AIRBAG FOLDING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

This invention provides a method and apparatus for folding an airbag which reduces the number of manual folding steps and substantially eliminates erroneous folds. The folding apparatus automatically folds an airbag a plurality of times in both the lateral and longitudinal directions in stages of predetermined width. The apparatus includes a working surface having a setting portion for holding the airbag, an outward folding mechanism having a plurality of spaced apart outward folding bars, and an inward folding mechanism having a plurality of spaced apart inward folding bars. The inward and outward folding bars are automatically positioned relative to the airbag and transferred to interleaving positions relative to one another to fold the airbag. The folded airbag is assembled in an airbag apparatus and installed in a steering wheel or the like of a vehicle.