Weld-less driver-side inflator
First Claim
1. An inflator for an inflatable restraint system in a vehicle comprising:
- a first body cup having a base and a substantially cylindrical first crimped sidewall extending from said base;
a second body cup having a domed base and a substantially cylindrical second crimped sidewall extending from said domed base and substantially concentric with said first crimped sidewall;
wherein said first and second body cups are press fit together, thereby aligning the first and second crimped sidewalls and securing said first and said second body cups without welding.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator (10) is provided for supplying gas to a vehicle airbag from the combustion of pyrotechnic materials. The inflator (10) has a two-piece inflator body (12) held together by crimping the body components, rather than welding. An igniter assembly (18) is positioned in a bore (22) in an upper piece (14) of the inflator body and is held in place with a press-fit interface and an adhesive seal. The upper piece (14) of the inflator body is rounded, increasing its strength, and fits partially into the lower piece (16). A booster tube is unnecessary, making the inflator lighter in weight and increasing available volume for propellant.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An inflator for an inflatable restraint system in a vehicle comprising:
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a first body cup having a base and a substantially cylindrical first crimped sidewall extending from said base;
a second body cup having a domed base and a substantially cylindrical second crimped sidewall extending from said domed base and substantially concentric with said first crimped sidewall;
wherein said first and second body cups are press fit together, thereby aligning the first and second crimped sidewalls and securing said first and said second body cups without welding. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A weld-less gas generator for a driver side inflatable restraint system in a vehicle comprising:
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an upper body piece having a domed region and a first cylindrical linear sidewall;
a lower body piece having a base and a second cylindrical linear sidewall;
an initiator assembly press fit with said upper body piece;
wherein said upper and lower body pieces are positioned substantially coaxial and press fit such that the sidewalls at least partially overlap, an adhesive being disposed therebetween; and
wherein at least one of said upper and lower body pieces is crimped to assist in securing the upper and lower body pieces upon press fitting. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of manufacturing a gas generator for an inflatable restraint system comprising the steps of:
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placing a propellant charge in a first body cup having a base and a substantially cylindrical first sidewall extending from the base;
press fitting an initiator assembly into a bore in a second body cup having a domed base and a substantially cylindrical second sidewall;
positioning said first and second body cups in substantially coaxial alignment;
crimping the first and second body cups;
press-fitting the second body cup and the first body cup, the first side wall overlapping at least a portion of the second side wall and flush therewith;
whereby a crimped portion of the first body cup and a crimped portion of the second body cup are positioned in a substantially overlapping fashion. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification