Airbag module with sized inflator

• US 5,871,228 A
• Filed: 01/21/1997
• Issued: 02/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Morton International Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lindsey, David W., Lauritzen, Donald R., Rose, Larry D., Green, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US08/786,602
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/732, 280/740, 280/736, 280/741, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• 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

Abstract

Featured for use as a part of an inflatable restraint system airbag module is an elongated cylindrical airbag inflator containing a load of a gas generant material. The inflator has a size (i.e., length) selected to correspond to the size of the load of the gas generant material stored within the inflator.

Claims

1. An airbag module assembly adapted to house an inflatable airbag cushion, said assembly comprising:

a reaction canister adapted to house the inflatable airbag cushion in a stored condition and having a length predetermined by the size of the inflatable airbag cushion; and

a generally elongated cylindrical inflator which upon actuation is adapted to provide gas used to inflate the airbag cushion said inflator having a storage volume therein containing a predetermined load of a gas generant material sufficient to result in desired inflation of the airbag cushion upon actuation of said inflator, said inflator having a generally cylindrical diameter predetermnined to permit said inflator to be housed within said reaction canister;

wherein the length of said inflator is substantially less than the length of said reaction canister and is selected such that, in conjunction with the predetermined cylindrical diameter thereof, said inflator provides a storage volume corresponding to the predetermined load of the gas generant material,

wherein said assembly also comprises at least one longitudinally extending spacer element adopted to be secured to one end of said inflator and to permit said inflator to be longitudinally secured within said reaction canister, and

wherein said reaction canister comprises a reaction canister body having the form of an inflator holder of partial circular cross section extending less than 360°

.