Vehicle safety devices, seam tapes for use in airbag and related methods

A vehicle safety device, comprising:

• an airbag forming an interior space and defining an aperture, the airbag comprising a first fabric section and a second fabric section, wherein the first fabric section is joined along a seam to the second fabric section;
• a pyrotechnic device positioned within working proximity to the aperture defined in the airbag, wherein the pyrotechnic device is configured to fill the interior space of the airbag with a gas upon ignition;
• a reinforcement strip positioned within the interior of the airbag on the seam;
• a seam tape positioned between the reinforcement strip and the seam of the airbag, the seam tape comprising a needlepunched nonwoven material positioned in the interior surface on the seam of the airbag, the needlepunched nonwoven material configured to absorb the impingent as shock wave of the gas generated upon ignition of the pyrotechnic device and comprising at least one polymer and being configured to melt upon exposure to the heat from the gas generated by the pyrotechnic device such that the melted polymer of the seam tape flows into and occupies needle puncture holes to reduce leakage of the gas through the needle puncture holes.

A method of making an airbag cushion for a vehicle safety device, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of fabric panels that are to form body sections of an airbag cushion;
• providing one or more reinforcement strips;
• providing a seam tape, the seam tape comprising a needlepunched nonwoven material positioned in the interior surface on the seam of the airbag, the needlepunched nonwoven material configured to absorb the impingent gas shock wave of the gas generated upon ignition of the pyrotechnic device and comprising at least one polymer and being configured to melt upon exposure to the heat from the gas generated by the pyrotechnic device such that the melted polymer of the seam tape flows into and occupies needle puncture holes to reduce leakage of the gas through the needle puncture holes;
• aligning the plurality of fabric panels along seams to form an interior space and define an aperture for the airbag cushion;
• positioning the one or more reinforcement strips along the seam within the interior of the airbag cushion;
• positioning the seam tape between the reinforcement strip and the seam of the airbag cushion;
• and
• joining the plurality of fabric panels, the one or more reinforcement strips and the seam tape along seams with the seam tape positioned between the reinforcement strip and the seam of the airbag.