Multilayer airbag using non-woven fabric and reinforced scrim

• US 20070278775A1
• Filed: 05/30/2007
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AdvanSix Resins & Chemicals, LLC (Advansix Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Ting, Yuan-Ping R., Buchanan, Jerome L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,803,724 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/743.100
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/26 another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23509 Fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/126 Including a preformed film, foil, or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2139 Coating or impregnation specified as porous or permeable to a specific substance [e.g., water vapor, air, etc.]

Abstract

Vehicular air bags formed from multilayer composites. The multilayer composites include a polymeric film and at least one tear resistant fabric attached to the polymeric film, and more particularly include a polymeric film, an open mesh, tear resistant fabric attached to the film and a fabric layer attached to the open mesh, tear resistant fabric. Air bags formed therefrom have low base weight, low elongation and high tear propagation resistance, protecting vehicle occupants from injury during and after air bag deployment.

Claims

1. An air bag for a vehicle, the air bag comprising a multilayer composite which comprises:

a) a polymeric film;

b) an open mesh, tear resistant fabric attached to the film;

c) an adhesive layer positioned between the polymeric film and the open mesh, tear resistant fabric; and

d) a fabric layer attached to the open mesh, tear resistant fabric.

2. The air bag of claim 1 wherein the polymeric film is biaxially oriented.

3. The air bag of claim 1 wherein the polymeric film comprises polyamides, polyolefins, polyesters, fluoropolymers or a combination thereof.

4. The air bag of claim 1 wherein the open mesh, tear resistant fabric comprises a scrim.

5. The air bag of claim 1 wherein the open mesh, tear resistant fabric comprises at least one polyamide, polyolefin, polyester or a combination thereof.

6. The air bag of claim 1 wherein the fabric layer comprises a non-woven fabric.

7. The air bag of claim 1 wherein the fabric layer comprises polyamide fibers, polyolefin fibers, polyester fibers or a combination thereof.

8. An air bag for a vehicle, the air bag comprising a multilayer composite which comprises:

a) a biaxially oriented polymeric film;

b) at least one tear resistant fabric attached to the biaxially oriented polymeric film; and

c) an adhesive layer on the biaxially oriented polymeric film and positioned between the biaxially oriented polymeric film and the tear resistant fabric.

9. The air bag of claim 8 wherein the tear resistant fabric comprises an open mesh, tear resistant fabric.

10. The air bag of claim 8 wherein the tear resistant fabric comprises a non-woven fabric.

11. The air bag of claim 8 comprising both an open mesh, tear resistant fabric and a non-woven tear resistant fabric.

12. The air bag of claim 8 wherein the tear resistant fabric comprises a scrim.

13. The air bag of claim 8 wherein the biaxially oriented polymeric film comprises polyamides, polyolefins, polyesters, fluoropolymers or a combination thereof.

14. The air bag of claim 8 further comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer layer attached to an outer surface of the open mesh, tear resistant fabric.

15. The air bag of claim 14 wherein the thermoplastic polymer layer comprises polyamides, polyolefins, polyvinylidene chlorides, or a combination thereof.

16. The air bag of claim 9 wherein the open mesh, tear resistant fabric comprises at least one polyamide, polyolefin, polyester or a combination thereof.

17. The air bag of claim 10 wherein the non-woven fabric comprises polyamide fibers, polyolefin fibers, polyester fibers or a combination thereof.

18. A method for forming an air bag comprising:

a) applying an adhesive layer onto a polymeric film;

b) positioning an open mesh, tear resistant fabric onto the polymeric film, such that the adhesive layer is positioned between the polymeric film and the open mesh, tear resistant fabric;

c) positioning a fabric layer onto the open mesh, tear resistant fabric, wherein the adhesive layer is capable of contacting the fabric layer through the open mesh, tear resistant fabric;

d) laminating the polymeric film, adhesive layer, open mesh, tear resistant fabric and fabric layer to form a composite; and

e) overlapping the composite onto itself and sealing the fabric layer to itself to form an air bag.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the fabric layer comprises a non-woven fabric.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the polymeric film is a biaxially oriented film.

21. A method for forming an air bag comprising:

a) attaching a biaxially oriented polymeric film to at least one tear resistant fabric via an intermediate adhesive layer, forming a composite; and

b) overlapping the composite onto itself and sealing the tear resistant fabric to itself to form an air bag.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the tear resistant fabric comprises an open mesh, tear resistant fabric.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the tear resistant fabric comprises a non-woven fabric.

24. The method of claim 21 comprising both an open mesh, tear resistant fabric and a non-woven tear resistant fabric.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the tear resistant fabric is heat sealable to itself.