and rolled by the roll folding assemblies on both sides; after being rolled, the airbag roll is clamped by the turnover assembly to be finally rolled at both ends; and finally, the airbag is pressed into the airbag base. The folding machine realizes accurate material pressing through the swingable and multi-degree-of-freedom movable pressing arm, and the automatic folding, rolling and base entering of the airbag are completed in cooperation with the roll folding assembly and the turnover assembly, so that the folding machine has the advantages of high integration degree, good folding precision and strong adaptability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive airbag production equipment technology, and more specifically, to a folding machine for folding automotive airbags and pressing the folded airbag into the airbag base, as well as the pressing method used in the folding machine. Background Technology

[0002] Before leaving the factory, automotive airbags undergo folding and pressing into their bases to ensure rapid and accurate deployment in the event of a collision. Traditional airbag folding methods often rely on manual or semi-automatic equipment, resulting in low folding precision, inconsistent performance, and low efficiency. The steps of folding, pressing, rolling, and final shaping, in particular, require high precision and coordination from the equipment. Existing automated folding equipment is complex in structure, making it difficult to achieve precise pressing and rolling in multiple directions and angles, and it also has poor adaptability to different airbag sizes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an integrated device that can automatically fold, press, roll, and insert airbags into their bases, while improving the adjustability of the pressing material and the folding quality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art and provide a folding machine and pressing method for automotive airbags with a high degree of automation, good folding accuracy and strong adaptability.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A folding mechanism for automotive airbags, comprising: A lower base and an upper frame fixedly mounted on the lower base; An airbag base positioning assembly is fixedly installed on the lower base for positioning the airbag base; The folding assembly is fixedly installed on the lower base and located on one side of the airbag base positioning assembly, and is used to initially fold the flat airbag. Two folding components are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the folding component, for clamping and folding the airbag after initial folding; A folding assembly is mounted directly above the folding assembly and is used to finally fold the rolled-up airbag and press it into the airbag base. The pressing assembly is fixedly installed on the lower base and is used to press and secure the folding line of the airbag during the folding process.

[0005] Furthermore, the folding assembly includes: Folding fixing bracket; A folding Y-axis guide rail is fixedly installed on the folding fixing frame; A folding sliding seat is slidably connected to the folding Y-axis guide rail; A Y-axis stepper motor for folding is fixedly mounted on the folding sliding base, and its output end is connected to a gear, which meshes with a rack fixedly mounted on the folding fixing frame; The folding Z-axis module and the folding lifting guide sleeve assembly are fixedly installed on the folding sliding seat; A folding lifting frame is connected to the folding Z-axis module, and a folding guide column that slides through the folding lifting guide sleeve assembly is fixedly installed on its upper end surface. The folding X-axis module is fixedly installed on the lower end face of the folding lifting frame; A folding connecting frame is connected to the folding X-axis module; A folding stepper motor is fixedly mounted on the folding connecting frame, and its output end is connected to a rotary gearbox. A rotating base is connected to the output end of the rotary gearbox; The folding and clamping cylinder is fixedly installed on the rotating base; A folding gripper is connected to the output end of the folding clamping cylinder, and a folding rod is fixedly connected to the folding gripper.

[0006] Furthermore, the folding component includes: Folding rack; A folding Y-axis linear module is fixedly installed on the lower end face of the folding frame; The flip-up base is connected to the flip-up Y-axis linear module; A folding fixing bracket is fixedly installed on the flip base; The folding and lifting module and the linear guide sleeve assembly are fixedly installed on the folding fixing frame; A folding lifting plate is connected to the folding lifting module, and a folding guide column that slides with the linear guide sleeve assembly is fixedly connected to its upper end surface; A folding and rotating cylinder is fixedly installed on the lower end face of the folding and lifting plate; A folding clamping cylinder body, the output end of which is connected to the output end of the folding rotating cylinder body, and a folding arm is fixedly connected to the gripper of the folding clamping cylinder body; The pressing cylinder is fixedly installed on the side end face of the folding lifting plate, and its output end is fixedly connected to a pressing head for pressing the airbag into the airbag base.

[0007] Furthermore, the pressing assembly includes: Material clamping bracket; Two parallel pressure guide slides are fixedly installed on the pressure fixing frame; The material pressing X-axis linear module is fixedly installed on the material pressing fixing frame between the two material pressing guide slide rails; A swing motor is connected to the pressing X-axis linear module; The material pressing and lifting connecting frame is fixedly connected to the output end of the swing power motor; Two sets of adaptive slide rails are provided and are fixedly installed on the lower end face of the pressing lifting connecting frame and perpendicular to the pressing guide slide rail; An adaptive slider is slidably connected to the adaptive slide rail; The guide slider is rotatably connected to the adaptive slider via a rotating shaft roller and is slidably connected to the pressure guide rail; The pressing and lifting cylinder is fixedly installed on the pressing and lifting connecting frame; The pressing Y-axis linear module is connected to the pressing lifting connecting frame through the pressing lifting guide assembly, and is fixedly connected to the output end of the pressing lifting cylinder. The pressure arm connecting seat is slidably connected to the pressure Y-axis linear module; The main body of the pressure arm is fixedly installed on the pressure arm connecting seat.

[0008] Furthermore, the pressing and lifting guide assembly includes a linear guide sleeve fixedly installed on the pressing and lifting connecting frame, and a guide rod fixedly connected to the pressing Y-axis linear module, the guide rod being slidably inserted inside the linear guide sleeve.

[0009] The present invention also provides a pressing method using a folding machine for automotive airbags as described in any of the above claims, comprising the following steps: Place the flat-laid airbag on the folding assembly; The airbag is folded by the folding assembly. During the folding process, the pressing arm of the pressing assembly presses the airbag along the fold line to be folded, so that the airbag is folded along the specified fold line. After the airbag is folded to the designated step, the folded airbag is clamped and rolled up by the rolling components on both sides. After the airbag is rolled up, the two ends of the airbag roll are clamped by the folding component to perform the final roll-up of the airbag; Finally, the folded airbag is pressed into the airbag base on the airbag base positioning component by the folding component, thus completing the folding and assembly of the airbag.

[0010] Furthermore, when the pressure arm body is used to press the airbag to be bent, an angle adjustment step is also included: the pressure lifting connecting frame is driven to rotate by the swing power motor, which drives the pressure arm body to swing so that it is parallel to the airbag to be bent.

[0011] Furthermore, the folding rod is a cylindrical rod, and its clamping surface is provided with anti-slip texture or elastic pad.

[0012] Furthermore, the folding arm is an L-shaped arm, with a flexible pad for clamping the airbag roll on its inner side.

[0013] Furthermore, when pressing the folded airbag into the airbag base, the airbag roll is first placed inside the airbag base by the folding arm, and then pressed into the bottom of the airbag base by the pressing head.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: High integration: It integrates multiple processes such as folding, pressing, rolling, flipping, and mounting on the base to achieve fully automated production.

[0015] Precise and adjustable pressure: The pressure assembly has X, Y, and Z axis movement and swing functions, which can adapt to different fold line angles and positions, ensuring that the airbag folds along the specified fold line.

[0016] Stable folding: The symmetrically arranged folding components can be clamped and rotated simultaneously from both sides, and the folding rod has an anti-slip design to ensure uniform folding.

[0017] Reliable folding: The folding component can clamp both ends of the airbag roll for final shaping, and use the pressure head to reliably press the airbag into the base to avoid rebound.

[0018] Highly adaptable: Each motion module is driven by a servo / stepper motor and is programmable, making it suitable for various airbag sizes. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A 3D diagram after removing the upper rack.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the folding component in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the folding component in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pressing assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A bottom view of the structure of the medium-pressure material lifting connection frame.

[0025] Figure label: 1-Lower base; 2-Upper frame; 3-Folding assembly; 4-Airbag base positioning assembly; 5-Folding assembly; 51-Folding fixing frame; 52-Folding Y-axis guide rail; 53-Folding sliding seat; 54-Folding Y-axis stepper motor; 532-Folding Z-axis module; 55-Folding lifting frame; 531-Folding guide column; 551-Folding X-axis module; 552-Folding connecting frame; 56-Folding stepper motor; 57-Rotary gearbox; 571-Rotary base; 58-Folding clamping cylinder; 59-Folding gripper; 591-Folding rod; 6-Folding assembly; 61-Folding frame; 62-Folding Y-axis linear module; 63-Flipping base; 64-Folding fixing frame; 661-Folding guide column; 65-Folding lifting module; 66-Folding lifting plate; 67-Folding rotary cylinder; 68-Folding clamping cylinder; 69-Folding arm; 60-Pressure cylinder; 7-Pressure material assembly; 71-Pressure material fixing frame; 72-Pressure material guide slide rail; 73-Pressure material X-axis linear module; 74-Pressure material lifting connecting frame; 75-Pressure material lifting guide assembly; 76-Pressure material lifting cylinder; 77-Pressure material Y-axis linear module; 78-Pressure material arm connecting seat; 79-Pressure material arm body; 741-Adaptive slide rail; 742-Adaptive slider; 743-Rotating shaft roller. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that the advantages and features of the present invention can be more easily understood by those skilled in the art, thereby providing a clearer and more explicit definition of the scope of protection of the present invention. Example

[0027] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a folding machine for automotive airbags, including a lower base 1 and an upper frame 2 fixedly mounted on the lower base 1. An airbag base positioning assembly 4 is fixedly mounted on the lower base 1 for positioning the airbag base. A folding assembly 3 is fixedly mounted on the lower base 1 and located on one side of the airbag base positioning assembly 4 for initially folding the flat airbag. Two rolling assemblies 5 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the folding assembly 3 for clamping and rolling the initially folded airbag. A flipping assembly 6 is mounted directly above the folding assembly 3 for finally rolling the rolled airbag and pressing it into the airbag base. A pressing assembly 7 is also fixedly mounted on the lower base 1 for pressing and securing the folding lines of the airbag during the folding process.

[0028] like Figure 3As shown, the folding assembly 5 specifically includes: a folding fixing frame 51; a folding Y-axis guide rail 52 fixedly mounted on the folding fixing frame 51; a folding sliding seat 53 slidably connected to the folding Y-axis guide rail 52; and a folding Y-axis stepper motor 54, a folding Z-axis module 532, and a folding lifting guide sleeve assembly fixedly mounted on the folding sliding seat 53. A gear is fixedly connected to the output end of the folding Y-axis stepper motor 54, and the gear meshes with a rack fixedly mounted on the folding fixing frame 51, thereby driving the folding sliding seat 53 to move along the Y-axis direction. The folding Z-axis module 532 is connected to a folding lifting frame 55, and a folding guide post 531 is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the folding lifting frame 55. The folding guide post 531 slides through the folding lifting guide sleeve assembly to achieve Z-axis guidance. A folding X-axis module 551 is fixedly mounted on the lower surface of the folding lifting frame 55, and a folding connecting frame 552 is connected to the folding X-axis module 551. A folding stepper motor 56 is fixedly mounted on the folding connecting frame 552. The output end of the folding stepper motor 56 is connected to a rotary gearbox 57, and the output end of the rotary gearbox 57 is connected to a rotating base 571. A folding clamping cylinder 58 is fixedly mounted on the rotating base 571. A folding gripper 59 is connected to the output end of the folding clamping cylinder 58, and a folding rod 591 is fixedly connected to the folding gripper 59. In this embodiment, the folding rod 591 is a cylindrical rod, and its clamping surface is provided with anti-slip texture to prevent the airbag from slipping off during the folding process.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, the folding assembly 6 includes: a folding frame 61; a folding Y-axis linear module 62 is fixedly mounted on the lower end face of the folding frame 61; a flipping base 63 is connected to the folding Y-axis linear module 62; a folding fixing frame 64 is fixedly mounted on the flipping base 63; a linear guide sleeve assembly and a folding lifting module 65 are fixedly mounted on the folding fixing frame 64; the folding lifting module 65 is connected to a folding lifting plate 66, and the upper end face of the folding lifting plate 66 is also fixedly connected to one end of a folding guide post 661, which is slidably connected within the linear guide sleeve assembly. A folding rotating cylinder 67 is fixedly mounted on the lower end face of the folding lifting plate 66, and a folding clamping cylinder 68 is connected to the output end of the folding rotating cylinder 67. A folding arm 69 is fixedly connected to the gripper of the folding clamping cylinder 68. In this embodiment, the folding arm 69 is an L-shaped arm with a flexible pad on its inner side to protect the airbag roll. A pressing cylinder 60 is also fixedly installed on the side end face of the folding lifting plate 66, and a pressing head (not shown in the figure) is fixedly connected to the output end of the pressing cylinder 60.

[0030] like Figure 5 , Figure 6As shown, the pressing assembly 7 includes: a pressing fixing frame 71; two parallel pressing guide rails 72 are fixedly installed on the pressing fixing frame 71, and a pressing X-axis linear module 73 located between the two pressing guide rails 72. A swing motor (not shown in the figure) is connected to the pressing X-axis linear module 73, and a pressing lifting connecting frame 74 is fixedly connected to the output end of the swing motor. Two sets of adaptive slide rails 741 perpendicular to the pressing guide rails 72 are fixedly installed on the lower end face of the pressing lifting connecting frame 74. An adaptive slider 742 is slidably connected to each set of adaptive slide rails 741. The adaptive slider 742 is rotatably connected to a guide slider via a rotating roller 743, and the guide slider is slidably connected to the pressing guide rail 72. A pressing lifting cylinder 76 is fixedly installed on the pressing lifting connecting frame 74, and the pressing lifting connecting frame 74 is connected to the pressing Y-axis linear module 77 via a pressing lifting guide assembly 75. The material pressing and lifting guide assembly 75 includes a linear guide sleeve fixedly mounted on the material pressing and lifting connecting frame 74, and a guide rod fixedly connected to the material pressing Y-axis linear module 77, with the guide rod slidably connected to the linear guide sleeve. The lower end face of the material pressing Y-axis linear module 77 is fixedly connected to the output end of the material pressing and lifting cylinder 76. A material pressing arm connecting seat 78 is slidably connected to the material pressing Y-axis linear module 77, and a material pressing arm body 79 is fixedly mounted on the material pressing arm connecting seat 78.

[0031] Working process and pressing method: Initial state: Lay the airbag to be folded flat on the folding component 3, and place the airbag base on the airbag base positioning component 4 in advance.

[0032] Step 1, Folding and Pressing: The folding component 3 actuates to initially fold the airbag. During the folding process, the pressing component 7 moves to above the airbag's folding line according to a preset program. Specifically, the pressing X-axis linear module 73, the pressing Y-axis linear module 77, and the pressing lifting cylinder 76 work together to move the pressing arm body 79 to the folding line position. Simultaneously, the swing motor drives the pressing lifting connecting frame 74 to rotate, thereby adjusting the angle of the pressing arm body 79 to make it parallel to the airbag's folding line. The pressing arm body 79 presses down, securing the folding line and ensuring the airbag folds along the designated fold line.

[0033] The second step is folding: After the airbag is folded to the designated position, the folding components 5 on both sides begin to operate. The folding Y-axis stepper motor 54 drives the folding sliding seat 53 to move along the Y-axis, the folding Z-axis module 532 adjusts the height of the folding lifting frame 55, and the folding X-axis module 551 adjusts the X-axis position of the folding connecting frame 552, so that the folding rod 591 on the folding gripper 59 accurately clamps the two sides of the folded airbag. The folding stepper motor 56 drives the rotating base 571 to rotate through the rotary gearbox 57, thereby driving the folding rod 591 to rotate and fold the airbag.

[0034] The third step is the final rolling and placement into the base: After the airbag is rolled up, the folding assembly 6 moves above the airbag roll. The folding Y-axis linear module 62 adjusts the Y-axis position, the folding lifting module 65 adjusts the height of the folding lifting plate 66, and the folding rotating cylinder 67 adjusts the angle of the folding clamping cylinder 68 so that the folding arm 69 clamps both ends of the airbag roll for final rolling and shaping. Then, the folding arm 69 places the airbag roll into the airbag base, and the pressing cylinder 60 of the folding assembly 6 drives the pressing head to press down, pressing the airbag roll into the bottom of the airbag base, completing the assembly.

[0035] Through the above structure and method, this embodiment realizes the automatic folding, pressing, rolling, flipping and insertion of the airbag into the base, which significantly improves production efficiency and folding quality.

[0036] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Any equivalent modifications or changes made by those skilled in the art based on the content disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A folding mechanism for automotive airbags, characterized in that, include: The lower base (1) and the upper frame (2) fixedly mounted on the lower base (1); The airbag base positioning assembly (4) is fixedly installed on the lower base (1) and is used to position the airbag base; The folding assembly (3) is fixedly installed on the lower base (1) and located on one side of the airbag base positioning assembly (4) for initially folding the flat airbag; Two folding components (5) are provided, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the folding component (3), for clamping and folding the airbag after initial folding; The folding component (6) is mounted directly above the folding component (3) and is used to finally fold the rolled-up airbag and press it into the airbag base. The pressing assembly (7) is fixedly installed on the lower base (1) and is used to press the folding line of the airbag during the folding process.

2. The folding machine for automotive airbags according to claim 1, characterized in that, The folding assembly (5) includes: Folding fixing bracket (51); The Y-axis guide rail (52) is fixedly installed on the folding fixing frame (51); The folding sliding seat (53) is slidably connected to the folding Y-axis guide rail (52); A Y-axis stepper motor (54) for folding is fixedly mounted on the folding sliding seat (53), and its output end is connected to a gear, which meshes with a rack fixedly mounted on the folding fixing frame (51). The folding Z-axis module (532) and the folding lifting guide sleeve assembly are fixedly installed on the folding sliding seat (53); The folding lifting frame (55) is connected to the folding Z-axis module (532), and a folding guide column (531) that slides through the folding lifting guide sleeve assembly is fixedly installed on its upper end surface. The folding X-axis module (551) is fixedly installed on the lower end face of the folding lifting frame (55); A folding connector (552) is connected to the folding X-axis module (551); A folding stepper motor (56) is fixedly installed on the folding connecting frame (552), and its output end is connected to a rotary gearbox (57). A rotating base (571) is connected to the output end of the rotary gearbox (57); The folding and clamping cylinder (58) is fixedly installed on the rotating base (571); The folding gripper (59) is connected to the output end of the folding clamping cylinder (58), and a folding rod (591) is fixedly connected to the folding gripper (59).

3. The folding machine for automotive airbags according to claim 1, characterized in that, The folding component (6) includes: Folding rack (61); A folding Y-axis linear module (62) is fixedly installed on the lower end face of the folding frame (61); The flip base (63) is connected to the flip Y-axis linear module (62); A folding fixing bracket (64) is fixedly installed on the flip base (63); The folding lifting module (65) and the linear guide sleeve assembly are fixedly installed on the folding fixing frame (64); The folding lifting plate (66) is connected to the folding lifting module (65), and its upper end surface is fixedly connected to a folding guide column (661) that slides with the linear guide sleeve assembly. A folding and rotating cylinder (67) is fixedly installed on the lower end face of the folding and lifting plate (66); The output end of the folding clamping cylinder (68) is connected to the output end of the folding rotating cylinder (67), and a folding arm (69) is fixedly connected to the gripper of the folding clamping cylinder (68). The pressing cylinder (60) is fixedly installed on the side end face of the folding lifting plate (66), and its output end is fixedly connected to a pressing head for pressing the airbag into the airbag base.

4. The folding machine for automotive airbags according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressing assembly (7) includes: Material clamping bracket (71); Two parallel pressing guide rails (72) are fixedly installed on the pressing fixing frame (71); The pressing X-axis linear module (73) is fixedly installed on the pressing fixing frame (71) between the two pressing guide slides (72); A swing motor is connected to the pressing X-axis linear module (73); The pressing and lifting connecting frame (74) is fixedly connected to the output end of the swing power motor; Two sets of adaptive slide rails (741) are provided and are fixedly installed on the lower end face of the pressing lifting connecting frame (74) and perpendicular to the pressing guide slide rail (72); An adaptive slider (742) is slidably connected to the adaptive slide rail (741); The guide slider is rotatably connected to the adaptive slider (742) via a rotating shaft roller (743) and slidably connected to the pressure guide rail (72); The pressing and lifting cylinder (76) is fixedly installed on the pressing and lifting connecting frame (74); The pressing Y-axis linear module (77) is connected to the pressing lifting connecting frame (74) through the pressing lifting guide assembly (75) and is fixedly connected to the output end of the pressing lifting cylinder (76); The pressure arm connecting seat (78) is slidably connected to the pressure Y-axis linear module (77); The pressing arm body (79) is fixedly installed on the pressing arm connecting seat (78).

5. The folding machine for automotive airbags according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pressing lifting guide assembly (75) includes a linear guide sleeve fixedly installed on the pressing lifting connecting frame (74) and a guide rod fixedly connected to the pressing Y-axis linear module (77), the guide rod slidingly passing through the linear guide sleeve.

6. A pressing method using a folding machine for automotive airbags according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Place the flat airbag on the folding assembly (3); The airbag is folded by the folding assembly (3). During the folding process, the pressure arm body (79) of the pressure assembly (7) presses the airbag along the fold line to be folded, so that the airbag is folded along the specified fold line. After the airbag is folded to the designated step, the folded airbag is clamped and rolled up by the rolling components (5) on both sides; After the airbag is rolled up, the two ends of the airbag roll are clamped by the folding component (6) to perform the final roll-up of the airbag; Finally, the folded airbag is pressed into the airbag base on the airbag base positioning component (4) by the folding component (6) to complete the folding and assembly of the airbag.

7. The pressing method according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the pressure arm body (79) presses the airbag to be folded, an angle adjustment step is also included: the pressure lifting connecting frame (74) is driven to rotate by the swing power motor, which drives the pressure arm body (79) to swing so that it is parallel to the airbag to be folded.

8. The folding machine for automotive airbags according to claim 2, characterized in that, The folding rod (591) is a cylindrical rod, and its clamping surface is provided with anti-slip texture or elastic pad.

9. The folding machine for automotive airbags according to claim 3, characterized in that, The folding arm (69) is an L-shaped arm with a flexible pad for clamping the airbag roll on its inner side.

10. The pressing method according to claim 6, characterized in that, When pressing the folded airbag into the airbag base, the airbag roll is first placed in the airbag base by the folding arm (69), and then pressed into the bottom of the airbag base by the pressing head.

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