Airbag Fabrics with High Fabric Relative Viscosity
Solution Overview
Problem
Frontal airbag cushions face challenges in maintaining mechanical integrity and thermal resistance under high temperatures and pressures, with seam combing issues leading to gas leakage and structural failure, while existing solutions compromise cost, complexity, and packability.
Innovation Solution
A woven fabric with high Fabric Relative Viscosity (≥90) and Edgecomb Resistance (≥500N) made from high tenacity polyamide fibers, which improves seam performance by reducing deformation and gas permeability without increasing fabric weight or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fabrics with increased weight or density are used to improve seam robustness, then seam combing resistance is improved, but packability and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the polyamide fibers by using high relative viscosity (RV ≥ 90) fibers instead of increasing fabric weight or density. This parameter change in fiber properties provides improved seam combing resistance while maintaining the same fabric construction and packability characteristics.
2Temperature
If silicone coatings or seam sealants are used to improve seam performance, then thermal resistance is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material properties of the polyamide fibers by selecting high relative viscosity fibers (RV ≥ 90), which inherently provide improved thermal resistance and seam performance without requiring additional coatings, sealants, or reinforcement materials, thereby avoiding increased cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional thermal protection materials such as silicone coatings and seam sealants by using high RV polyamide fibers that inherently provide the required thermal resistance, thereby simplifying the overall structure and reducing cost.
3Reliability
If seam tapes or heat shields are used to prevent gas leakage, then reliability is improved, but packability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fiber properties to high relative viscosity polyamide (RV ≥ 90), which provides inherent resistance to seam combing and gas leakage without requiring additional reinforcement materials like seam tapes or heat shields, thereby maintaining good packability while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A woven fabric formed from polyamide fibers, wherein: a. the woven fabric exhibits a Fabric Relative Viscosity of ≥90; b. the Edgecomb Resistance of the fabric is at least 500N in each of the warp and the weft directions; c. the fabric has a Dynamic Air Permeability of no more than 500 mm/s; wherein the fabric exhibits improved seam performance in deployment in comparison to a control fabric characterized by <90 Fabric RV with the same fabric construction.