2) United States Patent Kwak et al. ($4) METHOD OF PREPARIN CUSHION BY MEANS OF SI AN AIRBAG ING (71) Applicant: Kolon Industeies, Ine. Gacheon-si (KR) win Kwak, Gumi-si (KR); Daegu (KR): 1g Kim, Gomis (KR) Hee-fun Kim, Daezu (KR); Sung-Hoon Youn, Gumi-si (KR) Sang-Mok Lee, Gumi-si (KR) (72) Inventors: KOLON INDUSTI Gwvacheou-si (KR) (73) Assignee: SINC. (*) Notice: Suibjoct to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 USC. 1540) by 260 days, (21) Appl. Now 14468481 (22) Filed: Aug. 26, 2014 6s) Prior Publication Data 101510000576 AL Jan. 1, 2015 Related Us Application Data (62). Division of application No, 13/515,098, filed as application No. PCT/KR2010009586 on| Dee. 30, 2010, aow Pat, No, 8,851,516, G0) Foreign Application Priority Data Dee. 30, 2009 (KR) Mat. 26, 2010 (KR) 10-2000.0134495, 10-2010.0027417 GI) nee BooR 21/231 (2011.01) BoOR 21235 (2006.01) (Continued) (2) US.CL cre B6OR 21/231 (2013.01); BOR 21235 (2013.01): DUSB 100 (201301) (Continued) 200 'US009694781B2 US 9,694,781 B2 Jul. 4, 2017 (10) Patent No.: (4s) Date of Patent: (58) Field of Classification Search CPC ns BOOR 2021/23538, BGOR 21/231; BEOR 21/238; DOSE 13100; DSH 1/00: DOSB. 20/22; YiOT 442/2139 (Coutinved) 60) Referenees Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS. 3085308 A * IITA Brandi Best 3936, ham (Continsed) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 2oeni9t 102007 ioisr2r6 "22009 (Comtinved) OTHER PUBLICATIONS uopean Paleat Oe, Extended European Search Repodt ofthe comesponding European Patent Applicaton No. 108413188 (un Primary Esaminer — Arti Singh-Pandey (74) Attornes, Agent, or Firm — Lex IP Meister, PLC on ABSTRACT The present invention relates 0 an airbag cushion and an airbag system including the sme, and partially 10 an arb cmbion ncding at leas one abe and sem pats connecting the fabri, wherein deviation of upper seam thread length por unt eng ofthe fabric betwee the est Scan part sewed in forward ditetion and the second sean part sewed in reverse discon inthe seam pats i 15% or {ess meso of preparing the sae and an agp inhiding the same. The airbag cishion of the present invention i superior in working stability and unfolding performance becase ofthe optimized properties ofthe sem pats, provides superior shape stably and aright effect t {he tome time, and can protect pasienger by siniizing tho shock given to the passenger 3 Claims, 6 Drawing SheetsUS 9,694,781 B2 age 2 Gh meer FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS Das 100 (200601) Dose ym (20001) x vores 3200 Dosh 2722 Gasol) BP 9700 (2) USC. r son a CPC pase 1200 (2013.01, Boor 2orraises Bats 107 O18 Dish 2729 Qo1s0), or 3 oseyy Sap . - 42/2139 20159) KR 49.1999.0023593 31999 (58) Field of Claalicaton Search Ki foavosoomse> amon USPC ervnne HDISS, 254, $7508, 475.17 Kit Soon See aplication fie for comple serch history. ra ck "oman 7200 66) References Cited KR soaoo-oimor San KR tomo? 92009 US. PATENT DocUMENTS wo "hoses "2009 oor ansys Aly Ham Reta Wo ovis 2a Doiwoolsat Ale ‘12011 Rim Book 21222 1807302 * cited by examinerU.S. Patent Jul. 4, 2017 Sheet 1 of 6 US 9,694,781 B2 Fig. | 124 101 ) 100 HII F110 —130U.S. Patent Jul. 4, 2017 Sheet 2 of 6 US 9,694,781 B2 Fig.2 201 202 Fig. 4U.S. Patent Jul. 4, 2017 Sheet 3 of 6 US 9,694,781 B2U.S. Patent Jul. 4, 2017 Sheet 4 of 6 US 9,694,781 B2 Fig.7 second tank 4 | solenoid valve t solenoid valve first high compression aa —-> pressure sensor computerU.S. Patent Jul. 4, 2017 Sheet 5 of 6 US 9,694,781 B2 800U.S. Patent Jul. 4, 2017 Sheet 6 of 6 US 9,694,781 B2 Fig.9 Pressure (kpa) oSSBsgsaes Fig. 10US 9,694,781 B2 1 METHOD OF PREPARING AN AIRBAG. CUSHION BY MEANS OF SEWING RO’ EFERENCES TO RELATED, "APPLICATION ‘This application isa Divisional applieation of US. patent application Ser. No. 13/515,098 filed Jun. 11,2012, which is ‘8 National Stage application of PCT/KR2010/009586 fled ‘on Dee. 30, 2010, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10:2000-0134475 filed on Dee, 30, 2008 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0027417 filed ‘on Mar. 26, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (@) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag cushion and an fag cushion having a superior working stability. and unfolding performance owing 0 the optimized property of scam part, a method of preparing the same, a sewing ‘machine which ean be used for such method, and an airbag system including the same. () Description ofthe Related Art Genetally, atbag is an apparatus for protecting # diver ‘and passengers by providing. gas into the airbag. by ‘exploding gunpowder so as to inflate the airbag afer detect- ing crash impact with an impoct detecting sensor, when 9 driving car collides head-on atthe speed of about 40 km/h ‘oF mor, and a sete of conventional sirbag system is ‘depicted in FIG. 1. ‘AS depicted in FIG. 1, conveational sirbag system inchides a inflstor 121 that generates a gas by ignition of @ ‘dejonstor 122; an airbag module 100 installed ina steering ‘heel 101 and including an airbag 124 that i expanded and unfolded toward a d for connecting the fabrics river on driver's seat by the generated gas; an impact sensor 130 that gives an impact signal when the car is crashed; and an Electronic Control Module (ECM) 110 that ignites the ‘defonstor 122 of the inflator 121 acconting to the impact signal. In the airbag system, the impact sensor 130 detects the impact and gives tbe signal to the ECM, when the car ‘collides head-on, At this ine, the ECM 110 that received the sana ignites the detonator 122 and a gas generator in the jnflator 121 is combusted. The combisted gas generator enerates the gas rapidly and expands the airbag 124, The ‘expanded airbag 124 contacts to the front upper body ofthe ‘driver and absorbs the impact load eaused by the collision parially, and when the driver's head and chest go forward according tothe law of inertia and smash against the airbag 124i furer absorbs the shock toward the driver by rapidly discharging the gas from the airbag throwgh discharging holes formed on the arhog. Therefore, the airbag absorbs the shock effectively that is delivered to the driver, and can reduce the secondary injury atthe time of a head-on colli- As disclosed above, the airbag for ear is prepared into a certain shape and installed in a string whoo, side glass windows, oF side pillars ofthe car in a folded form so as © minimize the volume, and iis expanded and unfolded when the inflator 121 operates “Atthis time, a sowed airbag generally includes fabric, and scam parts for connecting the fabric. Namely, since the parts discharging ai when the airbag is unfolded are the seam pars, the properties sich as seam strength and elongation of bag system including the same, and particularly to un 2 2 the seam parts are important, Particularly, the connection performance of whole pats ofthe airbag must be msintained effectively so that superior expansion performance and ‘unfolding performance are exhibited when the shag, is unfolded by instant gus generation, However, the sewed sirhag made by a common sutomatic sewing machine is shor of the seam strength and elongation of the seam pars for providing effective expansion perfor ‘mance andl unfolding performance when the airbag operates The problem cannot be suficently overcome by changing the seam thread material applied tothe seam parts, and thus the development of technology which can optimize the properties Of scam parts without changing the material is require. ‘Therefore, the investigation for developing the sicbag ceushion including seam parts having superior mechanical properties and air-seal ellect so as 0 exhibit excellent expansion and unfolding performance when the airbag is ‘unfolded, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Its an aspoet of the present invention to provide an airbag, cushion superior in an air-seal property and an intemal pressure maintenance by optimizing the properties of seam tis another aspect of the present invention to provide a method of preparing an airbag cushion, controling. the tension of scam thread to be in an optimum range. Is still another agpeet ofthe present invention o provide «sewing machine forthe airbag cushion which ca form ‘seam pars of the airbag cushion superior in air-sea propery ‘and intemal pressure maintenance. tis still another agpect ofthe present invention o provide fn airbag system including the airbag cushion, [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is @ drawing showing a conventional siebag syste, i FIG. 2s schematic drawing showing the fist seam part, sowed in the forward direction and the second seam part sewed inthe reverse direction, in the siebag cushion aceoed- ing to one embodiment ofthe preseat invention FIG, 3 isa schematic drawing showing the iructureof the upper thread andthe lower thread of the frst seam part sowed in the forward direction in the aig cushion aceoed- ing to one embodiment of the presest invention FIG. 4 sa schematic drawing shoving the structure the ‘upper thread and the lower thread ofthe second seam part sewed inthe reverse direction in the sitbag cushion aceond- ing to one embodiment ofthe preseat invention PIG. 8 is a photograph showing the stieture ofthe upper ‘head and the lower thread of the Fist seam part sewed ia the forward direction, in the airbag cushion according to one embodiment ofthe present inveation FIG. 6s a photograph showing the strcture ofthe upper thread and the lower thread of the second seam part sewed inthe reverse direction, in the airbag cushion aecording t0 ‘one embodiment of the present invention. IG. 7 is a schematic drawing showing the device for measuring the intemal. pressure of the airbag cushion sccording # one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing showing the sewing ‘machine for the airbag cushion according to one embodi- of the present invention,US 9,694,781 B2 3 FIG. 9 is @ graph showing the result of the intemal pressure of the airbag cushion including the seam parts ‘acconting to Example 1 of the preset invention FIG. 10 is a graph showing the result of the intemal pressure of the airbag cushion including the seam parts seconding to Comparative Example 1 ofthe present inven- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS, ‘The present invention provides un arbog cushion, includ Jing: t leat one fabric; andl seam pans connecting the fabric, wherein deviation of upper seam thread length per a unit Jength of the fabric between the fist seam part sewed in Torwaed direction and the second seam part sewed in reverse rection inthe seam pats is 13% oF less ‘Te present invention also provides a method of preparing sn sirbog cushion, inefuding the steps of: cutting at least one fabric; and sewing the fabrics so as to connect each otber, 2 soherein the sewing tp is controlled so that tension of wpper seam thread when sewing in reverse direction is 105% t0 140% compared to tension of upper seam thread when sowing in forward direction. Te present invention also provides a sewing machine for ‘an airbag cushion, equipped with a needle for sewing fabrics, and a main thread controller providing tension to an upper seam thread and a sub thread controller providing @ preliminary tension tothe upper seam thread provided to the ‘main thread controller in the path of the upper seam thread from a thread supplying source to the needle; and further including contro) means for minutely controlling the preliminary tension according tothe sub thread controler The present invention also provides an airbag system including the airbag cushion, Hereinafter, an aisbag cushion according to specifi ‘embodiment, a method of preparing the same, a sewing ‘machine for an airbag cushion Which ean bo vse for the method, and an sithag system inchading the same are ‘explained in more detail, However, the followings are only {or the understanding of the present invention and the seape ‘of the present invention isnot limited to or by them, and it js obvious to a person skilled in the related art that the ‘embovdiments cat be variously modified in the scope ofthe present invention, Inaddition, “nelude” oF “comprise” means to include any ‘components (oF ingredients) without particular limitation unless there is no particular mention about them in this ‘description, and it cannot be interpreted as | meaning of ‘excluding an adltion of other components (or ingredients) The present invention can improve seam strength and ‘elongation of seam parts 0 as to exhibit superior untolding property when the aishag is expanded, and can secure ‘excelent internal pressure maintenance, by applying an ‘optimized sewing condition and sewing method for con- necting the fabrics to the seam parts when preparing the hag cushion. ‘Generally, an airbag cushion is prepared by sewing and ‘connecting Tabrics so as to define expanding parts when inflator is exploded. More coneretely, in a common method ‘of preparing an airbag eushion by sewing lubries for an fag with an automatic sewing machine, a lower thread 201 and an upper thread 202 ane used on a fabric 200, and the sowing process is carried out by providing the upper thread 202 from the sewing machine in a certain direction against the lower thread 201, as shown in FIG. 2. At this Time, the fabric 200 is fixed, and the sewing process is 0 o 4 carried out by moving a needle ofthe sewing machine while changing its direction and providing the upper thread 202 in the same direction asthe needle Therefore, the direction of providing dhe upper Uuead to the fabric may be chinged even in sewing the fabrics composing one airbag cushion, and thus the direction of providing the upper thread 202 against the lower thread 201 ay be also changed (see FIG. 2) According tothe direction of providing the upper thread 102, “forward direction’ and “reverse direction’ ea be defined. AC this time the “Forward digestion’ ean be defined fs the direction of providing the upper thread 202 and the ‘iretion of sewing the fabrics in which the upper thread 202 fan be sewer without tine aginst the lower tread 201 fs shown in FIGS. 2,3, and 8, and the “reverse direction’ ea be defined asthe direction of providing the wpper thread 202 ‘and the direction of sewing the fabries in which the upper thread 202 is sewed with # twine spainst the lower tread 201, as shown in FIGS, 2,4, and 6. By the way, whether the upper thread 102 is wines ‘against the lower thread 100 oF ot varies according to the sowing directions, namely, to the forward direction’ or the “reverse diretion’, and thus the necessary length of the ‘upper thread varies between each seam pars sewed in the “forward direction’ and the “reverse ditecton’, and the seam parts have a deviation in the connection performance, ‘As a result of the present inventors, its revealed that the properties ofthe seam parts ean be optimized by controlling the tension of the upper sewing thread to be an optimam range nnd maintaining the deviation of the necessary length of the sewing thread below a certain standard, and thus the firseal property and the intemal pressure maintenance can be largely improved, Particularly, the present invention prevents the decrease ‘of the mechanical properties when sewing in the reverse rection, and thus can secure superior mechanical proper- ties fr the first seam part sewed in the forward direction and the second seam part sewed in the reverse direction, and ean ‘obtain the effcct of improving the unfolding performance of the airbag cushion according to this, at the same time. "According to one embodiment ofthe present invention, an airbag cushion inclnding seam parts having 9 certain char- acteristic is provided. The airbag cushion may include at east one fabric, and seam parts eonnecting the fabric, and {deviation of upper seam thread length per auit length of the fabric between the first seam part sewed in forward direction and the second seam part sewed in reverse direction in the seam parts may be 15% of les. “The necessary length (,) ofthe sewing thread of the first seam part sewed in the Forward direction pera unit leagth of theaizbog cushion fabric andthe necessary length (L,) of the sewing thread ofthe sesond seam part sewed in he reverse irection may have a deviation (AL) of 15% or less, or 1% to 15%, preferably 12% or less, oF 1.3% to 122%, and more preferably 10% of less, or 2% to 10%. Particularly, the Geviation (AL) of the necessary lengths of the sewing threads between the first seam part and he second seam part ‘may be represented by the follewing Calculation Formula 1 ane [Coleuiion Fort} wherein, Ly #8 the necessary Iength of the sewing thread per a init length of the airbag cushion fabric in the frst seam part sewed inthe forward direction, and L, isthe necessaryUS 9,694,781 B2 5 length of the sewing thread per a unit length of the airbag ‘cushion fabric in the first seam pa wed in the forward direction ere, the necessary length deviation (AL) of the sewing thread between the first seam part and the sevonl seam part ‘can be represented as a percentage ofthe absolute vale of the difference between the necessary length (L,) of the sowing thread per a unit length of the fabric in the fist seam part sewed in the forward ditection and the nocessary length (Cayo the sewing thread pera unit length of te fabric i the second seam part sewed in the reverse direction, compared 10 the necessary length (L,) of the sewing thread, In determining the necessary Tength deviation (AL) ofthe sowing thread between the frst seam part and the second seam part in the airbag cushion, it is more preferable thatthe ‘conditions such as, the kind, the thickness, the sewing method, the number of stitch, and so on of the sewing threads are equally aplied tothe fist seam part sewed in the forward direction and the second seam part sewed in the revente direction, Furthermore, when the necessary length deviation (AL) of the sewing thread between the first seam part sewed in the forward and the second scam part sewed in the reverse rections is lager than 15%, the mechanical properties of the second seam part sewed in the reverse ditoction is apparently decreased in competison wih the frst seam part sewed in the forward direction, and the ar-seal property and the internal pressure maintenance may be largely decreased ‘dueto the difference ofthe properties between the first seam part and the second seam part ‘Therefore, according t0 the present invention, it is pos- sible to optimize the properties of the airbag cushion by just ‘controlling the necessary length of the sewing thread accom ing to the sewing direction. Partieularly, the airbag cushion ‘of the present invention can secure superior mechanical properties similar othe forward seam part even in the Feverse seam part by optimizing the necessary length dev tion (AL) of the sewing thread between the fist and second scam parts sewed in the forward and reverse diretions to be 15% oF less, and ii also possible to obtain superior air-sea performance and aietighines, and impraved unfolding per formance. The seam parts of the present sirhag cushion are con nected by using @ sewing thread including at least one scleted from the group consisting ofa nylon-based thread, «a polyester-hase thread, a polyolefin-based thread, and an ‘ramid-based thread, and itis preferable to use a nylon 66 thread, a nylon 46 thread, Kevlar (aramid-based thread), and s0 on in the aspects of heat resistance and shrinkage prop- ‘erty, and itis most preferable to use a nylon 66 thread. The thickness, namely, the total fineness, of the sewing thread may be 210 to 1,890 denier, and preferably 420 10 1.260 denier. Its preferable in the aspect of strength thatthe thickness of the sowing thread is 210 denier or more, and it is also preferable in the aspect of tolerance (elasticity) that the thickness of the sewing thread is 1,890 donicr or less. Particularly, the thickness of the sessing thread can be varied seconding to the kind of airbag cushion and the pressure of inflator: The denier is unit indicating the thickness of @ thread, for example, when the weight of a thread having the Jength of 9000 m is 1 g, the thickness of the thread is 1 denier, “The tensile strength of the sewing thread measured soconting ASTM 1 204-97 method may be $8 N or more, preferably 58 N to 110 N, nnd more preferably it may be 89 Nito ION when the thickness is 1,260 denier, and $8 N to 80/N when the thickness is 840 denier, When the tensile 0 o strength of the sewit the range, the seam parts may be ripped up during the preparation or the unfolding process of the airbag because the strength of the seam parts i too weak, and when the tensile strength i to lange, the unfolding ine or the shape of the airbag may ‘become unusual during the unfolding process ofthe sicbag ‘because the strength ofthe seam parts is too large. -Purtermore, de seam pars of the present irbag cushion can be prepared by effective sewing methods according 10 the use ofeach part, and at least one sewing method selected trom the group coasisting ofa single-lock, a double-lock, @ single-chain, and a double-chain can be used The number of stitches of the seam parts may be con wold to be in an optimum ringe according to the use of cach part or the sewing method, andthe murber of stitches may be 20 t0 80 ea/100 mm, preferably 25 to 75 ea/100 mm, and more preferably 30 to 70 ea/10 mm. When the number of stitches i lesser than 20 ea/100 mm, the seam parts may be ripped up during the preparation or the unfolding process of the airbag because the strength of the seam partis 00 weak, and when the number of stitches is larger than 80 ca/100 mm, the fabric may be damaged or the unfolding time or the shape ofthe airbag may become unusual during the unfolding process ofthe airbag because the srength of the seam part i f00 lr. ‘The seam strength ofthe seam parts ofthe airbag cushion measured aocondg to ASTM D 1683 method may be 100 to 400 katlinch, preferably 130 w 350 kafinch, and more preferably 150 to 300 kgifinch, Furthermore, the elongation fof the scam parts measured according to ASTM D 1683 method may be 15% to 80%, preferably 20% to 70%, and sone preferably 25% to 60M, It is preferable for securing the ‘optimized strength of the seam pits and accomplishing clfective intemal pressure maintenance that the seam strength and tbe elongation of the seam pars ofthe airbag ceushion of the present invention is maintained in above range. Particularly, the scam strength of the second seam part whieh is sewed in the reverse direction according to the present invention may be 73% oF more, or 73% 0 120%, preferably 78% or more, of 74% to 110%, and more pref. erably 75% or more, or 75% to 100%, in comparison wit the seam strength ofthe fist seam part which is sewed inthe Torward direction. Furthermore, the elongation of the second seam part sewed in the reverse digestion may be 168% oF Tess, oF 100% to 168%, preferably 168% or lest, or 102% to 165%, and more preferably 160% oF less, or 105% to 160%, in comparison with the elongation of the frst seam part sewed inthe forward direction. Like tis, the airbag cushion fof the present inveation can secure superior mechanical properties similar 10 the forward seam part even in the revere seam part by optimizing the ranges of the seam strength and the elongation of the second seam part sewed inthe reverse direction andthe frst seam part sewed in the forward dirsction, and it is also possible to obtain superior sirseal performance and sir-tightness, and improved unfold- ing performance Purtermore, the maximum pressure of initial expansion (unfolding) of the airbag cushion of the present invention may be 100 KPa or more, preferably 105 KPa or more, and ‘more preferably 110 KPs or more, when an intomal pressure js measured after providing an instant pressure of 25 bar to the airbag cushion. When the airbag cushion ofthe present invention is installed in an airbag system for a car, itis possible to exhibit superior performances as safety system {rough said superior intemal pressure maintenance,US 9,694,781 B2 1 In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the internal pressure of the shag cushion may be measured by using a device as shown in FIG. 7. In the measuring deviee, aller charging the first high compression tank with nitrogen asin a high-pressure, the frst solenoid valve is opened and ‘controlled by the compatersa that nitrogen gas is charged in the second tank until 25 bar. When the second tank is ‘charged up, the frst solenoid valve is closed and the second, solenoid valve is opened by the computer, and the com pressed nitrogen gt changed in the second tank with the pressure of 25 bar discharges instantly. into the airbag ‘cushion which maintains an atmospheric presture, and "unfolds the airbag enshion, At this time, the ini maximnm pressure inside of the aithag cushion is measured by the pressure seasor, andthe results are recorded by the computer records, Therefore, the airbag cushion of the present invention satisfies above conditions, and the intial maximum pressure thereof may be 100 KPa or more when the instant pressure ‘0f25 bari provided, the seam slreagth thereof my be 100, kainch or more, andthe clongation thereof may be 80% oF less, preferably. ‘Meanwhile, the fabric ofthe srbag cushion ofthe present ‘invention may be @ Woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric ‘which is known as forthe airbag cushion, and the kind is not ted particularly, For example, the woven fabric or the nonwoven fabric may include at Teast one thread selected Jom the group consisting ofa nylon-based thread, a poly- ‘ster hased thread, polyoefin-based thread, and an aramid based thread. Specifially, a woven fabric ineluding nylon 66, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), andlor polypropyl- ‘enc (PP) may be used, for example. The woven pate ofthe ‘woven fabri and the kind of the nonwoven fabric used in the present invention are also not limited particularly, hov= ‘ever. itis preferable o use nylon 66 considering the strength ‘ofthe seam parts, and the like ‘The fabric is prepared into the airbag cushion fabric through conventional weaving, scouring, and heat-setting processes, and the fabrie may he further treated by a silicon rubber coating and so on with a necessity The coated irbog ‘cushion fabric is prepared into an airbog cushion having 3 ‘ertain shape through cutting and sewing processes diss ‘losed below, At this time, the airbag cushioa isnot limited ‘oa particular shape, and it may be prepared into a general shape. Particularly, the fabric. may funher include a rubber ‘outing layer which is coated or laminated on one face oF bth faces ofthe fabri. The rubber material may be atleast ‘one selected from the group consisting of a powder-type silicone, a liguid-type silicone, polyurethane, chloroprene, neoprene rubber, and an emulsion-iype silicone resin. The Kind ofthe rubber material isnot limited to above materials, however, a silicone coating is preferable in the aspects of ‘eco-friendly properties and mechanical properties. At this time, the quantity of the rubber coating layer pee ‘unit area may be 20 w 200 gin, and preferably 200 100 im. Particularly, the quantity is preferably 30 t0 95 g/m= inthe case of preparing an OPW (One Piece Woven)type side curtain airbag, and preferably 20 to SO gin? inthe ease ‘of using a plainiype fabric, On the other hand, @ method of preparing an aicbog ‘cushion, controling tension of a upper sewing thread to be ‘anoptimum range is provide, according 1 another embod rent of the present invention. The method of preparing the hag cushion includes the steps of: cutting at least one fabric; and sewing the fabrics so a to connect each other, ‘andthe sewing step may be controlled so that the tension of 0 o 8 the upper seam thread when sewing in the reverse direction is 108% to 140%, preferably 107% to 135%, and more preferably 110% to 130%, compared to de tension of the ‘upper seam thread when sewing in the forward direction, ‘AL this time, inthe case ofthat the tension ofthe sewing thread when sewing in the reverse drcction is lesser than 105% compared o the tension when sewing in the forwand direction, the mechanical properties of the second seam part sewed inthe reverse direction may be decreased apparent the air seal performance and the intemal pressure mainte- ‘nance may also deteriorate, and the unfolding performance ‘may deteriorate apparealy, accordingly. Furthermore, i the ase of that the tension ofthe sewing thread when sewing in the reverse diretion is larger than 140% compared to the tension when sewing in the forwant direction, the thread nay be broken during the sewing process and the whole process cannot be carried out smoothly, oF the fabrie may be damaged, or the unfolding time or the shape of the airbag may become unusual during the unfolding process of the airbag because the strength of the seam par is oo large. Funbermore, the sewing process may be carried ot so that the deviation ofthe length of the upper seam thread per ‘unit length ofthe fabric betwen the fist seam part sewed inthe forward direction and the second seam part sewed ia the reverse diction is 15% or less. Namely, the sewing process may be caried out so that the deviation (AL) between the necessary length (L,) of the sewing thread of the frst seam part sewed ia the forward direotion per a unit Jength of the airbag cushion fabric and the necessary length (L,) ofthe sewing thread ofthe second seam part sewed! in the reverse direction is 15% of less, or 1% 10 15%, prefer ably 12% or less, or 1.5% to 12%, and more preferably 10% or less, oF 2% to 10%. Particularly, the necessary length Seviation (AL) of the sewing thread between the first se part and the secood seam part can be represented os 3 percentage ofthe absolute value ofthe difference between fhe necessary length (I) of the sewing thread per unit Tength of the fabric in ‘the first seam part sewed in the {forward direction and the nccessary length (I) of the sewing thread per a unit length of the fabric in the second seam part sewed in the reverse direction, compared to the recessary length (L,) of the sewing thresd, as disclosed hove, Therefore, according fo another embodiment, the proper- ties ofthe airbag cushion ean be optimized by controlling the tension of the upper sewing thread in the optimum range secording to the sewing directions. Particularly the present ‘method can secure superior mechanieal properties similae to the forward seam part even in the reverse seam part by ‘optimizing the tension so that the tension af the upper sowing thread when sewing in the reverse direction is 105% {0 140% compared tothe tension ofthe upper sewing thread ‘when Sewing in the forward direction, and itis aso possible to obtain superior air-sea! performance and aitighines, and improved unfolding performance. Funbermore, the sewing process ean be selected from effective sowing methods according tothe use of each par, and at least one sewing method selected from the group consisting of single-lock, a doublesoek, a single-chain, and a double«chain ean be used. “The sewing pracess can be catred out by controlling the numberof stitches to be in an optimam range according to the use of each part or the sewing method, and the number of sttchos may be 20 t0 80 ea/100 mm, preferably 25 to 75 4/100 mm, and more preferably 30 to 70 ea/10 mm, When the numberof stitches is lesser than 20 ea/100 mm, the seam parts may be ripped up during the preparation or the unfol-US 9,694,781 B2 9 ing process ofthe airbag becuse the stenyth ofthe seam parts too weak, and wha te nunber of oitches i lager than 80 ea/100 min, the fabric maybe damaged or the tnflding time or the shape ofthe airbox may. become tmscal during the unflting proces of the arog Bocas the strength ofthe seam prt oo age thermore, then and the thickness ta fineness of the sewing thea which canbe ase in he sewing process tne same ss disclosed above, and ths detailed explanations ars skipped hee in the method of prporing the stbag cushion of the preset invention, sy” devices hich ean be ed fe re Paring a sewed airbag may be sed inthe seeing OES, fn n nds sewing machine of which hod moves my be used in the aspect of proces efcione. Particully n ‘idiional tension contol means my be wed s0 as (0 ono each tension of the sewing trea when sewing inthe forward dircton and inthe revene drcton lo bein an ‘optim ng, andthe means for contig the tension of the sewing thread ey be handed navel or bya dig ‘ont thvog comput programming. rhermore a sewing mickine Toran stbae cushion ‘whi can contol and optimize the onson of the sewing thread in a certain range is provided according 10 tt another embodiment ofthe present invention. The sewing tachine may be eiuipped wilh needle for sewing the fabric, and main tea controler providing tension fn aper seam tread anda sub thd conto providing a petminary tension tothe upper seam thread provid the mtn tread controler inthe ath of the Upper seam thro oma tad supplying sone othe need and may fire include a cont mans for minty controling the preliminary teovon according Tote sub tread controler Inthe soving machine for nib coshion the rel nary tension aeconing fo te sub thread controller may be ‘one so that the tension of the upper seam thread when Sewing inthe reverse dsction is 1085 140%, pete Tor 0 135%, and more preferably 110% t 130%, com pared tothe tension of upper seam head when sewing nthe Forward diction. Furthemore, the tension ofthe oper Sewing had may be conlled so hat the deviation of te Ienatho! the upper seam thes pera unit egth othe fabric tetmecn the fst seam part sewed in the forward deton and the second seam part sewed inthe reverse diveton is 15% le, in the seving cine ia preferable example, as shown in FIG. 8 the sewing anachine 00 forthe arog esbion my be equiped wih 8 nse BOL for seng fabrics, and equipped witha main thre controler 803 proving 9 tens oa upper ssi. thread 802 and a sub tnead controller 804 proving. « preliminary tension to th upper eam had inded 0 the main tead contol nthe path of the eppee seam, thr 802 froma thread spying sour to he nel 8, tnd may farther icine a conte means 808 fr minty ening the preliminary tension according to the 0b throat contol 804 “The main thread controler 803 js equppe witha means formating a erin nson while sly proving te upper swig thread (0 the nose 8O1. The process of providing th tension by the mai thea cone 803 may Be carried out by manually ivi a fixed vale to the ont according to the Kind of sowing thea, the numberof stshes, the kindof fabri, and the Hie “ine sub thread eontller 804 gives a preliminary tension to the main thread contoller 843, and fs ecuipped wih & tnean or minutely controling the tension conte by te sain thea conte 803. The proces of providing the 0 o 10 tension by the sub thread controller 804 may be cared out bby mannaly giving a fied value to the controller according ‘othe kind of sewing thread, the numberof stitches, the kind of fabric, and the like. Furdbermore, the control means 808 for minutely contral- ling the preliminary tension by the sub thread controller 804 is equipped with a means automatically conteolling. the tension difference between the seam parts according to the sewing direction by minutely controlling the tension which varies according to the sewing direction. The process of providing the tension by the conto means 808 for minutely controling the preliminary tension may be caried out by automatically controlling the upper sewing thread according to the sewing direction ‘The control means 80S for minstely controling the pre= liminary tension may be handled manually, or by a digital controller through a computer programming. Particularly, as shown in FIG. 8, the controler 805 for minutely controlling the preliminary tension may operate so as to lower the ‘ension of the upper sevving thread when sewing in the ‘onward direction (shown by a broken line), and 10 give the ‘optimized tension of the upper sewing thread when sewing in the reverse direction (shown by a fll line). Like this, the sewing machine for the airbag cushion of the present invention is equipped with the control means for ‘minutely controling the preliminary tension in adkltion to ‘the main thread contoller and the sub thread controller, and ‘makes it possible to control the tension automatically by ‘minutely controlfing the degree of tension continuously, ‘without providing the tension of a fixed value to the sub thread controle. Tn addition to, the present invention provides an scbag, system including the airbag cushion diselosed above aecord- ing to sill nother embodiment of the preseat invention Pariculadly, te airbag system may'inclode the airbag eush- ‘on to which the seam parts having a certain characteristics are applied, and the airbag system may be also equipped ‘with common devices well known toa person skilled in the related art ‘The airbag may be langly classified into a frontal sicbag, and a side aithog. There ate airbags for a driver's seat, for 1 passenger seat fr protecting knees, for protecting ankles and the like asthe frontal airbag, and there are aside airbag ‘ofa carand a curtain airbag a the side sirbag. Therefore, the airbag may be a frontal airbag, a side airbag, or @ curtain airbag. “The matters that is not disclosed above may be added to ‘or subiract from the present invention, and thus they are not Timited particulary inthe present invention. According to the present invention, an airbag cushion having a supecior working stability For the seam parts and unfolding performance of the airbag, and a method of preparing the same, a sewing machine which ean he used for the method, and an airbag system including the same are provided Particularly, the present invention ean imprave the seam strength and the elongation of the seam parts s0as to exhibit Stperior “unfolding performance when the airbag is expanded, and ean secure superior internal pressure main- ‘eniaee by optimizing the properties ofthe seam parts ofthe sirbag cushion, Furthermore, the airbag cushion of the present invention provides superior shape stability and air Sea effect, and ean protect a passenger safely by minimizing the shoek given to the passenger. “Therefore the airbag cushion ofthe present invention can be very preferably used tothe airbag system for a car.