Inflator disk actuator backer plate

Abstract

An inflator for a vehicle inflatable safety system comprising a housing configured to contain a gas generating material, an igniting assembly, and an activating assembly. The igniting assembly includes an actuator plate that is configured to ignite the gas generating material contained in the housing and backer plate. The backer plate is attached to the housing such that a seal is formed therebetween that is capable of substantially stopping the flow of the gas generated by the gas generating material in any direction other than the predetermined directions. The igniting assembly also comprises a booster cup, an ignition charge, and a percussion primer. The booster cup with a conical-shaped end surface with the percussion primer disposed therein proximate to the actuator plate for igniting the gas generating material. The actuator plate and the end surface of the booster cup are in contact only along the peripheral edges thereof. The backer plate and the actuator plate are configured to cooperate such that the backer plate prevents the actuator plate from bulging toward said projectile prior to the actuator plate being engaged. The backer plate is positioned substantially against the actuator plate such that said backer plate is between said actuator plate and said projectile. The backer plate is sized and configured so as to hold the actuator plate substantially flat until the actuator plate is impacted by the projectile to ignite the gas generating material. The activating assembly is connected to the housing and comprises a projectile that is configured to impact the actuator piston of said actuator plate so as to cause the actuator plate to move into impacting engagement with the percussion primers to ignite the ignition charge and thereby the gas generating material.