Gas generator

• US 6,634,299 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2001
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co., KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co., KG
• Inventors: Enzmann, Ernst, Vetter, Johann
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US09/994,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20020062757A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 102/288, 102/289, 280/741, 280/743.1
• US Class Current: 102/288
• 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

Abstract

The invention relates to gas generator comprising an outer housing made of plastic, in which a pyrotechnic propellant charge and an igniter having its own igniter housing are accommodated. The igniter housing consists at least partially of plastic and is welded with the outer housing.

Claims

1. A gas generator comprising:

an igniter having an igniter housing,

an outer housing made of plastic, in which a pyrotechnic propellant charge and said igniter housing are completely located,

said igniter housing having a plastic portion,

said gas generator further comprising a weld seam connecting the plastic portion of said igniter housing and said outer housing.

2. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said weld seam is an ultrasonic weld seam.

3. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said igniter housing is self-contained and is a unit separate from said outer housing.

4. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said igniter has electric connecting lines which extend through at least one opening in said outer housing, said opening being sealed by said igniter housing.

5. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said igniter housing has a base made of plastic.

6. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said outer housing has a cup-shaped receiving part for said propellant charge and has a cover to which said igniter is welded, said receiving part and said cover being welded with each other.

7. The gas generator according to claim 6, wherein a radial gap is provided between said receiving part and said cover, into which gap a projection of said igniter protrudes.

8. A gas generator comprising:

an outer housing made of plastic, in which a pyrotechnic propellant charge and an igniter having its own igniter housing are accommodated, said igniter housing consisting at least partially of plastic and being welded with said outer housing, wherein said outer housing has a cup-shaped receiving part for said propellant charge and has a cover to which said igniter is welded, said receiving part and said cover being welded with each other, and, wherein contact sleeves are embedded in said cover, said igniter being provided with contact pins that are introduced into said contact sleeves.

9. The gas generator according to claim 8, wherein said contact sleeves have outer ends at which they are connected with connecting cables.

10. The gas generator according to claim 8, wherein said contact sleeves together with said connecting cables are embedded in said cover by one of casting and injection-molding during the manufacture of said cover.

11. The gas generator according to claim 8, wherein said outer housing has a cover which forms a part of said igniter housing.

12. The gas generator according to claim 11, wherein said igniter housing comprises a separate, prefabricated cap which is closed by said cover.

13. The gas generator according to claim 12, wherein said cap is made of plastic.

14. The gas generator according to claim 12, wherein said cover is welded with said cap.