Air bag inflator and method of assembly

• US 5,507,520 A
• Filed: 12/16/1994
• Issued: 04/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Fiore, Dennis J., Meduvsky, Alex G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US08/358,788
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/741, 280/736, 280/742, 280/740
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder

Abstract

An inflator (14) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a body (60) of ignitable gas generating material, an igniter (260) for igniting the body (60) of gas generating material, and a housing (50) having a tubular wall (52) surrounding the body (60) of gas generating material. The tubular wall (52) has a longitudinal central axis (40), a plurality of outlet openings (100) through which gas flows radially outward from the housing (50), and an end wall (54) defining a closed end of the housing (50). The inflator (14) further includes a circular spacer (140) located coaxially within the tubular wall (52) adjacent to the end wall (54). The spacer (140) has a plurality of radially projecting spacer lobes (172) at locations that are spaced from each other circumferentially around the spacer (140). An annular elastomeric seal (142) extends circumferentially around the spacer (140) across and between the spacer lobes ( 172). The seal (140) is compressively loaded axially and radially between the surrounding surfaces of the adjoining parts of the inflator (14).

Claims

1. Apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint, said apparatus comprising:

an ignitable gas generating material which, when ignited, generates gas for inflating the restraint;

igniter means for igniting said gas generating material when said igniter means is actuated;

a housing having a tubular wall surrounding said gas generating material, said tubular wall having a longitudinal central axis and a plurality of outlet openings through which said gas flows radially outward from said housing, said housing further having an end wall defining a closed end of said housing;

a tubular structure including a cylindrical filter surrounding said gas generating material, said tubular structure being located coaxially within said tubular wall and having an axially inner end portion adjacent to said end wall;

a circular spacer located coaxially within said tubular wall adjacent to said end wall, said spacer having a plurality of radially projecting spacer lobes at locations that are spaced apart from each other circumferentially around said spacer; and

an annular elastomeric seal extending circumferentially around said spacer across and between said spacer lobes, said seal being compressively loaded axially between said inner end portion of said tubular structure and said end wall.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said spacer has a peripheral flange projecting radially between said seal and said end wall, said seal being compressively loaded axially between said inner end portion of said tubular structure and said flange.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner end portion of said tubular structure extends circumferentially around said spacer across and between said spacer lobes.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein tubular structure has an inner diameter, said spacer having a cylindrical body with an outer diameter which is less than said inner diameter, each of said spacer lobes having a radially outer surface with a diameter that is equal to said inner diameter, each of said spacer lobes further having an inclined surface extending radially outward from said cylindrical body toward the respective outer surface at an acute angle to said axis.

5. A method of assembling an apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint, said method comprising the steps of:

placing a circular spacer coaxially within a cylindrical housing, said housing having a longitudinal central axis, a tubular wall with a plurality of gas outlet openings, and an end wall defining a closed end of said housing, said spacer being located adjacent to said end wall and having a plurality of radially projecting spacer lobes at locations that are spaced from each other circumferentially around said spacer;

placing an annular elastomeric seal concentrically over said spacer in a position extending circumferentially across and between said spacer lobes;

placing a cylindrical tubular structure coaxially within said tubular wall of said housing, said tubular structure including a cylindrical filter extending circumferentially around said axis and having an inner end portion located adjacent to said end wall; and

pressing said tubular structure forcefully into said housing along said axis so as to press said inner end portion of said tubular structure forcefully against said seal;

said step of pressing said tubular structure into said housing causing said seal to become compressively loaded axially between end wall and said tubular structure and radially between said tubular wall and said spacer lobes.

6. A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said step of pressing said tubular structure into said housing moves said inner end portion of said tubular structure concentrically over said spacer lobes to a position extending circumferentially across and between said spacer lobes.