Airbag

• US 6,886,857 B1
• Filed: 08/24/2000
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K.
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Masuda, Yasushi, Nakanishi, Ryosuke, Mishina, Jyoji
• Primary Examiner(s): CUFF, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US09/644,793
• Time in Patent Office: 1,713 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/743.1, 280/743.2, 280/739, 280/728.2, 280/729
• US Class Current: 280/743.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23316 Inner seams, e.g. creating separate compartments or used as tethering means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23576 Sewing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2358 Bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23595 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2342 Tear seams
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 characterised by their material

Abstract

An airbag is provided which securely prevents gas leakage through seams between panels and has excellent productivity. The airbag 10 has panels 1, 2. Peripheral portions of the panels 1, 2 are bonded with silicone adhesive 5 and also sewn together by sewing yarns 6A, 6B. Seams of the sewing yarns 6A, 6B may be coated by silicone sealant. The sewing yarn 6A composing an inner seam is thinner than the sewing yarn 6B composing an outer seam so that the sewing yarn 6A is broken during the inflation of the airbag 10, thereby absorbing energy.

Claims

1. An airbag comprising:

a first panel and a second panel, which have peripheral portions having inner surfaces facing and connected to each other,

elastic adhesive disposed between the inner surfaces of the first and second panels at the peripheral portions to connect the first and second panels, and

a yarn sewed along the peripheral portions within a range of the width of the elastic adhesive to connect the first and second panels together with the elastic adhesive so that when the first and second panels are pulled in inflating the airbag, the adhesive is pulled outwardly to absorb an expansion force, said yarn comprising a first seam positioned outside and a second seam positioned inside relative to a center of the first and second panels, a sewing yarn for the second seam being thinner than a sewing yarn for the first seam.

2. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic adhesive has elongation of more than 200%.

3. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic adhesive is silicone adhesive.

4. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic adhesive is urethane adhesive.

5. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said panels is coated with a silicone coating, and said adhesive is silicone adhesive.

6. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said panels is coated with a urethane coating, and said adhesive is urethane adhesive.

7. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the elastic adhesive is uneven.

8. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sewing yarn for the second seam is broken during inflation of the airbag so as to partially absorb energy of gas pressure.

9. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, further comprising sealant to cover the yarn on the peripheral portions of the panels.

10. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein an amount of the elastic adhesive to be applied is from 0.01 g/cm² to 0.05 g/cm².

11. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic adhesive is room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber.

12. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panels are made of synthetic resin woven fabrics.

13. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adhesive stretches with being adhered to the respective panels.

14. The airbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic adhesive has a larger thickness at a portion where a larger stress is applies than another portion, whereby the elastic adhesive stretches according to the stress.