AIRBAG, AIRBAG DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR SEWING LID MEMBER OF AIRBAG

• US 20120074677A1
• Filed: 09/22/2011
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hiruta, Teruhiko, Ogawa, Makoto, Kobayashi, Yoshihiro, Maruoka, Mitsuo
• Application Number:
  US13/240,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20120074677A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/739
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23384 having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2395 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/239 characterised by their venting means

Abstract

Provided are an airbag, an airbag device, and a method for sewing a lid member of an airbag that can make it easier to maintain the internal pressure until inflation and deployment of the airbag are completed and to quickly release gas after an occupant contacts the airbag. An airbag includes a vent hole for releasing gas supplied in the airbag, a lid member for making the vent hole openable and closable, and a tether for applying tension to the lid member. A seam formed by sewing the lid member to the airbag is disposed in a sewing region defined by a straight line shape spaced a predetermined distance from the vent hole, and a curved shape (most curved shape) formed by bringing both ends of the straight line shape close to a center line of the vent hole parallel to the straight line shape. The curvature of the seam can be regulated in view of the lap width between the lid member and the outer edge of the vent hole.

Claims

1. An airbag comprising:

a vent hole for releasing gas supplied in the airbag; and

a lid member for making the vent hole openable and closable;

wherein a seam formed by sewing the lid member to the airbag is disposed in a sewing region defined by a straight line shape spaced a predetermined distance from the vent hole, and a curved shape formed by bringing both ends of the straight line shape close to a center line of the vent hole parallel to the straight line shape, and

wherein a curvature of the seam can be regulated in view of lap width between the lid member and an outer edge of the vent hole.

2. The airbag according to claim 1, including a tether for applying tension to the lid member, and wherein the lid member is disposed on an outer surface of the airbag, the airbag has a tether opening through which the tether is inserted, and the tether opening is formed in a portion covered by the lid member.

3. The airbag according to claim 2, wherein the tether has a connecting portion sewn to the lid member, the connecting portion is wider than a tether main body portion inserted through the tether opening, the connecting portion has cuts formed along the tether main body portion, and protruding portions formed by the cuts cover the tether opening.

4. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein a cover member having an opening is disposed over the lid member such that the lid member can be ejected through the vent hole or the opening.

5. The airbag according to claim 4, wherein the lid member is disposed on an outer surface of the airbag, and the cover member is disposed on an outer side of the lid member;

or the lid member is disposed on an inner surface of the airbag, and the cover member is disposed on an inner side of the lid member.

6. The airbag according to claim 4, wherein the opening has an opening area larger than the vent hole.

7. The airbag according to claim 1 in combination with an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag.

8. A method for sewing a lid member of an airbag, the airbag including a vent hole for releasing gas supplied in the airbag, the lid member for making the vent hole openable and closable, and a tether for applying tension to the lid member, the method comprising the steps of:

disposing a seam formed by sewing the lid member to the airbag in a sewing region defined by a straight line shape spaced a predetermined distance from the vent hole, and a curved shape formed by bringing both ends of the straight line shape close to a center line of the vent hole parallel to the straight line shape, and

regulating a curvature of the seam in view of lap width between the lid member and an outer edge of the vent hole so that an opening and closing of the vent hole can be regulated.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of disposing a cover member having an opening over the lid member, and putting the lid member between the airbag and the cover member so that the opening and closing of the vent hole can be regulated by changing size of the opening.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the tether is not connected to the airbag.