초록 ▼

An airbag inflator having a reduced area filter and cartridge-loaded generant. The inflator has a tubular housing with a plurality of exit ports in a limited angular extent. A filter having the general shape of a section of a tube is received within the housing within the extent of the exit ports. T

An airbag inflator having a reduced area filter and cartridge-loaded generant. The inflator has a tubular housing with a plurality of exit ports in a limited angular extent. A filter having the general shape of a section of a tube is received within the housing within the extent of the exit ports. The filter has lateral edges which are compressed to reduce the thickness of the filter along these edges, increasing the inner diameter of the filter. A hollow cylindrical cartridge may be provided to house a quantity of pyrotechnic gas generant. The cylindrical cartridge is received within the housing, with the filter interposed between the cartridge and the exit ports. The increased inner diameter of the filter permits the use of a larger diameter cartridge compared to a filter which has not had its lateral edges compressed, which in turn permits a shorter inflator to hold the same volume of generant. The housing may be formed by double impact extrusion to have two separate interiors, each having a generant cartridge. This will permit the cartridges to be fired separately, providing adaptive performance for the inflator.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A filter for an airbag inflation device, comprising:a mass of material providing filtration and cooling for a high pressure and high velocity gas said mass including;an entrance face, and an exit face, said exit face being spaced from said entrance face in a direction of

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A filter for an airbag inflation device, comprising:a mass of material providing filtration and cooling for a high pressure and high velocity gas said mass including;an entrance face, and an exit face, said exit face being spaced from said entrance face in a direction of gas flow;a main body extending between said faces, said main body being bounded by longitudinal ends and lateral edges;said main body having a defined porosity, and said porosity decreasing appreciably toward each of said lateral edges to force flow of said gas through said main body rather than said lateral edges and wherein said mass of material providing filtration includes a plurality of layers of filtration material, an outer mesh covering surrounding said main body and lateral edges, and wherein said lateral edges have been compressed relative to said main body, said compression causing said tapering reduction in thickness toward said lateral edges;said filter in combination with an airbag inflator, said combination including;said inflator including an outer wall having longitudinal ends, first and second end caps mounted to said longitudinal ends of said outer wall to define therewith and interior chamber;a plurality of gas exit ports extending through said outer wall;a mass of gas generant material mounted within said interior chamber;said filter being mounted within said interior chamber at a position intermediate said gas generant material and said gas exit ports; and a squib mounted in one of said end caps.