Dual chamber inflator for side impact air bag
First Claim
1. An air bag inflator comprising:
- first and second tubes defining respective first and second chambers for storing inflation fluid under pressure;
a manifold defining a manifold passage;
means for securing an end of each of said first and second tubes to said manifold with said chambers extending at an acute angle relative to one another, each of said first and second chambers being in fluid communication with said manifold passage;
a housing fixed to said manifold defining a third chamber for fluid communication with said manifold passage;
a rupturable wall fixed to said housing and blocking fluid communication of said third chamber with said manifold passage;
diffuser passages in said housing for providing fluid communication between said third chamber and an air bag; and
an actuatable initiator in said third chamber for rupturing said wall, upon actuation, to enable fluid communication between said third chamber and said manifold passage.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag inflator (20, 200) comprises first and second tubes (24, 26, 204, 206) defining respective first and second chambers (44, 46, 244, 246) for storing inflation fluid under pressure. A manifold (22, 202) has a manifold passage (42, 222). Each of the first and second tubes (24, 26, 204, 206) is secured to the manifold (22, 202) with the first and second chambers (24, 26, 204, 206) in fluid communication with the manifold passage (42, 222). A diffuser housing (28, 208) is fixed to the manifold (22, 202) and defines a third chamber (104, 242) for fluid communication with the manifold passage (42, 222). Passages (106, 244) in the diffuser housing (28, 208) provide fluid communication between the third chamber (104, 242) and an air bag. A rupturable wall (142, 248) is fixed to the diffuser housing (28, 208) to block fluid communication of the third chamber (104, 242) with the manifold passage (42, 222). An actuatable initiator (122, 246) is in the third chamber (104, 242) for, upon actuation, rupturing the wall (142, 248) to enable fluid communication of the third chamber with the manifold passage (42, 222).
62 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An air bag inflator comprising:
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first and second tubes defining respective first and second chambers for storing inflation fluid under pressure; a manifold defining a manifold passage; means for securing an end of each of said first and second tubes to said manifold with said chambers extending at an acute angle relative to one another, each of said first and second chambers being in fluid communication with said manifold passage; a housing fixed to said manifold defining a third chamber for fluid communication with said manifold passage; a rupturable wall fixed to said housing and blocking fluid communication of said third chamber with said manifold passage; diffuser passages in said housing for providing fluid communication between said third chamber and an air bag; and an actuatable initiator in said third chamber for rupturing said wall, upon actuation, to enable fluid communication between said third chamber and said manifold passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An air bag inflator comprising:
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first and second tubes defining respective first and second chambers for storing inflation fluid under pressure; a manifold defining a manifold passage; each of said first and second tubes having ends fixed to said manifold, said first and second chambers being in fluid communication with said manifold passage; means for defining a third chamber that can be placed in fluid communication with said manifold passage, said third chamber being in fluid communication with an air bag; means blocking fluid communication between said third chamber and said manifold passage; and an actuatable initiator for, upon actuation, enabling fluid communication between said third chamber and said manifold passage. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An air bag inflator comprising:
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inflation fluid storage means for storing inflation fluid under pressure, said inflation fluid storage means being initially closed and at least partially defined by first and second tubes defining respective first and second chambers for containing inflation fluid, said first and second chambers being in fluid communication when said fluid storage means is closed; means for defining a third chamber for fluid communication with said inflation fluid storage means when said inflation fluid storage means is open and for fluid communication with an air bag; and an actuatable initiator located in said third chamber for, when actuated, opening said inflation fluid storage means. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification