End base assembly for vehicle airbag module

• US 5,387,009 A
• Filed: 06/15/1994
• Issued: 02/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Morton International Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rose, Larry D., Lauritzen, Donald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/259,852
• Time in Patent Office: 237 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728 R, 280/741, 280/732, 280/736, 280/728, 102/580, 102/531, 102/380
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26041 of elongated shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: C06C 9/00 Chemical contact igniters; Chemical lighters
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/04 for producing gas under pressure generators of inflation fluid especially adapted for vehicle air bags B60R21/26

Abstract

The cylindrical inflator housing of a passenger-side airbag module encloses a cylindrical filter pack containing the gas generant. The ends of the housing are closed by a pair of circular end bases which are press-fitted against the ends of the filter pack and provide improved heat transmission characteristics from the outside of the housing to the interiors of the end bases. In place of O-rings, the end bases are sealed to the housing by sheet gaskets.

Claims

1. An inflator for a motor vehicle passenger-side airbag module which comprises:

a substantially cylindrical inflator housing having first and second ends and a ported sidewall for venting inflating gas to an airbag;

a generant assembly within said inflator housing including a substantially cylindrical filter having first and second ends and enclosing a gas generant therein;

a substantially cup-shaped first end base having a circular main body closing the first end of said inflator housing, a cylindrical outer wall surrounding the first end of said filter and enclosed within the sidewall of said inflator housing, and a cylindrical inner wall extending from the main body parallel to said outer wall;

a pre-load member intermediate, and compressed between, said inner wall and said gas generant;

a substantially cup-shaped second end base having a circular main body closing the second end of said inflator housing, a cylindrical outer wall surrounding the second end of said filter and enclosed within the sidewall of said inflator housing, and a cylindrical inner wall extending from the main body parallel to said outer wall in contact with said gas generant, and means for retaining an initiator within said inner wall;

each of said first and second end bases being free of positive restraints against rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical filter; and

means for compressing each of said first and second end bases against the respective ends of said cylindrical filter and sealing the junction of said outer wall with said inflator housing.

2. The inflator of claim 1 wherein said compressing means comprises a sheet gasket.

3. The inflator of claim 1 wherein said initiator retaining means comprises:

a seat formed in the body of said second end base and within said cylindrical inner wall; and

a retainer wall surrounding said seat and crimpable over an initiator positioned in said seat.

4. The inflator of claim 1 wherein the outer wall of each of said first and second end bases is in the form of an annular wedge having a press-fit engagement with the respective first or second end of said filter.

5. The inflator of claim 4 wherein said compressing means comprises a sheet gasket.

6. The inflator of claim 5 wherein said initiator retaining means comprises:

a seat formed in the body of said second end base and within said cylindrical inner wall; and

a retainer wall surrounding said seat and crimpable over an initiator positioned in said seat.

7. An inflator for a motor vehicle passenger-side airbag module which comprises:

a trough-shaped reaction canister with an integral, substantially cylindrical, inflator housing having first and second ends and a ported sidewall for directing inflating gas to an airbag housed within said canister;

a generant assembly within said inflator housing including a substantially cylindrical filter having first and second ends and enclosing a gas generant therein;

a substantially cup-shaped first end base having a circular main body closing the first end of said inflator housing, a cylindrical outer wall surrounding the first end of said filter and enclosed within the sidewall of said inflator housing, and a cylindrical inner wall extending from the main body parallel to said outer wall;

a pre-load member intermediate, and compressed between, said inner wall and said gas generant;

a substantially cup-shaped second end base having a circular main body closing the second end of said inflator housing, a cylindrical outer wall surrounding the second end of said filter and enclosed within the sidewall of said inflator housing, and a cylindrical inner wall extending from the disk-shaped bottom parallel to said outer wall in contact with said gas generant, and means for retaining an initiator within said inner wall;

each of said first and second end bases being free of positive restraints against rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical filter; and

means for compressing each of said first and second end bases against the respective ends of said cylindrical filter and sealing the junction of said outer wall with said inflator housing.

8. The inflator of claim 7 wherein said compressing means comprises a sheet gasket.

9. The inflator of claim 7 wherein said initiator retaining means comprises:

a seat formed in the body of said second end base and within said cylindrical inner wall; and

a retainer wall surrounding said seat and crimpable over an initiator positioned in said seat.

10. The inflator of claim 7 wherein the outer wall of each of said first and second end bases is in the form of an annular wedge having a press-fit engagement with the respective first or second end of said filter.

11. The inflator of claim 10 wherein said compressing means comprises a sheet gasket.

12. The inflator of claim 11 wherein said initiator retaining means comprises:

a seat formed in the circular main body of said second end base and within said cylindrical inner wall; and

a retainer wall surrounding said seat and crimpable over an initiator positioned in said seat.