Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Anna Libby

Michael Joseph Lachat

Jesse Benny

Howard Lusk

Larry D Rose

Jeffrey Daniel Williams

Marc Parker Russell

Ralph Tree

Lucette Bond

Bobby Lusk

Joseph Bator

Kristy Brouwer

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.

Method of packaging an inflatable airbag cushion including a wrapper and deployment flap

The airbag assembly features an airbag cushion, a deployment flap, an extension flap attached to the deployment flap, and a lateral flap. The deployment flap is configured to protect the airbag cushion as it deploys from the module housing. The extension flap is configured to position the airbag cushion during deployment. The lateral flap is configured to allow for proper airbag deployment.

Airbag lateral flap

Methods are provided for folding an airbag cushion into a housing. In one implementation of the inventive method, an airbag cushion defined by an upper panel and a lower panel is provided. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.

Airbag cushion folding methods

The airbag assembly features an inflatable cushion having a split pocket at its lower portion and may also include a recess in its lower portion. The split pocket and recess allows the cushion to receive a rear-facing child car seat during deployment. The airbag assembly may further include a tethering system to control deployment of the pocket and the split sections of the cushion.

Airbag systems with a split pocket

Growing community of inventors

Lake Orion, MI, United States of America

Anna Libby