Airbag Folding Method for Shallow Mounting Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airbag folding methods result in a round cross-sectional shape, requiring deep casings and additional fixing to prevent deployment, making it difficult to mount airbags in areas with limited depth between the car body and interior trim.
Innovation Solution
A method involving folding an airbag into a U-shape followed by rolling a second section around a core with an oval or rectangular cross-section, creating a compact, dimensionally stable package with a smaller mounting depth, using a rolling core and folding strip to maintain shape and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the airbag is rolled up starting from a border toward an inflating section, then the airbag is compacted for mounting, but the airbag package has a round cross-sectional shape requiring deep casings
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that are folded and rolled in different ways. The first section is folded flat, the second section is rolled around it, and the third section is folded over the rolled portion, creating a segmented structure that achieves both compactness and a flat cross-sectional shape suitable for shallow mounting depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a simple radial rolling method to a multi-dimensional folding approach. By folding sections in different directions and layers (flat folding, radial rolling, and over-folding), the airbag package achieves a flat cross-sectional shape that fits in shallow mounting spaces while maintaining compact volume.
2Shape
If the airbag is merely folded up into the desired shape, then the mounting depth is reduced, but the folded airbag requires additional fixing to prevent deployment or shape loss during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The folding method merges multiple functions into the folding process itself: the sequential folding and rolling of sections creates both the compact shape and the self-fixing structure. The third section folded over the rolled portion acts as both a shape-defining element and a securing mechanism, eliminating the need for separate fixing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag folding structure is designed to be self-fixing through its own geometry. The third section folded over the rolled second section creates a self-securing structure that maintains the package shape without requiring external fixing mechanisms, making the system self-sufficient.
3Area of stationary object
If a rolling core with larger diameter is used, then the width of the folded first section is larger, but the height is smaller due to fewer fabric layers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses parameter changes in the rolling core diameter to optimize the folded airbag dimensions. By selecting appropriate rolling core diameters, the process can produce folded airbags with different width and height ratios, allowing adaptation to various mounting space requirements while maintaining the overall compact form factor.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of folding an airbag (10) includes the following steps: the airbag (10) is flatly spread, a first section (16) adjacent to a first border (14) is folded at least once, the folded first section (16) is folded in U-shape, and a second section (18) adjacent to the first section (16) is rolled around the folded first section (16).