Abstract:
The invention is an improved method of sealing a sewn seam (22) on an airbag (10, 60) or other inflatable device and apparatus to accomplish this method. The method has the steps of a) creating a sewn seam, b) applying a seam sealant (90) to an exposed portion of the seam on an exposed surface; and c) locally applying a pressure differential to an opposite exposed surface proximate a portion of the seam on this surface to urge the seam sealant to migrate along the thread from the first exposed surface to regions between the panels to the opposite exposed surface.
Abstract:
An airbag (10) has a first tier of material (11) and a second tier of material (12). The second tier (12) at least partially overlaps the first tier (11). The first and second tiers (11, 12) are joined together by one or more rows of a sealed stitch seam (20). The sealed stitch seam (20) has a plurality of thread stitches (30) extending from one exterior side (14) through to the opposite exterior side (16) of the at least partially overlapped first and second tiers (11, 12). The thread stitches (30) are coated in each exterior side (14, 16) with a seam coating material (40). The seam coating material (40) is either applied over the stitches (30) on one exterior side (14 or 16) and flows through to the opposite side (14 or 16) through thread holes (52) formed upon the creation of the seam (20) or is applied to both exterior sides (14, 16) and flows into the thread holes (52) to encapsulate and seal the seam (20).
Abstract:
A curtain airbag (10A-10F) for a vehicle (2) has an inflatable cushion. The cushion (10A-10F) has one or more side inflatable portions extending along one side of the interior of the vehicle (2) adjacent the interior door or doors on the one side and an inflatable frontal portion (12) projecting inwardly directionally toward the interior of the vehicle positioned in front of a seated occupant (1) and between the occupant (1) and an instrument panel or dash of the vehicle. Preferably, the inflatable frontal portion (12) is positioned between the occupant (1) and the steering wheel (4) wherein the frontal portion (12) laterally juts into the passenger compartment forming an inflatable barrier between a front pillar (60) of the vehicle (2) and the occupant (1).
Abstract:
An airbag module comprising an airbag (50) having a passive adaptive vent on a rear panel of the airbag, the vent having a movable vane which when moved causes the vent (200) to change state from open to closed or from closed to open, the airbag further including a main tether (100) secured to a face panel (54) of the airbag, the main tether moving with the face panel, the main tether having an opening (130) into which is threaded a portion of a control tether (80), the control tether is connected to the vane (210) and to the face panel, wherein movement of the end of the control tether in a first direction generally that of the inflating air bag causes the other end of the control tether secured to the vane to be moved in a direction different than the first direction.
Abstract:
An airbag module comprising an airbag (50) having a passive adaptive vent on a rear panel of the airbag, the vent having a movable vane which when moved causes the vent (200) to change state from open to closed or from closed to open, the airbag further including a main tether (100) secured to a face panel (54) of the airbag, the main tether moving with the face panel, the main tether having an opening (130) into which is threaded a portion of a control tether (80), the control tether is connected to the vane (210) and to the face panel, wherein movement of the end of the control tether in a first direction generally that of the inflating air bag causes the other end of the control tether secured to the vane to be moved in a direction different than the first direction
Abstract:
A curtain airbag (10A-10F) for a vehicle (2) has an inflatable cushion. The cushion (10A-10F) has one or more side inflatable portions extending along one side of the interior of the vehicle (2) adjacent the interior door or doors on the one side and an inflatable frontal portion (12) projecting inwardly directionally toward the interior of the vehicle positioned in front of a seated occupant (1) and between the occupant (1) and an instrument panel or dash of the vehicle. Preferably, the inflatable frontal portion (12) is positioned between the occupant (1) and the steering wheel (4) wherein the frontal portion (12) laterally juts into the passenger compartment forming an inflatable barrier between a front pillar (60) of the vehicle (2) and the occupant (1).
Abstract:
A ramp deflector mechanism (50) for attachment to a vehicle frame (20) has a metal housing (52) having a first wall or plate (54), a second wall or plate (56), a hinge (58) and an articulated third wall or plate (60); an inflatable member (70) situated in the housing (52); an inflator (72) operatively connected between the first wall or plate (54) and the inflatable member (70); and wherein the inflation of the inflation member (70) causes the articulated wall (60) to rotate outwardly to absorb crash energy and slow down the accident.