Igniter for a pyrotechnic gas bag inflator
First Claim
1. A dual pressure rise igniter for the propellant in a protective gas bag inflator comprisinga first igniter segment,at least one additional igniter segment,with igniter powder contained in each of said segments,means for igniting said first igniter segment,combustible fuse means including a delay propellant disc and a fuse, said delay propellant disc having a first side and a second side, said fuse having a first end and a second end,a first tubular igniter powder enclosing housing for said first igniter segment, said delay propellant disc being positioned within said first housing with said first side thereof in contact with the igniter powder in said first housing,a second tubular igniter powder enclosing housing for the next adjacent igniter segment,said first and second housing each having at least one outlet port through the side wall thereof in communication with the igniter powder therein,pressure sensitive cover means for the outlet port in each of said first and second housings, said cover means on said second housing being thicker than that on said first housing,an interconnecting member having a hole therein, said fuse extending through said hole in said interconnecting member;
- said first and second housings being interconnected by said interconnecting member in coaxial tandem arrangement with said first end of said fuse contacting said second side of said delay propellant disc in said first housing and with said second end of said fuse contacting the igniter powder in said second housing, andadditional cover means for the outlet port in said second housing for providing thermal protection from external heat for the igniter powder contained therein thereby to preclude ignition from external heat transfer prior to receipt of an ignition signal acting through said combustible fuse means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
For an inflator for pyrotechnically inflating protective gas bags for vehicles, an igniter is provided which causes the propellant in the inflator to ignite in a progressive manner so as to inflate the bag slowly at the onset but more rapidly later as inflation progresses. The overall inflation time is very rapid but the slow onset of bag deployment starts gentle movement against a vehicle'"'"'s occupant and thus reduces the possibility of injury as compared with a more sudden movement by rapid inflation from the outset.
64 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A dual pressure rise igniter for the propellant in a protective gas bag inflator comprising
a first igniter segment, at least one additional igniter segment, with igniter powder contained in each of said segments, means for igniting said first igniter segment, combustible fuse means including a delay propellant disc and a fuse, said delay propellant disc having a first side and a second side, said fuse having a first end and a second end, a first tubular igniter powder enclosing housing for said first igniter segment, said delay propellant disc being positioned within said first housing with said first side thereof in contact with the igniter powder in said first housing, a second tubular igniter powder enclosing housing for the next adjacent igniter segment, said first and second housing each having at least one outlet port through the side wall thereof in communication with the igniter powder therein, pressure sensitive cover means for the outlet port in each of said first and second housings, said cover means on said second housing being thicker than that on said first housing, an interconnecting member having a hole therein, said fuse extending through said hole in said interconnecting member; -
said first and second housings being interconnected by said interconnecting member in coaxial tandem arrangement with said first end of said fuse contacting said second side of said delay propellant disc in said first housing and with said second end of said fuse contacting the igniter powder in said second housing, and additional cover means for the outlet port in said second housing for providing thermal protection from external heat for the igniter powder contained therein thereby to preclude ignition from external heat transfer prior to receipt of an ignition signal acting through said combustible fuse means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification