Abstract: An airbag inflator having a reduced area filter and cartridge-loaded generant. The inflator has a tubular housing with a plurality of exit ports in a limited angular extent. A filter having the general shape of a section of a tube is received within the housing within the extent of the exit ports. The filter has lateral edges which are compressed to reduce the thickness of the filter along these edges, increasing the inner diameter of the filter. A hollow cylindrical cartridge may be provided to house a quantity of pyrotechnic gas generant. The cylindrical cartridge is received within the housing, with the filter interposed between the cartridge and the exit ports. The increased inner diameter of the filter permits the use of a larger diameter cartridge compared to a filter which has not had its lateral edges compressed, which in turn permits a shorter inflator to hold the same volume of generant.

Abstract: An airbag cushion which forms a linear arrangement of a plurality of compartements having a rectangular cross sectional shape with opposed longitudinal and lateral surfaces is provided. Each of the compartments is formed by the joinder of at least first and second panel members to form an interior chamber adapted to be filled with an inflation fluid upon deployment of the airbag cushion and a planar partition wall separating the interior chambers of adjacent compartments. The joinder of the at least first and second panel members for each of the compartments is effected from the outside of the compartment interior chambers. A method of fabricating an airbag cushion in the form of a linear arrangement of a plurality of compartments having a rectangular cross sectional shape with opposed longitudinal and lateral surfaces is also provided.

Abstract: A side-impact airbag is essentially tubular and formed from two substantially identical panels. One of the panels is shortened, as by pleating and stitching. The resulting airbag, when inflated, has a unique assymetrical shape which minimizes any tendency to slap against a vehicle's occupant.

Abstract: An airbag module having a cushion with a compression-deployed volume. The module includes an inflator which produces a quantity of inflation gas. This gas inflates only a first volume of the cushion, which is positioned to protect a first portion of a passenger's body. Compression of the first volume by the passenger forces the gas from the first volume into a second volume, to thus inflate the second volume. The second volume is positioned to protect a second portion of the passenger's body. The initial quantity of inflation gas is thus reused, reducing the amount of gas required. This in turn reduces the size and cost of the inflator. The module is preferred for side impact protection, and a fold arrangement suited to accurate deployment is provided. The folded cushion may be secured to the inflator by a frangible film wrap, eliminating the need for an exterior housing. The module is preferably mounted upon the side of the passenger seat back.

Abstract: An auto ignition system for use as part of an airbag inflator having an ignitor tube. The auto ignition system includes an elongated auto ignition chamber having an open end and a length to width ratio of at least three. The auto ignition chamber is adapted to be positioned within the airbag inflator with the open end facing the ignitor tube. Auto ignition material is contained within the auto ignition chamber, and a metal foil retention disk closes the open end of the auto ignition chamber. According to one embodiment, the auto ignition chamber is a recess defined by an endwall of the airbag inflator with the open end of the recess facing the ignitor tube. According to another embodiment of the invention, a solid press-fit closure plug closes the open end of the auto ignition chamber, and according to an additional embodiment, the press-fit closure plug is a porous metal fiber or powder press-fit closure plug.

Abstract: An inflator and cushion retaining device for mounting an airbag inflator and an airbag cushion within a motor vehicle. The inflator and cushion retaining device includes an elongated trough for receiving and supporting a sidewall of the airbag inflator. The trough extends from an endwall to an open end, and the endwall defines an opening for receiving a mounting stud extending from an end of the airbag inflator. At least one tooth extends into the opening from the endwall for catching the mounting stud and securing the mounting stud within the opening. A pair of arms extends from the trough adjacent the open end for wrapping around the inflator and securing the inflator within the trough. At least one rib protrudes inwardly from the trough adjacent the open end for spacing the sidewall of the inflator away from the trough. The inflation and cushion retaining device and the inflator are contained within an airbag cushion.

Abstract: A side impact airbag module assembly having a combination airbag inflator and module housing and an airbag cushion. The combination airbag inflator and module housing has an extruded unitary one-piece hollow elongated longitudinal body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first open end, a second open end, and a plurality of gas exhaust ports extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. Two airbag receiving channels, each channel having a slot running along the channel, are respectively located on the outer surface of the longitudinal body, parallel with the body on opposite sides of the plurality of gas exhaust ports. A first endplug seals the first open end and a second endplug seals the second open end with the inner surface of the longitudinal body and the endplugs defining a gas generant chamber containing a gas generant.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator including an inflator housing having an outer wall and a pop-out diffuser. The outer wall defines a compressed gas reservoir and contains a combustion chamber separated from the compressed gas reservoir by a rupturable burst diaphragm. An initiator and pyrotechnic gas generant are contained within the combustion chamber of the inflator housing. The initiator is connectable to a remote collision or deceleration sensor through an initiator port defined by the outer wall. Compressed inert gas is contained within the compressed gas reservoir. The pop-out diffuser includes a diffuser plate forming a unitary part of the outer wall and a rupturable seam divides the diffuser plate from the remainder of the outer wall. A diffuser sleeve extends from the diffuser plate into the compressed gas reservoir to a diffuser flange extending radially outwardly from the diffuser sleeve and having an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the diffuser plate.

Abstract: An airbag module and mounting. An inflator is received within the cushion, such that the cushion wraps around the back side of the inflator. The inflator includes an extending fastener, and possibly an extending tab. The inflator, or the tab, is partially retained by a receiving structure on the seat. The fastener extends through another section of the seat, such that securing the fastener secures the entire inflator. Additionally, since the cushion surrounds the inflator, the cushion is also secured. To maintain the cushion in the folded condition, a frangible wrap extends around the cushion and inflator. Upon inflation, the frangible wrap, and the seat covering, are torn by the expanding cushion to permit further expansion. This arrangement eliminates the need for a protective housing for the inflator and cushion. Other mounting arrangements are also provided.

Abstract: An undeployed air bag and inflator are wrapped in a soft cloth package. At the time the air bag is inflated, a seam in the cloth ruptures and a portion of the package unfolds to form a guide for the deploying air bag. The package also includes means to secure it to a portion of a vehicle such as a seat back.

Abstract: An airbag inflator assembly including an airbag inflator and an inflator attachment having a sleeve. The inflator includes an elongated sidewall and an end having a flange stop extending outwardly from the sidewall. The sleeve receives and supports the sidewall of the inflator with the flange stop butting against the sleeve. The sleeve has an inwardly extending resilient tab that faces away from the flange stop and engages a gas exhaust port defined by the sidewall to retain the inflator within the sleeve. At least one stud extends transversely to and outwardly from the sleeve for mounting the inflator attachment and inflator within an airbag module. The inflator attachment further includes at least two spaced-apart pairs of diametrically opposed ribs protruding inwardly from the sleeve and grippingly engaging the sidewall of the inflator. The sleeve also defines gas exhaust outlets, which on different versions of the sleeve may vary to accommodate different types of inflators.

Abstract: The structural framework of an automotive chair serves as the reservoir for airbag-inflating gas. Accordingly, the need for a separate gas reservoir for each airbag installation is eliminated.

Abstract: An airbag module case for use with a side-impact airbag module including an airbag cushion and inflator assembly, and two mounting projections extending from the airbag cushion and inflator assembly and. The airbag module case includes an assembly cover and two unitary, flexible retainer arms. The assembly cover is sized and shaped to substantially cover the airbag cushion and inflator assembly, and has an open base sized to receive the airbag cushion and inflator assembly. The open base is partly defined by a first side edge and a second side edge of the assembly cover and a first retainer arm extends from the first side edge and a second retainer arm extends from the second side edge. The first retainer arm defines two spaced-apart projection-receiving holes, and the second retainer arm also defines two spaced-apart projection-receiving holes.

Abstract: A pressurized gas inflator suited for side impact airbags comprises an elongated cylindrical bottle having a closed end and an open end defining an outlet opening. A diaphragm is sealed across the open end of the bottle to form a chamber containing pressurized gas. A cup-shaped diffuser also has an open end secured to the open end of the bottle with the periphery of the diaphragm therebetween. A squib is mounted in the diffuser for rupturing the diaphragm. An enhanced squib with 300-400 milligrams of ZPP is used in one disclosed inflator and an augmented directional initiator is used in another disclosed inflator. The enhanced squib and augmented directional initiator provide heating to offset adiabatic cooling of the gas. The diffuser defines outlet ports for delivering the inflation gas. The cylindrical bottle has a mounting flange on its closed end, and the mounting flange may be an end cap with a radially extending flange.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint having a dynamic burn vent wherethrough inflation gas can be appropriately vented therefrom. Such an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint has particular application for side impact restraint systems wherein increased venting by the dynamic vents occurs subsequent to full deployment of the inflatable restraint.