Airbag inflator

• US 8,328,234 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chen, Jianlin, Tasaki, Yoji, Sakamoto, Akinori, Jenkins, Casey, Nash, Krista
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan, Ruth
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coker, Robert A
• Application Number:
  US13/125,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20110254255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 280/736, 280/741, 280/742, 554/86, 555/25, 422/167, 422/305, 102/530, 102/531
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26011 using a filter through which the inflation gas passes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder

Abstract

An airbag inflator in which a pressure vessel constituted by a base and a diffuser accommodates an igniter, a gas generating agent, a filter, and an inner cover that covers the gas generating agent and includes a bent portion that contacts an inner wall of the filter. The filter has a layered structure constituted by an inner filter and a wire mesh outer filter. The inner filter is of a cylindrical shape, in which upper and lower end portions are formed in a tapered shape that decreases in height toward an outer peripheral side. The wire mesh outer filter is fitted over an outer peripheral surface of the inner filter, excluding at least the respective end portions formed in the tapered shape, and has a slightly larger outer diameter than an inner diameter of the base. The filter is press-fitted into the base. Thus, the filter can be incorporated into the base easily. Further, close contact with the inner cover can be maintained when the diffuser and the base are integrated by welding.

Claims

1. An airbag inflator comprising:

a pressure vessel, formed by integrating a diffuser to a base, having an igniter and a gas generating agent located therein,

a filter disposed along an inner peripheral wall of the pressure vessel in press-fit engagement with the base, and

an inner cover including a bent portion that contacts an inner wall of the filter to cover and retain said gas generating agent within the filter and the base,

the filter having a layered structure constituted by an inner filter and an outer filter, the inner filter being of a cylindrical shape in which upper and lower end portions are formed in a tapered shape that decreases in height toward an outer peripheral side of the cylindrical shape, the outer filter being a wire mesh outer filter that is fitted over an outer peripheral surface of said inner filter excluding at least the upper and lower end portions formed in the tapered shape, and the outer filter having a slightly larger outer diameter than an inner diameter of said base, and

wherein the bent portion of the inner cover is formed to a length that it remains in contact with the inner wall of the filter following activation of the inflator.

2. The airbag inflator according to claim 1, characterized in that the tapered shape on a lower end side of said inner filter contacts an inner wall of said base in alignment with a shape thereof when the filter is in press-fit engagement with the base.

3. The airbag inflator according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner filter has a height such that the outer peripheral side of the inner filter does not contact an inner wall of the diffuser when the diffuser is integrated with the base.

4. The airbag inflator according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner filter is formed from a columnar filter constituted by expanded metal having various mesh openings.

5. The airbag inflator according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner filter is a wire wound filter wound into the cylindrical shape.

6. The airbag inflator according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner filter has a height such that the outer peripheral side of the inner filter does not contact an inner wall of the diffuser when the diffuser is integrated with the base.

7. The airbag inflator according to claim 1, characterized in that the base is welded to the diffuser.