JPH03243444A - Air bag folding method and folding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a folding error and reduce the man-hours of folding work to a large degree by placing an air bag in such a position as to be opposed from both sides by the specified width with its center part in between, and folding the air bag into the specified number of stages by the specified procedure using inner and outer folding bars. CONSTITUTION:An air bag (b) provided with an air bag fixture 10 incorporated in an inflator fitting hole is set at the center plate 11 of a workbench A through the fitting of the fixture 10 into a fitting setting hole 9. Laterally folding outer folding bars 21 are then moved toward the center plate 11. Upon arriving in a fixed position, the bars 21 are lowered to hold the air bag (b) by the lower stage outer folding bar 21c. Laterally folding inner bars 26 are moved upward into a position higher than the center plate 11, together with a front and a rear plates 12, 13. At the same time, the peripheral edge part of the air bag (b) is lifted, and the bars 26 are advanced toward the center plate 11 of the workbench A so as to be inserted into the stage gasps of the outer folding bars 21, in turn from the lower stage through the air bag (b). Lateral folding is thus performed in turn from the lower stage.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention provides a method for assembling an airbag into an airbag device mounted on a steering wheel or the like of an automobile.
The present invention relates to a method for folding an APA bag and a folding device used therein. Furthermore, in detail, the airbag is folded horizontally (
This invention relates to a folding device used when performing vertical folding (see FIG. 6) and vertical folding (see FIG. 1J7) in multiple stages using a folding bar.

Hereinafter, in this specification, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a case will be explained using an example of folding in which horizontal folding is performed in three stages of outward folding and vertical folding is performed in two stages of outward folding. The same applies even if they are different.

<Prior Art> A conventional method of folding an airbag will be explained based on FIGS. 5 to 7.

Normally, a corresponding number of horizontal folding bars 1 and vertical folding bars 2 each having a width corresponding to each stage of horizontal folding and vertical folding and holding holes at both ends are prepared and placed on the workbench 4. In order to be able to set each of the above-mentioned folding bars 1.2 when folding in the horizontal direction and vertical direction, there are provided a pair of horizontal folding bar holding bins 5.5 in each of the vertical and horizontal directions, and a pair in the vertical direction. A folding bar holding bin 6.6 is provided in a protruding manner. Normally, in a two-person operation, one person is the folding worker M1 who folds the airbag b, and the other person is the auxiliary worker M2 who sets the folding bar and pulls out the folding bar after the folding is completed.

(1) First, the airbag b is spread out and placed on a workbench, and the air inside the airbag b is evacuated through a hole (not shown) in which the inflator is attached at the bottom of the airbag b.

■ After the auxiliary worker M2 sets the first folding bar 1a on top of the airbag b, the folding worker Ml folds the first stage outward folding bar 1a on one side of the airbag b while pulling it like a country side.
Do the following.

■Subsequently, set the second folding bar 1b on the second folding bar 18 with the airbag b in between, and
Perform the -th stage inward fold vl on one side of.

(2) Next, the third folding bar is set on the second folding bar with the airbag b sandwiched therebetween, and a second stage outward folding m2 of one side of the airbag b is performed.

Once the folding of one side is completed by repeating this process, fold the airbag b on the front side in the same way, that is, sequentially fold the first airbag
Second... Fold the airbag b while sequentially setting the folding bars 18.1b...

Next, the horizontal folding bar holding bin 5 is placed in the workbench, and while the folding worker M1 is holding down the airbag b, the auxiliary worker M2 pulls out the horizontal folding bar 1 to complete the horizontal folding. (See Figure 6).

Further, longitudinal folding is performed in the same manner by changing the folding direction by 90 degrees. That is, the vertical folding bars 2 are sequentially set and used on the horizontally folded airbag b, and the -stage vertically outward folding and vertically inward folding ml, vl are performed.
After performing the two-step longitudinal outward fold m2 on each side, the folding bar 2 is cut out to complete the longitudinal folding (see FIG. 7).

<Problem to be solved by the invention> However, in the above method, the dimensions of the folding bar are
The width dimensions of ・ are slightly different, and may be different between vertical folding and horizontal folding, and there is a risk that an auxiliary worker may set the folding bar incorrectly and cause a folding error. In addition, since it was a two-person job, the number of man-hours required for folding increased.

In view of the above, the present invention aims to solve the problems by providing a bag folding method and a folding device that are free from the risk of folding errors and can significantly reduce the number of folding work steps. Means> The airbag folding method of the present invention solves the above problems with the following configuration.

This is a method of folding the airbag into a predetermined number of stages using multiple folding bars, with the airbag facing each other at a predetermined width across the center, and then folding the airbag into a predetermined width above the expanded airbag. An outer folding bar consisting of a number of stages is arranged, and with the peripheral edge of the airbag on both sides of the outer folding bar being higher than the center, the inner folding bar is inserted through the airbag from both sides of the outer folding bar. The airbag is folded by sliding the airbag between the outer folding bar and the inner folding bar by moving the airbag one step at a time or at the same time so as to insert it into the gap between the steps of the outer folding bar. Features.

The folding device of the present invention has the following configuration.

This is a folding device used when folding an airbag in multiple stages using multiple folding bars for outward folding and inward folding with the center of the airbag facing each other at a predetermined width. a set part on which the peripheral edge of the airbag can be set, and a support part on which the peripheral part of the airbag can be placed across the set part, and the set part and the support part can set the peripheral part of the airbag in a central position. An airbag folding device characterized by being relatively movable to a higher position.

<Examples> Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on Examples. Parts that are the same as those in the conventional example are given the same reference numerals, and all or part of their explanation will be omitted.

(1) In the present invention, a prerequisite structural requirement is that the folding device is used when the airbag b is folded in multiple stages using a plurality of folding bars, with the airbag b facing each other from both sides with a predetermined width across the center thereof. shall be. Therefore, it is also possible to use only horizontal folding as shown in FIG. 6 as a basic folding pattern, and add vertical folding as shown in FIG. 7 for further folding.

(2) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the folding device of this embodiment includes (a) a workbench A, (b) a lateral folding means B, and (C)
It consists of a longitudinal folding device C and (d) bag holding means.

FIG. 1 is a schematic half-cutaway front view of the folding device, 's
2 is a partially cutaway schematic plan view, and FIG. 3 is a schematic side view.

(a) Workbench A It is possible to form a horizontal work surface large enough to place the airbag b in an expanded and stretched state, and has a horizontal folding width and a width that allows the center of the airbag b to be set. A horizontally long center plate 11 as a width setting part, and a horizontally long front plate 12 and rear plate 13 as supporting parts on which the peripheral edge of the airbag can be placed front and rear across the center plate 11 are symmetrical. The front plate 12 and the rear plate 13 are arranged on the center plate 1.
1 between a coplanar position and an upper position. That is, the peripheral portion of the airbag b is relatively moved so that it is located above the center portion.

Specifically, the inner folding member holder 17 of the horizontal folding means B, which will be described later, is connected to the piston rod 15a of each first vertical cylinder 15 disposed on the front and lower sides of the center plate 11 via the connecting column 18. The front plate 12 or the rear plate 13 is arranged so that it can be driven up and down. Conversely, the above relative movement may be made by moving the center plate 11 up and down.
In Figure 43, 8 is a suction pipe for removing the air inside the airbag, but since removing the air inside the airbag b is not an essential step, the suction pipe 8 may be omitted. The width of the fold is determined by the width of the outer folding bar 21 for transverse folding of the transverse folding means B, which will be described later, so the width of the center plate does not necessarily have to be the width of the transverse fold and the width good.

Further, in the center of the center plate 11, an airbag mounting tool 1 is installed at the periphery of the hole for mounting the inflator of the airbag b.
0 is provided with a metal fitting setting hole 9 in which the number 0 can be set (see Fig. 4A).
reference).

In addition, although the support part is shown as a member different from the inner folding bar 26 of the laterally-described horizontal folding means B, such as the front plate 12 and the rear plate 13, the uppermost part of each inner folding bar 26 is shown as a support part. It may also be used as a plate and a rear plate, and these may also be used as a support part.

(b) Lateral folding means B: a plurality of stages of outer folding bars 21 disposed above the center plate 11 on at least one of the left and right sides so as to be able to be driven forward and backward; When placed below each and located above the center plate 11,
It consists of a plurality of stages of inner folding bars (flat plate shape) 26 that can be inserted into the gaps between the outer folding bars 21 and moved forward and backward so as to be inserted through the airbag b.

Specifically, at the upper position of the center plate 11, on both sides in the longitudinal direction,
The outer folding bar 21 divided into two parts is held in three stages facing a holding block 23 on a truck 22. The truck 22 can run on rails 24 and is connected to a piston rod 25a of a first horizontal cylinder 25. In addition, on the ward side, the upper outer folding bar 21a is formed narrower than the middle and lower outer folding bars 21b and 21c. Further, although it is not necessary, it is desirable that the outer folding bars 21 that are divided in the width direction can approach each other in the width direction. Note that the national junior high school 20 is a stopper for the cart 22.

Further, when the inner folding bar (inner folding plate) 26 is positioned above the center plate 11 by the first vertical cylinder 15, the inner folding bar (inner folding plate) 26 has a narrow width starting from the upper level in three stages in the front and back with the center plate 11 in between. They are arranged to face each other in groups 26a, 26b, and 26c. Each inner folding bar 26 is held by a pair of holding rails 27 having slide grooves on both sides. The holding rail 27 is supported on an angle 28. Furthermore, on the upper surface of each end of each inner folding bar 26, each piston rod 29a of a pair of second horizontal cylinders 29 installed on the inner folding bar holding base 17 is provided.
is connected to.

Note that when each inner folding bar 26 is positioned above the center plate 11, the front plate 12 and rear plate 13 disposed above each inner folding bar (-26) When the periphery is lifted and each inner folding bar 26 moves forward, it is inserted into the gap between the steps of the outer folding bar 21 via the air lugs b.

(c) Vertical folding means C: a pair of push-up members 31 capable of pushing up both sides of the center plate 11 corresponding to the end width of the bag's longitudinal fold.
and a plurality of longitudinal outer folding bars 3 disposed above the center plate 11 in a vertically movable manner and arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer folding bars 21 of the transverse folding means B.
3, and one or more pairs of vertically inner folding bars 34 disposed between the upper and lower sides of the longitudinally outer folding bars 33, which are driven forward and backward with respect to the center of the center plate 11, and which are capable of moving toward and away from each other. Consisting of Specifically, it is as follows.

The push-up member 31 is arranged so that its upper end is in contact with the work surface of the workbench A and the road surface in a normal position,
It is connected to the piston rod 32a of the second vertical cylinder 32.

In addition, each longitudinally outer folding bar 33 is divided into two parts and placed on the upper and lower stages 33a and 33b, and a pair of vertically inner folding bars 34a are arranged on the upper and lower stages 33b. It is held by a portal-shaped vertically folded bar holding arm 37 connected to the piston rod 35a of the cylinder 35. Note that 36 is a guide post.

Three retaining rods 38, 39, 40 are horizontally installed in the vertical folding bar retaining arm 37 in upper and lower rows. The upper stage holding rod 38 is connected via an auxiliary holding arm 42 to a piston rod 41a of a fourth vertical cylinder 41 installed on the holding arm 37 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Note that both ends 38a of the upper holding rod 38 are
It extends and is adapted to be guided by a long hole (not shown) formed in the side wall of the vertical folding bar holding arm 37.

Then, the upper and lower vertically outer folding bars 33a and 33b are as follows.
Holding blocks 43 are attached to each of the upper and lower holding rods 38.4o.
．． 44.

It is desirable that the lower pair of holding blocks 43, 43 be able to approach each other like the above-mentioned outer folding bars 21.

Furthermore, a pair of vertically inward folding bars 34a,
34a is slidably held here, and the sliding holding block 45 is connected to a piston rod 47a of each third horizontal cylinder 47 installed on both walls of the holding arm. Each vertically inward folding bar 34a is slidably held by a slide holding block 45 via a slide groove 45a, and its base portion is connected to a pair of fourth horizontal cylinders 49 installed on the rear wall of the slide holding block 45. It is connected to the piston rod 49a.

(d) Bag holding means D = The bag holding means in this embodiment is located at both sides of the width of the end of the vertical folding of the airbag b on the center plate 11 of the workbench A, and on both sides of the width after the end of the horizontal folding. air bag b
It consists of an inner pressing member 51 and an outer folding pressing member 53, which are arranged above the center plate 11 so as to be able to hold down, respectively.

Specifically, each presser member 51.53 consists of a pair of presser blocks 52.52, and each presser block 52.5
2 is a fifth vertical cylinder 55 disposed on the lower pedestal 50;
The piston rod 55a is connected to the piston rod 55a. In addition, 56
is a guidebost.

Further, in order to ensure the pressing effect of the pressing members 51, 53, when the respective inner folding plates 26 are advanced by the second horizontal cylinder 29 and face each other, the pressing block 5
Notches cl and c2 are formed at the front end of each of the inner folding bars 26 for transverse folding so that the folded airbag b can be directly pressed after the folded airbag b is folded laterally. This notch may be provided only in the uppermost inner folding bar 26a.

Note that the outer and inner folding bars for each of the horizontal folding and longitudinal folding do not have to be in the shape of a flat folding bar like a government bond, but may be in the shape of a frame, a bar, or the like. Further, the driving means is not limited to a cylinder, and may be any link mechanism or the like.

Next, a method of folding the airbag using the above-mentioned airbag folding device will be explained mainly with reference to FIG.

In the following description, although the drive means are not specifically specified, it is assumed that the above-mentioned drive cylinders are operated by sequential control.

(1) To install the airbag, set the tool 10 into the center plate 11 of the workbench A. To install the inflator, install the airbag B built into the hole. , Subsequently, the air inside the air bag b is sucked by a vacuum pump (see FIG. 4C). Note that this air bleeding is unnecessary if there are almost no wrinkles or the like in the airbag on the workbench A. The airbag b is moved toward the center plate 11, and when it reaches a fixed position, the outer folding bar 21 is lowered and the lower outer folding bar 21c presses the airbag b (see FIG. 4C).

(3) Next, raise the inner folding bar 26 for lateral folding along with the front and rear plates 12 and 13 to a predetermined position above the center plate 11, lift the peripheral edge of the airbag The inner folding bar 26 is advanced from the front and rear toward the center plate 11 of the workbench A so as to be inserted into the gap between the outer folding bars 21 through the bag b, and the lateral force direction folding is performed sequentially from the lower stage. Let's do it. (See FIG. 4C) At this time, multiple stages of the outer folding bars 21 may be advanced simultaneously.

In this way, the airbag b is folded by sliding between the outer folding bar 21 and the inner folding bar 26, and the horizontal folding is completed (see the fourth figure).

(4) Next, pull out the outer folding bar 21, press the airbag b after the horizontal folding with the inner and outer folding members 51 and 53, and move the inner folding bar 26 one after the other (Fig. 4C (See) At this time, it is desirable to slightly reduce the width of the outer folding bars 21 forming each row. In addition, it is preferable to pull out the inner folding bars 26 in order from the top. In the above, the order of pulling out each folding bar is reversed, that is, after pulling out the inner folding bars 26, the outer folding bars 21 are pulled out. It's okay.

(5) Next, lower the vertically outer folding bar 33,
While pressing down the airbag b, the inner pressing member 51 is raised, and in this state, the push-up member 31 is operated to move the vertically outer folding bar 33 of the airbag b from the upper vertically outer folding bar 33a. The push-up member 31, which is partially pushed up so as to be lifted upward (see FIG. 4C), is formed to have a U-shaped cross section.

(6) Next, the vertically inward folding bar 34a is advanced and moved inward (in the opposite direction) through the U-shaped cross section of the raising member 31 (see Fig. H).

(7) With this, fold the airbag b vertically outward from the bar 3.
3 and the longitudinally inward folding bar 34 to perform the folding, and complete the -th longitudinal outward folding/inward folding (
84). After completing the first longitudinal outward folding and inward folding, the upper longitudinal outward folding bar 33a is lowered to hold down the airbag b, and the airbag b is raised in this state to the worker's working position (the worker can (To make it easier to pull out.) In this state, airbag b
One worker sets the upper vertical outer folding bar 3.
Manually fold the paper 3a toward the top surface in the same manner as shown in ① to complete the vertical folding. Then, pull out airbag b after it has been folded towards you. At this time, it is desirable to reduce the overall width of each longitudinally outer folding bar 33 from the viewpoint of ease of pulling out.

In addition, since airbag b is slid and folded between each folding bar as described above, its total thickness is 6cm.
The following are desirable; the thinner the material, the easier it is to fold.

<Actions and Effects of the Invention> Since the airbag folding method and device of the present invention have the above-described configuration, they exhibit the following actions and effects.

The folding work of the airbag can be done only by a folding worker and a person setting and taking it out, and there is no need for an auxiliary worker as in the past. Furthermore, since the folding bars are automatically set in sequence, there is no risk of setting the fold i<- incorrectly. Furthermore, since the airbag is folded by sliding between the folding bars, the airbag is less likely to wrinkle and can be folded to exact dimensions.

Therefore, the number of man-hours required for folding work can be significantly reduced, and there is no risk of incorrect folding dimensions.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic W & half cross-sectional front view showing an example of the airbag folding device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of Fig. 1, Fig. 4A -H is an explanatory diagram of the bag folding process using the device of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the conventional bag folding operation 21.
- Lateral outer folding bar 26... Lateral inner folding bar 31... Pushing up member, 33... Vertical outer folding bar 34... Vertical inner folding bar 51... Inner pressing member, 53. ...Outer holding member, A...Work table, B...Horizontal folding means, C...Vertical folding means, D...Bag holding means, b...Air bag. FIG. 6 is a plan view and a schematic side view of the bag when the bag is folded in the horizontal direction, and FIG. 7 is a plan view and a schematic front view of the bag when the bag is folded in the vertical direction. 11... Center plate of the workbench (set part), 12... Front plate (support part) of the workbench, 13... Rear plate of the workbench (
Support part), patent Applicant Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Figure 3 Figure A Figure C Figure 5 '<2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method of folding the airbag into a predetermined number of stages using a plurality of folding bars, with the airbag facing each other from both sides at a predetermined width across the center of the airbag, the method comprising: An outer folding bar consisting of a predetermined number of stages is placed on top of the stretched airbag, and with the peripheral edge of the airbag higher than the center on both sides of the outer folding bar, the inner folding bar is inserted from both sides of the outer folding bar. The airbag is moved between the outer folding bar and the inner folding bar by moving the folding bar one step at a time or in multiple stages simultaneously so as to insert the folding bar into the gap between the outer folding bars through the air bag. A method of folding an airbag characterized by sliding it. 2. A method in which the airbags are placed facing each other from both sides with a predetermined width across the center, and the airbags are stacked in a predetermined number of stages using multiple folding bars. An outer folding bar consisting of several stages is arranged, and with the peripheral edge of the airbag on both sides of the outer folding bar being higher than the center, the inner folding bar is inserted from both sides of the outer folding bar through the airbag. a step of sliding the airbag between the outer folding bar and the inner folding bar by moving the airbag one step at a time or at the same time so as to insert the airbag into a gap between the steps of the outer folding bar, and folding the airbag in the lateral direction; , while holding down the horizontally folded airbag from above, a vertically outward folding bar consisting of a predetermined number of stages arranged in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction is placed above the center of the airbag; , with the horizontally folded airbag on both sides of the longitudinally outer folding bar being raised higher than the center, the longitudinally inner folding bar is folded in the horizontal direction from both sides of the longitudinally outer folding bar. The horizontally folded airbag is moved between the longitudinally outer folding bar and the vertically inner folding bar by moving the folded airbag to the interstage gap of the longitudinally outer folding bar. A method for folding an airbag, comprising: a step of vertically folding the airbag by sliding the airbag; 3. A folding device used when folding an airbag in multiple stages using a plurality of folding bars for outward folding and inward folding with the airbag facing each other at a predetermined width across the center thereof, A set part that can set the center part,
a support part on which a peripheral part of the airbag can be placed with the set part in between, and the set part and the support part are relative to each other so that the peripheral part of the airbag is located above the center part. An airbag folding device characterized in that it is movable. 4. A folding device used for folding an airbag in multiple stages using a plurality of folding bars for outward folding and inward folding of the airbag from opposite sides to a predetermined width across the center thereof, the airbag a set part on which the center part of the airbag can be set; a support part on which the peripheral edge of the airbag can be placed across the set part; A plurality of stages of outer folding bars are disposed, and a plurality of inner folding bars are disposed on both front and rear sides of the set portion so as to be insertable into gaps between the stages of the outer folding bars via the air bag. An airbag folding device characterized by: 5. A folding device used to fold an airbag into multiple stages using a plurality of folding bars, with the airbag facing each other from both sides at a predetermined width across the center thereof, the folding device having a plurality of outer folding bars; a transverse folding means having an inner folding bar inserted into the interstage gap of the outer folding bar via the air bag; and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer folding bar of the transverse means. A longitudinally outer folding bar having a plurality of stages of longitudinally outer folding bars disposed in the vertically outer folding bar, and a longitudinally inner folding bar that can be inserted into the gap between the stages of the longitudinally outer folding bars via the horizontally folded airbag. An airbag folding device comprising: directional folding means.