초록 ▼

A dual level inflator is provided for creating at least two different rates and levels of air bag inflation while optimizing cost effectiveness, size, safety and performance. The dual level inflator includes a unitized gas generator canister assembly including two canisters of gas generant material

A dual level inflator is provided for creating at least two different rates and levels of air bag inflation while optimizing cost effectiveness, size, safety and performance. The dual level inflator includes a unitized gas generator canister assembly including two canisters of gas generant material connected to a common base and positioned in a chamber formed in an inflator outer housing. The unitized assembly is easily transportable and mountable on the outer housing. Each canister of the unitized assembly includes apertures permitting direct communication between each canister cavity and the chamber of the outer housing. As a result, generant material positioned in each canister is directly exposed to the conditions in the outer housing chamber. The present assembly is advantageous in that it maximizes the internal volume available to the stored gas and, after the ignition of one canister and the inflation of the air bag, the remaining canister may be ignited without reinflating the air bag due to the previous depressurization of the chamber in combination with the selection of a generant material incapable of effectively burning in a low pressure environment, i.e. the directly connected chamber. The present dual inflator also includes seal means to prevent inadvertent ignition, and an arrangement by which the plurality of apertures formed in one canister are positioned relative to the apertures in the other canister to cause the gas flowing from one set of apertures to be sufficiently cooled by the inert gas in the chamber prior to reaching the apertures of the other canister thereby preventing inadvertent thermally induced ignition of the generant material in the remaining unfired canister.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An inflation device for inflating a vehicle safety restraint, comprising:an outer housing including a chamber for containing a quantity of stored inert gas;a unitized gas generator canister assembly mounted in said chamber and including a first generator canister containing a gas g

[ We claim:] [1.] An inflation device for inflating a vehicle safety restraint, comprising:an outer housing including a chamber for containing a quantity of stored inert gas;a unitized gas generator canister assembly mounted in said chamber and including a first generator canister containing a gas generant material, a second generator canister containing a gas generant material and positioned adjacent said first generator canister, and a common base connected to a first end of both said first and said second generator housings, said common base connected to said outer housing;a first ignitor positioned adjacent said common base at said first end of said first generator canister for igniting said gas generant material in said first generator canister; anda second ignitor positioned adjacent said common base at said first end of said second generator canister for igniting said gas generant material in said second generator canister;each of said first generator canister and said second generator canister including a plurality of apertures exposing said generant material to the stored inert gas in said chamber to prevent an undesired pressure increase upon ignition of said gas generant material; andignition prevention means for preventing inadvertent ignition of said gas oenerant material in said second generator canister upon ignition and burning of said gas generant material in said first generator canister, said ignition prevention means including positioning said plurality of apertures in said first generator canister a sufficient distance from said plurality of apertures in said second generator canister to cause the gas flowing from said plurality of apertures of said first generator canister to be sufficiently cooled by the inert gas in said chamber prior to reaching said plurality of apertures of said second generator canister;each of said first and said second generator canisters including a first side facing in a common first direction and a second side facing in a common second direction substantially opposite from said first direction, said plurality of apertures in said first generator canister being positioned on said first side thereof, said second side of said first generator canister being free from apertures, said plurality of apertures in said second generator canister being positioned on said second side thereof, said first side of said second generator canister being free from apertures.