Initiator retainer for air bag inflator

• US 6,056,314 A
• Filed: 02/20/1998
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Shirk, Bryan W., Swann, Timothy A., Cuevas, Jess A., Van Wynsberghe, Roy D., Al-Amin, Ahmad K., Deming, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): McKinley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US09/027,142
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 280/741, 280/736, 280/728.2, 102/530, 102/531
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26029 Ignitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/26 Arrangements for mounting initiators; Accessories therefor, e.g. tools
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7032 making use of a separate bridging element directly cooperating with the terminals

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) includes a housing (16, 40) defining a chamber (30). An actuatable inflation fluid source (80) in the chamber (30) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device (12). A body of plastic material (50) is supported on the housing (40). An electrically energizable initiator (90), when energized, causes inflation fluid to flow from the chamber (30). A retainer (120) mounts the initiator (90) to the housing (40). The retainer (120) has a first portion (130) engaging the initiator (90) and securing the initiator to the retainer. The retainer (120) has a second portion (132) engaging the body of plastic material (50) and securing the retainer to the body of plastic material.

Claims

1. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a chamber;

an actuatable inflation fluid source in said chamber providing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device;

a body of plastic material supported on said housing;

an electrically energizable initiator for, when energized, causing inflation fluid to flow from said chamber; and

a retainer for mounting said initiator to said housing;

said retainer having a first portion engaging said initiator and securing said initiator to said retainer;

said retainer having a second portion engaging said body of plastic material and securing said retainer to said body of plastic material.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body of plastic material is molded onto a metal portion of said housing.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body of plastic material has a groove in which said retainer is received to secure said retainer to said body of plastic material.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retainer has an annular configuration including a central opening through which a portion of said initiator extends.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing is made from metal, said retainer is made from metal, said retainer engaging a plastic portion of said initiator, said body of plastic material electrically insulating between said housing and said retainer.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said initiator has a groove in which said retainer is received to secure said initiator to said retainer.

7. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a chamber;

an actuatable inflation fluid source in said chamber providing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device;

a body of plastic material supported on said housing;

an electrically energizable initiator for, when energized, causing inflation fluid to flow from said chamber; and

a retainer for mounting said initiator to said housing, said retainer having an annular configuration including a central opening through which a portion of said initiator extends, said retainer further having a first portion and a second portion;

said first portion engaging said initiator and securing said initiator to said retainer;

said second portion engaging said body of plastic material and securing said retainer to said body of plastic material,

said first portion of said retainer comprising a first plurality of tabs extending radially inward into said central opening and engaging said initiator, said second portion of said retainer comprising a second plurality of tabs which engage said body of plastic material.

8. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a chamber;

an actuatable inflation fluid source in said chamber providing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device;

a body of plastic material supported on said housing;

an electrically energizable initiator for, when energized, causing inflation fluid to flow from said chamber; and

a retainer for mounting said initiator to said housing, said retainer having a first portion and a second portion;

said first portion engaging said initiator and securing said initiator to said retainer;

said second portion engaging said body of plastic material and securing said retainer to said body of plastic material,

said first portion of said retainer comprising a first plurality of tabs which engage said initiator and said second portion of said retainer comprising a second plurality of tabs which engage said body of plastic material.

9. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

a housing including a main portion defining a chamber and having an opening into said chamber;

said housing further including a cover for closing said opening;

a body of plastic material molded on said cover;

an actuatable inflation fluid source in said chamber;

an electrically energizable initiator for actuating said inflation fluid source; and

a retainer for mounting said initiator to said housing in a position projecting into said chamber in said housing, said retainer comprising a part separate from said cover;

said retainer having a first portion engaging said initiator and securing said initiator to said retainer;

said retainer having a second portion engaging said body of plastic material and securing said retainer to said cover.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said cover is made from metal and said retainer is made from metal, said retainer engaging a plastic portion of said initiator, said body of plastic material electrically insulating between said housing and said retainer.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said retainer has a generally annular main body portion centered on an axis, said first portion of said retainer extending from said main body portion in a direction toward said axis, said second portion of said retainer extending from said main body portion in a direction away from said axis.

12. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

a housing including a main portion defining a chamber and having an opening into said chamber;

said housing further including a cover for closing said opening;

a body of plastic material molded on said cover;

an actuatable inflation fluid source in said chamber;

an electrically energizable initiator for actuating said inflation fluid source; and

a retainer for mounting said initiator to said housing in a position projecting into said chamber in said housing,

said retainer having a first portion engaging said initiator and securing said initiator to said retainer;

said retainer having a second portion engaging said body of plastic material and securing said retainer to said cover,

said first portion of said retainer comprising a plurality of tabs which engage in a recess in said initiator.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said tabs extend at an angle to the plane of said main body portion of said retainer when said retainer is in a free condition, said tabs being resiliently deformed toward said plane when said tabs are engaged in said recess in said initiator.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first portion of said retainer comprises a plurality of inner tabs which engage in a groove in said initiator, said inner tabs extending at an angle to the plane of said main body portion of said retainer when said retainer is in a free condition, said inner tabs being resiliently deformed toward said plane when said tabs are engaged in said groove in said initiator;

said second portion of said retainer comprising a plurality of outer tabs which engage in a groove in said body of plastic material, said outer tabs extending at an angle to the plane of said main body portion of said retainer when said retainer is in a free condition, said outer tabs being resiliently deformed toward said plane when said tabs are engaged in said groove in said body of plastic material.

15. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

a housing including a main portion defining a chamber and having an opening into said chamber;

said housing further including a cover for closing said opening;

a body of plastic material molded on said cover;

an actuatable inflation fluid source in said chamber;

an electrically energizable initiator for actuating said inflation fluid source; and

a retainer for mounting said initiator to said housing in a position projecting into said chamber in said housing,

said retainer having a first portion engaging said initiator and securing said initiator to said retainer;

said retainer having a second portion engaging said body of plastic material and securing said retainer to said cover,

said second portion of said retainer comprising a plurality of tabs which engage in a recess in said body of plastic material.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said tabs extend at an angle to the plane of said main body portion of said retainer when said retainer is in a free condition, said tabs being resiliently deformed toward said plane when said tabs are engaged in said recess in said body of plastic material.