AIR BAG GAS INFLATOR

• US 20010017461A1
• Filed: 08/17/1998
• Published: 08/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited (Daicel Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yo Yamato
• Inventors: YAMATO, YO, FUKABORI, MITHUHIKO
• Granted Patent: US 6,572,143 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/272 with means for increasing the pressure of the gas just before or during liberation, e.g. hybrid inflators

Abstract

A gas generator for an air bag can adjust gas providing amount according to circumstance.

The gas generator includes an outer shell vessel, ignition means disposed within the vessel, gas generating means for generating a gas in response to the operation of the ignition means, a gas generating means accommodation chamber for accommodating the gas generating means therein, and a gas discharge chamber isolated from the gas generating means accommodation chamber by a partition member, wherein the gas discharge chamber includes a discharge port that makes the inside of the gas discharge chamber communicate with the atmosphere, and gas discharge means which is operated upon receiving an operating signal, for rupturing the partition member to discharge the gas.

Claims

1. A gas generator for an air bag, comprising:

an outer shell vessel having a pressurized gas accommodating chamber for storing a gas therein and a diffuser nozzle, provided at an opening of said outer shell vessel, having gas discharge ports in communication with the air bag, said opening being covered by a rupturable partition wall;

ignition means disposed within said outer shell vessel and operates upon receiving an operation signal; and

gas generating means for generating gas when said ignition means operates, wherein

said outer shell vessel includes a gas discharge chamber disposed over the second partition wall at a position different from where said diffuser nozzle is disposed, and said gas discharge chamber has a gas discharge port which communicates the inside of the chamber with an atmosphere, and

said gas discharge chamber has gas discharging means which activates upon receiving another operation signal and ruptures said second partition member to discharge the gas.

2. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said second partition member is formed of a rupturable gas sealing plate.

3. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said second partition member has a rupturable tube-shaped body that protrudes into said gas discharge chamber.

4. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in

claim 3

, wherein a notch groove is formed in the outer periphery of said tube-shaped body.

5. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said gas generating means consists mainly of any one of a solid gas generating agent, a pressurized gas, and a liquid, which is gasified by heating.

6. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said gas discharge means includes a piston member disposed to rupture said second partition member.

7. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in

claim 6

, wherein said piston member has a sharp tip or a flat tip.

8. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said gas discharge means includes an electric ignition unit.