Vehicle airbag folding - by inflating airbag between support and cover plate for sliding folding blades to push side wall inwards in pleats

摘要

To fold an airbag (10), for a vehicle occupant restraint system on an impact collision, it is laid on a support surface (16) and its entry opening is fixed in place. The airbag (10) is inflated between the support surface (16) and an upper plate (19) to spread it out. The sides of the airbag (10) are folded inwards at a number of points round its circumference. Also claimed is a folded airbag (10) where the wall is of adjacent wall pleats. Also claimed is a folding assembly with a pressure feed (26) to inflate the airbag (10) in the gap (a) between the support (16) and covering (19) plates. A number of folding blades (20) are at points round the airbag to press its wall inwards. The gap (a) between the plates (16,19) is set to give the airbag (10) a flattened shape.