Morton International, Inc.

Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Steven R Pripps

David J Green

Karl K Rink

Mark Ludwig Enders

Donald J Cunningham

David W Lindsey

Scott A Jackson

Daniel L Steimke

Timothy M Maly

Wesley L Hatt

Scott A Meyer

Davin G Saderholm

Claus J Geisler

Randy K Jones

A method and apparatus for igniting a pyrotechnic gas generator, or inflator, such as those used in automotive airbag systems is disclosed. The ignition system uses a flammable gas to ignite the pyrotechnic gas generant. The flammable gas can be stored either throughout interior free space in the inflator or it can be maintained in a separate sealed container either separately or jointly with the pyrotechnic gas generant. The method and apparatus offer both cost savings and a reduction in delay time over conventional pyrotechnic ignition systems.

Flammable gas initiated pyrotechnic inflator

A diffuser for uniformly diffusing inflation gas from an elongated inflator having inflation exhaust ports at only one end into an airbag cushion. The diffuser having a longitudinal length extending between opposing first and second diffuser ends. A first end section extends from the first diffuser end, is positionable over the inflation exhaust ports of the inflator and defines at least one diffuser vent opening. An intermediate section extends from the first end section and defines a plurality of diffuser vent openings equal or progressively larger further from the first end section. A second end section extends from the intermediate section to the second diffuser end and defines a single diffuser vent opening. Each of the plurality of diffuser vent openings of the intermediate section is equal or larger than the at least one diffuser vent opening of the first end section and equal or smaller than the single diffuser vent opening of the second end section. All of the diffuser vent openings form a total diffuser vent area of the diffuser. The first end section has a diffuser vent area equal to between about four and about ten percent of the total diffuser vent area, while the intermediate section has a diffuser vent area equal to between about thirty and about fifty-six percent of the total diffuser vent area, and the second end section has a diffuser vent area equal to between about forty and about sixty percent of the total diffuser vent area.

Airbag module diffuser

A diffuser for uniformly diffusing inflation gas from an elongated inflator having inflation exhaust ports at only one end into an airbag cushion. The diffuser having a longitudinal length extending between opposing first and second diffuser ends. A first end section extends from the first diffuser end, is positionable over the inflation exhaust ports of the inflator and defines at least one diffuser vent opening. An intermediate section extends from the first end section and defines a plurality of diffuser vent openings equal or progressively larger further from the first end section. A second end section extends from the intermediate section to the second diffuser end and defines a single diffuser vent opening. Each of the plurality of diffuser vent openings of the intermediate section is equal or larger than the at least one diffuser vent opening of the first end section and equal or smaller than the single diffuser vent opening of the second end section. All of the diffuser vent openings form a total diffuser vent area of the diffuser. The first end section has a diffuser vent area equal to between about eight and about seventeen percent of the total diffuser vent area, while the intermediate section has a diffuser vent area equal to between about fifty-six and about seventy-nine percent of the total diffuser vent area, and the second end section has a diffuser vent area equal to between about thirteen and about twenty-seven percent of the total diffuser vent area.

Assembly is adapted to mount on an internal structural member of a vehicle seat, the seat having a seat body formed with a recess and having a trim cover formed with a frangible opening to said recess. The invention also includes a one-piece resilient plastic deployment door anchored on the structural member and curving over a folded, inflatable airbag cushion and inflator module to comprise a rounded surface smoothly overlayable by the seat trim cover. The door has a distal edge approximately alignable with the frangible access to assist in the opening of the frangible access during deployment of the airbag cushion.

Side-impact airbag assembly

Growing community of inventors

North Ogden, UT, United States of America

Steven R Pripps