Airbag with sacrificial elastomer line
An airbag comprises: first and second fabric panels; a seam at a seam area of the first and second fabric panels, the seam joining the first and second fabric panels to each other; and a sacrificial elastomer line at a location inward of the seam area, the sacrificial elastomer line joining the first and second fabric panels to each other at the location.
1. An airbag comprising:
first and second fabric panels;
a seam at a seam area of the first and second fabric panels, the seam joining the first and second fabric panels to each other, the seam including first stitches formed by a first thread; and
a sacrificial elastomer line at a location inward of the seam area, the sacrificial elastomer line joining the first and second fabric panels to each other at the location.
2. The airbag of claim 1 , wherein the airbag is a cut, sewn, and sealed airbag, the airbag further comprising a first elastomer line at the seam, the first elastomer line sealing the seam.
3. The airbag of claim 2 , wherein a gap separates the sacrificial elastomer line from the first elastomer line.
4. The airbag of claim 2 , wherein the first elastomer line is adjacent to the sacrificial elastomer line without a gap.
5. The airbag of claim 2 , wherein the first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line have a common width.
6. The airbag of claim 2 , wherein the first elastomer line and the sacrificial elastomer line are made of silicone.
7. The airbag of claim 2 , wherein the first elastomer line is positioned between the first and second fabric panels.
8. The airbag of claim 2 , wherein a width of the sacrificial elastomer line is greater than a width of the first elastomer line.
9. The airbag of claim 2 , wherein a width of the sacrificial elastomer line is smaller than a width of the first elastomer line.
10. The airbag of claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial elastomer line extends along as much of a periphery of the first and second fabric panels as the seam does.
11. The airbag of claim 1 , further comprising a sacrificial seam at the sacrificial elastomer line, the sacrificial seam including second stitches formed by a second thread.
12. The airbag of claim 11 , wherein a material of the first and second fabric panels, and the first stitches of the seam, are stronger than the second stitches of the sacrificial seam.
13. The airbag of claim 1 , wherein the airbag is a cut and sewn airbag, and wherein the airbag does not have a seal at the seam.
14. The airbag of claim 13 , wherein the seam is a first seam, the airbag further comprising a second seam at the seam area, the second seam being adjacent the first seam, wherein the first and second seams are not sealed.
15. The airbag of claim 1 , wherein the location of the sacrificial elastomer line is a stress area of the airbag.
16. The airbag of claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial elastomer line does not extend along as much of a periphery of the first and second fabric panels as the seam does.
17. The airbag of claim 16 , wherein the sacrificial elastomer line extends along only a corner of the seam.
18. The airbag of claim 17 , wherein a shape of the sacrificial elastomer line corresponds to at least a part of a shape of the corner of the seam.
19. The airbag of claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial elastomer line comprises at least one of silicone or a urethane adhesive material.
20. The airbag of claim 1 , wherein at least one side of the first fabric panel is coated with a first elastomer material.
21. The airbag of claim 20 , wherein at least one side of the second fabric panel is coated with a second elastomer material.