초록 ▼

A hybrid gas generator includes a chamber for storing inert gas under high pressure, a chamber for storing pyrotechnic material used to heat the stored gas, a diffuser which contains gas orifices for dispensing gas uniformly into an air bag assembly, a thin metal diaphragm to provide a pressure seal

A hybrid gas generator includes a chamber for storing inert gas under high pressure, a chamber for storing pyrotechnic material used to heat the stored gas, a diffuser which contains gas orifices for dispensing gas uniformly into an air bag assembly, a thin metal diaphragm to provide a pressure seal between the storage chamber and the diffuser, and a metal disk that is scored with a circular groove to seal the pyrotechnic material from the stored gas. Upon receiving an electrical signal an initiator fires and ignites the pyrotechnic charge. As pressure in the combustion chamber rises and exceeds the pressure in the storage chamber the metal disk that is scored with a circular groove ruptures and allows hot gas and burning pyrotechnic material to heat the gas and cause a rapid pressure rise in the gas storage chamber. When the pressure in the gas storage chamber exceeds the rupture pressure of the thin metal diaphragm between the storage chamber and the diffuser, it ruptures and allows the heated gas to vent through the diffuser orifices into the air bag assembly. Other features include the use of metal stampings for many of the parts instead of machined or forged parts, an end plug made in one piece with the storage chamber which reduces the number of bulkhead welds, a dimpled or pronged orifice plate which prevents the exiting orifice from being plugged, and a perforated diffuser with small holes which prevent fragments from escaping the inflator without the use of screens or meshes.

대표청구항 ▼

A hybrid inflator for an air bag comprising, a storage chamber for storing inflation gas under high pressure, said storage chamber being formed by a hollow cylindrical sleeve that is closed at one end and open at an opposite end, a pyrotechnic heater closing said opposite end of said sleeve, said py

A hybrid inflator for an air bag comprising, a storage chamber for storing inflation gas under high pressure, said storage chamber being formed by a hollow cylindrical sleeve that is closed at one end and open at an opposite end, a pyrotechnic heater closing said opposite end of said sleeve, said pyrotechnic heater being recessed into said sleeve and including a combustion chamber having a pyrotechnic charge therein, a nozzle orifice, and a metal burst member attached around the perimeter thereof to an inner portion of said pyrotechnic heater in closing relation to said nozzle orifice and arranged to support pressure from the direction of said gas storage chamber but not from said combustion chamber of said pyrotechnic heater, a diffuser having a plurality of orifices for dispensing inflation gas from said storage chamber uniformly into an air bag, a diaphragm, and an orifice plate, wherein said diffuser includes a controlling orifice to which said diaphragm is attached in a sealing relation, and wherein said orifice plate is pronged to prevent plugging of said controlling orifice, parts of said storage chamber, said pyrotechnic heater and said diffuser being made from metal stampings instead of machined or forged parts, said storage chamber being sealed from said diffuser by said diaphragm and being further sealed from said combustion chamber by said metal burst member against the high pressure of the inflation gas stored in said storage chamber, whereby as the pressure in the combustion chamber rises and exceeds the pressure of the stored inflation gas in said storage chamber upon ignition of said pyrotechnic charge, said metal burst member ruptures since it is unsupported when the pressure in said combustion chamber exceeds the pressure in said storage chamber, and hot gas from the burning pyrotechnic charge heats the stored inflation gas in said storage chamber causing a rapid pressure rise therein so that when the pressure in said storage chamber exceeds the structural capability of said diaphragm rupture of the latter occurs allowing the heated gas to vent through said diffuser orifices into an air bag.