Inflator for vehicle occupant restraint system
First Claim
1. An inflator for inflating an expandable confinement for restraining a vehicle occupant in response to a collision signal, said inflator comprising:
- a. a source of inflating fluid;
b. means operable upon receipt of said collision signal to actuate said fluid source and cause inflating fluid to flow therefrom;
c. means for directing said fluid flow to said confinement, said fluid directing means including means defining discharge port means for flow of inflating fluid therefrom; and
d. diffuser means disposed over said discharge port means, said diffuser means including a thin, rigid member having an initial position sealing said discharge port means, said member having portions thereof deformably movable upon actuation of said fluid source to a position permitting and diffusing fluid flow from said discharge port means, wherein said movable portions of said rigid member are resiliently deformed by pressurized fluid flow to a position in which said movable portions of said member direct said fluid flow radially away from the inflator.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator is provided for inflating the expandable confinement of a vehicle occupant restraint system, to restrain an occupant in response to a collision signal. The inflator contains a source of inflation fluid, such as a propellant which is ignited upon the receipt of the collision signal. The inflator has fluid-directing means including passage means for the flow of the inflating fluid therethrough. A deformable diffuser is provided having a first position in sealing engagement with the outer surface of the inflator to seal the passage means, and a second position, subsequent to the ignition of the propellant, in which a portion of the diffuser is deformed out of sealing engagement with the inflator to permit passage of the inflating fluid. The fluid is directed by the diffuser radially away from the housing to inflate the confinement.
41 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An inflator for inflating an expandable confinement for restraining a vehicle occupant in response to a collision signal, said inflator comprising:
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a. a source of inflating fluid; b. means operable upon receipt of said collision signal to actuate said fluid source and cause inflating fluid to flow therefrom; c. means for directing said fluid flow to said confinement, said fluid directing means including means defining discharge port means for flow of inflating fluid therefrom; and d. diffuser means disposed over said discharge port means, said diffuser means including a thin, rigid member having an initial position sealing said discharge port means, said member having portions thereof deformably movable upon actuation of said fluid source to a position permitting and diffusing fluid flow from said discharge port means, wherein said movable portions of said rigid member are resiliently deformed by pressurized fluid flow to a position in which said movable portions of said member direct said fluid flow radially away from the inflator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An inflator for use with a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising:
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a. a housing defining a central axis; b. a propellant stored within said housing; c. means for igniting said propellant to yield a pressurized inflation gas in response to a collision signal; d. said housing having portions thereof defining passage means for said inflation gas; and e. a deformable metal diffuser having a first position in sealing engagement with the outer surface of said housing to seal said passage means, and a second position, subsequent to the ignition of said propellant, in which a portion of said diffuser is resiliently deformed out of sealing engagement with said housing to permit said inflation gas to pass through said passage means, said diffuser directing said gas radially away from said housing to inflate the confinement. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. Apparatus adapted to be attached to the steering wheel of a vehicle for restraining the driver of the vehicle upon the occurrence of a collision, comprising:
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a. an inflator including a housing defining a central axis; a propellant stored within said housing; means for igniting said propellant to yield a pressurized inflation gas in response to a collision signal; said housing defining passage means for said inflation gas; a deformable metal diffuser having a first position in sealing engagement with the outer surface of said housing to seal said passage means, and a second position subsequent to the ignition of said propellant, in which a portion of said diffuser is resiliently deformed out of sealing engagement with said housing to permit said inflation gas to pass through said passage means; b. rupturable enclosure means, partially surrounding, and cooperating with said inflator to define a storage compartment therebetween; and c. a confinement having a contracted, inoperative position disposed within said storage compartment and inoperative position, expanded to rupture said enclosure means by said inflation gas being directed radially away from said passage means by said diffuser.
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Specification