IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0408992
(2003-04-08)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Longhurst, Nyle K.
- Clark, Marcus T.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
25 인용 특허 :
11 |
초록
▼
A pyrotechnic inflator for an airbag module is disclosed. The pyrotechnic inflator may have a generally tubular housing that contains an initiator, a baffle, and a quantity of inflation gas generant. The generant is disposed in a compartment defined by the baffle. The baffle has a passageway with a
A pyrotechnic inflator for an airbag module is disclosed. The pyrotechnic inflator may have a generally tubular housing that contains an initiator, a baffle, and a quantity of inflation gas generant. The generant is disposed in a compartment defined by the baffle. The baffle has a passageway with a first end and a second end. Direct fluid communication between the first and second ends is restricted by a blockage within the passageway. Upon receipt of an activation signal, the initiator directs initiation gas into the first end. The initiation gas may exit the first end through a plurality of first end holes to reach and ignite the generant with or without requiring any intermediate igniter material. The generant combusts to produce inflation gas, which enters the second end of the passageway through a plurality of second end holes. The inflation gas exits the inflator to inflate a cushion.
대표청구항
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1. An inflator for inflating a cushion of an airbag system for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the inflator comprising:a baffle comprising a passageway having a first end and a second end, the baffle having a blockage disposed to restrict fluid from flowing between the first and sec
1. An inflator for inflating a cushion of an airbag system for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the inflator comprising:a baffle comprising a passageway having a first end and a second end, the baffle having a blockage disposed to restrict fluid from flowing between the first and second ends without first leaving the passageway, the baffle having a plurality of first end holes formed proximate the first end and a plurality of second end holes formed proximate the second end; an initiator disposed to direct initiation gas into the first end in response to receipt of an activation signal; and a quantity of generant disposed outside the passageway to receive the initiation gas through the first end holes, combust in response to receipt of the initiation gas to produce inflation gas, and eject the inflation gas into the second end through the second end holes. 2. The inflator of claim 1, wherein the baffle comprises a wall with a tubular shape that defines a generally circular cross sectional shape of the passageway.3. The inflator of claim 2, wherein the blockage comprises a three-way crimp formed in the wall.4. The inflator of claim 1, further comprising a housing having a first end in which the initiator and the first end of the passageway are disposed and a second end in which the second end of the passageway is disposed, the second end of the housing having an outlet orifice disposed to release the inflation gas into a region in fluid communication with the cushion.5. The inflator of claim 4, wherein the baffle comprises a first aperture formed in the first end of the passageway proximate the initiator and a second aperture disposed in the second end of the passageway proximate the outlet orifice.6. The inflator of claim 4, further comprising a can disposable within the housing to form a hermetic seal around the initiator, the baffle, and the generant.7. The inflator of claim 6, wherein the can comprises an open end, the inflator further comprising a plug integrally formed with the initiator and shaped to seal the open end.8. The inflator of claim 1, wherein the first end of the baffle is shaped to conduct the initiation gas to the generant through the first end holes without reaction with any additional igniter material within the passageway to induce combustion of the generant with a speed sufficient to inflate the cushion to interpose the cushion between the occupant and an interior surface of the vehicle prior to impact of the occupant with the interior surface.9. The inflator of claim 1, further comprising a quantity of additional igniter material disposed within the first end of the baffle to supplement the initiation gas, wherein the first end of the baffle is shaped to conduct the initiation gas to the generant through the first end holes to induce combustion of the generant with a speed sufficient to inflate the cushion to interpose the cushion between the occupant and an interior surface of the vehicle prior to impact of the occupant with the interior surface.10. An inflator for inflating a cushion of an airbag system for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact against an interior surface of the vehicle, the inflator comprising:an initiator that provides initiation gas in response to receipt of an activation signal; a baffle having a passageway disposed to receive the initiation gas, the baffle having a plurality of holes; a quantity of generant disposed outside the passageway to receive the initiation gas through the holes; wherein the baffle is shaped to conduct the initiation gas to the generant through the holes without reaction with any additional igniter material within the passageway to induce combustion of the generant with a speed sufficient to inflate the cushion to interpose the cushion between the occupant and the interior surface prior to impact of the occupant with the interior surface, wherein the passageway has a first end and a second end, the inflator further comprising a housing having a first end in which the initiator and the first end of the passageway are disposed and a second end in which the second end of the passageway is disposed, the second end of the housing having an outlet orifice disposed to release an inflation gas into a region in fluid communication with the cushion; and a can disposed to form a hermetic seal around the initiator, the baffle, and the generant. 11. The inflator of claim 10, wherein the baffle comprises a wall with a tubular shape that defines a generally circular cross sectional shape of the passageway.12. The inflator of claim 10, wherein the baffle comprises a blockage disposed to restrict fluid from flowing between the first and second ends of the passageway without first leaving the passageway, the first end of the passageway terminating in a first aperture adjacent to the initiator, and the second end of the passageway terminating in a second aperture adjacent to the outlet orifice.13. The inflator of claim 10, wherein the can comprises an open end, the inflator further comprising a plug integrally formed with the initiator and shaped to seal the open end.14. An inflator for inflating a cushion of an airbag system for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact against an interior surface of the vehicle, the inflator comprising:an initiator that provides initiation gas in response to receipt of an activation signal; a baffle having a passageway disposed to receive the initiation gas, the baffle having a plurality of holes, wherein the passageway comprises a first end and a second end; a quantity of additional igniter material disposed within a first end of the baffle to supplement the initiation gas; and a quantity of generant disposed outside the passageway to receive the initiation gas through the holes; wherein the baffle is shaped to conduct the initiation gas to the generant through the holes to induce combustion of the generant with a speed sufficient to inflate the cushion to interpose the cushion between the occupant and the interior surface prior to impact of the occupant with the interior surface, wherein the baffle further comprises a blockage disposed to restrict fluid from flowing between the first and second ends of the passageway without first leaving the passageway. 15. An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the airbag module comprising:a cushion disposable to inflate to cushion impact of the occupant with the vehicle; and an inflator disposable to inflate the cushion, the inflator comprising a housing having a first end shaped to receive an initiator and a second end with an outlet orifice formed therein, and a baffle comprising a passageway having a first end disposed within the first end of the housing and a second end disposed within the second end of the housing, the baffle having a blockage disposed to restrict fluid from flowing between the first and second ends of the passageway without first leaving the passageway, wherein the baffle defines a compartment outside of the passageway, the baffle having a plurality of first end holes formed proximate the first end of the passageway to permit gas to flow between the first end of the passageway and the compartment and a plurality of second end holes formed proximate the second end of the passageway to permit gas to flow between the compartment and the second end of the passageway. 16. The airbag module of claim 15, wherein the inflator further comprises:an initiator disposed within the first end of the housing to deploy to convey initiation gas into the first end of the passageway in response to receipt of an activation signal; and a quantity of generant disposed within the compartment to receive the initiation gas through the first end holes and to combust in response to receipt of the initiation gas to produce inflation gas. 17. The airbag module of claim 16, wherein the baffle is shaped to conduct the initiation gas to the generant through the first end holes without reaction with any additional igniter material within the first end of the passageway to induce combustion of the generant with a speed sufficient to inflate the cushion to interpose the cushion between the occupant and an interior surface of the vehicle prior to impact of the occupant with the interior surface.18. The airbag module of claim 16, further comprising a quantity of additional igniter material disposed within the first end of the baffle to supplement the initiation gas, wherein the first end of the baffle is shaped to conduct the initiation gas to the generant through the first end holes to induce combustion of the generant with a speed sufficient to inflate the cushion to interpose the cushion between the occupant and an interior surface of the vehicle prior to impact of the occupant with the interior surface.19. The airbag module of claim 15, wherein the baffle comprises a wall with a tubular shape that defines a generally circular cross sectional shape of the passageway, and wherein the housing comprises a generally tubular shape substantially coaxial with the wall.20. An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the airbag module comprising:a cushion disposable to inflate to cushion impact of the occupant with the vehicle; and an inflator disposable to inflate the cushion, the inflator comprising an initiator, a baffle, and a quantity of generant, wherein the initiator is deployable in response to receipt of an activation signal to direct initiation gas into a passageway of the baffle, the baffle having a plurality of holes and a shape selected to direct the initiation gas from the initiator, out of the passageway, and to the generant via the holes without reaction with any additional igniter material disposed within the passageway to induce combustion of the generant with a speed sufficient to inflate the cushion to interpose the cushion between the occupant and an interior surface prior to impact of the occupant with the interior surface, wherein the passageway terminates in a first aperture proximate a first end of the baffle and a second aperture proximate a second end of the baffle, wherein the baffle comprises a blockage disposed to restrict fluid from flowing between the first and second apertures without first leaving the passageway. 21. The airbag module of claim 20, further comprising a housing having a first end shaped to receive the initiator and a second end with an outlet orifice formed therein, wherein the baffle comprises a wall with a tubular shape that defines a generally circular cross sectional shape of the passageway, the housing having a generally tubular shape substantially coaxial with the wall.22. An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the airbag module comprising:a cushion disposable to inflate to cushion impact of the occupant with the vehicle; and an inflator disposable to inflate the cushion, the inflator comprising an initiator, a baffle, a quantity of additional igniter material, and a quantity of generant, wherein the initiator is deployable in response to receipt of an activation signal to direct initiation gas into a passageway of the baffle, wherein the additional igniter material is disposed at least partially within the passageway, the baffle having a plurality of holes and a shape selected to direct the initiation gas from the initiator, out of the passageway, and to the generant via the holes to induce combustion of the generant with a speed sufficient to inflate the cushion to interpose the cushion between the occupant and an interior surface prior to impact of the occupant with the interior surface, wherein the passageway comprises a first end and a second end, the baffle further comprises a blockage disposed to restrict fluid from flowing between the first and second ends of the passageway without first leaving the passageway. 23. A baffle for channeling gas flows within an inflator for inflating a cushion of an airbag system for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the baffle comprising:a first end having a plurality of first end holes disposed to release an initiation gas from the first end; a second end having a plurality of second end holes disposed to permit entry of inflation gas into the second end and an aperture disposed to release the inflation gas from the second end; and a blockage disposed between the first and second ends to restrict initiation gas from passing directly from the first end to the second end. 24. The baffle of claim 23, wherein the first end comprises a first aperture disposed to encircle an initiator so that deployment of the initiator forms initiation gas within the first end.25. The baffle of claim 23, wherein the first and second ends are formed by a wall having a generally tubular shape.26. The baffle of claim 25, further comprising a flange integrally formed with the wall and extending substantially perpendicular to an axis of the wall.27. The baffle of claim 25, wherein the blockage is formed separately from the wall and fixedly attached within the wall.28. The baffle of claim 25, wherein the blockage comprises a crimp formed by deforming a central portion of the wall.29. The baffle of claim 28, wherein the crimp comprises a three-way crimp formed by pressing three sides of the central portion inward to meet proximate an axis of the wall.30. The baffle of claim 23, wherein each of the first end holes and the second end holes has a size ranging from about 0.063 inches to about 0.090 inches.31. The baffle of claim 23, wherein the first end comprises at least nine first end holes, and wherein the second end comprises at least nine second end holes.32. The baffle of claim 23, wherein the blockage is integrally formed with the first and second ends.33. An inflator for inflating a cushion of an airbag system for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the inflator comprising:an initiator that provides initiation gas in response to receipt of an activation signal; a quantity of generant; and a baffle comprising a first end, a second end, and a blockage, wherein the first end comprises a first aperture disposed to receive the initiation gas and a plurality of first end holes disposed to permit passage of the initiation gas from the first end to the generant, wherein the second end comprises a plurality of second end holes disposed to permit entry of inflation gas into the second end from the generant and a second aperture disposed to release the inflation gas from the second end, wherein the blockage is integrally formed with and disposed between the first and second ends to restrict the initiation gas from passing directly from the first end to the second end. 34. A method for inflating a cushion of an airbag module through the use of an inflator having an initiator, a baffle, and a quantity of generant, the baffle having a passageway with a plurality of holes, the method comprising:applying an activation signal to trigger deployment of the initiator to produce initiation gas; conveying the initiation gas into the passageway; directing the initiation gas from the passageway to the generant via the holes without reaction of the initiation gas with any additional igniter material disposed within the passageway; and igniting the generant with the initiation gas to produce inflation gas with a speed sufficient to inflate the cushion to interpose the cushion between the occupant and an interior surface prior to impact of the occupant with the interior surface, wherein the passageway comprises a first end and a second end, the baffle comprising a blockage disposed to restrict fluid flow within the passageway between the first and second ends, the holes comprising a plurality of first end holes formed proximate the first end and a plurality of second end holes formed proximate the second end, the method further comprising conveying the inflation gas into the second end through the second end holes. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the inflator further comprises a housing having a first end in which the initiator and the first end of the passageway are disposed and a second end in which the second end of the passageway is disposed, the second end of the housing having an outlet orifice, the method further comprising conveying the inflation gas from the second end of the passageway, through the outlet orifice, and into a region in fluid communication with the cushion.36. A method for inflating a cushion of an airbag module through the use of an inflator having an initiator, a baffle, a quantity of additional igniter material, and a quantity of generant, the baffle having a passageway with a plurality of holes and a blockage, the passageway comprising a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture disposed to receive an initiation gas and the second aperture disposed to disposed to release an inflation gas, wherein the additional igniter material is disposed at least partially within the passageway, the method comprising:applying an activation signal to trigger deployment of the initiator to produce initiation gas; conveying the initiation gas into the passageway; igniting the additional igniter material to supplement the initiation gas; directing the initiation gas from the passageway with the blockage to the generant via the holes, wherein the blockage restricts the initiation gas from flowing between the first aperture and the second aperture of the passageway without first leaving the passageway; and igniting the generant with the initiation gas to produce inflation gas with a speed sufficient to inflate the cushion to interpose the cushion between the occupant and an interior surface prior to impact of the occupant with the interior surface.
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