Auto ignition device
First Claim
1. The combination ofan inflator for the generation of a gas to inflate a vehicle passive restraining crash protection bag, andan auto ignition device,said inflator having a housing structure containing a gas generant composition which when ignited generates a gas for the inflation of the crash protection bag, ignition means for igniting said gas generant composition responsively to the onset of a crash of the vehicle in which said inflator is mounted, and filter means, said housing structure having ports therein for the passage of gas generated by said gas generant composition exteriorly of said inflator, said gas generant composition being characterized in automatically igniting when subjected to a predetermined high temperature that is substantially higher than the ambient temperature range to which said inflator normally is subjected, said housing structure, in order to minimize weight, being made of a material that degrades at said predetermined high temperature and thus has insufficient high temperature properties to contain the internal automatic ignition pressures that tend to be developed in said housing structure at said predetermined high temperature, said housing structure having sufficient high temperature properties to contain the internal pressures within a range of high temperatures that is intermediate the said ambient temperature range and said predetermined high temperature, andan auto ignition device contained within said housing structure in good thermal contact therewith for causing said gas generant composition to be ignited and thereby the inflator to function when said device is subjected to a predetermined temperature within said intermediate range of high temperatures.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The pyrotechnics in an air cushion inflator are caused to function by the auto ignition device when the device is subjected to a high temperature environment, such as a bonfire, at a temperature of 350° F. (177° C.) in place of in the 650° F. (343° C.) range which would occur if there were no auto ignition device. This enables the use of aluminum for the inflator housing, thereby to minimize weight, the aluminum having sufficient high temperature properties to contain the internal auto ignition pressures at 350° F. (177° C.) but not at 650° F. (343° C.).
144 Citations
8 Claims
-
1. The combination of
an inflator for the generation of a gas to inflate a vehicle passive restraining crash protection bag, and an auto ignition device, said inflator having a housing structure containing a gas generant composition which when ignited generates a gas for the inflation of the crash protection bag, ignition means for igniting said gas generant composition responsively to the onset of a crash of the vehicle in which said inflator is mounted, and filter means, said housing structure having ports therein for the passage of gas generated by said gas generant composition exteriorly of said inflator, said gas generant composition being characterized in automatically igniting when subjected to a predetermined high temperature that is substantially higher than the ambient temperature range to which said inflator normally is subjected, said housing structure, in order to minimize weight, being made of a material that degrades at said predetermined high temperature and thus has insufficient high temperature properties to contain the internal automatic ignition pressures that tend to be developed in said housing structure at said predetermined high temperature, said housing structure having sufficient high temperature properties to contain the internal pressures within a range of high temperatures that is intermediate the said ambient temperature range and said predetermined high temperature, and an auto ignition device contained within said housing structure in good thermal contact therewith for causing said gas generant composition to be ignited and thereby the inflator to function when said device is subjected to a predetermined temperature within said intermediate range of high temperatures.
Specification