Wire track with integral sealing mechanism and inflator

• US 5,542,701 A
• Filed: 03/22/1995
• Issued: 08/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc.
• Inventors: Rion, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US08/411,352
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 280/728.2, 280/735, 280/737, 280/741
• US Class Current: 280/735
• 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

Abstract

A manifold (10) for holding a generally cylindrically shaped gas generator (12), the gas generator including inflation ports (84a, b) through which inflation gas exits to inflate an air bag. A wire track/seal assembly (200) is fitted between the gas generator and manifold to route and protect wires extending from the gas generator. The wire track/seal assembly is received in notches formed in ends of the gas generator and includes an integrally formed seal member.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a cylindrically shaped gas generator (12), a manifold (10) for holding the gas generator (12), and a wire track/seal assembly (200) for protecting wires emanating from one side of the gas generator and for feeding such wires to the other side of the gas generator, the gas generator including inflation ports (84a, b) through which inflation gas exits to inflate an air bag and a first and second notch (90,

     93) in ends or lips (86,

     92);

the manifold comprising;

a one piece hollow extruded structure comprising;

a cylindrical middle portion (16) and first (32) and second (34) ends, the middle portion having a diameter section slightly larger than the diameter of the gas generator, the first end being narrowed to provide an interference fit with a mating portion of the gas generator upon insertion of the gas generator;

the middle portion further comprising two oppositely positioned outwardly flared portions (18a, b), the flared portions in cooperation with walls of the gas generator, defining gas receiving portions (22a, b) to receive inflation gas from the gas generator, the flared portions each including at least an exit port (44a-d, 46a-d) to direct inflation gas out of the manifold;

the structure additionally includes on a lower portion thereof, an axially directly outwardly extending protrusion (30) into which is received the wire track/seal assembly (200), the assembly (200) including a wire track (202) and a flexible rod shaped member (250) of integral construction that is bendable generally into a circle to provide a seal between the gas generator and the manifold, the wire track (202) having end pieces (220a, b) fitted to the notches of the gas generator and means for receiving and holding wires (102) extending from the gas generator.

2. An assembly comprising:

a cylindrically shaped gas generator (12), including inflation ports through which inflation gas exits to inflate an air bag the assembly (200), a cylindrically shaped manifold (10) for receiving therein and for holding the gas generator (12), and

a wire track/seal assembly (200) for protecting wires (102) emanating from one side of the gas generator, the wire track/seal assembly including a protective track portion for supporting and protecting the wires and a flexible rod shaped member (250) of integral construction that is bendable generally into a circle fitted between the gas generator and manifold to provide a seal between the gas generator and the manifold.

3. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein the gas generator includes a first and a second notch (90,93) in ends or lips (86,92) thereof and wherein the wire track (202) includes end pieces (220a,b) fitted to the notches.

4. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein the enclosed track portion is molded about the wires.

5. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein the track portion includes at least one groove into which a wire is placed.