Airbag module with pre-fold

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12503074-B2
Application number	US-202418969585-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 5, 2024
Priority date	Dec 30, 2021
Publication date	Dec 23, 2025
Grant date	Dec 23, 2025

Abstract

An airbag module according to various implementations includes an inflatable cushion, an inflator, and a pre-fold. The inflatable cushion includes a first panel and a second panel, each of the first and second panels including an outer surface. The first panel and the second panel are folded to form a first tuck and a second tuck. A protruding portion of the first and second panels is then folded into or adjacent to the first or second tuck to form the pre-fold.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle, the airbag module comprising:
an inflatable cushion comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel comprising an outer surface and the second panel comprising an outer surface; and an inflator for providing an inflation gas for inflating the inflatable cushion; wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the first panel is placed adjacent a second portion of the outer surface of the first panel forming a first tuck; wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the second panel is placed adjacent a second portion of the outer surface of the second panel forming a second tuck; and wherein a third portion of the outer surface of the first panel and a third portion of the outer surface of the second panel are folded about a fold line so that the third portion of the outer surface of the second panel is adjacent a fourth portion of the outer surface of the second panel.

2 . The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the inflator is selected from the group consisting of a pyrotechnic gas generator, a pressurized stored gas inflator, and a hybrid inflator.

3 . The airbag module of claim 2 , wherein the inflator is a pressurized stored gas inflator.

4 . The airbag module of claim 1 , wherein the first panel and second panel are coupled together via a seam.

5 . The airbag module of claim 4 , wherein the seam comprises stitching.

6 . An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle, the airbag module comprising:
an inflatable cushion comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel comprising an outer surface and the second panel comprising an outer surface; and an inflator for providing an inflation gas for inflating the inflatable cushion; wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the first panel is placed adjacent a second portion of the outer surface of the first panel forming a first tuck; wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the second panel is placed adjacent a second portion of the outer surface of the second panel forming a second tuck; and wherein a third portion of the outer surface of the first panel and a third portion of the outer surface of the second panel are folded about a fold line so that the third portion of the outer surface of the first panel is adjacent a fourth portion of the outer surface of the first panel.

7 . The airbag module of claim 6 , wherein the inflator is selected from the group consisting of a pyrotechnic gas generator, a pressurized stored gas inflator, and a hybrid inflator.

8 . The airbag module of claim 7 , wherein the inflator is a pressurized stored gas inflator.

9 . The airbag module of claim 6 , wherein the first panel and second panel are coupled together via a seam.

10 . The airbag module of claim 9 , wherein the seam comprises stitching.

11 . An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle, the airbag module comprising:
an inflatable cushion comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel comprising an outer surface and the second panel comprising an outer surface; and an inflator for providing an inflation gas for inflating the inflatable cushion; wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the first panel is positioned facing a second portion of the outer surface of the first panel forming a first tuck; wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the second panel is positioned facing a second portion of the outer surface of the second panel forming a second tuck; and wherein a third portion of the outer surface of the first panel and a third portion of the outer surface of the second panel are folded about a fold line in the same direction so that the third portion of the outer surface of the second panel is positioned facing a fourth portion of the outer surface of the second panel.

12 . The airbag module of claim 11 , wherein the inflator is selected from the group consisting of a pyrotechnic gas generator, a pressurized stored gas inflator, and a hybrid inflator.

13 . The airbag module of claim 12 , wherein the inflator is a pressurized stored gas inflator.

14 . The airbag module of claim 11 , wherein the first panel and second panel are coupled together via a seam.

15 . The airbag module of claim 14 , wherein the seam comprises stitching.

16 . An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle, the airbag module comprising:
an inflatable cushion comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel comprising an outer surface and the second panel comprising an outer surface; and an inflator for providing an inflation gas for inflating the inflatable cushion; wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the first panel is positioned facing a second portion of the outer surface of the first panel forming a first tuck; wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the second panel is positioned facing a second portion of the outer surface of the second panel forming a second tuck; and wherein a third portion of the outer surface of the first panel and a third portion of the outer surface of the second panel are folded about a fold line in the same direction so that the third portion of the outer surface of the first panel is positioned facing a fourth portion of the outer surface of the first panel.

17 . The airbag module of claim 16 , wherein the inflator is selected from the group consisting of a pyrotechnic gas generator, a pressurized stored gas inflator, and a hybrid inflator.

18 . The airbag module of claim 17 , wherein the inflator is a pressurized stored gas inflator.

19 . The airbag module of claim 16 , wherein the first panel and second panel are coupled together via a seam.

20 . The airbag module of claim 19 , wherein the seam comprises stitching.

Assignees

• Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition Llc

Inventors

• Fecteau Ryan

Classifications

• B60R2021/23538

  Sewing · CPC title

• B60R21/232

  Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge · CPC title

• B60R21/235 Primary

  characterised by their material · CPC title

• B60R21/237 Primary

  characterised by the way they are folded · CPC title