Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.

Chris A Adamini

Robert M Krupp

Paresh S Khandhadia

David S Whang

Bruce A Stevens

Eduardo L Quioc

Sean P Burns

Graylon K Williams

Donald B Patterson

Rickey L Stratton

Indu B Mishra

A seatbelt pretensioner mechanism () for use with a seatbelt retractor (). The retractor () has a spool () configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon. The pretensioner mechanism () is housed inside the retractor spool (). The pretensioner mechanism () includes a movable actuator member () slidably coupled to the retractor spool (), and a stationary member () secured to the retractor () along a path of slidable movement of the movable member (). Helical splines () extend along a portion of the spool (), and complementary helical splines () extend along a first portion of the movable member () for slidingly engaging the splines () on the spool (). Helical splines () also extend along a second portion of the movable member (), and complementary helical splines () extend along a portion of the stationary member () for slidingly engaging the splines () on the second portion of the movable member (). Activation of the pretensioner mechanism () produces a sliding movement of the movable member (), thereby producing simultaneous sliding engagement between the complementary groups of helical splines. Simultaneous sliding engagement between the complementary groups of helical splines produces a rotation of the spool () with respect to the stationary member (), thereby pretensioning a seatbelt webbing wound on the spool ().

Helical pretensioner

An inflator () having an inflator body () with a plurality of elongate chambers () and bores () formed therein. In a preferred embodiment, the bores () are formed in ends () of the inflator body () and positioned co-radially with adjacent chambers, fluidly connecting the same and providing for a reversing axial flow in the inflator () for inflation gas.

Inflator using reversing axial flow

The present invention is best described as a gas generator including an inflator housingcontaining an initiator assemblyand a propellant bedin ignitable communication with the initiator assemblyThe gas generatorfurther contains a filter bodyfixed to the inflator housingand coaxially aligned therewith, wherein the filter bodyat least contains a first filterand a second filtersuch that the second filteris in coaxial and linear relation with the first filterIf desired, the filter bodymay additionally contain at least one perforated discat least one spacer memberand at least one additional filter memberDesign requirements or specific applications determine the arrangement and addition of these components in the filter body

Airbelt inflator

An inflator of a vehicle occupant protection system contains an elongated housing having a plurality of gas exit orifices spaced along the length thereof. An ignition body and propellant are provided in lengths substantially equivalent to the length of the housing wherein the ignition body is placed in physical contact with the propellant body for all or most of their respective lengths. Once the ignition body is ignited upon a crash event, resultant uniform ignition and combustion across the length of the propellant results in uniform gas generation and uniform inflation of an airbag , wherein the airbag is at least substantially coextensive with and in fluid communication with the housing . Preferred mixtures of propellant contain silicone, a perchlorate oxidizer, and a coolant.

Inflator

A gas generator utilizes a housing having two combustion chambers defined by a partition disposed intermediate the ends of the housing and retained by a pair of crimps disposed on opposite sides of the partition, respectively.

Two chamber gas generator

A filter for an air bag inflator has multiple layers of pierced sheet metal including a vacant plenum therebetween followed by an expanded metallic mesh filter.

Air bag inflator

A filter for an air bag inflator comprises juxtaposed layers of pierced sheet metal, wire cloth of a first relatively low mesh, ceramic filter media and wire cloth of relatively larger mesh in a radially outwardly extending array.

A filter (20) for use in an inflator assembly (10) is formed by combining a layer of filter media (22) with a barrier element such as metal foil sheet backing (24), and then subsequently wrapping the filter a plurality of times about a combustion chamber (16) located within the inflator assembly (10). The foil sheet backing (24) creates a barrier which causes the inflation gases to travel in a helical path about the combustion chamber (16). By providing a helical gas flow path, the filter (20) extends the filter path length without increasing overall dimensioning requirements of the filter, and produces centrifugal forces which improve particulate removal.

Growing community of inventors

Shelby Township, MI, United States of America

Chris A Adamini