초록 ▼

An apparatus for inflating an air bag comprises a housing (62, 82) defining a substantially toroidal chamber (102, 104) for inflation fluid. The housing (62, 82) includes a first housing portion (66, 85) and a second housing portion (64, 84) fixed to at least one of a pair of annular surfaces of the

An apparatus for inflating an air bag comprises a housing (62, 82) defining a substantially toroidal chamber (102, 104) for inflation fluid. The housing (62, 82) includes a first housing portion (66, 85) and a second housing portion (64, 84) fixed to at least one of a pair of annular surfaces of the first housing portion (66, 85). A flow passage (146, 446) extends through the second housing portion (64, 84) to permit the flow of inflation fluid from the toroidal chamber (102, 104) to an air bag located outside the housing (62, 82). A closure member (202, 502) is fixed to the second housing portion (64, 84) for blocking inflation fluid flow from the toroidal chamber (102, 104) to the flow passage (146, 446) when unruptured. A casing (222, 522) has a base section (240, 540) fixed to the second housing portion (64, 84) and a movable section (262, 562) connected to the base section. The casing (222, 522) supports an initiator (244, 544) that generates an initiating gas upon actuation. The movable section (262, 562) separates from the base section (240, 540) in response to actuation of the initiator (244, 544) and effects the rupture of the closure member (202, 502). An ignitable material (224, 524) is located in the casing (222, 522) to produce combustion products, upon being ignited by the initiating gas, to heat and pressurize the inflation fluid. A stop (322, 622) moves with the movable section (262, 562) of the casing (222, 522) to limit movement of the movable section relative to the second housing portion (64, 84) and define a flow path (324, 624) for inflation fluid to flow through from the toroidal chamber (102, 104) to the flow passage (146, 446).

대표청구항 ▼

An inflator for inflating an air bag, said inflator comprising: a housing having a central axis and defining a toroidal chamber for inflation fluid surrounding the central axis, said housing including a first housing portion and a second housing portion disposed within said first housing portion, sa

An inflator for inflating an air bag, said inflator comprising: a housing having a central axis and defining a toroidal chamber for inflation fluid surrounding the central axis, said housing including a first housing portion and a second housing portion disposed within said first housing portion, said second housing portion engaging and fixed to a pair of axially spaced annular surfaces of said first housing portion; a flow passage extending through said second housing portion to permit the flow of inflation fluid from the toroidal chamber to a location outside said housing; a closure member fixed to said second housing portion to block the flow of inflation fluid from the toroidal chamber to the flow passage when unruptured and to permit the flow of inflation fluid from the toroidal chamber to the flow passage when ruptured; an actuatable initiator for generating an initiating gas upon actuation; a casing having a base section fixed to one of said first and second housing portions and a movable section connected to said base section, said casing supporting said initiator, said movable section separating from said base section in response to actuation of said initiator to effect the rupture of said closure member; an ignitable material supported by said casing for producing combustion products upon being ignited by said initiating gas to heat and pressurize the inflation fluid; and stop means movable with said movable section of said casing for limiting movement of said movable section relative to said second housing portion and for defining a flow path for inflation fluid to flow through from said toroidal chamber to said flow passage in said second housing portion.