초록 ▼

An inflator (20, 220) for inflating an air bag comprises a housing (22, 222) having a central axis (A, A1). The housing (22, 222) defines a substantially toroidal chamber (46, 246) disposed around the central axis (A, A1). An outlet opening (64, 264) in the housing (22, 222) provides fluid communica

An inflator (20, 220) for inflating an air bag comprises a housing (22, 222) having a central axis (A, A1). The housing (22, 222) defines a substantially toroidal chamber (46, 246) disposed around the central axis (A, A1). An outlet opening (64, 264) in the housing (22, 222) provides fluid communication between the toroidal chamber (46, 246) and the air bag. A mixture of gases is stored in the toroidal chamber (46, 246) and comprises a combustible gas and a substantially noncombustible inflation gas for inflating the air bag. A closure (102, 302) of the housing (22,222) has a first condition blocking the flow of gas from the toroidal chamber (46, 246) to the outlet opening (64, 264). The closure (102, 302) has a second condition allowing the flow of gas from the toroidal chamber (46, 246) to the outlet opening (62, 262). An actuatable igniter (146, 346), upon actuation, causes the closure (102, 302) to change from the first condition to the second condition and ignites the combustible gas of the mixture of gases.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for inflating an air bag, said apparatus comprising: a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber surrounded by the first chamber, said housing having an outlet opening to provide fluid communication between the first chamber and an air bag; a mixture of gases stored in the f

An apparatus for inflating an air bag, said apparatus comprising: a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber surrounded by the first chamber, said housing having an outlet opening to provide fluid communication between the first chamber and an air bag; a mixture of gases stored in the first chamber, said mixture of gases comprising a combustible gas portion and a substantially noncombustible inflation gas portion for inflating the air bag; a closure having a first condition blocking the flow of gas from the first chamber to the outlet opening, said closure having a second condition allowing the flow of gas from the first chamber to the outlet opening; a member located in the second chamber, said member having a first axial end portion located adjacent said closure and a second axial end portion, said member being movable from a first position to a second position to change the condition of said closure from the first condition to the second condition; an actuatable igniter in the second chamber to provide, upon actuation, combustion products to (i) move the member from the first position to the second position and (ii) ignite the combustible gas portion of the mixture of gases, said igniter having a first axial end portion located adjacent said second axial end portion of said member and a second axial end portion axially spaced from said member; and a passage in said housing providing fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, said passage being located adjacent said second axial end portion of said member and adjacent said first axial end portion of said igniter, a portion of said member blocking flow through the passage when said member is in the first position, said portion of said member allowing the flow of combustion products produced by actuation of said igniter through the passage and into the mixture of gases in the first chamber to ignite the combustible gas portion when said member is in the second position.