阅读说明：本技术 远侧安全气囊装置的折叠方法 (Method of folding a distal airbag device ) 是由 文建熊 于 2019-08-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：远侧安全气囊装置的折叠方法可以包括：将气囊片的上部向内侧折叠的第一折叠步骤；将气囊片的两个横向侧向外侧折叠的第二折叠步骤；将气囊片的上部向内侧折叠的第三折叠步骤；和滚动折叠气囊片的第四折叠步骤。根据本发明实施例,由于气囊片的折叠部分向外侧释放和扩展,所以可以在气囊垫扩展时防止气囊垫干扰驾驶员的手臂和身体。此外,由于可以在气囊片展开时防止气囊片干扰驾驶员的身体,因此可以确保气囊垫的展开和保护性能。(The folding method of the distal airbag device may include: a first folding step of folding the upper portion of the airbag panel inward; a second folding step of folding the two lateral sides of the airbag panel to the outside; a third folding step of folding the upper portion of the airbag sheet inward; and a fourth folding step of roll-folding the airbag sheet. According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the folded portion of the airbag panel is released and expanded to the outside, it is possible to prevent the airbag cushion from interfering with the arm and body of the driver when the airbag cushion is expanded. Further, since the airbag sheet can be prevented from interfering with the body of the driver when the airbag sheet is deployed, the deployment and protection performance of the airbag cushion can be ensured.)

1. A method of folding a distal airbag device, comprising:

a first folding step of folding the upper portion of the airbag panel inward;

a second folding step of folding both lateral sides of the airbag sheet to the outside;

a third folding step of folding an upper portion of the airbag sheet inward; and

a fourth folding step of roll-folding the airbag sheet.

2. The folding method of a distal airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the second folding step includes forming a second folded portion by inverting the upper folded airbag panel and then folding both sides of the airbag panel.

3. The folding method of a distal airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the second folded portion is folded to the outside.

4. The folding method of a distal airbag device according to claim 3, wherein in the second folding step, a second folded portion formed on one side of the airbag panel has a different transverse length from a second folded portion formed on the other side of the airbag panel.

5. The folding method of a distal airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the third folding step includes forming a third folded portion by turning over the airbag panel turned over in the second folding step again and then folding an upper portion of the airbag panel.

6. The method of folding a distal airbag device according to claim 5, wherein the third folded portion is folded medially.

7. The method of folding a distal airbag device according to claim 6, wherein the flap is turned over again by bending and rotating the flap toward the rear of a fixing stud.

8. The folding method of a distal airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth folding step includes roll-folding the bag panel toward the outer side.

9. The folding method of a distal airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising: a tether mounting step of passing an upper portion of a tether through the airbag panel and fixing both sides of the tether to fixing studs before the first folding step.

10. The folding method of a distal air bag apparatus according to claim 9, wherein in the tether mounting step, the tether passes through an inactive region of the flap and is disposed on an inner side of the flap via an upper portion of the flap.

11. The folding method of a distal airbag apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the inactive region is formed inside and on top of the airbag flap such that the tether passes through the inactive region.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a folding method of a distal airbag apparatus, and more particularly, to a folding method of a distal airbag apparatus capable of preventing an airbag cushion from interfering with a driver's body when the airbag cushion is deployed.

Background

Generally, a vehicle includes an airbag installed to protect an occupant. Airbags are installed in a variety of locations depending on the body part to be protected by the airbag. The distal airbag is disposed between the driver seat and the passenger seat. When a side collision occurs, the distal airbag deploys upward to prevent a collision between the driver and a passenger sitting beside the driver. The distal airbag has a large size and volume so as to be restrained from bending toward the passenger seat when the passenger seat is empty.

However, the distal side airbag according to the related art includes an air cushion whose bottom is wide enough to restrain the body of the driver. Therefore, when the inside of the distal airbag is folded, the distal airbag may interfere with the arm and body of the driver when deployed.

Further, when the upper portion of the distal airbag is folded once to avoid interference with the arm and the body or to control the deployment direction, the size of the airbag package may increase, making the assembly of the airbag device difficult.

Therefore, a device capable of solving this problem is required.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments relate to a folding method of a distal airbag device capable of preventing an airbag cushion from interfering with a driver's body when the airbag cushion is deployed.

In one embodiment, a method of folding a distal airbag device may include: a first folding step of folding the upper portion of the airbag panel inward; a second folding step of folding the two lateral sides of the airbag panel to the outside; a third folding step of folding the upper portion of the airbag sheet inward; and a fourth folding step of roll-folding the airbag sheet.

The second folding step may include forming the second folded portion by turning over the upper folded airbag panel and then folding both sides of the airbag panel.

The second folded portion may be folded to the outside.

In the second folding step, the second folded portion formed at one side of the airbag panel may have a different lateral length from the second folded portion formed at the other side of the airbag panel.

The third folding step may include forming a third folded portion by turning over again the airbag sheet turned over in the second folding step and then folding an upper portion of the airbag sheet.

The third folded portion may be folded inwardly.

The flap can be inverted again by bending and rotating the flap towards the rear of the fixing stud.

The fourth folding step may include roll folding the airbag panel outboard.

The folding method may further include a tether mounting step of passing an upper portion of the tether through the airbag panel and fixing both sides of the tether to the fixing studs before the first folding step.

In the tether mounting step, the tether may pass through the inactive region of the airbag panel and be disposed on the inner side of the airbag panel via the upper portion of the airbag panel.

The inactive area may be formed inside and on the top of the airbag panel such that the tether passes through the inactive area.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the folded portion of the airbag panel is released and expanded to the outside, it is possible to prevent the airbag cushion from interfering with the arm and body of the driver when the airbag cushion is expanded.

Further, since the airbag sheet can be prevented from interfering with the body of the driver when the airbag sheet is deployed, the deployment and protection performance of the airbag cushion can be ensured.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the deployment of a distal airbag device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a process of deploying the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3A is a plan view showing that a flap of the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention is deployed with the inner side of the flap facing upward.

Fig. 3B is a plan view showing that the upper portion of the airbag panel is folded inward in the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3C is a plan view showing the inversion of the airbag sheet of the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4A is a plan view showing a two-side scale of a folded airbag panel in the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4B is a plan view showing both sides of a folded airbag sheet in the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4C is a plan view showing a rear rotary bag flap of the fixing stud after folding both sides of the bag flap in the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5A is a plan view showing overlapping of airbag panels by fixing studs in the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5B to 5D are plan views showing a process of roll-folding the bag panel to the outside in the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6A is a front view showing that the roll-folded portion of the airbag cushion is released and deployed in the distal airbag apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6B is a front view showing that the roll-folded portion of the airbag cushion is deployed to the outside in the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6C and 6D are front views showing that the airbag cushion is deployed to the inner side in the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6E is a front view showing a center portion of an airbag cushion is bent in the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a folding method of a distal airbag device according to an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are not to precise scale, and the thickness of lines or the size of components may be exaggerated for convenience and clarity of description only. Further, terms used herein are defined in consideration of functions of the present invention, and may be changed according to custom or intention of a user or an operator. Therefore, the definition of terms should be made in accordance with the general disclosure described herein.

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the deployment of a distal airbag device according to an embodiment of the invention, and fig. 2 is a plan view showing the process of deploying a distal airbag device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a distal airbag device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a flap 20 and a tether 40.

The fixing stud 10 may be connected to the bottom of the airbag flap 20. The fixing stud 10 may have a stud hole (not shown) formed therein. The edges of the flap 20 may be sewn by edge sewing portions 31. The airbag panel 20 may inflate and deploy when a gas is injected into the airbag panel 20. The deployed airbag sheet 20 may be referred to as an airbag cushion 20 a.

Both sides of the tether 40 may be fixed to the fixing studs 10, and the upper portion of the tether 40 may be installed through the airbag panel 20. For example, an inactive region 33 into which no gas is injected may be formed around the center of the airbag panel 20 and the top of the airbag panel 20, respectively, and the tether 40 may pass through the inactive region 33 and then be disposed inside the airbag panel 20 via the upper portion of the airbag panel 20. When the airbag panel 20 is almost completely deployed, the tether 40 may pull the top of the airbag cushion 20a inward, so that the upper portion of the airbag cushion 20a is bent inward (toward the driver D). Therefore, even when no passenger is seated in the passenger seat S2 located on the side of the driver seat S1, the airbag cushion 20a can be prevented from bending toward the passenger seat S2.

Hereinafter, a folding method of the distal airbag device according to an embodiment of the invention will be described.

Fig. 3A is a plan view showing that a bag panel of a distal airbag apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is deployed with an inner side of the bag panel facing upward, fig. 3B is a plan view showing that an upper portion of the bag panel is folded inward in the distal airbag apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, fig. 3C is a plan view showing that the bag panel of the distal airbag apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is turned over, fig. 4A is a plan view showing a scale of both sides of the bag panel folded in the distal airbag apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, fig. 4B is a plan view showing both sides of the bag panel folded in the distal airbag apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, fig. 4C is a plan view showing that the bag panel is rotated to the rear of a fixing stud after both sides of the bag panel are folded in the distal airbag apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, fig. 5A is a plan view showing that the bag panel is overlapped by the fixing stud in the distal airbag apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention Fig. 5B to 5D are plan views showing a process of roll-folding the bag panel to the outside in the distal airbag device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Referring to fig. 3A to 5D, the airbag sheet 20 may be uniformly deployed such that the inner side of the airbag sheet 20 faces upward. At this time, both sides of the tether 40 (solid line portion of fig. 1) may be disposed inside the airbag panel 20, and a middle portion of the tether 40 (broken line portion of fig. 1) may be disposed outside an upper portion of the airbag panel 20. The entire top-to-bottom length of the airbag tablet 20 may be designated by H.

A first folding step of folding the upper portion of the airbag sheet 20 to the inner side may be performed. At this time, the first folded portion 21 may be formed by folding the airbag sheet 20 by 30% (0.3H) of the top-to-bottom length of the airbag sheet 20. The first folded portion 21 may cover an inactive area 33 formed around the center of the airbag panel 20.

Then, a second folding step of folding both lateral sides of the airbag panel 20 to the outside may be performed. In the second folding step, the second folded portion 22 may be formed by inverting the airbag sheet 20 whose upper portion is folded and then folding both lateral sides of the airbag sheet 20.

In the second folding step, the second folded portion 22a formed at one side of the airbag sheet 20 and the second folded portion 22b formed at the other side of the airbag sheet 20 may have different lateral lengths. For example, in the second folding step, the operator may flip over the flap 20, checking that the transverse length of the flap 20 is in the range of 7: 3, the second folded portion 22a is folded at one side of the airbag panel 20 so that one end of the airbag panel 20 is positioned on the imaginary line of the airbag panel 20 (which divides the lateral length of the airbag panel 20 at a ratio of 7: 3), and the second folded portion 22b is folded at the other side of the airbag panel 20 so that the other end of the airbag panel 20 is positioned on the imaginary line of the airbag panel 20. At this time, the entire lateral length of the airbag panel 20 may correspond to 60% of the original lateral length of the airbag panel 20.

A third folding step of folding the upper portion of the airbag sheet 20 (the position where the first folded portion 21 is formed) inward may be performed. For example, in the third folding step, the airbag sheet 20 turned in the second folding step may be turned again, and then the upper portion of the airbag sheet 20 may be folded. At this time, when the folded airbag panel 20 is bent and rotated toward the rear of the fixing stud 10 in a state where the position of the fixing stud 10 is fixed, the airbag panel 20 may be turned over again. At this time, the first folded portion 21 of the airbag panel 20 may be seen, and the position of the fixing stud 10 may not be changed. Then, the third folded portion 23 of the airbag panel 20 can be formed by folding the upper portion of the airbag panel 20 inward over the entire top-to-bottom length H (0.2H) of the airbag panel 20.

A fourth folding step of roll-folding the airbag tablet 20 may be performed. In the fourth folding step, the airbag sheet 20 may be roll-folded to the outside (counterclockwise direction) to form the roll-folded portion 24. The roll fold may indicate that the flap 20 is wound like a roll of paper.

The folding method of the distal air bag apparatus may further include a tether mounting step of passing an upper portion of the tether 40 through the air bag panel 20 and fixing both sides of the tether 40 to the fixing stud 10. When the airbag panel 20 is almost completely deployed, the tether 40 may pull the top of the airbag cushion 20a inward, thereby bending the upper portion of the airbag cushion 20a inward (toward the driver D).

In the tether installation step, the tether 40 may pass through the inactive region 33 of the airbag panel 20 and be disposed on the inner side of the airbag panel 20 via the upper portion of the airbag panel 20. Thus, the lower portion of the tether 40 may be disposed inside the airbag panel 20 (the front portion in fig. 1), and the upper portion of the tether 40 may be disposed outside the airbag panel 20 (the rear portion in fig. 1).

The inactive area 33 may be formed inside and on top of the airbag panel 20 such that the tether 40 passes through the inactive area 33. Since the tether 40 passes through the inactive region 33, the gas injected into the airbag panel 20 can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the airbag panel 20.

Hereinafter, a deployment process of the distal airbag device according to an embodiment of the invention will be described. When the gas is injected, the airbag sheet 20 may be deployed in the reverse order of the above-described folding order.

Fig. 6A is a front view showing the release and deployment of the roll-folded portion of the airbag cushion in the distal airbag apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention, fig. 6B is a front view showing the deployment of the roll-folded portion of the airbag cushion to the outside in the distal airbag apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention, fig. 6C and 6D are front views showing the deployment of the airbag cushion to the inside in the distal airbag apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention, and fig. 6E is a front view showing the bending of the center portion of the airbag cushion in the distal airbag apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

Referring to fig. 6A to 6E, when gas is injected into the airbag sheet 20, the roll-folded portion 24 of the airbag sheet 20 may be released. At this time, since the roll folded portion 24 is folded to the outside (counterclockwise direction) in the fourth folding step, the roll folded portion 24 can be unfolded while the bottom thereof is released first. Therefore, the rolling folded portion 24 can be released and expanded to the outside (clockwise direction).

Then, the third folded portion 23 folded inward may be released and expanded. At this time, the third folded portion 23 may be released and expanded to the outside. Since the third folded portion 23 is released and expanded to the outside, the third folded portion 23 may hardly interfere with the arm and body of the driver when unfolded.

When the gas is injected into the second folded portion 22, the second folded portion 22 may be released and expanded to the outside. Then, when the gas is injected into the first folded portion 21, the first folded portion 21 may be released and expanded to the outside. Since the second folded portion 22 and the first folded portion 21 are deployed to the outside, the airbag cushion 20a can be deployed obliquely to the outside (toward the passenger seat S2).

As the airbag cushion 20a deploys further, the tether 40 may pull the top of the airbag cushion 20a toward the driver D. Therefore, the upper portion of the airbag cushion 20a may face the head of the driver D. Further, since the inactive area 33 (which is unexpanded) is formed around the center portion of the airbag cushion 20a, the center portion of the airbag cushion 20a may be bent when the tether 40 pulls the top of the airbag cushion 20 a. Therefore, when the center portion of the airbag cushion 20a is bent, a shoulder receiving portion (not shown) of the driver D may be concavely formed.

The upper and lower portions of the airbag cushion 20a may have an expanded thickness much greater than the central portion thereof. Therefore, the lower portion of the airbag cushion 20a may be sufficiently inflated to support the waist of the driver D, and the upper portion of the airbag cushion 20a may be located closer to the head of the driver D.

Since the first folded portion 21, the second folded portion 22, and the rolling folded portion 24 are all released and expanded to the outside, the airbag cushion 20a can be prevented from interfering with the arm and body of the driver D when the airbag cushion 20a is deployed. Further, the internal structure can be simplified, and the weight of the airbag device can be reduced.

Since the airbag sheet 20 can be prevented from interfering with the body of the driver when the airbag sheet 20 is deployed, the deployment and protection performance of the airbag cushion 20a can be ensured.

Since the airbag cushion 20a is bent by the inactive area 33 and the tether 40, the structure of the airbag cushion 20a can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.