Manufacturing method of airbag cushion, and the airbag cushion
An airbag cushion is manufactured with a rear fabric panel and two front fabric panels. Each front fabric panel has a projecting tether portion to be sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel. The front fabric panels are, firstly, superimposed on each other. A back first end of the projecting tether portion is sewn to a part of a periphery of the front fabric panel, to form a second stitch portion in a recessed shape. A front second end of the tether portion is then sewn to the inner face of the rear fabric panel. A periphery of the rear fabric panel is, in addition, sewn to a periphery of the front fabric panel corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel, to form a third stitch portion.
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This application is a reissue application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/441,455, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,362, which is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2007/067647, which has an International filing date of Sep. 11, 2007 and designated the United States of America.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of an airbag cushion including a rear fabric panel and two front fabric panels, and to the airbag cushion thereby manufactured.
2. Description of Related Art
An airbag system is well known to be equipped for used in cars. When detecting an impact of car crash, the airbag system can injects inject gas generated by an inflator (gas generator) into an airbag cushion. Then, the generated gas inflates and deploys the airbag cushion. Thus, the airbag cushion can absorb the impact of the car crash to protect an occupant of the car, by interposing between the occupant and the car body. Furthermore, the airbag cushion is known to be equipped for a steering wheel or an instrumental panel on an assistant driver side to protect the face and the upper body of the occupants, for securing higher level safety.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-244005 discloses a technique of inflating and deploying an airbag cushion into a specific shape, to improve the safety level. The airbag cushion described therein includes a right-side section and a left-side section. In a deployed state, the right-side and left-side sections catch hard costae of right-side and left-side chests the right side of the chest of the occupant and the left side of the chest of the occupant, respectively. In addition, the airbag cushion described therein includes a cavity between the right-side section and the left-side section. In the deployed state, the cavity catches the sternums sternum located at the center of the chest to absorb the impact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe airbag cushion according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-244005 requires, however, a large capacity to to be enclosed, because the airbag cushion should be is formed with six fabric panels including two front inner fabric panels, two front outer fabric panels, one rear inner fabric panel and one rear outer fabric panel. Furthermore, the airbag cushion according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-244005 needs much effort for sewing those fabric panels.
Moreover, the airbag cushion according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-244005 includes strings attached respectively to the front inner fabric panels and strings attached respectively to the front outer fabric panels, to prevent a left side face of the right-side section from moving away from a right side face of the right-side section, and to prevent a left side face of the left-side section from moving away from a right side face of the left-side section, beyond a predetermined distance. Therefore, the airbag cushion according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-244005 needs further effort for the manufacture.
The present invention has been accomplished in view of the foregoing situations, with an object to provide an airbag cushion and a manufacturing method of the airbag cushion that save to reduce the number of fabric panels and have a simpler sewing processing, with a rear fabric panel and, two front panels protruding, and tether portions respectively protruding from the two front panels, wherein each tether portion are is sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel, by sewing a back first end of each tether portion and parts of peripheries of two front fabric panels in together to form a recessed shape. Furthermore, the object includes a provision of such airbag cushion and such manufacturing method of the airbag cushion that can properly protect a head and a chest of an occupant by the configuration of the recessed shape.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a manufacturing method of an airbag cushion having a rear fabric panel and at least two front fabric panels, comprises steps of: superimposing the two front fabric panels on each other, with a tether portion protruding from each of the front fabric panels protrudes a tether portion to be sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel; sewing on a back first end of the protruded tether portion portions and on parts of peripheries of the front fabric panels, in to form a recessed shape; sewing a front second end of the tether portion portions to the an inner face of the rear fabric panel; and sewing a periphery of the rear fabric panel to peripheries of the front fabric panels corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel.
In a manufacturing method of an airbag cushion in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the tether portion is portions are configured from a part of the front fabric panel.
In a manufacturing method of an airbag cushion in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, one end of each the front fabric panels panel is cut in advance.
In a manufacturing method of an airbag cushion in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a depth of the recessed shape is changed set when sewing on the back first end of the tether portion and on the parts of peripheries of the front fabric panels in to form a recessed shape.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a manufacturing method of an airbag cushion having a rear fabric panel and at least two front fabric panels, comprises steps of: superimposing the two front fabric panels on each other; sewing parts of the front fabric panels to tether portions that are sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel; sewing on parts of peripheries of the front fabric panels in to form a recessed shape; sewing front second ends of the tether portions to the inner face of the rear fabric panel; and sewing a periphery of the rear fabric panel to peripheries of the front fabric panels corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a manufacturing method of an airbag cushion having a rear fabric panel and at least two front fabric panels, comprises steps of: superimposing the front fabric panels on each other; superimposing parts of the front fabric panels on back first ends of tether portions that are sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel; sewing on parts of peripheries of the front fabric panels and on the back first ends of the tether portions, in to form a recessed shape; sewing front second ends of the tether portions to the inner face of the rear fabric panel; and sewing a periphery of the rear fabric panel and peripheries of the front fabric panels corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a manufacturing method of an airbag cushion having a rear fabric panel and a front fabric panel, comprises steps of: folding the front fabric panel to superimposing superimpose portions of the front fabric panel; sewing on a part of the superimposed front fabric panel in portions to form a recessed shape; sewing an end of the front fabric panel to a back first end of a tether portion that is sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel; sewing a front second end of the tether portion to the inner face of the rear fabric panel; and sewing a periphery of the rear fabric panel and peripheries of the front fabric panels corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel.
In a manufacturing method of an airbag cushion in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a depth of the recessed shape is changed set when sewing on a part of a periphery of the front fabric panel in to form a recessed shape.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an airbag cushion sewn including a rear fabric panel and at least two front fabric panels, comprises: a peripheral stitch portion where a periphery of the rear fabric panel and each periphery of the front fabric panels corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel are sewn; a recessed stitch portion where the front fabric panels are sewn together in to form a recessed shape; and a tether portion that projects from the recessed stitch portion or a vicinity of the recessed stitch portion, wherein the tether portion is sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel.
In an airbag cushion in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the tether portion is configured from a part of the front fabric panel, projects from the recessed stitch portion, and is sewn to the inner face of the rear fabric panel; and parts of peripheries of the front fabric panels and a back first end of the tether portion are sewn in together to form a recessed shape at the recessed stitch portion.
In an airbag cushion in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the tether portion is a separate structure from the pair of front fabric panels, projects from the recessed stitch portion or a vicinity of the recessed stitch portion, and is sewn to the inner face of the rear fabric panel; and parts of peripheries of the front fabric panels and a back first end of the tether portion are sewn in together to form a recessed shape at the recessed stitch portion.
In an airbag cushion in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, parts of peripheries of the front fabric panels with the exception of the peripheral stitch portion and a back first end of the tether portion are sewn in together to form a recessed shape at the recessed stitch portion.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an airbag cushion sewn including a rear fabric panel and at least two front fabric panels, comprises: a peripheral stitch portion where a periphery of the rear fabric panel and each periphery of the front fabric panels corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel are sewn; a recessed stitch portion where the pair of front fabric panels are sewn together in to form a recessed shape; and a tether portion whose back first end is sewn to each of the front fabric panels and whose front second end is sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an airbag cushion sewn including a rear fabric panel and a front fabric panel, comprises: a recessed stitch portion where the front fabric panel being folded is sewn in to form a recessed shape; a peripheral stitch portion where a periphery of the rear fabric panel and a periphery of the front fabric panel corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel are sewn; and a tether portion whose back first end is sewn to an end of the front fabric panel and whose front second end is sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel.
According to the present invention, the airbag cushion includes a rear fabric panel and at least two front fabric panels. Firstly, the recessed stitch portion is formed by superimposing the front fabric panels on each other, with a tether portion protruding from each of the front fabric panels protrudes a tether portion to be sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel, and by sewing on a back first end of the protruded tether portion and on a part of a periphery of the front fabric panels, in to form a recessed shape. The front second end of the tether portion is then sewn to the an inner face of the rear fabric panel. In addition, the peripheral stitch portion is formed by sewing a periphery of the rear fabric panel to peripheries of the front fabric panels corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rear fabric panel from being deployed beyond a predetermined width, because of the tether portion projecting from the pair of the front fabric panels and being sewn to the inner face of the rear fabric panel.
Furthermore, it is possible to properly protect the head or the sternum of the occupant with the use of a space defined by the recessed stitch portion, because the back first end portion portions of the projecting tether portion portions and a part of the periphery of the front fabric panels are sewn in to form a recessed shape by at the recessed stitch portion. Moreover, it is possible to properly protect the shoulder and the costae of the occupant because of the front fabric panels that is are properly inflated and deployed in the left and right direction respectively.
According to the present invention, the airbag cushion includes a rear fabric panel and a front fabric panel. Firstly, the front fabric panel is folded to superimpose portions of the front fabric panel on each other, and then the front fabric panel being folded is sewn in to form a recessed shape. The end of the front fabric panel is sewn to the back first end of the tether portion. The front second end of the tether portion is then sewn to the inner face of the rear fabric panel. In addition, a periphery of the rear fabric panel is sewn to a periphery of the front fabric panel corresponding to the periphery of the rear fabric panel.
According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the rear fabric panel from being inflated and deployed beyond a predetermined width, because of the tether portion portions projecting from the pair of the front fabric panels. Furthermore, it is possible to properly protect the head or the sternum of the occupant with the use of a space of the recessed stitch portion, because the back first end portion portions of the projecting tether portion portions and parts of the peripheries of the front fabric panels are sewn in to form a recessed shape by at the recessed stitch portion. Moreover, it is possible to properly protect the shoulder and the costae of the occupant because of the front fabric panels that are properly inflated and deployed in the left and right direction respectively. In addition, it is possible to improve manufacturing efficiency because of saving the number of panels and sewing processes. It is further possible to save reduce the manufacturing capacity required for installing the airbag cushion.
According to the present invention, it is possible to improve manufacturing efficiency and to save reduce the manufacturing capacity required for installing the airbag cushion and the like, because of the configuration with one rear fabric panel, one front fabric panel and a tether portion to prevent extra-inflation. Thus, the present invention provides further advantages as described above.
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- 1 Instrumental Panel
- 2 Airbag Cushion Case
- 3 Inflator
- 4 Front Glass
- 10 Front Fabric Panel
- 11 Tether Portion
- 12 Intermediate Portion
- 13 Head Portion
- 14 First Guide Mark
- 15 Second Guide Mark
- 16 Third Guide Mark
- 160 Back First end of tether portion
- 20 Front Fabric Panel
- 30 Rear Fabric Panel
- 31L Left Rear Portion
- 31R Right Rear Portion
- 32 Inflator Connection Portion
- 33 Inflator Inlet
- 34 Fourth Guide Mark
- 133 Arc-Shaped Peripheral Portion
- 134 L-Shaped Peripheral Portion
- 141 First Stitch Portion
- 151 Second Stitch Portion (Recessed Stitch Portion)
- 161 Third Stitch Portion (Peripheral Stitch Portion)
- 341 Fourth Stitch Portion
Hereunder, embodiments of the present invention will be described referring to the drawings. An airbag cushion according to the present invention is manufactured with two front fabric panels and a rear fabric panel.
The tether portion 11 is a rectangular shape. Further, the tether portion 11 is longitudinally printed, at the side, first guide marks 14, 14, . . . that are indicated by void circles are longitudinally printed at the side of the tether portion 11. As it will be described later, a longer side of the tether portion 11 is sewn to an inner face of the rear fabric panel, to prevent the rear fabric panel from moving away from the front fabric panel 10 beyond a predetermined distance when the airbag cushion is inflated and deployed. The first guide marks 14, 14, . . . are used to sew the tether portion 11 to the inner face of the rear fabric panel in a proper alignment. Further, the tether portion 11 has a back first end 160 that is linear, at another side opposite to the side printed on which the first guide marks 14, 14, . . . are printed. As it will be described later, second guide marks 15, 15, . . . are printed on the back first end 160. It should be noted that this embodiment is explained with the printed first guide marks 14, 14, . . . for ease of illustration. Thus However, in various embodiments, the first guide marks 14, 14, . . . may not be printed for visualization. Also, it should be noted that the tether portion 11 may be another suitable shape, although this embodiment is explained with the tether portion 11 of a rectangular shape. For example, the tether portion 11 may be such a trapezoidal shape that the side printed with the first guide marks 14, 14, . . . is shorter than the opposite side formed with the back first end 160.
The intermediate portion 12 is a rectangular shape, and is joined to the back first end 160 of the tether portion 11 at the side and to the head portion 13 at other side opposite to the back first end 160. The joining of intermediate portion 12 to the head portion 13 is at an upper position than relative to a center position of the substantial semi-elliptic-shaped head portion 13. The periphery of the head portion 13 and the intermediate portion 12 is configured from an arc-shaped peripheral portion 133 that is sewn to a periphery of the rear fabric panel and substantial L-shaped peripheral portions 134, 134 where the front fabric panel 10 is sewn to the front fabric panel 20.
The front fabric panel 10 has the second guide marks 15, 15, . . . printed along the L-shaped peripheral portions 134, 134, and the linear back first end 160, while the second guide marks 15, 15, . . . are used to sew the front fabric panel 10 to the front fabric panel 20 in a proper alignment. Each of the second guide marks 15, 15, . . . , indicated by a panel rectangle, is used to sew the front fabric panel 10 to the front fabric panel 20 and thereby form the front fabric panels 10, 20 in a recessed shape in the plan view. A recessed direction of the each second guide mark 15 of the front fabric panels 10, 20 is the same as a projecting direction of the tether portion 11. Furthermore, the front fabric panel 10 has third guide marks 16, 16, . . . , which are indicated by void triangles, printed along the arc-shaped peripheral portion 133 of the head portion 13.
The third guide marks 16, 16, . . . are used to sew the rear fabric panel to the arc-shaped peripheral portion 133 of the front fabric panel 10 in a proper alignment, while being different from the second guide marks 15, 15, . . . that are used to sew the front fabric panel 10 to the front fabric panel 20 in a proper alignment.
The rear fabric panel 30 has fourth guide marks 34, 34, . . . , which are indicated by void diamond shapes, printed along a periphery of the inflator connection portion 32 and lower peripheries of the left rear portion 31L and the right rear portion 31R. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower peripheries of the left and right rear portions 31L and 31R are substantially perpendicular to the folding line. The fourth guide marks 34, 34, . . . are used to sew one longitudinal side of the inflator connection portion 32 to the lower periphery of the left rear portion 31L and the other longitudinal side of the inflator connection portion 32 to the lower periphery of the right rear portion 31R, in a proper alignment. The fourth guide marks 34, 34, . . . for the one longitudinal side of the inflator connection portion 32 is are printed symmetrically with respect to other fourth guide marks 34, 34, . . . for the other longitudinal side of the inflator connection portion 32.
An arc-shaped peripheral portion 133a of the left rear portion 31L corresponds to the arc-shaped peripheral portion 133 of the front fabric panel 10. The left rear portion 31L has the third guide marks 16, 16, . . . , which are indicated by void triangles, printed along the peripheral portion with exception of the portion where the fourth guide marks 34, 34, . . . are printed. Further, the left rear portion 31L has the first guide marks 14, 14, . . . , which are indicated by the void circles, printed at in a row extending through the substantial center or substantial midpoint of the left rear portion 31L in an orthogonal direction to the folding line. The first guide marks 14, 14, . . . on the inner face of the left rear portion 31L correspond to the first guide marks 14, 14, . . . printed along one side (front second end) of the projecting tether portion 11 opposite from the front fabric panel 10, as shown in
It will be described about the processing to manufacture the airbag cushion with the two front fabric panels 10, 20 and the rear fabric panel 30. Firstly, a processing will be described to sew together the front fabric panels 10, 20.
Next, another processing will be described to sew the rear fabric panel 30.
Finally, another processing will be described to sew the two front fabric panels 10, 20 and the rear fabric panel 30.
Next, the front fabric panel 10 is folded to conform the its own arc-shaped peripheral portion 133 to the arc-shaped peripheral portion 133a of the right rear portion 31R. The third guide marks 16, 16, . . . of the front fabric panel 10 are then superimposed on the third guide marks 16, 16, . . . of the right rear portion 31R, to sew up together. Thus, third stitch portions (peripheral stitch portions) 161, 161, . . . are formed, which are indicated by solid triangles, by sewing the third guide marks 16, 16, . . . of the front fabric panel 10 and the right panel 31R. In the similar manner, the first guide marks 14, 14, . . . of the front fabric panel 20 are superimposed on the first guide marks 14, 14, . . . of the left rear portion 31L, to sew up together. Thus, other first stitch portions 141, 141, . . . (not shown) are formed by sewing the first guide marks 14, 14, . . . of the front fabric panel 20 and the left rear portion 31L. Further, the third guide marks 16, 16, . . . printed on the front fabric panel 20 are then superimposed on the third guide marks 16, 16, . . . printed on the left rear portion 31L, to sew up together. Thus, other third stitch portions 161, 161, . . . (not shown) are formed by sewing the third guide marks 16, 16, . . . of the front fabric panel 20 and the left panel 31L. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, it is explained that the tether portion portions 11 is are sewn to the right rear portion 31R or the left rear portion 31L by forming the first stitch portions 141, 141 . . . before sewing the front fabric panel 10 and the right rear portion 31R or the front fabric panel 20 and the left rear portion 31L by forming the third stitch portions (peripheral stitch portion portions) 161, 161, . . . , for illustration. Thus, the airbag cushion may be manufactured by reverse processing. In other words, after sewing the front fabric panel 10 and the right rear portion 31R or the front fabric panel 20 and the left rear portion 31L by forming the third stitch portions (peripheral stitch portion portions) 161, 161, . . . , the tether portion portions 11 may be sewn to the right rear portion 31R or the left rear portion 31L by forming the first stitch portions 141, 141 . . . , and then the inflator connection portion 32 may be sewn to the left rear portion 31L and the right rear portion 31R to form the fourth stitch portions 341, 341, . . . . In short, the sequence of the sewing process may be modified as desired, according to the manufacturing condition.
The airbag cushion is inflated and deployed along the instrumental panel 1 and a front glass 4. The injected gas is loaded into a space defined by three stitch portions on the right rear portion 31R and and/or the front fabric panel 10: the second stitch portions 151, 151, . . . formed to make the front fabric panel 10 in a recessed shape, the first stitch portions 141, 141, . . . formed to prevent the front fabric panel 10 from moving away from the right rear portion 31R beyond a predetermined width, the third stitch portions 161, 161 . . . formed in to join the arc-shapes arc-shaped peripheral portion 133a of the right rear portion 31R to the arc-shaped peripheral portion 133 of the front fabric panel 10, and the fourth stitch portions 341, 341, . . . formed to join the inflator connection portion 32 to the right rear portion 31R. In the similar manner, the injected gas is loaded into a space defined by three stitch portions on the left rear portion 31L and and/or the front fabric panel 20: the second stitch portions 151, 151, . . . formed to make the front panel 20 a recessed shape, the first stitch portions 141, 141, . . . formed to prevent the front fabric panel 20 from moving away from the left rear portion 31L beyond a predetermined width, the third stitch portions 161, 161 . . . formed in to join the arc-shapesshaped peripheral portion 133a of the left rear portion 31L to the arc-shaped peripheral portion 133 of the front fabric panel 20, and the fourth stitch portions 341, 341, . . . formed to join the inflator connection portion 32 to the left rear portion 31L.
Accordingly, as shown in
While the tether portions 11, 11 project from the front fabric panel 10 and the front fabric panel 20 away from the third stitch portions 161, 161, . . . , each one side (frontsecond end) of each of the tether portions 11, 11 is sewn at first stitch portions 141, 141, . . . on an inner face of (or disposed on) the left rear portion 31L or on an inner face of (or disposed on) the right rear portion 31R that is different than and opposes the inner face of the left rear portion 31L, as shown in
It should be noted that, in this embodiment, it is explained to equip the airbag cushion inside the instrumental panel 1 on the assistant driver side, for illustration. For example, the airbag cushion may be equipped inside a steering wheel on a driver side, a back side of a front seat to protect an occupant on a rear seat, or a handle component of a motorcycle. Furthermore, it should be noted that this embodiment is explained to manufacture the airbag cushion with the rear fabric panel 30, the front fabric panel 10, the front fabric panel 20 and two tether portions 11, 11, for illustration. An additional fabric panel may be utilized to manufacture the airbag cushion as appropriate.
Second EmbodimentThe first embodiment is explained to have the tether portion portions 11 that is are a part of the front fabric panel panels 10, 20. However, the tether portion portions 11 may be a separate structure from the front fabric panel panels 10, 20. FIG. FIGS. 9 is a and 10 are plan view views showing a shape of the front fabric panel panels 10a, 20a and the tether portion portions 11a according to a second embodiment. The front fabric panel panels 10a, 20a of the second embodiment is are shorter than the front fabric panel panels 10, 20 of the first embodiment by a size corresponding to the tether portion portions 11a, because the tether portion portions 11a of the second embodiment is a are separate structure structures from the front fabric panel panels 10a, 20a. The tether portion portions 11a is are formed in a rectangular shape, and made of the same material as that of the front fabric panel panels 10a, 20a or a composite material containing an elastic material such as a polyurethane fiber. On one of the tether portion portions 11a, the front fabric panel 10a is placed to arrange the back first end 160 of the tether portion 11a under the second guide marks 15 of the front fabric panel 10a. A configuration for the front fabric panel 20a is similar to the configuration for the front fabric panel 10a and, accordingly, will not be described in detail.
Some configurations and advantages of the second embodiment are described above. Other configurations that are the same as those of the first embodiment are given the identical numerals to the first embodiment and, accordingly, those other configurations and other advantages will not described in detail.
Third EmbodimentAccording to a third embodiment, the back end portion first ends 160 of the tether portion portions 11a may be sewn separately from the second stitch portions 151.
The back first end 160 of the tether portion 11a is then sewn to a portion between the front second end of the front fabric panel 10a and the second guide marks 15, 15, . . . . Thus, fifth stitch portions 111, 111, . . . are formed by sewing the back first end 160 and the front fabric panel 10a. Therefore, it is possible to join the back first end 160 of the tether portion 11a to the front fabric panel 10a which is a separate structure from the tether portion 11a. The front fabric panel 10a and the front fabric panel 20a are then sewn together, as shown with
Some configurations and advantages of the third embodiment are described above. Other configurations that are the same as those of the first and second embodiments are given the identical numerals to the first and second embodiments and, accordingly, those other configurations and other advantages will not described in detail.
Fourth EmbodimentAccording to a fourth embodiment, some portions of the front fabric panel panels 10, 20 may be cut some portions, in accordance with a design.
The tether portion 11 may be cut from a direction crossing to the projecting direction, for example, at a position indicated by the dash line or the alternate long and short dash line in
In addition, a shape of the recessed stitch portion 151 may be changed in accordance with a design.
Some configurations and advantages of the forth embodiment are described above. Other configurations that are the same as those of the first, second and third embodiments are given the identical numerals to the first, second and third embodiments and, accordingly, those other configurations and other advantages will not described in detail.
Fifth EmbodimentAccording to a fifth embodiment, the airbag has one front fabric panel 10b.
The front panel 10 is printed the second guide marks 15, 15, . . . indicated by alternate long and short dash line void rectangle shapes, are printed at some portions of the front panel 10b. The second guide marks 15, 15, . . . are used to sew after superimposing each of the head portions 13, 13 and each of the intermediate portions 12, 12 in a proper alignment by folding. For example, the second guide marks 15, 15, . . . are printed along the periphery of the front fabric panel 10b, as shown by the void rectangle shapes. The second guide marks 15, 15, . . . are printed at the intermediate portion 12 of the front fabric panel 10b, in a vertical direction crossing to the longitudinal direction of the front fabric panel 10b, too. To adjust the depth of the recessed portion, the front panel 10 may be printed plural lines of the second guide marks 15, 15, . . . extending in the vertical direction crossing to the longitudinal direction may be printed on the front panel 10b. It should be noted that this embodiment is explained to have two lines of the second guide marks 15, 15, . . . extending in the vertical direction crossing to the longitudinal direction, for illustration. Each of the two lines of the second guide marks 15, 15, . . . extending in the vertical direction are substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the fold line indicated by the alternate long and short dash line.
If the recessed depth should be shallower, the front fabric panel 10b may be sewn along the second guide marks 15 near nearer the head portion portions 13 to form the recessed shape. On the other hand, if the recessed depth should be deeper, the front fabric panel 10b may be sewn along the second guide marks 15 away further from the head portion portions 13, near the center, to form the recessed shape. Along Printed along the arc-shaped peripheral portion portions 133 of the head portion portions 13, of the front fabric panel 10 is printed 10b are the third guide marks 16, 16, . . . that, which are indicated by void triangle shapes. The third guide marks 16, 16, . . . are used to sew the rear fabric panel 30 and the arc-shaped peripheral portions 133, 133 of the front fabric panel 10b in a proper alignment.
One back first end 160 of the tether portion portions 11a is put on the one surface of the front fabric panel 10b, and the other back first end 160 of the tether portion portions 11a is put on the reverse surface of the front fabric panel 10b. Firstly, the one back first end 160 of the tether portion portions 11a is then sewn. Secondly, the one surface and reverse surface of the front fabric are sewn. Finally, the other back first end 160 of the tether portion portions 11a is sewn. Therefore, it is configured a sewn component is made from the front fabric panel 10b and the tether portion portions 11a. How to sew the sewn component to the rear panel 30 is in the same manner as that of the first embodiment and, accordingly, will not have been described in detail.
Some configurations and advantages of the fifth embodiment are described above. Other configurations that are the same as those of the first, second, third and forth fourth embodiments are given the identical numerals to the first, second, third and forth fourth embodiments and, accordingly, those other configurations and other advantages will not described in detail. The embodiments of the manufacturing method of airbag cushion and the airbag cushion described herein are only preferred illustrations of the present invention. Thus, various modifications may be made thereto. Unless otherwise specified to have restrictions in the description, the present invention is not limited and restricted by the shape, the size, the arrangement and the like of the figures. In addition, phrases and terms in the description are utilized for illustration. Thus, unless otherwise specified to have restrictions in the description, the present invention is not limited and restricted by the phrases and terms.
As this invention may be embodied in several forms wihout departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.
Claims
1. A manufacturing method of manufacturing an airbag cushion, comprising the steps of:
- superimposing a first front fabric panel of the airbag cushion on a second front fabric panel of the airbag cushion, wherein the first front fabric panel protrudes a first tether portion protrudes from the first front fabric panel and the second front fabric panel protrudes a second tether portion protrudes from the second front fabric panel;
- sewing a part of a periphery of the superimposed first and second front fabric panels;
- sewing a back first end of the first tether portion and directly to a back first end of the second tether portion together;
- sewing a front second end of the first tether portion to an a first inner face of a rear fabric panel of the airbag cushion;
- sewing a front second end of the second tether portion to an a second inner face of the rear fabric panel;
- sewing a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel to a part of a periphery of the first front fabric panel; and
- sewing a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel to a part of a periphery of the second front fabric panel.
2. A manufacturing method of manufacturing an airbag cushion according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- sewing a part of the first front fabric panel to the back first end of the first tether portion; and
- sewing a part of the second front fabric panel to the back first end of the second tether portion.
3. A manufacturing method of manufacturing an airbag cushion according to claim 1, further comprising a step of:
- superimposing the back first end of the first tether portion, the back first end of the second tether portion, and a part portions of the superimposed first and second front fabric panels.
4. A manufacturing method of manufacturing an airbag cushion according to claim 1, wherein:
- the first tether portion is a part of and the first front fabric panel are defined by a first continuous fabric member; and
- the second tether portion is a part of and the second front fabric panel are defined by a second continuous fabric member.
5. A manufacturing method of manufacturing an airbag cushion according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- cutting an end of the first front fabric panel; and
- cutting an end of the second front fabric panel.
6. A manufacturing method of manufacturing an airbag cushion according to claim 1, further comprising a step of:
- adjusting setting a depth of a recessed portion formed by sewing the back first end of the first tether portion, the back first end of the second tether portion, and the part of a periphery of the superimposed first and second front fabric panels.
7. An airbag cushion, comprising:
- a first front fabric panel portion;
- a second front fabric panel portion;
- a rear fabric panel;
- a recessed stitch portion where the first front fabric panel portion is sewn to the second front fabric panel portion;
- a first peripheral stitch portion where a part of a periphery of the first front fabric panel, a periphery of the second front fabric panel, portion and a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel are sewn;
- a second peripheral stitch portion where a part of a periphery of the second front fabric panel portion and a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel are sewn;
- a first tether portion that joins the recessed stitch portion to an a first inner face of the rear fabric panel; and
- a second tether portion that joins the recessed stitch portion to an a second inner face of the rear fabric panel that is different than the first inner face, wherein the first and second inner faces of the rear fabric panel oppose one another.
8. An airbag cushion according to claim 7, wherein:
- the first front fabric panel portion and the second front fabric panel portion are parts of one front fabric panel; and
- the recessed stitch portion is first and second front fabric panel portions are formed by folding the one front fabric panel along a fold line.
9. An airbag cushion according to claim 7, wherein
- the recessed stitch portion is formed in a recessed shape by sewing a part of a periphery of the first front fabric panel portion to a part of a periphery of the second front fabric panel portion.
10. An airbag cushion according to claim 7, wherein:
- a front second end of the first tether portion is sewn to the first inner face of the rear fabric panel and a back first end of the first tether portion is sewn to the first front fabric panel portion; and
- a front second end of the second tether portion is sewn to the second inner face of the rear fabric panel and a back first end of the second tether portion is sewn to the second front fabric panel portion.
11. An airbag cushion according to claim 7, wherein:
- the first tether portion is a part of and the first front fabric panel portion are defined by a first continuous fabric member, and the first tether portion projects from the recessed stitch portion;
- the second tether portion is a part of and the second front fabric panel portion are defined by a second continuous fabric member, and the second tether portion projects from the recessed stitch portion; and
- the recessed stitch portion is positioned at a back first end of the first tether portion and at a back first end of the second tether portion.
12. An airbag cushion according to claim 7, wherein:
- the first tether portion is a separate structure from the first front fabric panel portion and arranged to project projects from the recessed stitch portion; and
- the second tether portion is a separate structure from the second front fabric panel portion and arranged to project projects from the recessed stitch portion.
13. An airbag cushion according to claim 7, wherein:
- the first tether portion is a separate structure from the first front fabric panel portion and arranged to project projects from a vicinity of the recessed stitch portion; and
- the second tether portion is a separate structure from the second front fabric panel portion and arranged to project projects from a vicinity of the recessed stitch portion.
14. An airbag cushion according to claim 7, wherein
- the recessed stitch portion is sewn formed by sewing on a back first end of the first tether portion, on a back first end of the second tether portion, on a part of periphery of the first front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the first peripheral stitch portion, and on a part of periphery of the second front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the second peripheral stitch portion.
15. An airbag cushion according to claim 8, wherein
- the recessed stitch portion is sewn on a back end of the first tether portion, on a back end of the second tether portion, formed by sewing on a part of periphery of the first front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the first peripheral stitch portion, and on a part of periphery of the second front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the second peripheral stitch portion.
16. An airbag cushion according to claim 9, wherein
- the recessed stitch portion is sewn formed by sewing on a back first end of the first tether portion, on a back first end of the second tether portion, on a part of periphery of the first front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the first peripheral stitch portion, and on a part of periphery of the second front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the second peripheral stitch portion.
17. An airbag cushion according to claim 10, wherein
- the recessed stitch portion is sewn formed by sewing on a back first end of the first tether portion, on a back first end of the second tether portion, on a part of periphery of the first front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the first peripheral stitch portion, and on a part of periphery of the second front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the second peripheral stitch portion.
18. An airbag cushion according to claim 11, wherein
- the recessed stitch portion is sewn formed by sewing on a back first end of the first tether portion, on a back first end of the second tether portion, on a part of periphery of the first front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the first peripheral stitch portion, and on a part of periphery of the second front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the second peripheral stitch portion.
19. An airbag cushion according to claim 12, wherein
- the recessed stitch portion is sewn formed by sewing on a back first end of the first tether portion, on a back first end of the second tether portion, on a part of periphery of the first front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the first peripheral stitch portion, and on a part of periphery of the second front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the second peripheral stitch portion.
20. An airbag cushion according to claim 13, wherein
- the recessed stitch portion is sewn formed by sewing on a back end of the first tether portion, on a back end of the second tether portion, on a part of periphery of the first front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the first peripheral stitch portion, and on a part of periphery of the second front fabric panel portion with a an exception of the second peripheral stitch portion.
21. An airbag cushion according to claim 7, wherein:
- the first front fabric panel portion and the first tether portion are defined by a first continuous fabric member;
- the second front fabric panel portion and the second tether portion are defined by a second continuous fabric member; and
- the first continuous fabric member is sewn to the second continuous fabric member at locations where the first and second front fabric panel portions intersect the first and second tether portions, respectively, to form the recessed stitch portion.
22. An airbag cushion according to claim 7, wherein:
- the first tether portion has a first end that is joined to the first front fabric panel portion and a second end that is sewn to the first inner face of the rear fabric panel;
- the second tether portion has a first end that is joined to the second front fabric panel portion and a second end that is sewn to the second inner face of the rear fabric panel; and
- the first end of the first tether portion is sewn directly to the first end of the second tether portion.
23. An airbag cushion according to claim 8, wherein the recessed stitch portion is formed by stitching along guide marks on the first and second front fabric panel portions that are substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the fold line.
24. An airbag cushion comprising:
- a rear fabric panel and at least one front fabric panel sewn together, the rear fabric panel including a left lateral side, a right lateral side, and a rear side, the left and right lateral sides extending from the rear side toward the at least one front fabric panel;
- a peripheral stitch portion where a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel and a part of a periphery of the at least one front fabric panel corresponding to the part of the periphery of the rear fabric panel are sewn; and
- two tether portions that project from the at least one front fabric panel and are sewn to the rear fabric panel, wherein: the two tether portions each include a first end that is joined to the at least one front fabric panel and a second end that is stitched to the rear fabric panel; the second end of one of the tether portions is sewn to an inner face of the right lateral side of the rear fabric panel, and the second end of the other one of the tether portions is sewn to an inner face of the left lateral side of the rear fabric panel; and the first end of one of the tether portions is sewn directly to the first end of the other one of the tether portions.
25. An airbag cushion according to claim 24, wherein
- the second end of the one of the tether portions is sewn to a substantial midpoint of the inner face of the right lateral side of the rear fabric panel in an orthogonal direction to a folding line between the left and right lateral sides of the rear fabric panel, and the second end of the other one of the tether portions is sewn to a substantial midpoint of the inner face of the left lateral side of the rear fabric panel in an orthogonal direction to the folding line.
26. An airbag cushion according to claim 25, wherein a guide mark for sewing is printed at the substantial midpoint of the inner face of the right lateral side of the rear fabric panel to which the one of the tether portions is sewn, and at the substantial midpoint of the inner face of the left lateral side to which the other one of the tether portions is sewn.
27. An airbag cushion according to claim 24, wherein the tether portions are separate structures from the at least one front fabric panel.
28. An airbag cushion according to claim 27, wherein the tether portions are attached to the at least one front fabric panel via stitching.
29. An airbag cushion according to claim 24, wherein the tether portions are formed from the same material as the at least one front fabric panel.
30. An airbag cushion according to claim 24, wherein the tether portions are formed from a different material than the at least one front fabric panel.
31. An airbag cushion according to claim 24, wherein the two tether portions are joined to one another at an intersection between the at least one front fabric panel and the two tether portions.
32. An airbag cushion according to claim 24, wherein the two tether portions are joined directly to the at least one front fabric panel.
33. An airbag cushion according to claim 24, wherein a first continuous fabric member defines a first front fabric panel of the at least one front fabric panel and a first tether portion of the two tether portions, and a second continuous fabric member defines a second front fabric panel of the at least one front fabric panel and a second tether portion of the two tether portions.
34. An airbag cushion comprising:
- a rear fabric panel and at least one front fabric panel sewn together, the rear fabric panel including a left lateral side, a right lateral side, and a rear side, the left and right lateral sides extending from the rear side toward the at least one front fabric panel;
- a peripheral stitch portion where a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel and a part of a periphery of the at least one front fabric panel corresponding to the part of the periphery of the rear fabric panel are sewn; and
- two tether portions that project from the at least one front fabric panel and are sewn to the rear fabric panel, wherein: the two tether portions each include a first end that is joined to the at least one front fabric panel and a second end that is stitched to the rear fabric panel; the second end of one of the tether portions is sewn to an inner face of the right lateral side of the rear fabric panel, and the second end of the other one of the tether portions is sewn to an inner face of the left lateral side of the rear fabric panel; and at least one of the tether portions and at least a portion of the at least one front fabric panel are defined by a continuous fabric member.
35. A method of manufacturing an airbag cushion, comprising the steps of:
- superimposing a first front fabric panel of the airbag cushion on a second front fabric panel of the airbag cushion, wherein a first tether portion protrudes from the first front fabric panel and a second tether portion protrudes from the second front fabric panel;
- sewing a part of a periphery of the superimposed first and second front fabric panels;
- sewing a first end of the first tether portion to a first end of the second tether portion;
- sewing a second end of the first tether portion to a first inner face of a rear fabric panel of the airbag cushion;
- sewing a second end of the second tether portion to a second inner face of the rear fabric panel;
- sewing a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel to a part of a periphery of the first front fabric panel; and
- sewing a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel to a part of a periphery of the second front fabric panel, wherein: the second inner face of the rear fabric panel is different than the first inner face of the rear fabric panel; and the first and second inner faces oppose one another.
36. A method of manufacturing an airbag cushion, comprising the steps of:
- superimposing a first front fabric panel of the airbag cushion on a second front fabric panel of the airbag cushion, wherein a first tether portion protrudes from the first front fabric panel and a second tether portion protrudes from the second front fabric panel;
- sewing a part of a periphery of the superimposed first and second front fabric panels;
- sewing a first end of the first tether portion to a first end of the second tether portion;
- sewing a second end of the first tether portion to a first inner face of a rear fabric panel of the airbag cushion;
- sewing a second end of the second tether portion to a second inner face of the rear fabric panel;
- sewing a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel to a part of a periphery of the first front fabric panel; and
- sewing a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel to a part of a periphery of the second front fabric panel, wherein: the second inner face of the rear fabric panel is different than the first inner face of the rear fabric panel; the rear fabric panel includes a left lateral side, a right lateral side, and a rear side; the left lateral side extends from the rear side toward one of the first and second front fabric panels; the right lateral side extends from the rear side toward the other one of the first and second front fabric panels; the first inner face of the rear fabric panel is disposed on one of the left and right lateral sides of the rear fabric panel; and the second inner face of the rear fabric panel is disposed on the other one of the left and right lateral sides of the rear fabric panel.
37. An airbag cushion, comprising:
- a first front fabric panel portion;
- a second front fabric panel portion;
- a rear fabric panel;
- a recessed stitch portion where the first front fabric panel portion is sewn to the second front fabric panel portion;
- a first peripheral stitch portion where a part of a periphery of the first front fabric panel portion and a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel are sewn;
- a second peripheral stitch portion where a part of a periphery of the second front fabric panel portion and a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel are sewn;
- a first tether portion that joins the recessed stitch portion to a first inner face of the rear fabric panel; and
- a second tether portion that joins the recessed stitch portion to a second inner face of the rear fabric panel that is different than the first inner face, wherein: the rear fabric panel includes a left lateral side, a right lateral side, and a rear side; the left lateral side extends from the rear side toward one of the first and second front fabric panel portions; the right lateral side extends from the rear side toward the other one of the first and second front fabric panel portions; the first inner face of the rear fabric panel is disposed on one of the left and right lateral sides of the rear fabric panel; and the second inner face of the rear fabric panel is disposed on the other one of the left and right lateral sides of the rear fabric panel.
38. An airbag cushion comprising:
- a rear fabric panel and at least one front fabric panel sewn together, the rear fabric panel including a left lateral side, a right lateral side, and a rear side, the left and right lateral sides extending from the rear side toward the at least one front fabric panel;
- a peripheral stitch portion where a part of a periphery of the rear fabric panel and a part of a periphery of the at least one front fabric panel corresponding to the part of the periphery of the rear fabric panel are sewn; and
- two tether portions that project from the at least one front fabric panel and are sewn to the rear fabric panel, wherein: the two tether portions each include a first end that is joined to the at least one front fabric panel and a second end that is stitched to the rear fabric panel; the second end of one of the tether portions is sewn to an inner face of the right lateral side of the rear fabric panel, and the second end of the other one of the tether portions is sewn to an inner face of the left lateral side of the rear fabric panel; the rear fabric panel includes a left rear portion, a right rear portion, and an inflator connection portion; the left rear portion and the right rear portion are joined together along a folding line; the inflator connection portion is joined to the left and right rear portions and projects from the left and right rear portions along the folding line; and the inflator connection portion has longitudinal sides that each include at least one of a first side portion that is substantially parallel to the folding line and a second side portion that tapers inward toward the folding line as the inflator connection portion projects from the left and right rear portions.
39. An airbag cushion according to claim 38, wherein the longitudinal sides of the inflator connection portion each include both of the first and second side portions.
40. An airbag cushion according to claim 38, wherein the left and right rear portions have lower peripheries that are stitched to portions of the longitudinal sides of the inflator connection portion and that are substantially perpendicular to the folding line.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Mar 18, 2013
Date of Patent: Jun 26, 2018
Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB (Vargarda)
Inventors: Takeshi Idomoto (Yokohama), Hiroya Tabushi (Yokohama)
Primary Examiner: Peter C English
Application Number: 13/845,207
International Classification: B60R 21/16 (20060101); B60R 21/231 (20110101); B60R 21/2338 (20110101); B60R 21/00 (20060101); B60R 21/235 (20060101);