KR20050023277A - Gas generant filter assembly, combination comprising a filter and a closure and an airbag inflator - Google Patents

Abstract

A central opening adapted to at least partially receive a tubular wall portion 44 having a sleeve member 46 and a source of gas generator material 42 capable of reacting to produce a reaction product comprising a predetermined amount of gas. A related combination is provided comprising a gas generator filter assembly comprising 50) and an airbag inflator device. The assembly also includes a closure 60 disposed in the central opening 50 at the second end of the central opening 50. The sleeve member 46 is moldable to form a plurality of retaining tabs 84 effective for securing the closure 60 in the central opening 50 at the second end. Another independent claim is included for a combination having a plurality of layers and a filter assembly 42 having an inner layer forming a moldable sleeve 46 to form the retaining tab 84. Yet another independent claim discloses a filter assembly 42 in a combustion chamber 40 and a housing 12 defining a combustion chamber 40, a central opening and a closure 60 disposed therein. It relates to an airbag inflator comprising a housed initiator.

Description

GAS GENERANT FILTER ASSEMBLY, COMBINATION COMPRISING A FILTER AND A CLOSURE AND AN AIRBAG INFLATOR}

The present invention relates generally to an expandable confinement system, more particularly to a filter assembly and associated combinations used in or in connection with the generation of gas via the reaction of a gas generating material in solid form.

It is well known to protect a vehicle occupant using a cushion or bag, such as an "airbag cushion," which expands or expands with gas when the vehicle is subjected to a sharp deceleration such as in a crash. In such systems, airbag cushions are typically housed in an unexpanded and folded state to minimize space requirements. In addition, such systems generally include one or more collision sensors mounted on or above the vehicle's frame or body to detect rapid deceleration of the vehicle and electronically trigger the operation of the system. In system operation, the cushion begins to expand in approximately a few milliseconds with gas produced or supplied by a device, commonly referred to as an "inflator."

Various types of inflator devices are disclosed in the art for the inflation of one or more inflatable bond system airbag cushions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Inflators are well known for forming or generating inflation gases via combustion of gas generating materials, such as in the form of pyrotechnic materials, ie, "gas generators". In addition, certain such inflator devices may use such generated gases to supplement stored and pressurized gases by adding a hot combustion product comprising gas by-products produced by combustion of the gas to a stored source of pressurized gas. It is also known. In some cases, the combustion products produced by the combustion of the gas generating material may be the sole or substantial source for the inflation gas exiting a particular inflator device.

It is common for the inflator device to include an initiator and an igniter, such as a squib. Indeed, upon receipt of a suitable triggering signal from a collision or other selected deceleration sensor, the detonator acts to cause rapid combustion of the ignition material, which in turn ignites the gas generating agent. However, pyrotechnic (gas evolution) and combustion of the initiator material almost invariably leads to the generation of undesirable particulate material. In this regard, various approaches have been tried and / or proposed to remove particulate matter from such generated gases by filtration or otherwise.

In addition to filter devices of varying complexity, conventional inflator assembly devices are retained, for example, as retaining disks, or, as often referred to, to allow or enable proper and good containment of gas generating material within the inflator assembly. It may be necessary to include additional hardware or components, such as a cover. As will be appreciated, providing additional hardware or components in the inflator assembly for each of the filtration and gas generator containment purposes, and the presence thereof, generally involve one or more of the design, assembly and operation of the resulting inflator device. Complicated is undesirable. In conclusion, one or more of the cost, weight, and complexity of a particular inflator assembly can be made larger than otherwise desired.

In view of the foregoing, the cost, weight of the assembly is preferably avoided or minimized and / or otherwise avoided the need for additional component parts without deciding on either or both of performance and operation. And the need and demand for gas generator filter assemblies and associated combinations that minimize or reduce one or more of the complexity.

1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional perspective view of an inflator device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the inflator device substantially corresponding to the inflator device shown in FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view of an inflator device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the filter assembly and gas generator combination of the inflator device shown in FIG. 3 before being placed in the inflator device, with such a filter assembly and gas generator combination isolated.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the filter assembly and gas generator combination shown in FIG. 4. FIG.

6 is a schematic top view of a filter assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention in a pre-installed state.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the filter assembly shown in FIG. 6 substantially taken along lines 7-7.

8 is a cross-sectional view of an inflator device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved gas generator filter assembly and associated combination comprising an airpack inflator device.

A more specific object of the present invention is to overcome one or more of the above mentioned problems.

The general object of the invention can be at least partly achieved through the specified gas generator filter assembly. A gas generator filter assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a tubular wall. The tubular wall includes a sleeve member and has a central opening adapted to at least partially receive a source of gas generator material capable of reacting to produce a reaction product comprising a predetermined amount of gas. The tubular wall is at least partly composed of a material effective for the treatment of the reaction product generated during the reaction of the gas generating material. The central opening has opposite first and second ends. The gas generator filter assembly also includes a closure disposed in the central opening at the second end of the central opening. The closure is effective to prevent passage through the second end of the gas generator material contained within the central opening. The sleeve member may be shaped to form a plurality of retaining tabs effective for securing the closure in the central opening at the second end.

The prior art is used in an air bag inflator device of an inflatable bond system, preferably in a desired category for a particular use or otherwise in a preferred category, without decisively affecting either or both of its performance and operation. The generator filter assembly substantially avoids the gas generator filter assembly as it preferably avoids or minimizes the need for additional component parts and / or otherwise reduces or minimizes one or more of the cost, weight and complexity of the assembly. Can not provide.

The invention further includes a combination comprising a cylindrical filter assembly, a closure and a predetermined amount of gas generator material. According to one preferred embodiment, the cylindrical filter assembly has a central opening with opposed first and second ends. Also, a closure is disposed at the second end of the cylindrical filter assembly, and a predetermined amount of gas generating material is received in the cylindrical filter assembly at its central opening. Even more, in this combination:

The first end of the central opening is adapted to receive, in operation, an initiator effective for initiating the reaction of at least some of the amount of gas generating material to produce a gaseous reaction product;

The closure is effective to prevent passage of the gas generator material through the second end of the central opening;

The filter assembly includes a plurality of layers including an inner layer forming a sleeve member that can be shaped to form a plurality of retaining tabs effective for securing the closure in the central opening at the second end.

In addition, the present invention further comprises the specified airbag inflator, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The airbag inflator includes an inflator housing, a gas generator receiving filter assembly combination unit, and an initiator. More specifically, the inflator housing forms the combustion chamber. The gas generator storage filter assembly combination unit is disposed in the combustion chamber. The gas generant receiving filter assembly combination unit includes a cylindrical filter assembly having a central opening having opposing first and second ends. The gas generator receiving filter assembly combination unit also includes a predetermined amount of gas generator material contained within the filter assembly in its central opening. The gas generator material may react to produce a gaseous reaction product. The closure is disposed in the central opening at the second end of the central opening. The closure is effective to prevent the passage of the gas generator material through the second end.

Those skilled in the art will clearly see other objects and advantages from the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings.

The present invention provides an improved gas generator filter assembly and associated combination comprising an airbag inflator device.

1 and 2 illustrate an inflator assembly or device according to one embodiment of the invention. The inflator assembly 10 has a substantially cylindrical outer contour and includes a housing structure 12 formed of two structural components, namely the lower skin or base 14 and the upper skin or diffuser cap 16, which is steel It may be preferable to make, and, for example, properly coupled and fixed together by application of a suitable welding operation such as via the inertial welding 18, or the like.

The present invention will now be described with particular reference to an inflatable bondage system arrangement for the protection of an automobile driver, particularly in the event of a vehicle forward shock. Such inflator devices are hereinafter sometimes referred to as "driver inflator" devices and the like. However, it will be appreciated that the inflator assembly according to the present invention may be applied to other applications, including by way of example, inflation of an airbag cushion to protect other vehicle occupants other than the driver, such as the front seat passenger. It will also be appreciated that the present invention has comprehensive applicability in inflatable bondage equipment for vans, pick-up trucks, and various automated vehicles, particularly automobiles.

The diffuser cap portion 16 is in the form of a substantially inverted container and includes a top wall 20 and a cylindrical sidewall 22. As shown, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top wall 20 is preferably formed of a single continuous member having a cylindrical sidewall 22 and the surrounding raised annular portion 26 and the concave center portion 24. It includes. The side wall 22 comprises a plurality of spaced apart, preferably substantially spaced, gas discharge ports 30. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the arrangement, positioning, and size of the gas discharge port 30 may be preferably selected to provide or meet specific inflator performance criteria, such as in a manner known in the art, in accordance with the teachings provided herein. Will recognize.

The base 14 comprises a mounting opening, indicated by reference numeral 32, the use of which is described in more detail below. The base 14 also includes an outer circumferential flange bracket 34 extending radially outward from the housing 12 and inflating the assembly 10 in a vehicle where the occupant is protected from injuries that tend to result from the impact of a crash. It functions to form the interface attachment used to attach it. As shown in FIG. 1, the attachment bracket 34 is substantially square or rectangular in outline, and is a fixture (not shown) selected to allow attachment or engagement of the inflator assembly 10 with a corresponding portion of the vehicle, for example, A selected number of attachment openings 36 for the passage of rivets or bolts. As will be appreciated, the attachment brackets used in the practice of the present invention may be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the characteristics of the particular plant application. In addition, although the invention is described in terms of integrating and using such attachment brackets to allow attachment or engagement of the inflator assembly 10 with a corresponding portion of a vehicle, a more expanded implementation of the invention is not so limited. By way of example, the inflator assembly according to the present invention may be coupled or attached to the interior of a module or the like using additional or alternative attachment devices or techniques as known in the art.

The housing 12 is configured to form a central substantially cylindrical chamber 40, sometimes referred to herein as the "combustion chamber". Chamber 40 contains or includes an inflation gas-permeable processing element, hereinafter generally referred to as a gas generator filter assembly, collectively indicated by reference numeral 42. The gas generator filter assembly 42 includes a tubular wall 44 of substantially cylindrical form or the like, which is at least partially composed of a material effective for the treatment of reaction products produced upon reaction of the gas generator material. The tubular wall portion 44 may preferably be comprised of an outer filter portion 45 and an inner sleeve member 46. By way of example, such tubular walls may preferably be constructed or formed of multiple layers or wraps, screens or filters of metal, such as steel. Metal filter materials for use in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention include filter materials composed of one or more of one or more meshed or woven metals, knitted metals, and expanded metals. In general, inflation gas-permeable processing elements useful in the practice of the present invention may be used for cooling, flow diverting or filtration of, for example, flows in contact with, for example, inflation gas generated or generated in combustion chamber 40, e. It is desirable to perform one or more functions or operations, such as particulate removal.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art with reference to the teachings herein, the sleeve member 46 may be formed or configured as a member or component separate from the outer filter portion 45, as shown, As shown, and generally preferred, the sleeve member 46 is integrated (ie formed continuously or in one piece) with this outer filter portion 45. Further extended implementation of the invention is not limited to gas generator filter assemblies in which the tubular wall is formed or composed of multiple layers or wraps of the filter material, but according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the tubular wall is about 5 mm. It is generally preferred to use a gas generator filter assembly comprising a tubular wall consisting of about 6 to about 10 layers or wraps of about 0.4 mm to about 0.7 mm thick steel mesh screen to have a thickness in the range of from about 10 mm to about 10 mm. It turned out. By way of example, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tubular wall portion of the gas generator filter assembly of the present invention is preferably formed from a single piece of web of filter material spirally wound to form a plurality of layers.

The tubular wall 44 has a central opening 50 with opposed first and second ends 52 and 54, respectively. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central opening 50 is a gas generator material 56 as known for use in an airbag inflator, such as, for example, a pyrotechnic material in which a transition metal amine nitride is synthesized with an oxidant and a binder. It is preferably applied to at least partially receive the source of. In the inflator assembly 10, the gas generator material 56 is in the form of a tablet 58 and generally contains an amount of gas as may be used to inflate an associated inflatable airbag cushion (not shown). Reaction to produce a reaction product comprising a.

Gas generator filter assembly 42 also generally includes a closure 60 disposed within central opening 50 at its second end 54. In general, the closure 60 is effective to prevent the passage of the gas generating material 56 through the central opening second end 54 and functions for this. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art with reference to the teachings provided herein, closures of various shapes or structures may be preferably used in the practice of the present invention. For example, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the closure is preferably in the form of a damper or isolation pad member. This type of closure is such a vehicle-, while preferably reducing or minimizing unintentional contact and the resulting noise by, or between components of the inflator assembly 10, commonly referred to as " rattle. &Quot; The installation inflator assembly remains ready for operation of the assembly and the occurrence of an event in which the expansion of the associated inflatable airbag cushion is desirable or necessary. Further, at least in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the integration and use of the isolation pad member closure may also insulate or otherwise insulate the gas generator material 56 from external heat, for example, a gas generator. It may also function preferably to avoid unintentional reactions or degradation.

The aerator assembly, indicated generally at 64, is mounted to the housing 12 via the mounting opening 32 described above. The initiator assembly 64 includes an initiator 66 comprising a filler of a conventional pyrotechnic igniter material, commonly known in the art, for use in expanding bond gas generation. In addition, the initiator assembly 64 includes a holder 70 for mounting or mating the initiator 66 to the housing 12. Although not shown, the initiator assembly further includes or contains one or more additional elements, such as one or more conduit seals, as known in the art, to better or more tightly seal the initiator 66. can do.

A backside adhesive foil seal 76 is disposed substantially adjacent to the inner surface of the sidewall 22. The foil seal 76 preferably seals the gas generator material 56 in the inflator 10 to protect the gas generator material 56 from various possible harmful environmental conditions, including moisture. As will be appreciated, the need or desire to provide a suitable surface area along the inner surface of the side wall 22 to allow or promote the attachment of the foil seal 76 to it may be It can serve as a practical or manufacturing constraint on the spacing. Persons skilled in the art with reference to the teachings provided herein have described the present invention with respect to including a backside adhesive foil seal 76, however, if necessary, the present invention provides other methods for properly sealing the gas generating material in the inflator. It will be appreciated that it may be practiced using any suitable means or technique.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plenum 80 is provided between the gas generator filter assembly tubular wall 44 and the inner surface of the side wall 22, as best illustrated with reference to FIG. do. The plenum 80 causes the foil seal 76 to rupture when the pressure in the plenum 80 is raised enough to achieve a predetermined level, for example, and gas may pass through the gas outlet port 30. To serve as a region through which the inflation gas passes or as a volume of space. The presence of the plenum 80 facilitates a more uniform distribution of the inflation gas in the inflator assembly 10 and access to the gas outlet port 30. In addition, the presence of the plenum 80 may minimize or avoid unintentional contact by or between the inner surfaces of the filter assembly 42 and the diffuser cap cylindrical sidewall 22, which contact is, for example, a diffuser. Undesirable rupture or damage to other forms of filter assembly 42 may be caused during joining or connecting the cap portion 16 and the base portion 14 together, for example.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas generant filter assembly sleeve member 46 defines a plurality of retaining tabs 84 effective for securing the closure 60 in the central opening 50 at the second end 54. To be bent, crimped or otherwise. As described in greater detail below and illustrated, the retaining tab 84 may preferably be in the general form of an elastic corrugated body 86 or the like, eg, by bending, crimping, and other ways of the sleeve member 46. It may be formed by a molded end portion. As described above, the diffuser cap top wall 20 includes a concave center 24, which, when in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, joins the housing base and the cap portions 14 and 16, respectively, together. Concave center 24 interacts with retaining tab 84 to, for example, further flex, crimp or otherwise form such retaining tabs to finally secure closure 60 in central opening 50. do.

The raised annular portion 26 provides or results in an additional volume indicated by reference numeral 88. As shown, the inflator assembly 10 advantageously uses or utilizes an additional volume 88 by extending the outer filter portion 45 therein. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art with reference to the teachings provided herein, this assembly configuration may include or enable the use of a greater relative amount of filter material in the assembly, thereby increasing or other In an improved manner.

As will be appreciated, the inflator assembly 10 is preferably simple to manufacture or manufacture. By way of example, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inflator assembly 10 is a lower portion of the first subassembly consisting of a base 14 having an initiator assembly 64 properly connected or coupled thereto to form an intermediate assembly. It can be manufactured or fabricated by placing the gas generator filter assembly tubular wall 44 in place within the shell or base 14. Closure 60 is applied and sleeve member 46 is properly crimped to secure the closure in place. Thereafter, the second subassembly composed of the diffuser cap portion 16 to which the foil seal 76 is properly coupled or connected is joined or connected to the gas generator receiving intermediate assembly by welding operation or the like.

In addition, such an expansion assembly is preferred or made in a simple and simple manner. For example, at the time of detection of a collision, an electrical signal is transmitted to the initiator 66. The initiator 66 functions to initiate the reaction of at least a portion of the amount of gas generating material 56 to produce a gaseous reaction product to increase the pressure in the combustion chamber 40. With this increase in reaction and combustion chamber pressure, the gaseous reaction product passes first through the tubular wall sleeve member 46 and then through the outer filter portion 45 to pass through the expansion gas permeable filter assembly 42. To start. The increase in pressure in the housing 12 results in a predetermined rupture or opening of the subsequent foil seal 76, through the gas outlet port 30, away from the inflator assembly 10 and into the associated airbag cushion (not shown). Results in the passage of an inflation gas.

Although the present invention has been described above with respect to a gas generator receiving inflator assembly in which the gas generator is generally stored or stored in the form of a tablet, a more expanded implementation of the invention need not be limited thereto. By way of example, the inflator assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention preferably comprises a source of gas generating material present in wafer form in a pre-acting state.

3 illustrates one such inflator assembly, indicated generally at 310. The inflator assembly 310 is substantially similar to the inflator assembly 10 described above. In particular, the inflator assembly 310 has a substantially cylindrical outer contour, for example formed of two structural components, namely the upper skin or diffuser cap 316 and the lower skin or base 314 as described above. Housing structure 312.

Diffuser cap portion 316 includes top wall 320 and cylindrical sidewalls 322 and is a common form of inverted container. Top wall 320 includes, for example, a concave central portion 324 and a peripheral raised annular portion 326, which is preferably formed of a cylindrical continuous wall 322 and a single continuous member. Sidewall 322 includes a plurality of spaced, preferably substantially spaced, gas discharge ports 330.

Base 314 includes a mounting opening 332. The base 314 also functions to form an interface attachment that is used to attach the inflator assembly 310 to a vehicle that extends radially inwardly from the housing 312 while the occupant is protected from a tendency to injuries resulting from the impact of a crash. A circumferential bracket 334 is included.

The housing 312 is configured to form a central substantially cylindrical chamber 340, sometimes referred to herein as a "combustion chamber". The gas generant accommodating filter assembly combination, indicated generally at 341, is disposed within the combustion chamber 340.

Referring now also to FIGS. 4-7, the gas generator-containing filter assembly combination 341 is generally gas generated hereinafter, generally indicated at 342, similar to the gas generator filter assembly 42 described above. An expansion gas-permeable processing element referred to as a first filter assembly. Gas generator filter assembly 342 includes, for example, a tubular wall 344 that is substantially cylindrical in shape. The tubular wall portion 344 preferably consists of an outer filter portion 345 and an inner sleeve member 346.

This sleeve member 346 is similar to the sleeve member 46 described above, but includes or forms at its base end 348 a retaining flange, indicated by reference numeral 347, which, for example, promotes gas generator containment therein. It may be desirable to. The retaining flange 347 can be formed simply by properly bending the sleeve member base end 348. While retaining flanges of various structures may be used in the practice of the present invention, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention where metal strand woven fabric is used to form the sleeve member 346, for example, the sleeve at the base end 348 In order to minimize or avoid undesirable overlap of the member woven material, it has been found desirable to remove or otherwise erase the woven cross strand at or near the retaining flange 347.

The tubular wall portion 344 has a central opening 350 having opposing first and second ends (352 and 354, respectively). According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central opening 350 is preferably adapted to at least partially receive a source of gas generating material 356 as known for use in an airbag inflator. In the inflator assembly 310, the gas generator material 356 is in the form of a plurality of stacked or layered wafers 358. Gas generator material 356 may generally react to produce a reaction product comprising a predetermined amount of gas that may be used to inflate an associated inflatable airbag cushion (not shown).

Gas generator filter assembly 342 generally includes a closure 360 disposed in central opening 350 at its second end 354. In general, closure 360 is effective and functions to prevent passage of gas generator material 356 through central open second end 354.

According to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable for the gas generator containment filter assembly combination used in the practice of the present invention to form a subassembly or unit that can be inserted into the gas generating device. By way of example, a gas generator containment filter assembly combination 341, in which gas generator material 356 is present in the form of a plurality of stacked or layered wafers 358, is inserted or used as a unit if needed. Can be. As will be appreciated, the integration and use of such units can significantly ease, simplify, or significantly reduce the costs associated with assembly configuration and manufacture.

Returning to FIG. 3, inflator assembly 310 also includes an inflator assembly, generally indicated at 364. The inflator assembly 364 is mounted to the housing 312 via the mounting opening 332 described above. Detonator assembly 364 includes a detonator 366 as known in the art for use in expanding bond gas generation. The initiator assembly 364 also includes a holder 370 that allows the initiator 366 to be mounted to or mated with the housing 312.

Sealing members, such as in the form of backside adhesive foil seals 376, may preferably, for example, hermetically seal the gas generator material 356 in the inflator 310 to remove the gas generator material from various possible hazardous environmental conditions, including moisture and the like. Disposed in the inflator assembly 310 to protect 356. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, a backside adhesive foil seal 376 is disposed substantially adjacent to the inner surface of the sidewall 322.

Similar to the inflator assembly 10, a plenum 380 as described above is provided between the inner surface of the side wall 322 and the gas generator filter assembly tubular wall 344 in the inflator 310.

As best illustrated with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the gas generant filter assembly sleeve member 346 has a central opening 350 at the second end 354, as described above with respect to the sleeve member 46. May be bent, crimped, or otherwise fashioned to form a plurality of retaining tabs 348 that are effective to secure the closure 360 within. As described above, the retaining tab 384 may preferably be a general form of the elastic wave body 386 formed by the bent, crimped, or otherwise shaped end of the sleeve member 346. The diffuser cap top wall 320 also includes a concave central portion 324, which, when in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, joins the housing base and the cap portions 314 and 316 together, 324 interacts with retaining tab 384 to, for example, further flex, crimp or otherwise form such retaining tabs to finally secure closure 360 in central opening 350.

As in the embodiment described above, the raised annular portion 326 provides or results in an additional volume indicated by reference numeral 388 in the combustion chamber 340. As shown, the additional volume 388 extends the outer filter portion 345 inwards to allow for the inclusion or use of a larger relative amount of filter material in the assembly, thereby increasing or other ways of contacting flow. Can be advantageously utilized or used to advantageously result in improved treatment.

In addition, the inflator assembly 310 is advantageous because it can be simply manufactured or manufactured. By way of example, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, inflator assembly 310 may be fabricated or manufactured in a process using the following three simple subassemblies.

Subassembly 1-a base 314 to which the aerator assembly 364 is suitably coupled or connected,

Subassembly 2-gas generator receiving filter assembly combination unit, and

Subassembly 3-diffuser cap portion 16 to which the foil seal 76 is properly coupled or connected.

Thus, the inflator assembly 310 can be manufactured or fabricated by simply installing a gas generator storage filter assembly combination unit within the initiator assembly 364 subassembly and base 314 to form an intermediate assembly. Proper engagement or connection of the diffuser cap portion 16 and foil seal 76 subassembly to the intermediate assembly, such as by welding operations, is followed.

In addition, the operation of such an expansion assembly is preferred because it can be made or carried out in a simple and simple manner. By way of example, at the time of detection of a collision, an electrical signal is transmitted to the initiator 366. The initiator 366 functions to initiate a reaction of at least a portion of the amount of gas generating material 356 to produce a gaseous reaction product to increase the pressure in the combustion chamber 340. With this increase in reaction and combustion chamber pressure, the gaseous reaction product first passes through the tubular wall sleeve member 346 and then through the outer filter portion 345 to pass through the expansion gas permeable filter assembly 42. To start. The increase in pressure in the housing 12 results in a predetermined burst or opening of the subsequent foil seal 376 and, via the gas outlet port 330, away from the inflator assembly 10 into the associated airbag cushion (not shown). Results in the passage of an inflation gas.

At least a preferred feature of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention is that such an inflator device, and, in particular, a gas generator filter assembly, for example, has an inflator having specifically designed inflating gas outputs of which inflator assembly components of the same size and shape are different from each other. Ease of application may be applied to receive or receive different selected amounts or amounts of gas generating material to be used. By way of example, Figure 8 illustrates an inflator assembly, generally indicated at 810, which is generally similar to inflator assembly 310, but now houses a different selected amount or amount of gas generator material.

The inflator assembly 810 is generally similar to the inflator assembly 310 and includes a housing structure 812 formed of a lower sheath or base 814 and an upper sheath or diffuser cap 816 as described above. Diffuser cap portion 816 is a general form of inverted vessel and includes top wall 820 and cylindrical sidewall 822. Top wall 820 includes a concave central portion 824 and a peripheral raised annular portion 826, preferably formed of a single continuous member having a cylindrical sidewall 822. Sidewall 822 includes a plurality of spaced apart, preferably substantially spaced, gas discharge ports 830.

Base 814 includes a mounting opening 832. The base 814 also functions to form an interface attachment that is used to attach the inflator assembly 810 to a vehicle that extends radially inwardly from the housing 812 while the occupant is protected from injury tendencies resulting from the impact of a crash. It includes a peripheral bracket 834 to.

Housing 812 is configured to form a central substantially cylindrical combustion chamber 840. Gas generator receiving filter assembly combination 841 is disposed within combustion chamber 840. Gas generator containment filter assembly combination 841 includes a gas generator filter assembly, generally indicated at 842. Gas generator filter assembly 842 generally includes a tubular wall 844 that is of cylindrical shape or the like. The tubular wall portion 844 preferably consists of an outer filter portion 845 and an inner sleeve member 846. The tubular wall 844 has a central opening 850 having opposing first and second ends (852 and 854, respectively). The central opening 850 is applied to at least partially receive a source of gas generating material 856 in the form of, for example, a plurality of stacked or layered wafers 858. Gas generator material 856 may generally react to produce a reaction product comprising a predetermined amount of gas that may be used to inflate an associated inflatable airbag cushion (not shown). However, inflator assembly 310 accommodates twelve 12 gas generator wafers 358, while inflator assembly 810 accommodates a total of eleven (11) gas generator wafers 858.

Like the gas generator filter assembly 342 of the inflator assembly 310, the gas generator filter assembly 842 of the inflator assembly 810 is also substantially disposed within the opening 850 at its second end 854. A closure 860, an initiator assembly 864 including an initiator 866, and a holder 870 for mounting or mating the initiator 866 to the housing 812.

A sealing member in the form of a backside adhesive foil seal 876 preferably seals the gas generator material 856 in the inflator 810 from a variety of possible hazardous environmental conditions such as to contain moisture. ) Is disposed in the inflator assembly 810 to protect it. According to the embodiment shown, the backside adhesive foil seal 876 is generally disposed adjacent the inner surface of the sidewall 822.

In the embodiment described above, a plenum 880 is provided between the gas generator filter assembly tubular wall 844 and the inner surface of the sidewall 822.

The gas generator filter assembly sleeve member 846 may be shaped to form a plurality of retaining tabs 884 effective for securing the closure 860 in the central opening 850 at the second end 854. As mentioned above, the retaining tab 884 may preferably be a general form of corrugated body 886 formed by the ends of the sleeve member 846 molded in a bent, crimped, or otherwise fashion. In addition, the diffuser cap top wall 820 includes a concave center 824 and, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when joining the housing base and the cap portions 814 and 816 together, 824 interacts with retaining tab 884 to finally secure closure 860 within central opening 850, such as to further shape, retain, crimp or otherwise crimp such retaining tabs.

As in the embodiment described above, the raised annular portion 826 provides or results in an additional volume indicated by reference numeral 888 in the combustion chamber 840. As shown, the additional volume 888 extends the outer filter portion 845 inwards to allow for the inclusion or use of a larger relative amount of filter material in the assembly, thereby increasing or other ways of contacting flow. Can be advantageously utilized or used to advantageously result in improved treatment.

Both manufacture and operation of inflator assembly 810 are similar to those of inflator assembly 310 described above.

The inflator assembly 810 may be used with a single type of inflation assembly over a range of desired inflation performance outputs, while avoiding or minimizing undesirable assembly rattles and the need for inclusion of additional components, such as in the form of spacers, for example. Emphasizing the function of the moldable gas generator filter assembly sleeve member 846, and specifically the retaining tab 884 and the retaining corrugated body 886.

Although the present invention has been described above with particular reference to a gas generator filter assembly comprising a tubular wall having a substantially cylindrical shape, those skilled in the art with reference to the teachings provided herein need not be limited to the broader embodiments of the present invention. It will be recognized. In particular, the present invention may be practiced with a gas generator filter assembly comprising a tubular wall having another selected cross-sectional shape. By way of example, the invention may be practiced using a gas generator filter assembly comprising a tubular wall having an octagonal cross-sectional shape. In addition, if desired, the present invention employs a gas generator filter assembly comprising a tubular wall with one or more reinforcing ribs as may or may be necessary to adequately reinforce the filter assembly against the pressure that may act upon it. It can be carried out by.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a gas generator filter assembly for use in an airbag inflator device of an inflatable bond system, which gas generator filter assembly preferably has a decisive effect on either or both of performance and operation. Without giving preference, one or more of the cost, weight, and complexity of the assembly is preferably avoided or minimized, and / or otherwise, to the extent desired for a particular use or for other reasons, in a desirable range. Reduce or minimize.

The invention illustratively described herein may be suitably practiced without any elements, parts, steps, components or components not specifically described herein.

In the foregoing detailed description, while the invention has been described with reference to specific preferred embodiments thereof, numerous details have been described for purposes of illustration, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may have additional embodiments and It will be apparent that certain details described herein may be significantly changed without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

Claims (34)

A gas generator filter assembly, A central opening having opposing first and second ends, the sleeve member being adapted to include at least partially a source of gas generator material capable of reacting to produce a reaction product comprising a predetermined amount of gas; A tubular wall portion having, at least in part, a material which is effective for the treatment of reaction products produced during the reaction of said gas generating material; A closure effective to prevent passage through said second end of gas generating material contained within said central opening, disposed in said central opening at said second end of said central opening, Said sleeve member being moldable to form a plurality of retaining tabs effective for securing said closure in said central opening at said second end. The gas generator filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular wall portion is cylindrical. The gas generator filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a damper pad member. The gas generator filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular wall portion comprises a plurality of layers of filter material. 5. The gas generator filter assembly of claim 4, wherein the sleeve member is an inner layer of the plurality of filter material layers. 6. The gas generator filter assembly of claim 5, wherein the tubular wall portion comprises a single web of filter material wound spirally to form a plurality of layers. The gas generator filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular wall portion comprises a metal filter material. 8. The gas generator filter assembly of claim 7, wherein the metal filter material comprises steel. The gas generator filter assembly of claim 8, wherein the metal filter material comprises at least one form selected from the group consisting of reticular metal, braided metal, and expanded metal. A gas generating filter assembly of claim 1, A combination comprising a predetermined amount of gas generating material disposed in a central opening of the tubular wall, And the tubular wall portion is effective to receive the predetermined amount of gas generating material in its central opening. The combination according to claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said predetermined amount of gas generating material disposed in said central opening of said tubular wall portion comprises a gas generating wafer. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the combination forms a unit that can be inserted into a gas generating device. An airbag inflator comprising the combination of claim 12. The airbag inflator of claim 13 comprising a source of gas generator material substantially comprised of said predetermined amount of gas generator material disposed within said central opening of said tubular wall portion. 14. The airbag inflator of claim 13 wherein the retaining tab is adjustable in dependence on at least one factor selected from the group consisting of a free volume in the inflator and a volume of the source of gas generating material contained within the central opening. The combination according to claim 10, wherein the combination forms a unit that can be inserted into a gas generating device. A cylindrical filter assembly having a central opening having opposing first and second ends, A closure disposed at the second end of the cylindrical filter assembly; A combination comprising a predetermined amount of gas generating material contained within said cylindrical filter assembly at its central opening, The first end of the central opening is adapted to receive an initiator that, in operation, is effective to initiate a reaction of at least a portion of the predetermined amount of gas generating material to produce a gaseous reaction product, The closure is effective to prevent passage of the gas generating material through the second end of the central opening, The filter assembly has a plurality of layers including an inner layer forming a sleeve member, wherein the sleeve member may be shaped to form a plurality of retaining tabs effective for securing the closure in the central opening at the second end. Combination. 18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the closure comprises a damper pad member. 18. The combination as set forth in claim 17, wherein said filter assembly comprises a single web of filter material spirally wound to form said plurality of layers. 20. The combination of claim 19, wherein said filter material comprises a metal. The combination of claim 20, wherein said filter material metal comprises steel. The combination of claim 21, wherein the filter material metal comprises at least one form selected from the group consisting of reticular metals, braided metals, and expanded metals. 18. The combination as set forth in claim 17, wherein said filter assembly comprises a piece of web of filter material spirally wound to form a plurality of layers. 18. The combination as set forth in claim 17, wherein said combination forms a unit that can be inserted into a gas generating device. An airbag inflator comprising the combination of claim 24. 27. The airbag inflator of claim 25 including a source of gas generator material substantially comprised of said predetermined amount of gas generator material contained within said filter assembly. An airbag inflator comprising the combination of claim 17 wherein at least a portion of the predetermined amount of gas generating material contained in the central opening of the cylindrical filter assembly comprises a gas generating wafer. Airbag inflator, An inflator housing forming a combustion chamber, A gas generator accommodating filter assembly combination unit disposed in the combustion chamber; Including the detonator, The gas generator storage filter assembly combination unit A cylindrical filter assembly having a central opening having opposing first and second ends, A predetermined amount of gas generator material capable of reacting to produce a gaseous reaction product contained within the filter assembly within a central opening of the filter assembly; A closure disposed in the central opening at the second end of the central opening, effective to prevent passage of gas generating material through the second end, And the initiator is contained within the first end and, in operation, is effective to initiate a reaction of at least a portion of the predetermined amount of gas generating material to produce a gaseous reaction product. 29. The airbag inflator of claim 28 wherein the closure comprises a damper pad member. 29. The airbag inflator of claim 28 wherein the filter assembly comprises a sleeve member, the sleeve member being moldable to form a plurality of retaining tabs effective for securing a closure in the central opening at the second end. 31. The airbag inflator of claim 30 wherein the filter assembly comprises a plurality of layers and the sleeve member is an inner layer of the plurality of layers. 32. The airbag inflator of claim 31 wherein the filter assembly comprises a single web of filter material spirally wound to form a plurality of layers. 29. The airbag inflator of claim 28 wherein the filter assembly comprises a plurality of layers of filter material. 34. The airbag inflator of claim 33 wherein the filter material comprises a metal having at least one form selected from the group consisting of reticular metals, braided metals, and expanded metals.