초록 ▼

An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable device, such as an air bag (12) for restraining a vehicle occupant, comprises a pressure vessel (40), an ignitable propellant material (154) and a cup member (150). The pressure vessel (40) defines a sealed storage chamber (44) containing inflation fluid

An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable device, such as an air bag (12) for restraining a vehicle occupant, comprises a pressure vessel (40), an ignitable propellant material (154) and a cup member (150). The pressure vessel (40) defines a sealed storage chamber (44) containing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device. The propellant material (154) produces combustion products including heat for heating the inflation fluid in the storage chamber (44). The cup member (150) has a piston portion (290) which is movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The piston portion (290) of the cup member includes a plunger portion (160) which opens the pressure vessel (40) upon movement of the piston portion (290) from the unactuated position to the actuated position. The cup member (150) further has a rupturable portion (178) which holds the piston portion (290) in the unactuated position. The apparatus further includes an igniter (152) for igniting the propellant material (154) and for causing pressure to develop a thrust against the cup member (150). The thrust ruptures the rupturable portion (178) of the cup member (150) and propels the piston portion (290) from the unactuated position to the actuated position.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising: means for defining a sealed storage chamber containing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device, said means having walls which encircle an axis and which define a ring shaped portion of said storage chamber centered

Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising: means for defining a sealed storage chamber containing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device, said means having walls which encircle an axis and which define a ring shaped portion of said storage chamber centered on said axis, said means further having a closure wall which is rupturable to open an outlet opening through which said inflation fluid flows outward from said storage chamber; an ignitable material which produces combustion products including heat for heating and pressurizing said inflation fluid in said storage chamber; a cup member located radially inward of said walls which define said ring-shaped portion of said storage chamber, said cup member including a piston means for rupturing said closure wall upon movement of said piston means into a forceful impact with said closure wall, said cup member further having a rupturable means for holding said piston means in an unactuated position spaced from said closure wall; igniter means for igniting said ignitable material and for causing pressure to develop a thrust against said cup member, said rupturable means being ruptured by said thrust to release said piston means for movement from said unactuated position when said pressure reaches a predetermined elevated level, said thrust then propelling said piston means from said unactuated position into a forceful impact with said closure wall to rupture said closure wall, said cup member having a combustion chamber wall extending around a peripheral side of said ignitable material, a portion of said combustion chamber wall located between said closure wall and said rupturable means moving in a direction away from said ignitable material in response to ignition of said ignitable material; and directing means for directing said combustion products into said ring-shaped portion of said storage chamber to cause said combustion products to heat and pressurize said inflation fluid at a location inside said ring-shaped portion of said storage chamber.