Inflator and method of assembly

• US 20050263993A1
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Blackburn, Jeffery S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,438,315 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder

Abstract

A gas generating system (10) includes a base (14) and a cap (16), one of the base (14) and the cap (16) having at least one groove (34) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber (18) of the gas generator and an exterior of the combustion chamber (18). The other one of the base (14) and the cap (16) covers the at least one groove (34) to define at least one enclosed passage (36) extending along the at least one groove (34) for enabling fluid communication between the combustion chamber (18) and the exterior of the combustion chamber. In another aspect, a gas generating system (10) includes a base (14) and a cap (16). A gas generant composition (20) having an auto-ignition temperature is positioned within the gas generating system (10). An adhesive composition (30) having a decomposition temperature secures the cap (16) to the base (14). The decomposition temperature of the adhesive composition (30) is lower than the auto-ignition temperature of the gas generant composition (20). A method for manufacturing a gas generating system (10) and a vehicle occupant protection system (180) incorporating a gas generating system (10) in accordance with the present invention are also described.

Claims

1. A gas generating system comprising:

a first member; and

a second member, one of the first member and the second member having at least one groove formed therealong to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber and an exterior of the combustion chamber, the other one of the first member and the second member covering the at least one groove to define an at least one enclosed passage extending along the at least one groove for enabling fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the exterior of the combustion chamber.

2. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of one of the first member and the second member is received within the other of the first member and the second member.

3. The gas generating system of claim 2 wherein the other of the first member and the second member covers the groove.

4. The gas generating system of claim 2 wherein the portion of one of the first member and the second member received within the other of the first member and the second member covers the groove.

5. The gas generating system of claim 3 further comprising a filter spaced apart from the portion of one of the first member and the second member received within the other of the first member and the second member to form a plenum between the filter and the portion.

6. The gas generating system of claim 2 further comprising an adhesive composition positioned to secure the second member to the first member.

7. The gas generating system of claim 6 further comprising a gas generant composition having an auto-ignition temperature and wherein the adhesive composition has a decomposition temperature, the decomposition temperature being lower than the auto-ignition temperature.

8. The gas generating system of claim 6 wherein the adhesive composition is positioned intermediate the at least a portion of one of the first member and the second member received within the other of the first member and the second member, and the other of the first member and the second member.

9. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein an end portion of the enclosed passage is positioned proximate a first end of the gas generating system, and wherein the gas generating system further comprises a third member positioned intermediate the combustion chamber and the end portion of the enclosed passage for directing a flow of combustion products toward a second end of the gas generator opposite the first end of the gas generator.

10. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein the groove is substantially straight.

14. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein one of the first member and the second member has at least one groove formed therealong to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber and an exterior of the combustion chamber, and the other one of the first member and the second member covers the at least one groove to define an enclosed passage extending along the at least one groove between the combustion chamber and the exterior of the combustion chamber.

11. A gas generating system comprising:

a first member;

a second member;

an adhesive composition securing the second member to the first member, the adhesive composition having a decomposition temperature; and

a gas generant composition having an auto-ignition temperature, the decomposition temperature being lower than the auto-ignition temperature.

12. The gas generating system of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of one of the first member and the second member is received within the other of the first member and the second member.

13. The gas generating system of claim 12 wherein the adhesive composition is positioned intermediate the at least a portion of one of the first member and the second member received within the other of the first member and the second member, and the other of the first member and the second member.

15. A method for manufacturing a gas generating system comprising the steps of:

providing a first member having at least one groove formed therealong;

providing a second member adapted for affixation to the first member; and

affixing the second member to the first member such that at least a portion of the second member covers the at least one groove in the first member, thereby defining at least one enclosed passage extending along the at least one groove for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the gas generating system and an exterior of the gas generating system.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

positioning a quantity of a gas generant composition in the gas generator so as to enable fluid communication between the gas generant composition and the at least one passage, the gas generant having a predetermined auto-ignition temperature, and

wherein the step of affixing the second member to the first member comprises the steps of;

providing an adhesive composition having a predetermined decomposition temperature, the decomposition temperature being lower than the auto-ignition temperature of the gas generant composition;

applying the adhesive composition to at least one of the first member and the second member; and

applying the second member to the first member such that the adhesive composition is interposed between the first member and the second member to affix the second member to the first member.

17. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising:

an airbag system including an airbag and a gas generating system coupled to the airbag so as to enable fluid communication with the airbag, the gas generating system including a first member and a second member, one of the first member and the second member having at least one groove formed therealong to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber and an exterior of the combustion chamber, the other one of the first member and the second member covering the at least one groove to define at least one enclosed passage extending along the at least one groove for enabling fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the exterior of the combustion chamber.

18. The vehicle occupant protection system of claim 17 further comprising a crash event sensor in communication with a known crash sensor algorithm for signaling activation of the airbag system.

19. The vehicle occupant protection system of claim 17 further comprising a safety belt assembly including at least one safety belt.

20. The vehicle occupant protection system of claim 17 further comprising a safety belt retractor mechanism be coupled to the at least one safety belt, and a safety belt pretensioner mechanism coupled to belt retractor mechanism for actuating the belt retractor mechanism.