摘要 |
The present invention relates to a method utilizing welds, reinforced with sewn seams, to adhere two fabrics together to form an inflatable airbag cushion. Although welded seams provide better and more easily produced attachment points between multiple layers of fabrics, not to mention improved manners of reducing air or gas permeability as such attachment points, the utilization of sewn seams adjacent to such welded areas provides stronger reinforcement, and thus more reliable nonpermeable fabrics. Seam welding generally concerns the utilisation of a film on the underside of a fabric which, upon contact with a second, film-treated fabric and upon exposure to high frequency energy, forms a bead of polymeric material at the attachment point between the two fabric layers. Lower numbers of sewn seams may be utilized to permit sufficient reinforcement if the size of the formed polymeric bead if of sufficient size to permit thorough sealing and adhesion between the fabric layers. Such a specific reinforced fabric, as well as high bead-size welded airbag fabrics are encompassed within this invention. |