Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.

T K Holdings, Inc.

Takata Corporation

David S Whang

Eduardo L Quioc

Paresh S Khandhadia

Chris A Adamini

Yuichi Nanbu

David M McCormick

Rickey L Stratton

Kousuke Nishigaki

Shoichi Sawa

A gas generating system () including a filter assembly () formed from a plurality of nodules () positioned and secured in relation to each other so as to form a porous structure (). In one embodiment, the nodules () are metallic and are secured in relation to each other using either a sintering process or a brazing process. The nodules () may be bonded directly together, or the nodules may be secured within a metallic matrix material. The gas generating system may also include a first baffle plate () positioned between the plurality of nodules () and a gas source of the gas generating system (), and a second baffle plate () positioned between the plurality of nodules () and a housing wall () of the gas generating system (). The baffle plates () provide added structural integrity to the porous structure () and increase the length of a tortuous flow path of gases through the filter assembly (). Apertures () and are provided in the baffle plates () to aid in directing the flow of gases through the porous structure (), thereby ensuring a tortuous flow path for the gases. A vehicle occupant protection system () incorporating the filter assembly () is also described.

Gas generating system

In one aspect of the present invention, a filter is provided including a first layer of sheet material having a first base portion, and a plurality of first raised portions extending from the first base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of first openings through the first layer. A second layer of sheet material also has a second base portion and a plurality of second raised portions extending from the second base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of second openings through the sheet material. The second layer of sheet material is positioned adjacent the first layer of sheet material such that the first raised portions extend from the first base portion toward the second layer, and the second raised portions extend from the second base portion toward the first layer. A gas generating system and a vehicle occupant protection system utilizing the filter are also described.

The present invention provides an airbelt inflator () designed primarily for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of gas generant materials into a vehicle airbelt. Inflator () includes a substantially cylindrical inflator body (), having a first end () and a second end (). A unique booster cup () is positioned within inflator body (), and is preferably press fit with initiator body (), suspending cup () within inflator body (). Cup () facilitates consistent burn of the main propellant, imparting repeatable bag performance. A cylindrical mesh filter () is positioned in inflator body (). A nozzle () is preferably positioned adjacent a disc (). A variety of different nozzles giving inflator () varying gas output characteristics can be utilized with inflator (), for example thrusting inflators or thrust-neutral inflators, depending on the operating requirements of the airbelt system. Booster cup () is sized such that it extends into inflator body (), and abuts filter (), thereby serving as a stand off or locator for filter (), and providing a relatively snug packing arrangement for propellant tablets ().

Belt and side impact inflator

A gas generating system () includes a tubular outer housing () having a longitudinal axis (L) and one or more apertures () formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the outer housing and an exterior of the outer housing. A tubular inner housing () is positioned within the interior of the outer housing (). The inner housing () includes one or more apertures () formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the inner housing and an exterior of the inner housing. A first tubular baffle () is provided for cooling and regulating a flow of gas produced by the gas generating system (). The first baffle () has a plurality of corrugations () formed therealong and is positioned between the inner housing () and the outer housing () to define a gas flow channel () extending between the first baffle () and the inner housing (). The first baffle also includes an opening () formed therein to enable fluid communication between the gas flow channel () and an exterior of the gas flow channel. The corrugations () are spaced apart from the inner housing () to provide a corresponding plurality of constricted gas flow passages () extending between the corrugations () and the inner housing (). The constricted passages () provide alternating compression and expansion of gases flowing along the gas flow channel (), thereby facilitating cooling and filtration of the gases.

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

A simplified multi-chamber inflator utilizes a housing having two initiator chambers and respectively formed within an initiator assembly The initiator assembly may be formed from a one-piece component or alternatively, may be formed by coupling a first component and a second component in nested relationship within the housing A primary propellant chamber fluidly communicates with initiator chambers and upon actuation of inflator

Multi-chamber inflator

An air bag device with improved initial restraining capability includes an inflator that provides for shortening the starting time for rising the pressure of an airbag and also the time required for the pressure to reach the maximum value. The inflator includes a propellant, an igniter for igniting the propellant, a combustion chamber in which the propellant is burned, a filter chamber in which a filter is accommodated, a partition separating the combustion chamber and the filter chamber, communication orifices formed in the partition for allowing the communication between the combustion chamber and the filter chamber, and gas ports for supplying inflating gas into an airbag, and further comprises aluminum films which are broken and open the communication orifices at a predetermined pressure inside the combustion chamber and air-tightly close the communication orifices until the pressure reaches the predetermined pressure.

Airbag device

The disclosure relates to a bridgewire initiator used to ignite a booster charge in an airbag inflator. A pair of connectors are electrically connected to a bridgewire disposed within a charge holder containing an ignition composition. The ignition composition is biased against the bridgewire by an output cup having a concave end telescoped over the charge holder. When firing current is applied to the connectors the bridgewire is electrically heated thereby igniting the booster charge.

Growing community of inventors

Bloomfield Hills, MI, United States of America

David S Whang