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US 8,407,968 B2Granted
Method of packaging an inflatable airbag cushion including a wrapper and deployment flap
AssigneeAutoliv ASP, Inc.
InventorsMichael Lachat, Anna Libby, Howard Lusk, Jesse Benny, Lucette Bond
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A deployment flap can be used with inflatable airbag to reduce the risk of the airbag getting caught between the instrument panel of a vehicle and an out of position occupant. The manner in which the airbag and deployment flap are folded prior to deployment alters their deployment characteristics, such as trajectory.
Claims28
A method for packaging an inflatable airbag assembly, comprising the steps of:
- providing an inflatable airbag having a throat portion, wherein a wrapper and a deployment flap are coupled to the throat portion, such that a portion of the deployment flap is located between the wrapper and the inflatable airbag;
- providing an inflatable airbag housing that is coupled to the inflatable airbag at the throat portion of the inflatable airbag;
- folding the inflatable airbag into the inflatable airbag housing;
- making a first accordion-fold in the deployment flap toward the throat portion of the inflatable airbag,
- wherein the first accordion-fold is at a predetermined distance from a throat-proximal edge of the deployment flap,
- making a second accordion-fold in an opposite direction of the first accordion-fold, wherein the second accordion-fold is at a predetermined distance from the first accordion-fold,
- folding the accordion-folded deployment flap after making the second accordion-fold;
- placing the folded and accordion-folded deployment flap within the inflatable airbag housing on top of the folded inflatable airbag, such that during inflatable airbag deployment the deployment flap deploys in front of the inflatable airbag;
- wrapping a free end of the wrapper around the folded and accordion-folded deployment flap;
- and,
- coupling the wrapper to the inflatable airbag housing such that the inflatable airbag and deployment flap are retained within the inflatable airbag housing.
8 more elements
A method for packaging an inflatable airbag assembly, comprising the steps of:
- providing an inflatable airbag having a throat portion, wherein a wrapper and a deployment flap are coupled to the throat portion, such that a portion of the deployment flap is located between the wrapper and the inflatable airbag;
- providing an inflatable airbag housing that is coupled to the inflatable airbag at the throat portion of the inflatable airbag;
- folding the inflatable airbag into the inflatable airbag housing;
- accordion-folding the deployment flap;
- folding the accordion-folded deployment flap at a middle of the accordion-folded deployment flap in a direction that is toward a top side of the inflatable airbag housing, such that a folded width of the accordion folded deployment flap is about half of an unfolded width of the accordion-folded deployment flap;
- placing the folded and accordion-folded deployment flap within the inflatable airbag housing on top of the folded inflatable airbag, such that during inflatable airbag deployment the deployment flap deploys in front of the inflatable airbag;
- wrapping a free end of the wrapper around the folded and accordion-folded deployment flap;
- and,
- coupling the wrapper to the inflatable airbag housing such that the inflatable airbag and deployment flap are retained within the inflatable airbag housing.
6 more elements
A method for packaging an inflatable airbag assembly, comprising the steps of:
- providing an inflatable airbag having a throat portion, wherein a wrapper and a deployment flap are coupled to the throat portion, such that a portion of the deployment flap is located between the wrapper and the inflatable airbag;
- providing an inflatable airbag housing that is coupled to the inflatable airbag at the throat portion of the inflatable airbag;
- folding the inflatable airbag into the inflatable airbag housing;
- accordion-folding the deployment flap;
- tack-stitching each lateral side of the folded and accordion-folded deployment flap;
- placing the folded and accordion-folded deployment flap within the inflatable airbag housing on top of the folded inflatable airbag, such that during inflatable airbag deployment the deployment flap deploys in front of the inflatable airbag;
- wrapping a free end of the wrapper around the folded and accordion-folded deployment flap;
- and,
- coupling the wrapper to the inflatable airbag housing such that the inflatable airbag and deployment flap are retained within the inflatable airbag housing.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.