Gas generator for actuating vehicle passenger constrainer

• US 6,796,580 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2002
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Company Limited
• Inventors: Nakamura, Koji, Amano, Junya, Ikeda, Kenjiro, Kubo, Dairi
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Application Number:
  US10/049,622
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 280/741, 280/736, 102/530, 102/531, 102/202.14
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4628 characterised by fluid actuators, e.g. pyrotechnic gas generators actuating a cable B60R22/4619
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/06 by reaction of two or more solids

Abstract

A gas generator for actuating a vehicle occupant restraint device, including a first hollow body with a bottom and sides, gas generants filled densely in the first hollow body, an electric ignitor formed by housing igniting agents in a second hollow body with a bottom and sides, and closing the second hollow body with a plug, and a holder positioning the second hollow body in a center of the first hollow body and fixing the first hollow body while holding the plug of the electric ignitor. Particularly, a ratio of an empty space to a full volume of a space partitioned by an inner surface of the first hollow body, an outer surface of the second hollow body, and the holder is less than 20% by volume.

Claims

1. A gas generator for actuating a vehicle occupant restraint device comprising:

a first hollow body with an end and a side wall;

gas generants filled densely in the first hollow body;

an electric ignitor formed by housing igniting agents in a second hollow body with an end and a side wall, and closing the second hollow body with a plug; and

a holder positioning the second hollow body in a center of the first hollow body and fixed to the first hollow body while holding the plug of the electric ignitor, wherein

a ratio of an empty volume to a volume defined by an inner surface of the first hollow body, an outer surface of the second hollow body, and the holder is less than 20%,

a part of a volume is filled with a spacer inserted between the outer surface of the second hollow body and the inner surface of the first hollow body, and

said spacer is made of a gas generant composition.

2. The gas generator for actuating a vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the gas generants are powdery or granulated, and filled in a compressed state.

3. The gas generator for actuating a vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein the gas generants are substantially incompressible.

4. The gas generator for actuating a vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 1, wherein said volume ratio is less than 15%.

5. The gas generator for actuating a vehicle occupant restraint device according to claim 4, wherein said volume ratio is less than 10%.