초록 ▼

The invention relates to an electrical initiator which can be used with an automobile air bag or seat belt pretensioner. The initiator comprises a header, a cup, conducting pins, epoxy pin seals, a bridgewire, a primer, and an output charge. The header and the cup are composed of an insulating diele

The invention relates to an electrical initiator which can be used with an automobile air bag or seat belt pretensioner. The initiator comprises a header, a cup, conducting pins, epoxy pin seals, a bridgewire, a primer, and an output charge. The header and the cup are composed of an insulating dielectric material capable of being ultrasonically welded together. The header secures the pins. Each pin is electrically conductive and each is formed with a buttress knurl to form a seal when each pin is inserted into the header. Additionally, the pins are further sealed to the header by an epoxy sealant. The bridgewire connects the pins together on one side of the header. An electrical signal through the bridgewire generates heat igniting the primer. Primer reacts with the output charge that in turn ignites a solid gas generant that produces gas that fills air bags or activates the gas generator that drives seat belt pretensioners. The primer contacts the bridgewire. The output charge contacts the primer. The output charge is in the cup, and the cup is ultrasonically welded to the header to provide, along with the pin seals, an environmentally secure seal.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for constructing an electrical initiator comprising the steps of:inserting a first non-insulated pin having a knurled section through a first hole in a plastic header and a second non-insulated pin having a knurled section through a second hole in the plastic hea

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for constructing an electrical initiator comprising the steps of:inserting a first non-insulated pin having a knurled section through a first hole in a plastic header and a second non-insulated pin having a knurled section through a second hole in the plastic header wherein the first pin and the first hole provide a first interference fit and wherein the second pin and the second hole provide a second interference fit;connecting an electrically resistive device to the first pin and the second pin;applying a resilient primer to the electrically resistive device such that the electrical initiator satisfies an automotive all-fire, an automotive no-fire and an automotive function time requirement;at least partially filling a plastic output cup with an output charge, the output charge being positioned to be ignited in response to ignition of the primer;attaching by one of thermal welding and ultrasonic welding the at least partially filled output cup to the plastic header to form a first reliable environmental seal between the output cup and the plastic header, wherein the resilient primer withstands any mechanical shock caused by the one of thermal welding and ultrasonic welding;establishing and maintaining a first sealing force between the plastic header and the first pin using the first interference fit wherein the first sealing force is sufficient to form a second reliable environmental seal between the plastic header and the first pin;establishing and maintaining a second sealing force between the plastic header and the second pin using the second interference fit wherein the second sealing force is sufficient to form a third reliable environmental seal between the plastic header and the second pin;using the header, the pins, the output cup and the first, second and third reliable environmental seals to form a reliable environmentally sealed enclosure around the primer, the output charge and the electrically resistive device.