Morton International, Inc.

Alan D Kendrick

Mark B Woodbury

G Dean Mossi

David B Monk

Jeffrey T Kida

An autoignition charge for pyrotechnic automotive airbag in inflation devices is provided in the form of a foil of a synthetic polymer or of a metal, having an adhesive on one surface of the foil and an autoignition material on the opposite surface of the foil. Pieces of foil are readily attached to inflator housings at any suitable location and are secured to the housing by the adhesive on one surface of the foil.

Bondable autoignition foil

Integrally incorporated in a squib is a locking feature that allows a projectile to be attached to it any time between assembly of the squib and installation of the squib into the inflator. This design enhances the safety of the squib by permitting handling without the projectile attached. It also minimizes the number of parts required to perform the function of rupturing a burst disk in an inflator by combining the function of the projectile with the protective covering of the squib body.

Integral projectile squid for air bag inflators

An initiator of an airbag assembly is coupled to an electrical connector that is connected to sensor circuitry of a vehicle containing the airbag assembly. A locking relationship is provided between the electrical connector and the initiator base having a pair of legs extending therefrom and having a plurality of male electrical terminals being positioned between the legs. Each of the legs has a radially inward protruding element having two tapered surfaces forming a ramp on each of the legs. The electrical connector has a plurality of female electrical terminals housed therein which mate with the male electrical terminals extending from the initiator base. The electrical connector also has radially inwardly extending notches positioned in the electrical connector, which notches are adapted to mesh essentially complementarily with and engage the protruding elements on the legs of the initiator base for locking the connector on the initiator base. The geometry of the locking relationship provides a retention or removal force substantially greater than the insertion force in mounting the electrical connector on the initiator base.

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Hooper, UT, United States of America

Alan D Kendrick