Milliken Research Corporation

Milliken + Co

Derek L Bowen

Charles L Bower

John A Sollars, Jr

Ramesh Keshavaraj

Shulong Li

Charles E Willbanks

David D Hildreth

This invention relates generally to abrasion resistant and/or puncture resistant fabrics, coated, layered and/or laminated inflatable fabrics, and methods. More particularly, it concerns airbag cushions to which films, fabrics, layers, and/or coatings have been applied and which exhibit enhanced abrasion resistance and/or puncture resistance. The inventive inflatable fabrics are especially suited for use in automotive restraint cushions that require abrasion resistance and/or puncture resistance (such as side curtain airbags).

Fabrics, airbags and methods

A low permeability fabric and airbag formed therefrom suitable for use in protection of a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision are provided. In particular, the present invention provides an uncoated fabric preferably formed from a substantially symmetrical weave construction of nonsized nylon yarn at a fabric cover factor of not greater than 0.85. The fabric is characterized by an air permeability of not greater than 0.8 cubic feet of air per minute per square foot of fabric at a pressure drop of 125 Pa (0.5 inches of water) across the fabric. a method for formation of the fabric is also provided.

Method for forming low permeability airbag fabric

A stable permeability fabric and inflatable restraint cushion formed therefrom. The air permeability of the fabric is initially low and does not substantially increase when the fabric is subjected to biaxial loading in both the warp and the fill directions. This permeability profile permits the restraint cushion formed from the fabric to maintain stable permeability characteristics during deployment.

Air bag fabric with specific weave construction

Low permeability airbag fabric

The woven structure for an air bag is designed to have an air permeability which does not increase by more than about fifty percent when the fabric is subjected to substantially equivalent tension forces in both the warp and fill. This is accomplished by a multiple warp harness arrangement using combinations of twill and basket weave pattern components. This weave construction does not only avoid substantial increases in permeability over a range of biaxial tensions but also may result in a permeability decrease when subjected to tensions which approximate those applicable during actual air bag deployment.

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LaGrange, GA, United States of America

Derek L Bowen