Initiator assemblies

• US 9,440,615 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2014
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jordan, Michael P., Smith, Bradley W., Kida, Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): CONDRA, DARLENE P
• Application Number:
  US14/565,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20160167618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26011 using a filter through which the inflation gas passes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26029 Ignitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26064 characterised by auto-ignition means
• 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 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/04 for producing gas under pressure generators of inflation fluid especially adapted for vehicle air bags B60R21/26
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/26 Arrangements for mounting initiators; Accessories therefor, e.g. tools

Abstract

An initiator assembly for placement in an associated opening in an initiator-containing device includes an initiator device having at least one igniter element and an elastomeric overmoulding. The initiator device includes at least one of a thermoplastic initiator base and a thermoplastic adapter integrally joined to a base of the initiator-containing device. The elastomeric overmoulding is integral with at least one structural component such as the initiator base, the adapter and the base of the initiator-containing device. The elastomeric overmoulding serves to sealingly mate the initiator assembly in an initiator-accepting opening in the initiator-containing device. Also provided are corresponding methods of making an initiator assembly.

Claims

1. An initiator assembly for an initiator-containing device, the initiator assembly comprising:

an initiator device including at least one igniter element, the initiator device having at least one element selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic initiator base and a thermoplastic adapter integrally joined to a base of the initiator-containing device and

an elastomeric overmoulding to sealingly mate the initiator assembly in an initiator-accepting opening directly to a gas storage or generation chamber in the initiator-containing device, the elastomeric overmoulding integral with at least one structural component selected from a group consisting of said thermoplastic initiator base, said thermoplastic adapter and said base of the initiator-containing device, the elastomeric overmoulding at least in part disposed on an outer surface of the selected structural component.

2. The initiator assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the selected structural component whereat the elastomeric overmoulding is disposed at least in part comprises a thermoplastic material.

3. The initiator assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the selected structural component whereat the elastomeric overmoulding is disposed at least in part comprises a metal material.

4. The initiator assembly of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric overmoulding comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

5. The initiator assembly of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric overmoulding comprises a thermoplastic vulcanizate.

6. The initiator assembly of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric overmoulding comprises a react in mold material.

7. The initiator assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one structural component with which said elastomeric overmoulding is integral is said thermoplastic initiator base.

8. The initiator assembly of claim 7 wherein said initiator device comprises a pin style initiator.

9. The initiator assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one structural component with which said elastomeric overmoulding is integral is said thermoplastic adapter.

10. The initiator assembly of claim 9 wherein said initiator device comprises an integrally molded initiator.

11. The initiator assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one structural component with which said elastomeric overmoulding is integral is said base of the initiator containing device.

12. The initiator assembly of claim 11 wherein said initiator device comprises a molded in base initiator.

13. The initiator assembly of claim 1 wherein the initiator-containing device comprises an automotive safety restraint inflator device.

14. The initiator assembly of claim 13 wherein said automotive safety restraint inflator device contains a quantity of stored inflation gas.

15. The initiator assembly of claim 13 wherein said automotive safety restraint inflator device contains a quantity of solid gas generant material.

16. In an initiator assembly for placement in an initiator-containing automotive safety restraint inflator device, the initiator assembly including at least one igniter element and a structural element having an outer surface, the improvement comprising:

an integral elastomeric overmoulding disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the structural element to form a seal to sealingly mate the initiator assembly in an initiator-accepting opening directly to a gas storage or generation chamber in the inflator device.

17. The initiator assembly of claim 16 wherein the outer surface of the selected structural component whereat the elastomeric overmoulding is disposed at least in part comprises a thermoplastic material.

18. The initiator assembly of claim 16 wherein the outer surface of the selected structural component whereat the elastomeric overmoulding is disposed at least in part comprises a metal material.

19. The initiator assembly of claim 16 wherein the initiator accepting opening is disposed in a base of the inflator device.

20. A method of making an initiator assembly, the method comprising:

molding an elastomeric seal about at least a portion of an outer surface of an initiator assembly structural element, the elastomeric seal to sealingly mate the initiator assembly in an initiator accepting opening directly to a gas storage or generation chamber in an initiator containing device.