Gas generator and device for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint system

• US 6,308,984 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2000
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Fischer, Anton
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ilan, Ruth
• Application Number:
  US09/560,116
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 280/741, 280/736, 280/740, 280/742, 280/737, 222/3
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2617 Curtain bag nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas generator, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The gas generator comprises an outer housing which has a fastening section, and outflow openings in the outer housing. The outflow openings are distributed on the periphery of the outer housing in a region of the fastening section such that thrust neutrality occurs during an outflow of a gas generated by the gas generator. The gas generator further comprises a gas directing part, the fastening section being constructed for arresting the gas-directing part to the outer housing. The outer housing has indentations in the fastening section, and the outflow openings are provided in the indentations. Further, the invention relates to a device for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint system.

Claims

1. A gas generator, for a vehicle occupant restraint system, said gas generator comprising

an outer housing which has a fastening section,

outflow openings in said outer housing which are distributed on the periphery of said outer housing in a region of said fastening section such that thrust neutrality occurs during an outflow of a gas generated by said gas generator, and

a gas directing part,

said fastening section being constructed for fixing said gas-directing part to said outer housing,

said outer housing having indentations in said fastening section, and

said outflow openings being provided in said indentations.

2. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said indentations are constructed in a trough shape.

3. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said outflow openings extend radially outwards and are provided at a deepest point of said indentations.

4. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein protrusions having fastening surfaces on an outer face are provided, said indentations alternating with said protrusions.

5. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said outer housing is cylindrical in shape and said fastening section is an axial end of said cylindrical outer housing, and wherein said indentations extend in an axial direction and penetrate an end face of said axial end.

6. The gas generator according to claim 5, wherein a shoulder is provided between said fastening section and said outer housing.

7. A device for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint system, said device comprising

a gas generator, said gas generator comprising an outer housing which has a fastening section, outflow openings in said outer housing which are distributed on the periphery of said outer housing in a region of said fastening section such that thrust neutrality occurs during an outflow of a gas generated by said gas generator, and a gas directing part, said fastening section being constructed for fixing said gas-directing part to said outer housing, said outer housing having indentations in said fastening section, and said outflow openings being provided in said indentations,

wherein said gas-directing part is fixed to said fastening section of said gas generator.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said fastening section is an axial end of said outer housing of said gas generator and wherein said gas-directing part is slipped onto said axial end.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said gas-directing part is pressed in a gas-tight manner onto said axial end of said outer housing.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein said gas-directing part is an elongated gas lance.