Method of assembly of a combustion cup, filter, and diffuser cup for a vehicle occupant restraint inflator
First Claim
1. A method of assembling an inflator for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method comprising the steps of:
- positioning an annular filter relatively loosely around the outside of a combustion cup;
gripping the combustion cup with the filter by axially compressing the filter to radially contract a surface of the filter so that the filter grips relatively tightly around the outside of the combustion cup after performing said step of positioning the annular filter relatively loosely around the outside of the combustion cup; and
,thereafter, positioning the combustion cup and said filter as a unit in a diffuser cup with the filter between the combustion cup and the diffuser cup.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint includes an annular slag screen or filter which is disposed between a combustion cup and a diffuser cup. A canister of gas generating material is disposed in the combustion cup. Upon igniting the gas generating material in the canister, gas flows through openings in the side wall of the combustion cup to the slag screen or filter. The gas then flows through a final filter assembly and out of the diffuser cup. The slag filter is preassembled on the combustion cup by radially contracting a surface of the filter to grip the side wall of the combustion cup. This enables the combustion cup and slag filter to be positioned as a unit relative to the diffuser cup and final filter.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of assembling an inflator for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method comprising the steps of:
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positioning an annular filter relatively loosely around the outside of a combustion cup; gripping the combustion cup with the filter by axially compressing the filter to radially contract a surface of the filter so that the filter grips relatively tightly around the outside of the combustion cup after performing said step of positioning the annular filter relatively loosely around the outside of the combustion cup; and
,thereafter, positioning the combustion cup and said filter as a unit in a diffuser cup with the filter between the combustion cup and the diffuser cup. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of assembling an inflator for use in inflating an occupant restraint, said method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a first filter in a chamber in a diffuser cup for directing gas to the occupant restraint; securing a second filter around the outside of a combustion member with the combustion member and second filter spaced from the diffuser cup and first filter, the second filter and the combustion member thereby forming a unit; and
,thereafter, positioning the unit of the second filter and the combustion member in the chamber; wherein said step of positioning the second filter around the outside of the combustion member includes gripping the combustion member with the second filter by radially contracting a surface of the second filter. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of assembling an inflator for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a annular filter around the outside of a combustion cup; gripping the combustion cup with the filter by radially contracting a surface of the filter after performing said step of positioning the annular filter around the outside of the combustion cup; and
,thereafter, positioning the combustion cup and the filter as a unit in a diffuser cup with the filter between the combustion cup and the diffuser cup; and
further comprising the step ofpositioning a second filter in the diffuser cup, said step of positioning the combustion cup and filter in the diffuser cup including positioning the combustion cup in the second filter.
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Specification