An airbag having at least two composite layers of fabric R. F. welded around the periphery thereof to form the bag and, which, when R. F. welded has excellent seam strength and a specific inflation strength less than 1. 2.
A method utilizing welds, reinforced with sewn seams, to adhere two fabrics together to form an inflatable airbag cushion. Although welded seams provide better and more easily produced attachment points between multiple layers of fabrics, not to mention improved manners of reducing air or gas permeability as such attachment points, the utilization of sewn seams adjacent to such welded areas provides stronger reinforcement, and thus more reliable non-permeable fabrics. Seam welding generally concerns the utilization of a film on the underside of a fabric which, upon contact with a second, film-treated fabric and upon exposure to high frequency energy, forms a bead of polymeric material at the attachment point between the two fabric layers. Lower numbers of sewn seams may be utilized to permit sufficient reinforcement if the size of the formed polymeric bead if of sufficient size to permit thorough sealing and adhesion between the fabric layers. Such a specific reinforced fabric, as well as high bead-size welded airbag fabrics are encompassed within this invention.
Airbag Cushion Exhibiting Low Fabric Usage And Simultaneously High Available Inflation Volume
The present invention relates to an airbag cushion which simultaneously exhibits a very low amount of fabric utilized to produce the target airbag cushion in correlation to an overall high amount of available inflation airspace within the cushion itself. These two correlative elements are now combined for the first time in what is defined as an effective fabric usage index (being the quotient of the amount of fabric utilized in the construction of the airbag cushion and the available inflation airspace volume). The inventive airbag cushion must possess an effective fabric usage factor of at most 0. 0330. A cushion exhibiting such low seam usage and fabric usage factors and also comprising an integrated looped pocket for the disposition of an inflator can is also provided as well as an overall vehicle restraint system comprising the inventive airbag cushion.
Airbag Cushion Exhibiting Low Seam Usage And Simultaneously High Available Inflation Volume
The present invention relates to an airbag cushion which exhibits a low amount of seam usage (in order to attach at least two fabric panels or portions of a panel together) in correlation to an overall high amount of available inflation airspace within the cushion itself. These correlated elements are now combined for the first time in what is defined as an effective seam usage index (being the quotient of the length of overall seams on the cushions and the available inflation airspace volume). The inventive cushion must have at least one substantially straight seam and must possess an effective seam usage factor of less than about 0. 11. A cushion exhibiting such a low seam usage factor and also comprising an integrated looped pocket for the disposition of an inflator can is also provided as well as an overall vehicle restraint system comprising the inventive airbag cushion.
Air Bag Fabric Possessing Improved Packed Volume Characteristics
Ramesh Keshavaraj - LaGrange GA Michael D. Hurst - LaGrange GA
Assignee:
Milliken Company - Spartanburg SC
International Classification:
D06C 2100
US Classification:
26 186, 442181
Abstract:
A fabric for use in an air bag is provided. The fabric of the invention is produced by mechanically compressing a preliminary fabric constructed substantially of synthetic yarn such that the packed volume per unit area of the compressed fabric is less than the packed volume per unit area of the preliminary fabric. Air permeability is not adversely affected.
Inflatable Fabrics Comprising Peel Seams Which Become Shear Seams Upon Inflation
The invention relates to inflatable fabrics which comprise two separated and distinct fabric layers in discrete areas of such fabrics as well as connecting seam-producing materials to which such fabric layers are simultaneously attached. The resultant inflatable fabric composite thus includes inflatable areas separated, at least partially, by seamed barrier areas. This configuration will form âpillowedâ structures within the target fabric upon inflation. Such connecting seam-producing materials are incorporated within the two-layer structure as peel seams in relation with the individual fabric layers. Upon inflation, the seams then act as shear seams which greatly increases the overall strength of the two-layer inflatable fabric. These shear seams thus provide a relatively effective manner of reducing air permeability within the entire fabric article. Such a fabric may be utilized in numerous and various applications wherein fabric inflation is desired or necessary.
Lance M. Bosgieter - Roy UT Ramesh Keshavaraj - LaGrange GA
Assignee:
Milliken Company - Spartanburg SC
International Classification:
B60R 2116
US Classification:
2807431, 280731
Abstract:
A polygon-shaped air bag comprised of fabric for use in vehicle restraint systems is disclosed. The air bag is constructed from fabric panels in the shape of congruent, n-sided equiangular polygons, where n may be between five and eleven, but is preferably six or eight. The individual panels may be in the form of a single polygon, or in the form of two abutting polygons. The use of polygon-shaped panels allows for economical fabric utilization and increased fabrication efficiency, compared with panels having a circular shape.
An airbag having low gas permeability characteristics. The airbag is formed from two separate layers of material, an inner layer having low air permeability and an outer strength layer enclosing the inner layer, where the layers are only attached together along seam lines. The inner layer is made from a film material, preferably urethane. The outer layer is formed from a fabric.