Airbag with Sacrificial Elastomer Line
A sacrificial elastomer line at the seam region of the airbag absorbs energy during inflation, addressing the need for extended pressure maintenance in curtain airbags by delaying deflation and reducing stress on the fabric.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025504093
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-08-03
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-01
AI Technical Summary
Curtain airbags require maintaining inflated pressure for an extended period, while conventional airbags deflate quickly, necessitating new design considerations for sealing and seam reinforcement.
Incorporation of a sacrificial elastomer line at the seam region of the airbag, which absorbs energy during inflation, delaying pressure rise and reducing stress on the fabric and main seam.
The sacrificial elastomer line effectively prolongs the airbag's inflated state by absorbing energy, preventing premature deflation and maintaining pressure for the required duration.
Smart Images
Figure 2025524928000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 370,336, entitled "AIRBAG WITH SACRIFICIAL ELASTOMER LINE", filed on August 3, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This document relates to an airbag with a sacrificial elastomer line.
Background Art
[0003] Various types of airbags used with vehicles need to comply with respective rules or other criteria that may be applicable to their specific uses. Most airbag applications, including at least driver - side airbags, passenger - side airbags, and side airbags, generally do not need to hold the inflated pressure for an extended period of time. For example, these types of airbags are approved for use in vehicles even if they lose most of their pressure instantaneously after inflation. In contrast, so - called curtain airbags are typically installed on the roof rails of a vehicle and are configured to extend over at least a portion of the side window when inflated. Curtain airbags may need to remain inflated for a considerably longer time than those described above. For example, a curtain airbag may need to maintain a significant pressure for at least about 6 seconds after inflation.
[0004] A curtain airbag can be designed as a type of airbag that is cut, sewn, and sealed in order to maintain pressure over a period of about several seconds. Sealing ensures that the pressure is maintained over a certain period. Alternatively, a curtain airbag may be made using a technique known as one-piece weaving, in which the airbag is made from a single piece of fabric and there are no fabric seams to be sealed. In contrast, other types of airbags that need to maintain an inflated state for only an instant can be of a design called a cut and sewn type of airbag. That is, for this type of airbag, no sealing is applied to the seams. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In a first aspect, an airbag includes a first fabric panel and a second fabric panel; a seam in a seam region of the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel, where the seam joins the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel to each other; and a sacrificial elastomer line at a location inside the seam region, where the sacrificial elastomer line joins the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel to each other at the location.
[0006] The implementation may include any or all of the following features. The airbag is a cut, sewn, and sealed airbag, and the airbag further includes a first elastomer line at the seam, and the first elastomer line seals the seam. A gap separates the sacrificial elastomer line from the first elastomer line. The first elastomer line is adjacent to the sacrificial elastomer line without a gap. The first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line have a common width. The first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line are made of silicon. The location of the sacrificial elastomer line is a stress region of the airbag. The stress region includes the corners of the seam. The shape of the sacrificial elastomer line corresponds to at least a part of the shape of the corner of the seam. The sacrificial elastomer line extends along the outer edges of the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel as much as the seam. The airbag further includes a sacrificial seam at the sacrificial elastomer line. The seam is stronger than the sacrificial seam. The airbag is a cut and sewn airbag, and the airbag does not have a seal at the seam.
[0007] In a second aspect, a method of manufacturing an airbag includes applying a sacrificial elastomer line at a location inside the seam region at the outer edges of the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel; curing the sacrificial elastomer line, where the sacrificial elastomer line joins the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel at the location; and forming a seam in the seam region, where the seam joins the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel to each other.
[0008] The implementation may include any or all of the following features. The airbag is a cut, sewn, and sealed airbag, and the method further includes applying a first elastomer line to the seam region before forming the first seam, and further curing the first elastomer line, where the first elastomer line seals the seam. The method further includes forming a sacrificial seam in the sacrificial elastomer line. The step of applying the first elastomer line or the sacrificial elastomer line includes forming a gap between the first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line. The step of applying the first elastomer line or the sacrificial elastomer line includes not forming any gap between the first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line. The location of the sacrificial elastomer line is a stress region of the airbag, the stress region includes the corners of the seam, and the step of applying the sacrificial elastomer line includes shaping the sacrificial elastomer line to correspond to at least a portion of the shape of the corners of the seam. The step of applying the sacrificial elastomer line includes stretching the sacrificial elastomer line along the outer edges of the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel by the same amount as the seam. The method further includes forming a sacrificial seam in the sacrificial elastomer line.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0009]
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
Figure 1D
[0010]
Figure 2
[0011]
Figure 3
[0012] Like reference numerals in the various drawings indicate like elements. **DETAILED DESCRIPTION**
[0013] This document describes examples of systems and methods for providing an airbag having a sacrificial elastomer line. The sacrificial elastomer line can serve to delay the onset of pressure rise during inflation of the airbag over a limited time. In some implementations, the sacrificial elastomer line can be disposed in a stress region of the airbag. For example, by adding a sacrificial elastomer line adjacent to a stress-bearing seam, energy can be absorbed during inflation of the cushion, thereby reducing the stress on the fabric and / or the main functional seam in the seam region. The sacrificial elastomer line can be applied to cut, sewn, and sealed types of airbags, and / or cut and sewn types of airbags.
[0014] The examples described herein refer to an elastomer line. As used herein, an elastomer line includes an elastomeric material having any shape. In some implementations, the elastomer line can include silicone. In some implementations, the elastomer line can include a urethane adhesive. The elastomer line can be applied to the fabric panel in any of a plurality of ways. In some implementations, the elastomer line is deposited on the fabric panel through a nozzle or other applicator coupled to a reservoir of the elastomeric material. The elastomer line can be deposited on the fabric panel at one or more discrete locations and / or in a process of continuous application.
[0015] The examples described in this specification refer to upper, lower, front, or rear. These and similar expressions identify things or aspects in a relative manner based on explicit or arbitrary concepts of perspective. That is, these terms are merely for illustrative purposes in the description and do not necessarily indicate the only possible positions and directions, etc.
[0016] Figures 1A - 1D show examples related to airbag 100. Airbag 100 can be used with one or more other examples described elsewhere in this specification. Airbag 100 includes, in the present view, a currently visible fabric panel 102 and a currently obscured fabric panel 104. For example, fabric panel 102 can have substantially the same shape and size as fabric panel 104 and can be positioned to completely overlap fabric panel 104. Fabric panels 102 and 104 can be made of one or more fabric materials. In some implementations, fabric panels 102 and 104 are made of a fabric material, and at least one side of each fabric panel is coated with an elastomer material (e.g., silicon) to avoid excessive gas leakage.
[0017] Seam 106 is positioned in the seam region of fabric panels 102 - 104 and joins fabric panels 102 - 104 to each other. For example, here, seam 106 is shown as a series of stitches positioned at a substantially constant distance from the outer edge 108 of airbag 100. There is no seam 106 at the opening 110 of airbag 100 to provide an inlet for inflation gas provided by an inflater (not shown).
[0018] Airbag 100 may be of the type that is cut, sewn, and sealed. In some implementations, the airbag can have an elastomeric line 112 that seals seam 106. The elastomeric line 112 may be a single piece of elastomeric material that is wider than the seam region where the seam 106 is located. The elastomeric material can be applied between fabric panels 102-104 before the seam 106 is created. For clarity, although the elastomeric line 112 may currently be hidden by the fabric panel 102, the elastomeric line 112 is not shown in phantom. After applying the elastomeric line 112, it can be cured so that the elastomeric line 112 closes the holes formed when making the seam 106.
[0019] Airbag 100 can include a sacrificial elastomeric line 114. The sacrificial elastomeric line 114 is positioned at a location inside the seam region where the seam 106 is located. The sacrificial elastomeric line 114 is positioned between fabric panels 102-104 and joins the fabric panels 102-104 to each other. The sacrificial elastomeric line 114 is shown in phantom.
[0020] The sacrificial elastomer line 114 can be disposed at any of a plurality of locations of the airbag 100. In some implementations, the sacrificial elastomer line 114 is disposed at a location that is a stress region of the airbag 100. The outer edge 108 of the airbag 100 may have a corner 116 where the seam 106 makes a relatively sharp or narrow curve. For example, the stress region may be one or more locations in the seam 106 and / or the elastomer line 112 where, due to inflation, the airbag 100 may rupture or otherwise leak such that it may not be able to maintain its inflated state for at least a specified time. The sacrificial elastomer line 114 can prevent or delay the inflation pressure from reaching the stress region. In some implementations, the sacrificial elastomer line 114 can have a shape that corresponds to at least a portion of the shape of the stress region. For example, here, the sacrificial elastomer line 114 has a shape that corresponds to at least a portion of the shape of the corner 116.
[0021] The sacrificial elastomer line 114 can be disposed at one or more positions of the airbag 100. In some implementations, the sacrificial elastomer line 114 extends along the outer edge 108 just as the seam 106 does. For example, the sacrificial elastomer line 114 can extend around the outer edge 108 except at the opening 110.
[0022] In FIG. 1B, a portion of the airbag 100 is shown in a cross-section along line B-B of FIG. 1A. The airbag 100 includes fabric panels 102-104; an elastomer line 112 having a seam 106 positioned closest to the outer edge 108; and a sacrificial elastomer line 114 at a location inside the seam region. The sacrificial elastomer line 114 can be positioned such that a gap 118 separates the sacrificial elastomer line 114 from the elastomer line 112. For example, the gap 118 can introduce a discontinuity in the path of the inflation force and the force can be weakened along the seam 106. The gap 118 can be wider or narrower than the sacrificial elastomer line 114 and / or the elastomer line 112, to name just a few examples.
[0023] In FIG. 1C, some features are the same as or similar to those of FIG. 1B described above and are not explicitly mentioned. Here, the sacrificial seam 120 is applied to the fabric panels 102-104 with the sacrificial elastomer line 114. The sacrificial seam 120 can serve to further protect the stress area from the expansion force. In some implementations, the seam 106 can be stronger than the sacrificial seam 120. For example, the sacrificial seam 120 can be made of a thread with a lower tensile strength than the threads of the seam 106 and the fabric within the fabric panels 102-104.
[0024] In FIG. 1D, some features are the same as or similar to those of FIG. 1B described above and are not explicitly mentioned. However, the airbag 100 here is of the cut and sewn type. Near the outer edge 108, the fabric panels 102-104 are joined to each other by unsealed seams 106A-106B. That is, the elastomer line 112 (e.g., in FIG. 1B) is not used. The sacrificial elastomer line 114 is positioned between the fabric panels 102-104 at a location inside the seam region.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows an example of the sacrificial elastomer line 114 of FIG. 1A. Here, the sacrificial elastomer line 114 is applied to at least one fabric panel 200 (e.g., any one or both of the fabric panels 102-104 in FIGS. 1A-1C, shown schematically here). Respective portions of the seam 106 and the elastomer line 112 are also shown. The elastomer line 112 has a width W SEAL For example, the elastomer line 112 is applied to the fabric panel 200 by dispensing an elastomer material through a nozzle (or other applicator) having a width substantially equal to W SEAL The sacrificial elastomer line 114 has a width W SAC The width W SAC can have any of a plurality of relationships with the width W SEAL The width W SAC is the width W SEALIt may be larger, smaller, or may have a width substantially common with it. Here, the width W SAC is substantially equal to the width W SEAL . For example, since the sacrificial elastomer line 114 and the elastomer line 112 are dispensed using the same tool (e.g., the same nozzle / dispenser), they can have substantially the same width.
[0026] The sacrificial elastomer line 114 can be positioned at any distance from the elastomer line 112 (including the case where there is substantially no distance between them). Here, the sacrificial elastomer line 114 is positioned adjacent to (e.g., in contact with) the elastomer line 112. Therefore, the sacrificial elastomer line 114 can be adjacent to the elastomer line 112 without a gap (e.g., without the gap 118 in FIG. 1B).
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an example of method 300. Method 300 can be used with one or more other examples described elsewhere in this specification. More or fewer operations than those shown can be performed. Two or more operations can be performed in a different order unless otherwise indicated.
[0028] In operation 302, a first elastomer line (e.g., the elastomer line 112 in FIG. 1A) can be applied to the seam region at the outer edges of the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel (e.g., the fabric panels 102 and 104 in FIG. 1A). In some implementations, the first elastomer line is applied before forming the seam 106 in FIG. 1A. This operation can be included when manufacturing cut, sewn, and sealed types of airbags. In contrast, when manufacturing cut and sewn types of airbags, this operation can be omitted.
[0029] In operation 304, a sacrificial elastomer line (e.g., the sacrificial elastomer line 114 in FIG. 1A or FIG. 2) can be applied outside the seam regions of the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel. The sacrificial elastomer line can be applied at a location inside the seam region.
[0030] In operation 306, the elastomeric material can be cured. For example, if both the first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line are applied, the first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line can be cured. In such a case, the first elastomer line seals the seam and the sacrificial elastomer line joins the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel to each other. As another example, if only one or more sacrificial elastomer lines are applied and the seam is not sealed, one or more sacrificial elastomer lines can be cured so that the sacrificial elastomer line joins the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel to each other.
[0031] In operation 308, the seam region can be sewn by forming a seam in the seam region. Any technique for forming a seam using thread can be used. For example, the seam 106 in FIG. 1A can be formed.
[0032] In operation 310, a sacrificial seam can be formed outside the seam region. In some implementations, the sacrificial seam 120 in FIG. 1B can be formed on the sacrificial elastomer line 114. For example, the sacrificial seam can be designed to rupture in response to the inflation of the airbag to prevent or reduce stress in the seam region.
[0033] As used throughout this specification, the terms "substantially" and "about" are used to account for and consider minor variations, such as those that may arise due to variations during processing. For example, they can refer to less than or equal to ±5%, for example, less than or equal to ±2%, for example, less than or equal to ±1%, for example, less than or equal to ±0.5%, for example, less than or equal to ±0.2%, for example, less than or equal to ±0.1%, for example, less than or equal to ±0.05%. Also, as used herein, indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" mean "at least one".
[0034] It should be understood that all combinations of the above concepts and additional concepts discussed in more detail below are contemplated as being part of the subject matter of the invention disclosed herein, provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent. In particular, all combinations of the claimed subject matter that appear at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the subject matter of the invention disclosed herein.
[0035] Some implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this specification.
[0036] In addition, the logical flows shown in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve the desired results. In addition, other processes may be provided, or processes may be eliminated from the flows described, other components may be added to the systems described, or other components may be removed from the systems described. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
[0037] While certain features of the described implementations have been shown as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the scope of these implementations. They are presented by way of example only and not as limitations, and it should be understood that various changes may be made in form and detail. Except for mutually exclusive combinations, any part of the apparatus and / or method described herein may be combined in any combination. The implementations described herein may include various combinations and / or sub-combinations of the functions, components, and / or features of the different implementations described.
Claims
1. A first fabric panel and a second fabric panel; A seam in the seam region of the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel, where the seam joins the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel to each other; and A sacrificial elastomer line at a location inside the seam region, where the sacrificial elastomer line joins the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel to each other at that location, An airbag comprising the above.
2. The airbag is a cut, sewn, and sealed airbag, and the airbag further comprises a first elastomer line in the seam, where the first elastomer line seals the seam. The airbag according to claim 1.
3. The airbag according to claim 2, wherein a gap separates the sacrificial elastomer line from the first elastomer line.
4. The airbag according to claim 2, wherein the first elastomer line is adjacent to the sacrificial elastomer line without a gap.
5. The airbag according to claim 4, wherein the first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line have a common width.
6. The airbag according to claim 2, wherein the first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line are made of silicon.
7. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the location of the sacrificial elastomer line is a stress region of the airbag.
8. The airbag according to claim 7, wherein the stress region includes a corner of the seam.
9. The airbag according to claim 8, wherein the shape of the sacrificial elastomer line corresponds to at least a part of the shape of the corner of the seam.
10. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the sacrificial elastomer line extends along the outer edges of the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel as far as the seam.
11. The airbag according to claim 1, further comprising a sacrificial seam in the sacrificial elastomer line.
12. The airbag according to claim 11, wherein the seam is stronger than the sacrificial seam.
13. The airbag is a cut and sewn airbag, and the airbag does not have a seal in the seam. The airbag according to claim 1.
14. A method of manufacturing an airbag, comprising Applying a sacrificial elastomer line at a location inside the seam region at the outer edges of the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel; Curing the sacrificial elastomer line, where the sacrificial elastomer line joins the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel to each other at the location; and Forming a seam in the seam region, where the seam joins the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel to each other, A method comprising.
15. The airbag is a cut, sewn, and sealed airbag, and the method further includes applying a first elastomer line to the seam region before forming the seam, and further curing the first elastomer line, where the first elastomer line seals the seam. The method according to claim 14, comprising.
16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising forming a sacrificial seam in the sacrificial elastomer line.
17. The step of applying the first elastomer line or the sacrificial elastomer line includes forming a gap between the first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line. The method according to claim 15.
18. The step of applying the first elastomer line or the sacrificial elastomer line includes not forming any gap between the first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line. The method according to claim 15.
19. The location of the sacrificial elastomer line is a stress region of the airbag, the stress region includes the corners of the seam, and the step of applying the sacrificial elastomer line includes shaping the sacrificial elastomer line to correspond to at least a part of the shape of the corners of the seam. The method according to claim 14.
20. The step of applying the sacrificial elastomer line includes stretching the sacrificial elastomer line along the outer edges of the first fabric panel and the second fabric panel by the same amount as the seam. The method according to claim 14.
21. The method according to claim 14, further comprising forming a sacrificial seam in the sacrificial elastomer line.