GAS GENERATOR, METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF AND MODULE HAVING A GAS GENERATOR
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An inflator (10), especially for a protective device in a vehicle, comprising plural parts, wherein in the area of abutting parts a sealant (42) is applied, the sealant (42) adhering to both abutting parts.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator as well as a method of manufacturing an inflator, a module including an inflator and an airbag module. In an inflator, especially for a protective device in a vehicle, comprising plural components a sealant is applied in the area of abutting components, especially a sealant which adheres to both abutting components.
61 Citations
104 Claims
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1. An inflator (10), especially for a protective device in a vehicle, comprising plural parts, wherein in the area of abutting parts a sealant (42) is applied, the sealant (42) adhering to both abutting parts.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100)
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2. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the abutting parts form at least part of the outer inflator surface and/or consist of different materials.
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3. An inflator (10) according to claim 2, wherein one of the abutting parts comprises a part consisting of a plastic material that forms a partial injection-molding around another of the abutting parts which is made of metal.
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4. An inflator (10) according to claim 2, wherein the part consisting of plastic material is a base (32) for an igniter (28).
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5. An inflator (10) according to claim 4, wherein the base (32) embeds portions of a pre-fabricated igniter (28).
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6. An inflator (10) according to claim 4, wherein the base (32) forms an igniter plug receipt (38).
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7. An inflator (10) according to claim 2, wherein one of the abutting parts comprises a part consisting of metal which is an external housing part of the inflator (10).
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8. An inflator (10) according to claim 7, wherein another of the abutting parts comprises a part consisting of plastic material which is injection-molded to the edge of an orifice (26) in the external housing part, in order to close the orifice 26.
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9. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sealant (42) is applied to the transitional edge of the abutting parts from outside the inflator (10).
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10. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sealant (42) is introduced into a recess (54) provided at the transition of the abutting parts.
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11. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, wherein in the application state the sealant (42) is liquid and/or is an adhesive, in particular an acrylate adhesive.
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12. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sealant (42) can be applied in liquid state and can subsequently be hardened especially by UV light.
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13. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sealant (42) features at least one of the following properties:
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Breaking strength according to ISO 527 [MPa] 2-4, especially 3; Rupture elongation according to ISO 527 [%] 200-400, especially 300±
40;Viscosity at 23°
C. according to Brookfield Sp/U and 3/100 [mPas] 400-800, especially 600±
80;Glass transition temperature (rheometer) [°
C.] 10-30, especially 20±
4;Thermal expansion coefficient at 30-140°
C. [ppm/K] 150-350, especially 260±
30;Density at 23°
C. [g/cm3] 0.6-1.5, especially 1.0±
0.1;Water absorption according to ISO 62, 24 h at 23°
C. [%] 0.9-1.7, especially 1.3±
0.2.
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14. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sealant (42) contains a dye, in particular fluorescent dye, and or a dye deviating from the plastic material of the part to which the sealant (42) is attached.
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15. A method for checking the density of an inflator (10) according to claim 14, especially by making use of a camera, wherein the sealing bead formed by the sealant (42) is irradiated with UV light.
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16. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an annular filter (76) disposed upstream of discharge orifices (78) which has two axial ends, the filter being outwardly bent, especially bent straightly, at one of its axial ends (80, 82).
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17. An inflator (10) according to claim 16, wherein the filter (76) has the same thickness in the bent portion as in a central portion which is adjacent to the bent portion.
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18. An inflator (10) according to claim 16, wherein the filter wall, viewed in the axial cross-section, extends substantially S-shaped between the ends.
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19. An inflator (10) according to claim 16, wherein the bent portion is adjacent in a corner portion of the inflator (10) formed by a circumferential wall (16) and a bottom.
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20. An inflator (10) according to claim 16, wherein the filter (76) is positioned axially braced in the inflator (10) and/or is made of a wire mesh of wires having substantially equal cross-sections.
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21. An inflator (10) according to claim 16, wherein the filter (76) is laterally spaced apart from downstream discharge orifices (78) provided in an external housing (12) of the inflator (10).
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22. An inflator (10) according to claim 16, wherein the filter (76) is tapered toward an axial end (80, 82), preferably at the end opposed to the bent end (80).
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23. An inflator (10) according to claim 16, wherein the filter (76) is adjacent to inflator parts at its axial ends (80, 82) especially at the end faces, and the radially innermost contacting position of the bent end is located radially further outward at the associated inflator part than the radially outermost contacting position of the opposed axial end (80, 82) at the associated inflator part.
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24. An inflator (10) according to claim 16, wherein the filter (76) is formed of wires having different thicknesses.
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25. An inflator (10) according to claim 24, wherein the filter (76) has a tapered axial end (82) in the area of which the filter (76) has a larger length of thinner wires related to the volume than in the adjacent portion, preferably in the entire residual area.
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26. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one igniter (28), especially in the form of a pre-fabricated component, and a combustion chamber (56) which is filled at least partly with pyrotechnic material (58) adapted to be ignited via at least one overflow orifice (66), characterized in that, in particular after activating the igniter (28) for igniting the pyrotechnic material (58), the overflow orifice (66) is movable relative to the latter.
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27. An inflator (10) according to claim 26, wherein the overflow orifice (66) is provided in a movable wall.
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28. An inflator (10) according to claim 27, wherein an intermediate chamber (62) especially receiving a boosting charge (64) which is adjacent to the igniter (28) and which is separated from the combustion chamber (56) by a cap (60), wherein the cap (60) is provided with the overflow orifice (66) and is arranged in the inflator (10) such that it is movable by activating the igniter (28).
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29. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one igniter (28), especially in the form of a pre-fabricated component, and an intermediate chamber (62) especially receiving a boosting charge (64) which is adjacent to the igniter (28) and which is confined by a cap (60), wherein the cap (60) is pushed onto a base (32) with its igniter-side open end.
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30. An inflator (10) according to claim 29, wherein the cap (60) is pressed with the base (32) or is placed onto the latter while forming a press-fit.
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31. An inflator (10) according to claim 29, wherein the cap (60) is attached to the base (32) such that it is movable by activating the igniter (28).
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32. An inflator (10) according to claim 28, wherein in the non-activated state of the inflator (10) the cap (60) is adjacent at the end face to an elastic component (70), especially elastic filler, the filler preferably having a recess (72) into which the cap (60) projects in portions.
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33. An inflator (10) according to claim 28, wherein the elastic component (70) can be compressed by the movement of the cap (60).
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34. An inflator (10) according to claim 32, wherein the elastic component (70) is a filter, especially made of mesh, and that the elastic component (70) is preferably adjacent to the inside of an end face of the inflator (10).
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35. An inflator (10) according to claim 29, wherein the base (32) is formed by injection-molding around the igniter (28) and is preferably provided for fixing the igniter (28) at the inflator (10).
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36. An inflator (10) according to claim 26, wherein the cap (60) forms the, preferably only, partition between the intermediate chamber (62) and a combustion chamber (56), especially at least partly filled with pyrotechnic material (58).
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37. An inflator (10) according to claim 26, wherein the cap 60 has at least one lateral overflow orifice (66).
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38. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an external housing (12), preferably having a central axis, and an igniter (28) embedded in a base (32), the external housing (12) or a part connected to the external housing (12) featuring a recess (34) into which the base (32) extends and portions of the wall forming the recess (34) being bent inwardly and an outwardly extending bulge (48) being formed distant from the opening of the recess (34).
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39. An inflator (10) according to claim 38, wherein the recess extends in ring shape, preferably relative to the central axis.
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40. An inflator (10) according to claim 38, wherein adjacent to the recess the wall forming the recess (34) has the same wall thickness as in the bent portion.
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41. An inflator (10) according to claim 38, wherein, viewed in an axial section, the recess (34) is S-shaped, wherein the opening portion of the wall forming the recess (34) extends outwardly.
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42. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an external housing (12), preferably having a central axis, and an igniter (28) embedded in a base (32), wherein the external housing (12) or a part connected to the external housing (12) exhibits a recess (34) into which the base (32) extends, and wherein a wall forming the recess (34) exhibits a bottom portion (50) having an orifice (26) through which the base (32) extends, the bottom portion (50) having at its opposed outsides in the area in which the base (32) contacts the same at least a projection (52) and/or a recess (54).
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43. An inflator (10) according to claim 42, wherein the edge of the orifice (26) at an outside has a convex projection, the projection (52) being preferably formed by a circumferential bead.
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44. An inflator (10) according to claim 42, wherein the bottom portion (50) has an especially annularly circumferential indentation (54) at the outside opposed to the projection (52) in the area of the projection (52).
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45. An inflator (10) according to claim 42, wherein at each of the outsides at least one projection (52) and/or at least one indentation (54) is formed in the area in which the base (32) contacts the same, wherein the at least one projection (52) and/or the at least one indentation (54) extend preferably annularly around the orifice (26) and/or wherein preferably the indentation (54) formed in the outside facing the igniter (28) is disposed radially inside the indentation formed at the opposed outside.
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46. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the base (32) is formed by injection-molding around at least portions of the wall forming the indentation (54) and/or is formed of plastic material.
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47. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an external housing (12) having at its outer circumference a flange (24), wherein the flange (24) has an asymmetric shape so as to ensure a definite mounting position at least in the twisting direction when fastening the gas generator (10).
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48. An inflator (10) according to claim 47, wherein in the flange (24) at least one notch is provided as mounting positioning means (86).
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49. An inflator (10) according to any claim 47, wherein plural, especially two, three or four notches are provided which are disposed at different angular distances along the periphery of the flange (24).
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50. An inflator (10) according to claim 47, wherein as mounting positioning means (86) a positioning orifice, especially an oblong hole (88), is provided in the flange (24).
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51. A module comprising an inflator (10) according to claim 47, wherein a holding element (92) is provided having a counter piece engaging with the mounting positioning means (86) of the flange (24).
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52. A module according to claim 51, wherein the counter piece includes at least one projection formed at the holding element (92).
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53. A module according to claim 51, wherein the holding element (92) has at least one fastening bolt (102), wherein the fastening bolt (102) contacts the outer periphery of the flange (24).
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54. A module according to claim 53, wherein the fastening bolt (102) does not contact the flange (24) in the area of the mounting positioning means (86).
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55. A module according to claim 51, especially an airbag module (90), wherein an airbag (96) is provided having an inlet orifice (98), wherein the edge of the inlet orifice (98) is clamped between the flange (24) and the holding element (92).
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56. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a combustion chamber (56) filled at least partly with pyrotechnic material (58) which is confined by combustion chamber walls, wherein all combustion chamber walls are made of the same metal, especially steel, especially of the same steel.
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57. An inflator (10) according to claim 56, wherein the combustion chamber walls are formed by plural interconnected parts, said parts especially being load-bearing parts.
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58. An inflator (10) according to claim 56, wherein the combustion chamber (56) is an annular chamber.
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59. An inflator (10) according to claim 56, wherein the axial height of the inflator (10) is less than its diameter.
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60. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an external housing (12) and a combustion chamber (56) disposed inside the external housing (12) and containing pyrotechnic, gas generating material (58), the wall thickness of the components of the external housing (12) being 2.0 mm or less.
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61. An inflator (10) according to claim 60, wherein the external housing comprises a diffuser (14) and a closing member (18), the diffuser (14) and the closing member (18) being preferably shell-shaped.
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62. An inflator (10) according to claim 61, wherein the diffuser (14) and the closing member (18) are fixed to each other by a single connection defining the strength, the connection being especially a circumferential weld (22) between the diffuser (14) and the closing member (18).
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63. An inflator (10) according to claim 61, wherein the wall thickness of the diffuser (14) is not more than 1.5 mm.
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64. An inflator (10) according to claim 61, wherein the wall thickness of the closing member (18) is not more than 1.9 mm.
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65. An inflator (10) according to claim 60, wherein upon activation a maximum pressure in the combustion chamber of 300 bars is produced.
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66. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the combustion chamber (56) provided in the inflator (10) has a substantially toroidal shape.
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67. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an external housing (12) and a combustion chamber (56) disposed inside the external housing (12) which contains pyrotechnic gas generating material (58), wherein the ratio of the maximum combustion chamber pressure occurring upon activation of the inflator (10) to the wall thickness of the external housing (12) is more than 150 bars/mm and preferably less than 220 bars/mm.
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68. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an external housing (12) having plural discharge orifices (78) and a combustion chamber (56) disposed inside the external housing (12) containing pyrotechnic gas generating material (58), wherein the ratio of the entire discharge area of the inflator (10) to the minimum and/or maximum wall thickness of the components of the external housing (12) is more than 30 mm, preferably more than 34 mm.
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69. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an external housing (12) having a diffuser (14) including a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall (16) and comprising a combustion chamber (56) disposed inside the external housing (12) and containing pyrotechnic gas generating material (58), wherein the ratio of the diameter of the diffuser (14) to the minimum wall thickness of the external housing (12) is less than 50, preferably between 35 and 45.
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70. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an external housing (12) having a diffuser (14) including a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall (16) and comprising a combustion chamber (56) disposed inside the external housing (12) and containing pyrotechnic gas generating material (58), wherein the ratio of the diameter of the diffuser (14) to the maximum axial height of the inflator (10) is approx. 1.8±
- 0.2, preferably 1.8±
0.1.
- 0.2, preferably 1.8±
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71. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an external housing (12) including a flange (24) at its outer periphery, wherein the flange (24) is circumferential in a closed manner and is preferably planar and/or that the flange (24) is formed to be free of screwing orifices.
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72. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an external housing (12) having a flange (24) at its outer periphery, wherein the flange (24) is circumferential in a closed manner and is preferably planar, and/or that the flange (24) exhibits an annular clamping surface for the airbag (96) having a width ranging from 5 to 12%, preferably from 8 to 11% of the maximum diameter of the external housing (12).
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73. An inflator (10) especially for a protective device in a vehicle and preferably according to claim 1, comprising an external housing (12) having a flange (24) at its outer periphery, wherein the flange (24) is circumferential in a closed manner and is preferably planar, and/or in that the flange (24) exhibits an annular clamping surface for the airbag (96) having a width ranging from 5 to 8.5 mm, preferably from 5.5 to 7.5 mm.
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74. An airbag module (90) comprising an inflator (10) according to claim 1, the airbag module (90) further comprising an external housing (12) having a flange (24) at its outer periphery, an airbag (96) having an inlet orifice (98) defined by an orifice edge (100), and comprising a clamping element (104) opposed to the flange (24) for clamping the orifice edge (100) between itself and the flange (24), wherein the orifice edge (100) is clamped by such force and the clamping surface is designed such that the lateral displacing force produced by a maximum pressure in the airbag (96) at the orifice edge (100) is between 10 and 80%, preferably between 20 and 50% less than the frictional force generated by the clamping force between the orifice edge (100) and the flange (24) and the clamping element (104).
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75. An airbag module (90) comprising an inflator (10) according to claim 1, the airbag module (90) further comprising an external housing (12) having a flange (24) at its outer periphery, an airbag (96) having an inlet orifice (98) defined by an orifice edge (100), and comprising a clamping element (104) opposed to the flange (24) for clamping the orifice edge (100) between itself and the flange (24), wherein the clamped portion of the orifice edge (100) the inflator (10) has only one or more recesses, especially a hole or a notch serving for circumferential positioning but especially not for mounting the inflator (10) to a module.
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76. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an external housing (12) having a diffuser (14) including a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall (16) including plural discharge orifices (78) and a closing member (18) which is welded with the diffuser (14), wherein the diffuser (14) and the closing member (18) are preferably in the form of a shell and wherein the discharge orifices (78) are covered at the inside of the diffuser (14) by a tamping (84), preferably in the form of a tamping film, and the tamping (84) is spaced apart from the inner edge of the closing member (18), especially a weld (22), preferably a laser weld, between the diffuser (14) and the closing member (18).
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77. An inflator (10) according to claim 76, wherein the distance is more than 2 mm, preferably between 2.5 and 7 mm, further preferably between 3 and 5.5 mm.
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78. An inflator (10) according to claim 76, wherein the closing member (18) has a circumferential upright edge at which it is welded to the diffuser (14) and the smallest distance of the weld (22) from the tamping (84) shows at least the distance values given in claim 77.
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79. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an igniter (28) which has an igniter cap (36) containing a plastic material and which is at least partially surrounded by plastic injection molding, wherein the material of the igniter cap (36) and the material of the plastic injection molding are selected such that the igniter cap (36) melts at least partially with the plastic injection molding during injection molding.
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80. An inflator (10) according to claim 79, wherein the igniter cap (36) and the plastic injection molding consist of the same material.
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81. An inflator (10) according to claim 79, wherein the plastic material contains glass fibers.
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82. An inflator (10) according to claim 81, wherein the share of glass fibers is approximately 20 to 40%, preferably approximately 30%.
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83. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the inflator (10) has an external housing (12) and the igniter (28) is connected to the external housing (12) by means of the plastic injection molding.
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84. An inflator (10) according to claim 83, wherein the external housing (12) has an orifice (26) and the plastic injection molding is molded to the edge of the orifice (26) especially for closing the external housing (12) to the outside.
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85. An inflator according to claim 1, further comprising
a first component (112) and a second component (114) connected to the first component (112) by an injected plastic base (116) by at least partially surrounding both components (112, 114) by injection molding, wherein the first component (112) has an adhesive film (142) applied before injection molding in a contact area (140) with the plastic base (116). -
86. An inflator according to claim 85, wherein the first component (112) is made of metal, ceramic and/or plastic material.
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87. An inflator according to claim 85, wherein the first component (112) is an inflator housing or forms a partial element of an inflator housing.
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88. An inflator according to claim 85, wherein the second component (114) is a pre-fabricated igniter closed to the outside.
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89. An inflator according to claim 85, wherein the first component (112) has an orifice (120) for receiving and mounting the second component (114) the edge (122) of which is embedded in the plastic base (116) during injection molding.
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90. An inflator according to claim 85, wherein the adhesive film (142) covers only part of the portion of the first component (112) surrounded by injection molding.
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91. An inflator according to claim 85, wherein the adhesive film (142) covers the entire portion of the first component (112) surrounded by injection molding.
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92. An inflator according to claim 85, wherein the adhesive film (142) projects from the portion of the first component (112) surrounded by injection molding.
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93. An inflator according to claim 85, wherein the adhesive film (142) comprises a plastic film (144) and an adhesive layer (146).
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94. An inflator according to claim 93, wherein the plastic film (144) is made of the same material as the plastic base (116).
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95. An inflator according to claim 93, wherein the plastic film (144) is made of a material which is suited for establishing a connection with the material of the plastic base (116).
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96. An inflator according to claim 93, wherein the adhesive of the adhesive layer (146) can be activated by a predetermined contact pressure or thermal influence.
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97. An inflator according to claim 93, wherein the materials of the plastic film (144) and the plastic base (116) are selected such that during injection-molding the plastic base (116) the plastic film (144) at least partially melts with the plastic base (116).
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98. An inflator according to claim 93, wherein the adhesive film (142), especially the adhesive layer (146), forms a bonding bridge between the first component (112) and the plastic base (116).
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99. An inflator according to claim 98, wherein the bonding bridge is plastically and/or elastically deformable.
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100. An inflator according to claim 92, wherein the plastic film (144) includes a thermoplastic elastomer.
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2. An inflator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the abutting parts form at least part of the outer inflator surface and/or consist of different materials.
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101. A method for manufacturing an inflator (10), especially for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising the steps of:
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providing a first component (112) containing metal and/or plastic material and/or ceramic material, providing a second component (114) to be connected to the first component (112), applying an adhesive film (142) to the first component (112) in a connecting area, positioning the second component (114) relative to the first component (112), and jointly surrounding at least partially the first and second components (112, 114) by injection molding, thereby forming a plastic base (116) connecting the components (112, 114). - View Dependent Claims (102, 103, 104)
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102. A method according to claim 101, wherein a plastic film (144) of the adhesive film (142) melts with the plastic base (116) during injection molding.
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103. A method according to claim 101, wherein during or after applying the adhesive film (142) the adhesive of the adhesive film (142) is activated by pressing or heating.
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104. A module comprising an inflator (10, 110), an airbag (96) inflatable by the inflator (10, 110) and a fastening means for attaching the module, especially in the interior of a vehicle, wherein the inflator (10, 110) is formed according to claim 101.
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102. A method according to claim 101, wherein a plastic film (144) of the adhesive film (142) melts with the plastic base (116) during injection molding.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeTRW Airbag Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
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Original AssigneeTRW Airbag Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
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InventorsNuiding, Hannes, Bierwirth, Sebastian, Friedrich, Joerg, Spitzenberger, Dieter, Neumayer, Hans-Peter, Hofmann, Achim, Schoenhuber, Georg, Leier, Dieter, Fuerstenberger, Franz
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Granted Patent
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Time in Patent OfficeDays
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Field of Search
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US Class Current280/728.2
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CPC Class CodesB01D 2279/10 for air bags, e.g. inflator...B01D 39/12 of wire gauze; of knitted w...B60R 2021/26029 IgnitorsB60R 2021/26076 characterised by casingB60R 21/264 using instantaneous generat...B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting s...F42B 3/04 for producing gas under pre...