초록 ▼

An auto ignition system for use as part of an airbag inflator having an ignitor tube. The auto ignition system includes an elongated auto ignition chamber having an open end and a length to width ratio of at least three. The auto ignition chamber is adapted to be positioned within the airbag inflato

An auto ignition system for use as part of an airbag inflator having an ignitor tube. The auto ignition system includes an elongated auto ignition chamber having an open end and a length to width ratio of at least three. The auto ignition chamber is adapted to be positioned within the airbag inflator with the open end facing the ignitor tube. Auto ignition material is contained within the auto ignition chamber, and a metal foil retention disk closes the open end of the auto ignition chamber. According to one embodiment, the auto ignition chamber is a recess defined by an endwall of the airbag inflator with the open end of the recess facing the ignitor tube. According to another embodiment of the invention, a solid press-fit closure plug closes the open end of the auto ignition chamber, and according to an additional embodiment, the press-fit closure plug is a porous metal fiber or powder press-fit closure plug. According to a further embodiment, the auto ignition chamber is defined by a retention cup adapted to be press-fit within the recess defined by the endwall of the inflator.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An auto ignition system for use as part of an airbag inflator having an ignitor tube containing a primary igniter material therein, said primary igniter material being sealed in said igniter tube by a sealing means, a gas generant surrounding the igniter tube, the auto ignition sys

[ We claim:] [1.] An auto ignition system for use as part of an airbag inflator having an ignitor tube containing a primary igniter material therein, said primary igniter material being sealed in said igniter tube by a sealing means, a gas generant surrounding the igniter tube, the auto ignition system comprising:an elongated auto ignition chamber positionable in an endwall of the airbag inflator and having an open end, the elongated auto ignition chamber adapted to be positioned within the airbag inflator with the open end facing the gas generant yet a spaced-apart distance from and not directly adjacent the sealing means on the ignitor tube;powdered auto ignition material contained within the elongated auto ignition chamber, the powdered auto ignition material for producing a hot gas/particulate effluent upon auto igniting;closure means closing the open end of the elongated auto ignition chamber and preventing leakage of the powdered auto ignition material from the elongated auto ignition chamber; andthe elongated auto ignition chamber having a length to width ratio of at least three to create a shotgun effect for the hot gas/particulate effluent to ensure that the hot gas/particulate effluent will rupture the closure means and be directed to reach across the spaced-apart distance to the ignitor tube and pass through the sealing means on the igniter tube to ignite the primary ignition material in the igniter tube.