Automated Solutions, LLC

Other

William F Baker

Larry P Hulsey

Robert A Rhinefrank

Kenneth C Blaisdell

Don Reed

An automated clinching apparatus for securing a decorative cover to a reaction plate, forming an air bag module, the reaction plate including a plurality of tabs received by the decorative cover and clinched to secure the decorative cover to the reaction plate. The automated clinching apparatus includes a clamp assembly configured to engage and hold the air bag module, and a tab clinch assembly positioned adjacent the clamp assembly for automatically clinching the tabs of the reaction plate.

Apparatus for clinching reaction plate tabs of air bag modules

An apparatus for automatically folding an air bag to include a bubble fold, and for inserting the folded air bag into a retainer, the air bag having a first end coupled to the retainer and a second end. The apparatus includes a holding fixture for receiving and holding the retainer, a bag folding apparatus for folding the second end of the air bag and leaving a coupling portion coupling the second end to the first end, an inserter assembly for inserting the folded second end into the retainer, and a bubble blade for forming a bubble fold in the coupling portion, the bubble blade movable between a first position intermediate the holding fixture and the inserter assembly for overlying and contacting the coupling portion and a second position removed from intermediate the holding fixture and the inserter assembly.

Bag folding system

An automated system is disclosed for folding vehicle air bags so that a small folded bag profile in a desirable bag deployment pattern results. A machine having a holding fixture for receiving the retainer of an air bag assembly, and a plurality of upright members. A flattened bag with pleated sides is supported above the upright members, and sequentially inserted between the upright members forming undulating folds. The upright members are removed while retaining the undulating folds. The folds are then compressed, sharpening the folds and forming a compact package. The machine also includes an inserter assembly which inserts the folded bag into the retainer.

An automatic bag folding apparatus is disclosed for folding vehicular air bags. The bag folding apparatus includes a base, a holding fixture, an end fold assembly, and a tuck assembly. The air bag folded by the apparatus may be coupled to a reaction plate with a center portion of the air bag overlying the reaction plate and parameters of the center portion defined by the reaction plate. The air bag further includes side folds and a first end adjacent the center portion. The holding fixture receives the reaction plate, thereby securing the center portion of the air bag. The end fold assembly is carried by the base, and has an end fold blade movable between a support position spaced from the holding fixture for supporting the first end of the air bag, and a fold position adjacent the holding fixture for folding the first end to form an end fold. The tuck assembly is carried by the base for forming an end tuck in the end fold.

Automatic bag folding apparatus

An automated system is disclosed for folding vehicle air bags so that a small folded-bag profile and a desirable bag deployment pattern results. A machine having numerous moveable arms is controlled by a controller. An edge folding assembly (EFA) of the machine has five arms, including a center arm, two outer blades, and two outwardly facing U-channel forks, which reside between respective outer blades and the center arm. The EFA moves forward so that all of its five arms engage an unfolded air bag. The forks then raise upward to a level at which the outer blades are aligned with a gap between tines in the forks. The outer blades mesh with this gap causing two pleats to be formed in the edge of the bag. Pleat clamps then move inwardly sideways to engage the two pleats and form a third pleat. Then, the EFA is removed from the bag. The pleat clamps may clamp top and bottom sections of the bag together while tightly gripping the pleats. The bag is then inflated or otherwise pulled apart, except that the pleat clamps can prevent separation of the pleated section. Next, the pleat clamps move closer together to poke the pleats into the center of the separated bag. The bag is then collapsed or deflated, and the pleat clamps are withdrawn from the bag.

An automated system is disclosed for folding vehicle air bags so that a small folded-bag profile and a desirable bag deployment pattern results. A machine having numerous moveable arms is controlled by a controller. An edge folding assembly (EFA) of the machine has five arms, including a center arm, two outer blades, and two outwardly facing U-channel forks, which reside between respective outer blades and the center arm. The EFA moves forward so that all of its five arms engage an unfolded air bag. The forks then raise upward to a level at which the outer blades are aligned with a gap between tines in the forks. The outer blades mesh with this gap causing two pleats to be formed in the edge of the bag. Pleat clamps then move inwardly sideways to engage the two pleats and form a third pleat. Then, the EFA is removed from the bag. The pleat clamps clamp top and bottom sections of the bag together while tightly gripping the pleats. The bag is then inflated, except that the pleat clamps prevent inflation of the pleated section. Next, the pleat clamps move closer together to poke the pleats into the center of the otherwise inflated bag. The bag is then deflated, and the pleat clamps are withdrawn from the bag.

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Glendale, AZ, United States of America

William F Baker