Dual type inflator device wherein light-emitting phenomenon is suppressed

• US 6,234,523 B1
• Filed: 12/14/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited (Daicel Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited (Daicel Corporation)
• Inventors: Tokoro, Takuji, Katsuda, Nobuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fischmann, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US09/459,915
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 280/737, 280/736, 280/740, 280/741, 280/742, 102/530, 102/531
• US Class Current: 280/737
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/272 with means for increasing the pressure of the gas just before or during liberation, e.g. hybrid inflators

Abstract

To improve light emitting phenomenon occurring in an air bag when respective inflators are different in activation start time from each other, namely, when the activation of one of the inflators is delayed from that of the other in a dual type inflator device. A dual type inflator device comprises a hybrid-type inflator and a pyro-type inflator, wherein an end portion of the pyro-type inflator having a gas outlet is connected to an end portion of a diffuser assembly of the hybrid-type inflator, the gas outlet of the pyro-type inflator is formed in a tube shape so as to have a gas passage, the gas outlet extending into an outlet passage through a central portion of the diffuser assembly of the hybrid-type inflator, and gas flow from the pyro-type inflator is mixed with gas flow of the hybrid-type inflator in the outlet passage.

Claims

1. A dual type inflator device for inflating an air bag, comprising:

a hybrid-type inflator having a pressurized medium contained therein, a first activating assembly for activating the hybrid-type inflator, a diffuser assembly having an outlet hole, and an after-burner tube in communication with the diffuser assembly, such that a first gas is discharged into the air bag through the after-burner tube and the diffuser assembly; and

a pyro-type inflator attached to the diffuser assembly, and having a pyro-type gas generating material, a second activating assembly for igniting the pyro-type gas generating material, a gas outlet, and a connecting tube, having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the after-burner tube, in communication with the gas outlet, such that a second gas is discharged into the air bag through the gas outlet, the connecting tube, and outlet hole of the diffuser assembly,

wherein the connecting tube extends through the diffuser assembly and at least partially into the after-burner tube to discharge the second gas directly into after-burner tube.

2. A dual type inflator device according to claim 1, wherein the second gas generated by the pyro-type inflator is further combusted by the first gas inside the after-burner tube at a downstream side of the connecting tube.

3. A dual type inflator device according to claim 1, wherein the first gas contains at least 2 mol % of oxygen.

4. A dual type inflator device according to claim 1, wherein the first gas contains about 2 to 30 mol % of oxygen.

5. A dual type inflator device according to of claim 1, wherein the diffuser assembly contains a filter, and the first and second gasses are discharged from the outlet hole of the diffuser assembly after the first and second gasses pass through the filter.

6. A dual type inflator device according to claim 1, wherein the gas outlet is blocked by a rupturable member, and the rupturable member is ruptured only by an activation of the pyro-type inflator.

7. A dual type inflator device according to claim 1, wherein the gas outlet adjusts an internal pressure in the pyro-type inflator when the pyro-type gas generating material is being combusted.

8. A dual type inflator device according to claim 1, wherein the hybrid-type inflator includes,

an inflator housing having a first space therein,

a gas generator provided inside the first space, the gas generator having a second space in communication with the first space and containing a gas generating propellant therein,

a first closing disk for sealing the after-burner tube,

a projectile aligned with the first closing disk, and

combustion product producing means, activated by the activating assembly, for producing combustion product for igniting the gas generating propellant and propelling the projectile to penetrate the first closing disk.

9. A dual type inflator device according to claim 5, wherein the filter includes a plurality of layers of metal net.

10. A dual type inflator device according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized medium includes oxygen and inert gas.

11. A dual type inflator device according to claim 1, wherein the first gas is an oxygen-rich gas.

12. A dual type inflator device according to claim 1, wherein the second gas is a fuel-rich gas.

13. A dual type inflator device for inflating an air bag, comprising:

a hybrid-type inflator having a pressurized medium contained therein, a first activating assembly for activating the hybrid-type inflator, a diffuser assembly having an outlet hole, and an after-burner tube in communication with the diffuser assembly, such that a first gas is discharged into the air bag through the after-burner tube and the diffuser assembly; and

a pyro-type inflator attached to the diffuser assembly, and having a pyro-type gas generating material, a second activating assembly for igniting the pyro-type gas generating material, a gas outlet, and a connecting tube in communication with the gas outlet and extending into the after-burner tube, such that a second gas is discharged into the air bag through the gas outlet, the connecting tube, and outlet hole of the diffuser assembly,

wherein the gas outlet is blocked by a rupturable member, and the rupturable member is ruptured only by an activation of the pyro-type inflator.