초록 ▼

An inflator ( 10 ) comprises a container ( 30 ) in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure. The container ( 30 ) has an opening ( 40 ) through which inflation fluid flows in a given direction from the container. A rupturable closure member ( 60 ) is fixed to the container ( 30 ) and blocks fl

An inflator ( 10 ) comprises a container ( 30 ) in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure. The container ( 30 ) has an opening ( 40 ) through which inflation fluid flows in a given direction from the container. A rupturable closure member ( 60 ) is fixed to the container ( 30 ) and blocks flow of inflation fluid through the opening ( 40 ). The inflator includes an initiator ( 70 ) for, when actuated, rupturing the closure member ( 60 ) to enable inflation fluid to flow from the container through the opening ( 40 ). The inflator ( 10 ) also includes a retainer ( 90 ) for retaining the initiator ( 70 ) on the container ( 30 ). The retainer ( 90 ) comprises at least one part ( 94 ) having a passage ( 140 ) for directing gas that flows from the container ( 30 ) in the given direction. The inflator ( 10 ) also includes a support ( 150 ) for the rupturable closure member ( 60 ). The support ( 150 ) transmits force from the closure member ( 60 ) to said retainer ( 90 ).

대표청구항 ▼

1. An inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, comprising:a container in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure, said container having an opening through which inflation fluid flows from said container;a rupturable closure member fixed to said container and bl

1. An inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, comprising:a container in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure, said container having an opening through which inflation fluid flows from said container;a rupturable closure member fixed to said container and blocking flow of inflation fluid through said opening;an initiator for, when actuated, rupturing said closure member to enable inflation fluid to flow from said container through said opening; anda retainer for retaining said initiator on said container, said retainer comprising first and second parts that are movable relative to each other when said retainer is not connected with said container;said first and second retainer parts when connected with said container cooperating to clamp said initiator in position on said container;said first and second retainer parts defining a fluid outlet through which inflation fluid flows from said opening to exit said inflator. 2. An inflator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second retainer parts have aligned fluid outlet openings through which inflation fluid flows. 3. An inflator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second retainer parts have adjacent mounting portions that are secured to said container to hold said retainer in position on said container. 4. An inflator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first retainer part has a disk-shaped configuration including a central opening for receiving and supporting said initiator and at least one fluid outlet opening. 5. An inflator as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a support for said rupturable closure member, said rupturable closure member having a first portion deformed into engagement with said support by the pressure of said inflation fluid in said container, said support transmitting force from said closure member to said retainer. 6. An inflator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first retainer part comprises a support for said rupturable closure member, said rupturable closure member having a first portion deformed into engagement with said support by the pressure of said inflation fluid in said container. 7. An inflator as set forth in claim 6 wherein said initiator when actuated generates combustion products and a shock wave that are directed through the interior of said support into engagement with said closure member to rupture said closure member. 8. An inflator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first retainer part is supported with an interference fit to locate said first retainer part relative to said container, said initiator being supported on said first retainer part, and said second retainer part being self-centering on said initiator. 9. An inflator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container has a longitudinal axis and said fluid outlet extends parallel to said longitudinal axis of said container. 10. An inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, comprising:a container in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure, said container having an opening through which inflation fluid flows in a given direction from said container;a rupturable closure member fixed to said container and blocking flow of inflation fluid through said opening;an initiator for, when actuated, rupturing said closure member to enable inflation fluid to flow from said container through said opening;a retainer for retaining said initiator on said container, said retainer comprising at least one part having a passage for directing gas flowing from said container toward an outlet of said inflator, said passage having a longitudinal axis, gas flowing from said container passing through said passage of said retainer and passing through said outlet of said inflator in said given direction, said given direction being parallel to said longitudinal axis of said passage; anda support for said rupturable closure member, said rupturable closure member having a first portion deformed into engagem ent with said support by the pressure of said inflation fluid in said container, said support transmitting force from said closure member to said retainer. 11. The inflator as set forth in claim 10 wherein the given direction is a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the inflator. 12. The inflator as set forth in claim 10 wherein the retainer includes a portion that may be crimped to retain the initiator in the retainer. 13. An inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, comprising:a container in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure, said container having an opening through which inflation fluid flows in a given direction from said container;a rupturable closure member fixed to said container and blocking flow of inflation fluid through said opening;an initiator for, when actuated, rupturing said closure member to enable inflation fluid to flow from said container through said opening;a retainer for retaining said initiator on said container, said retainer comprising at least one part having a passage for directing gas that flows from said container in said given direction; anda support for said rupturable closure member, said rupturable closure member having a first portion deformed into engagement with said support by the pressure of said inflation fluid in said container, said support transmitting force from said closure member to said retainer,wherein the initiator has a support portion having a deformable covering, the initiator being clamped in the retainer so that the deformable covering is deformed and a fluid-tight seal is formed. 14. The apparatus recited in claim 13, wherein the support forms a first retainer part, the support being positioned relative to a second retainer part to clamp the support portion of the initiator between the support and the second retainer part. 15. An inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, comprising:a container in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure, said container having an opening through which inflation fluid flows in a given direction from said container;a rupturable closure member fixed to said container and blocking flow of inflation fluid through said opening;an initiator for, when actuated, rupturing said closure member to enable inflation fluid to flow from said container through said opening, said initiator having a support portion with a deformable covering;a retainer for retaining said initiator on said container, said retainer comprising at least one part having a passage for directing gas that flows from said container in said given direction; anda support for said rupturable closure member, said rupturable closure member having a first portion deformed into engagement with said support by the pressure of said inflation fluid in said container, said support transmitting force from said closure member to said retainer,wherein the support has a portion that engages and deforms the deformable covering to help form a fluid-tight seal. 16. An inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, comprising:a container in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure, said container having an opening through which inflation fluid flows in a given direction from said container;a rupturable closure member fixed to said container and blocking flow of inflation fluid through said opening;an initiator for, when actuated, rupturing said closure member to enable inflation fluid to flow from said container through said opening;a retainer for retaining said initiator on said container, said retainer comprising at least one part having a passage for directing gas that flows from said container in said given direction; anda support for said rupturable closure member, said rupturable closure member having a first portion deformed into engagement with said support by the pressure of said inflation fluid in said container, said support transmitting force from said closure member to s aid retainer,where the retainer includes a portion that may be crimped against the initiator to retain the initiator in the retainer, the support contacting a portion of the initiator and the crimped portion of the retainer holding the support against the retainer.