Abstract: An airbag device according to the present invention includes an airbag folded and housed in the shape of folded-up body, and an airbag wrapping member for keeping the folded-up configuration of the airbag. The folded-up body is formed by bringing both ends of the airbag close to a base line, such that the folded-up body is symmetric with respect to the base line. The wrapping member includes a breakable portion in a region above the base line. The breakable portion includes a plurality of apertures each of which is located across the base line as to extend toward both sides from the base line, and connecting portions for connecting adjacent apertures into a larger opening upon breakage. The connecting portions disposed by the side of both ends of each of the apertures are located in opposite sides of the base line. The wrapping member further includes two cut-out portions in edges of a cover portion in a direction along the base line.

Abstract: This curtain-type airbag apparatus is provided with: an airbag which is arranged along a top edge of a vehicle body and develops in a curtain-shape manner along an inside of a window; and an inner cover which covers a vehicle interior side of the airbag. The inner cover is supported by the vehicle body via a hinge member having a reversed U-shape.

Abstract: A silicone rubber coating composition which cures into a silicone rubber having a tear strength of 25-50 kN/m and a peeling bond strength of 30-60 N/cm is suited for coating of hollow weave type air bags. A hollow weave type air bag coated with the coating composition can be instantaneously inflated while the bag prevents the silicone rubber film from being peeled from the base fabric, eliminates inflating gas leakage, and retains an acceptable inflation time.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle includes a collision predicting device, an occupant sensing device, a seat belt, a seat belt drive device and a seat belt control device. The collision predicting device senses an imminent collision of the vehicle before the collision actually takes place. The occupant sensing device determines an occupant state on a seat of the vehicle. The seat belt restrains an occupant to the seat. The seat belt drive device retracts and extends the seat belt. The seat belt control device drives the seat belt drive device to retract the seat belt and thereby to achieve a corresponding tension of the seat belt, which corresponds to the occupant, based on a signal outputted from the collision predicting device and occupant information outputted from the occupant sensing device.

Abstract: An airbag cushion having a novel seam structure including either a tri-stitch fold-over seam structure or a double-stitch fold-over seam structure. The novel seam structure allows airbag cushions to be manufactured by using low tenacity yarns, preferably in the range of between about 40 cN/tex and about 65 cN/tex.

Abstract: According to a small number of types classified among all passenger vehicle models on the basis of a distance between front and rear seats (Sf, Sr), supply parts for an airbag module (10, 110) including an airbag (11, 111), a tension cloth (12) and an inflator (14) include a small number of types of the airbags (11, 111) including an expansion portion for front seat (11c, 111c) which covers protection ranges for the front seats (Sf) of a plurality of vehicle models included in the respective types and an expansion portion for rear seat (11d, 111d) which covers protection ranges for the rear seats (Sr) of a plurality of vehicle models included in the respective types, a small number of types of tension clothes (12) a shape of which is determined to cover a plurality of vehicle models to be equipped with the respective airbags (11, 111), and a single type of inflator (14) connected with a gas inlet (11a, 111a) provided in the respective airbags (11, 111).

Abstract: An airbag apparatus cover has a module cover with a module cover main body, and a door frame with a door frame movable member and a door frame fixed member. When an inflator discharges gas, the door frame movable member is moved upward by an expanding airbag. The module cover is broken along a tear line, and a door portion is cut off and separated from the surrounding module cover. The door portion is moved farther upward with the door frame movable member, and a tear line of the door portion is burst as it is pressed by the airbag. The door portion and its lining plate portions open like a door, and the airbag is expanded into a vehicle cabin. The fixed member, the movable member, and the module cover are integrally formed by a double-shot molding process, which facilitates the manufacture of the cover with high dimensional accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag cushion which exhibits a low amount of seam usage (in order to attach at least two fabric panels or portions of a panel together) in correlation to an overall high amount of available inflation airspace within the cushion itself. These correlated elements are now combined for the first time in what is defined as an effective seam usage index (being the quotient of the length of overall seams on the cushions and the available inflation airspace volume). The inventive cushion must have at least one substantially straight seam and must possess an effective seam usage factor of less than about 0.11. A cushion exhibiting such a low seam usage factor and also comprising an integrated looped pocket for the disposition of an inflator can is also provided as well as an overall vehicle restraint system comprising the inventive airbag cushion.

Abstract: A method of operating a restraint system includes classifying a collision into a collision classification, generating a protruding contact sensor output and deploying the restraint system in response to the contact sensor output and the output classification. The method may also use a pre-crash sensor with or without classification and deploy the restraint system in response to the pre-crash sensor signal and the protruding contact sensor signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for determining whether the interior of a vehicle is occupied. The inventive device comprises image acquisition means (10) for acquiring images of an area of the vehicle interior, an image acquisition data generation unit (14) for generating image acquisition data in which every image point of a three-dimensional surface image is presented as a vector in an acquisition coordinate system of the image acquisition means, and a conversion unit (16) that converts the image acquisition data to vehicle image data. Said vehicle image data describe every image point as a vector in a coordinate system that is specific of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a side airbag device for use in a vehicle, comprising: an inflatable cushion for deployment from an unexpanded state to an expanded state. The inflatable cushion is positioned behind a headliner of the vehicle in an un-inflated state and the inflatable cushion is configured to traverse a side of the vehicle when it is inflated. The inflatable cushion also comprising a deploying edge that defines a portion of a periphery of the inflated cushion, wherein the inflatable cushion is folded in a manner that causes the deploying edge to deploy as a first leading edge as said inflatable cushion is inflated to an expanded state by an inflator wherein the deploying edge is the first portion of the inflatable cushion to expand around the headliner.

Abstract: An airbag module for use in a motor vehicle is manufactured by first to third steps. In the first step, the airbag is folded into a predetermined configuration, and in the second step, an entire external surface of the airbag, in an initially folded condition obtained in the first step, is wrapped in a bag-shaped film forming member. The bag-shaped film forming member includes a plurality of resin layers formed in a layer-stack manner with regard to a film cross-sectional direction. In the third step, the initially folded airbag is housed in the airbag-housing member in a condition wherein the airbag has an airbag volume reduced to less than the airbag volume at a time of being initially folded, by a compression force applied to the bag-shaped film forming member.

Abstract: A vehicular safety system comprising an inflatable restraint gel cushion having a gel rigidity of from about 50 gram Bloom to about 1,200 gram bloom.

Abstract: An airbag includes an airbag body, and a support sheet attached to the airbag body. Each of the airbag body and the support sheet has a gas-generator insertion hole. The insertion holes are disposed separately, wherein the support sheet faces the insertion hole of the airbag body and the airbag body faces the insertion hole of the support sheet. A space between the insertion holes of the airbag body and the support sheet serves as a gas-generator insertion space.

Abstract: A part of a distal end portion of an airbag is tucked into an interior thereof. A plurality of overlapping longitudinal folds are formed in first and second halves of the airbag, and the folded distal and proximal portions of the airbag are each folded substantially transverse to the longitudinal folds so as to form two compact fold bodies.

Abstract: An airbag and a method for making an airbag of the type that includes an irregularly-shaped panel, such as the side panels of a passenger airbag. The irregularly-shaped side panel is first divided into two segments with a single straight line to define an inflation segment and an impact segment. The straight line drawn to define the largest polygon that can be defined by any single straight line without coming too close to the inflation module hole. By segmenting the larger, irregularly shaped panel into two smaller ones with one of those being polygonal, better nesting of the segments can be obtained, which significantly improves fabric utilization to offset the labor cost from sewing the two segments together when making the irregularly shaped side panel required for the airbag.

Abstract: An inflatable fabric cushion is disclosed that can maintain a high internal pressure while having an exposed inflator squib. The inflatable cushion has a precision opening sized to be commensurate with a diameter of the inflator squib. The precision opening tightly circumscribes the inflator to limit leakage of inflation gas when the squib projects out of the opening. The cushion also has a throat through which the inflator may be inserted into the cushion. After the inflator is inserted into the cushion, the throat is sealed closed by wrapping the throat around the inflator housing and being cinched when the airbag assembly is mounted on a vehicle.

Abstract: An air bag of the type utilized in a vehicle occupant restraint system has at least one panel of coated air bag fabric comprising a base fabric coated with a urethane coating material. The base fabric is woven in warp and fill directions from synthetic multifilament yarns. In at least one of the weave directions, the yarns comprise first yarns of a first yarn size and second yarns of a second yarn size, with the second yarn size being a lesser yarn size than the first yarn size. The first yarns and the second yarns are in predetermined positions in the base fabric to produce a crest and trough pattern on a surface thereof.

Abstract: A method of determining a charging capacitance of a capacitor in an air bag system having an electronic control unit for controlling a gas generator, a bus line having a loop wire extending from the electronic control unit, gas generators connected to the loop wire, each gas generator having an igniter connected to the loop wire via a connector, one of the igniter and the connector being provided with an integrated circuit having the capacitor for providing power to a heat generating portion, a switching circuit for turning ON/OFF a supplying of current to the heat generating portion, and a microcomputer unit for controlling the switching circuit, the method including, determining a minimum charging capacitance of the capacitor necessary to operate the igniter based on a charging voltage and a minimum ignition energy required for making the heat generating portion of the igniter generate heat to ignite the priming.

Abstract: A seatbelt reminder system for outputting a reminder for an occupant when the occupant leaves a seatbelt unfastened. The system includes a driver's seat reminder instruction section for outputting a reminder according to a first pattern (S405), a front passenger seat-rear passenger seat reminder instruction section for outputting a reminder according to a second pattern, and a second reminder synchronization section for synchronizing the reminders according to the first and second patterns with each other (S406) when the output of the reminder according to the second pattern is to be started while the reminder according to the first pattern is being output.

Abstract: An inflatable system includes an inflatable component and an distributed charge inflator disposed in the inflatable component. The distributed charge inflator includes a first charge for generating inflating gas and a housing body connected to the first charge. The housing body includes an initiator and a second charge that has relatively long burn time. Upon receiving a signal from a sensor, the initiator ignites the first charge and the second charge simultaneously. The first charge inflates the inflatable component and the second charge sustains the inflation of the inflatable component.

Abstract: An air bag is unfolded on a planar surface and is inflated with air. The air bag is loosely sandwiched between the upper and lower blades that are arranged in a radial configuration. Movable blocks progress toward the center to fold the upper and lower panels of the air bag against the central part of the air bag. The resulting central folded part of the air bag has a wave-like configuration, and the upper and lower panels are separated from each other. The ear-like portions of the air bag are wound around the central folded part of the air bag that is folded in a wave-like configuration. Then, the central part of the air bag is pressed downward to complete the folding process. Gas can be supplied smoothly from the inlet port to the periphery when the air bag is reinflated. The method for folding the air bag is simple, and the air bag can be inflated quickly.

Abstract: An Impact sensor assembly provides a modular housing for vehicle impact sensors. The assembly comprises an impact sensor, an upper housing member, a lower housing member and a connector for establishing an electrical connection between the assembly and an appropriate vehicle system. The assembly may further include electronics for processing signals received from the sensor. The lower housing member receives and retains the sensor, and closeably interacts with the upper housing member to encase the sensor. The assembly defines structural features that ensures its proper installation into a vehicle. The preferred embodiment assures proper functioning of deformation impact sensors. A method of installing the assembly provides a process for rapid and proper installation of the assembly into a vehicle.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) is located on a steering wheel (14) and includes a lower portion (28) and an upper portion (26). The upper portion (26) is rolled folded and the lower portion (28) is folded in a star pattern. The roll folded portion (26) has an outside surface formed by a front panel (30) of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) that is intended to face the occupant when the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated. During inflation, the roll folded portion (26) unrolls such that at least a portion of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflates forward of the steering wheel if the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, while inflating, encounters an obstruction located too far forward relative to the steering wheel.

Abstract: All-woven inflatable fabrics having areas of two layers and attachment points or “seams” where single layers of fabric are formed. Such single fabric layers may be constructed solely through the utilization of basket weave patterns. These specific single fabric layers provide a relatively effective manner of reducing air permeability within the entire fabric article by decreasing the possibility of yarn shifting upon inflation of the inflatable fabric. Alternatively, the presence of at least a second single fabric layer area adjacent to the first and separated by and narrow double fabric layer area can further reduce the possibility of yarn shifting in the first single fabric layer area. Such a fabric may be utilized in numerous and various applications wherein fabric inflation is desired or necessary. In particular, the inventive fabric may be incorporated within an airbag cushion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the sensing of an occupant in a seating area are provided. The occupant is characterized as one of an adult, child or other category. One characterization change parameter, such as a hysteresis time period or thresholds for characterization, is applied for a first time period. After that time period, the characterization change parameter is changed. For example, if the characterization stays the same for ten seconds, the hysteresis is changed from five to ten seconds. As another example, if the characterization stays the same for one minute, the thresholds associated with that characterization are broadened to decrease the likelihood of a change in characterization. In some systems and methods, a confidence parameter or probability associated with the characterization is used to control the changes of the characterization change parameter.

Abstract: A silicone rubber coating composition which cures into a silicone rubber having a tear strength of 25–50 kN/m and a peeling bond strength of 30–60 N/cm is suited for coating of hollow weave type air bags. A hollow weave type air bag coated with the coating composition can be instantaneously inflated while the bag prevents the silicone rubber film from being peeled from the base fabric, eliminates inflating gas leakage, and retains an acceptable inflation time.

Abstract: An airbag module for incorporation in a vehicle seat has an airbag with an inflator located inside the airbag. The inflator has a first free end and an opposite second free end. The second free end of the inflator has a connection section projecting from the airbag. At least one part of the interior surface of the airbag comes into contact with the two free ends of the inflator when the airbag is inflated to brace the inflator in the airbag and to seal the airbag in a gas-tight manner at least in the region of the projecting connection section.

Abstract: Vehicle telematics system including an occupant sensing system arranged to determine one or more properties or characteristics of occupancy of the vehicle, a crash sensor system for determining when the vehicle experiences a crash and a communications device arranged to enable a communications channel to be established between the vehicle and a remote facility after the vehicle is determined to have experienced a crash. Information determined by the occupant sensing system is transmitted via the communications channel to the remote facility, even in the absence of initiation of the communications channel by the occupant. The occupant sensing system may include an image-obtaining sensor for obtaining images of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a motion sensor, receivers arranged to receive waves, energy or radiation from seating locations in the passenger compartment, heartbeat sensors, weight sensors associated with seats in the vehicle and/or chemical sensors.

Abstract: An airbag module of a type that only a module cover is moved to actuate a horn switch and at least one switch unit is arranged between spoke-fitting portions, wherein a portion around either of spoke-fitting portions on both sides of the switch unit can be prevented from being excessively deformed, thereby providing an improved horn switch operational feeling. Hooks are loosely fitted in holes formed in leg portions of a module cover for a predetermined space, whereby the module cover can move vertically. As a portion around lower left and lower right spoke-fitting portions is pressed, a switch unit arranged therebetween is actuated. The spoke-fitting portions are provided with stoppers projecting therefrom. The stoppers are disposed such that their ends can come in contact with extension pieces of the horn switch supporting member.

Abstract: An air bag is unfolded on a planar surface and is inflated with air. The air bag is loosely sandwiched between the upper and lower blades that are arranged in a radial configuration. Movable blocks progress toward the center to fold the upper and lower panels of the air bag against the central part of the air bag. The resulting central folded part of the air bag has a wave-like configuration, and the upper and lower panels are separated from each other. The ear-like portions of the air bag are wound around the central folded part of the air bag that is folded in a wave-like configuration. Then, the central part of the air bag is pressed downward to complete the folding process. Gas can be supplied smoothly from the inlet port to the periphery when the air bag is reinflated. The method for folding the air bag is simple, and the air bag can be inflated quickly.

Abstract: A load distributing airbag module having an airbag, a load plate, and a fastener is disclosed. The airbag has an airbag mount and the load plate has a load plate attachment member. The fastener may define a generally enclosed shape to capture the airbag mount and the load plate attachment member. To capture the airbag mount and the load plate attachment member, the fastener has an unfastened and fastened state. In the unfasten state, the fastener may be a “U” shaped channel. In the fastened state, the fastener is generally box shaped.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a plurality of vehicle cockpit devices via a two-part process that utilizes device position constraints to determine candidate arrangements and then, ultimately, recommended arrangements of the vehicle cockpit devices to determine a desired setting of the various devices. The position constraints are determined using positioning data obtained from an occupant. An exploratory search routine is used to determine the candidate arrangements with the cockpit devices being moved to each candidate arrangement so that the occupant can be queried concerning the desirability of each such arrangement. The occupant's responses are then stored for later retrieval. Thereafter, a plurality of recommended arrangements of the cockpit devices are determined using a meta-heuristic pattern search along with a neural network search accelerator that permits screening of each recommended arrangement.

Abstract: A steering wheel unit for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, comprises a connection hub which may be non-rotatably connected with a steering shaft of a steering device, a steering wheel rim which is non-rotatably connected with the connection hub by spokes, and a central piece which is mounted by a spacer element to the connection hub so as to be rotatable relative to the steering shaft and the steering wheel rim. The steering wheel unit further comprises a coupling device which arrests the central piece with respect to a rotational movement of the steering wheel rim. The spacer element has a first end which is non-rotatably connected with the central piece, and has a second other end which is rotatably mounted to the connection hub and constructed as a crash element. The crash element fails after a predetermined failure value of a force driving the central piece towards the connection hub.

Abstract: The invention characterizes a seat occupant. Sensors in the seat determine the position of a seat occupant relative to the seat. The position of the seat relative to the vehicle combined with the position of the seat occupant relative to the seat determines the location of the seat occupant relative to the vehicle. The seat occupant is characterized by the magnitude and Q of capacitance between electrodes in the seat and other indications. Situations wherein airbag deployment is not desired are identified. The position of the occupant relative to the seat, the weight of the seat occupant, whether the seat belt is latched, the track position and recline angle of the vehicle seat and vehicle deceleration during a crash are combined with capacitance and other measurements to estimate the position of the occupant relative to a possible deploying airbag as the occupant moves toward the airbag during a crash.

Abstract: The present invention relates to air bag tethers and to a pattern-wise arrangement of such tethers in relation to air bag panels on a fabric blank, thus resulting in increased fabric utilization per tether and an overall cost savings per finished air bag. The air bag tether system of the present invention is comprised of two congruent tether panels that are joined to one another and to a respective air bag panel. In a preferred embodiment, the tether panel that is attached to the face panel of the air bag is cut in alignment with the warp and the fill of the fabric blank, while the rear tether panel that is attached to the rear panel of the air bag is cut on the bias with respect to the warp and the fill of the fabric blank. The two tether panels are then connected to one another to form a functional tether system.

Abstract: To effectively restrain a rider on a seat provided at a rear portion of a vehicle body with an inflated air bag in a scooter type vehicle having a footrest for supporting the feet of the rider. An air bag that can be inflated so as to restrain a rider on a seat from the front side of the rider is accommodated in a folded condition inside a front end portion of the seat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to air bag tethers and to a pattern-wise arrangement of such tethers in relation to air bag panels on a fabric blank. In one embodiment, the front tether panel is comprised of two or more tether segments that cut in alignment with the warp and the fill of the fabric blank, while the rear tether panel is comprised of two or more tether segments that are cut on the bias with respect to the warp and the fill of the fabric blank. The front and rear tether panels are then connected to one another to form a functional tether system. This multiple-segment construction, with its bias-cut segments, decreases the amount of fabric that is used in the manufacture of the air bag and tethers, while providing sufficient elongation for the tether system to be functional.

Abstract: A supplemental inflatable restraint system includes an air bag for use in a vehicle to restrain an occupant. The air bag is folded and may be placed in a steering wheel cover such that inflation of the air bag causes the air bag to be deployed from the cover by unfolding to define a substantially vertical contact surface for initial contact with the vehicle occupant. The air bag is folded into a modified fan/accordion configuration with terminal folds nested between intermediate folds so that the terminal folds escape before the intermediate folds. During inflation, the air bag unfolds upwardly and downwardly so that the substantially vertical contact surface is substantially parallel to a torso of the occupant.

Abstract: A novel cover for a safety restraint device is disclosed. The cover is well-adapted for use in vehicles with modular airbag components. The novel cover configuration of the present invention effectively hides any evidence of the seam through which the airbag deploys, thereby improving the appearance and tamper-resistance of the airbag. The cover includes a seam with a nonlinear portion that impedes folding or bending of the outer layer in conformance with the seam. The nonlinear portion of the seam may include bends and linear segments in a variety of shapes and sizes, in homogeneous or heterogeneous arrangements, as dictated by the design parameters of the airbag and the manufacturing processes used to make the cover. The cover module of the present invention may be used with an outer layer of material designed to conceal the seam. With such a configuration, the nonlinear portion of the seam may keep the outer layer from form fitting to the seam so that no visible indentation over the seam will be shown.

Abstract: A folded airbag for an airbag device in a vehicle includes a front side, a rear side with an opening for receiving the gas, and a peripheral edge in a flat state where the front side is disposed over the rear side. The folded airbag includes a plurality of folded portions having at least three first folded portions where at least three peripheral portions in the flat state are disposed between the front and rear sides to thereby temporarily form at least three first pointed portions around the peripheral edge, and at least three second folded portions where the at least three first pointed portions are located between the front and rear sides to thereby form second pointed portions. The plurality of folded portions is pushed outwardly between the front and rear sides of the airbag upon inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: A compact, economical air bag fabric of low air permeability and light mass is realized by a thermoplastic fiber fabric having a distribution of pores formed by the fibers constructing the fabric, that is, the pore distribution of 2.0 or smaller and air permeability of 2.5 L/cm2/min or lower. By setting a permeating deformation index PI of the thermoplastic fiber to 0.1 to 0.6 and the air permeability of the fabric at the differential pressure of 20 kPa to 1.0 (L/cm2/min) or lower, an economical uncoated air bag fabric of which air permeability is low but increases under the high differential pressure condition in the latter period of development is obtained.

Abstract: A seat occupant in a vehicle is classified into one of first and second categories by using a support vector machine (SVM). Sensor signals are obtained from seat sensors to form a sensor signal vector. By using the sensor signal vector, a value of a two-value decision function known as SVM is calculated. The seat occupant is decided to be of one of the first and second categories associated with the value. The two-value decision function can be generated through support vector learning by using a set of training vectors obtained from the seat sensors. An airbag system using an inventive seat occupant classifying apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An occupant protecting device which makes it possible to inflate a bag of an inflatable seatbelt device or exerting a pre-tension upon a seatbelt by a gas generator for inflating a bag disposed at the front portion of a seat cushion. An occupant protecting device including an inflatable tube disposed under the front portion of a cushion pad. Gas from an inflator enters the tube through a cylinder. A piston is disposed inside the cylinder, and is connected to a lap anchor through a wire. A structure which causes a bag to be inflated by the gas from the inflator may also be used.

Abstract: A control system (10) for an automotive vehicle (50) coupled to a countermeasure system having a countermeasure includes an object sensor system (18) generating an object signal, an object distance signal, an object azimuth position signal, and object relative velocity signal. The control system (10) further includes an object classifier coupled to the object sensor system (18) generating an object classification signal in response to the object signal and a controller coupled to the object sensor object classifier for activating the countermeasure (42) in response to the object distance, object azimuth position, relative velocity and the object classification signal.

Abstract: To secure the capacity of an inflator for deploying an airbag even when the airbag unit is downsized due to a limitation with respect to the mounting space. An airbag unit is disposed at the front portion of a fuel tank of a motorcycle V. A pair of inflator units is disposed on the left side and the right side of the centerline L of the vehicle body in a symmetrical manner. The inflators stored in the respective inflator units are connected to the airbag unit via gas supply hoses. Accordingly, even when a space for storing an inflator having a sufficient capacity cannot be provided in the airbag unit, the airbag can reliably be deployed by merging a sufficient amount of gas supplied from the inflators of a plurality of inflator units without any problems.

Abstract: A new adhesive coating composition, particularly for use on airbag fabrics, which is composed of a silicone polymer and an appreciable level of a copolymer of ethylene and a polar monomer, is provided. This coating provides excellent adhesive properties to the coated fabric and provides a synergistic effect such that lower gas permeability upon inflation may be obtained with this coating than might be achieved with the silicone polymer alone. Additionally, such a coating allows maximization of the adhesion characteristics on one-piece woven airbag fabric such that blistering upon high-pressure inflation can be reduced, while retaining a high degree of inflation gas retention. Fabric treated with this material in the manner described herein permits reduction in the cost of the coating itself (by reducing the use of expensive silicone polymers). Airbag fabrics and cushions, as well as methods of making and using such a novel airbag coating material are also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coolant for an air bag inflator in which unevenness in density in the axial direction is reduced even though the coolant is compressed in its axial direction. The coolant is a molded product made of wire rods and compressed in its axial direction. An absolute value of a difference between a radial pressure loss of the axially upper half portion of the coolant and a radial pressure loss of the axially lower half portion of the coolant is 10 mm H2O or less at a flow rate of 250 liters/minute under the atmosphere of 20° C.

Abstract: A fabric for use in an air bag is provided. The fabric of the invention is produced by mechanically compressing a preliminary fabric constructed substantially of synthetic yarn such that the packed volume per unit area of the compressed fabric is less than the packed volume per unit area of the preliminary fabric. Air permeability is not adversely affected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag cushion which simultaneously exhibits a low amount of seam usage (in order to attach at least two fabric panels or portions of a single panel together) as well as a very low amount of fabric utilized to produce the target airbag cushion, both in correlation to an overall high amount of available inflation airspace within the cushion itself. These two separate, but correlated factors, one based on an effective seam usage index are now combined for the first time in what is defined as an effective seam usage index (being the quotient of the length of overall seams on the cushions and the available inflation airspace volume) and the other based on an effective fabric usage index (being the quotient of the amount of fabric utilized in the construciton of the airbag cushion and the available inflation airspace volume). The inventive airbag cushion must possess an effective seam usage factor of at most 0.11 and an effective fabric usage factor of at most 0.0330.