Abstract: An inflator 10 of a vehicle occupant protection system, for example, contains an elongated housing 12 having a first end 14 and a second 16. The gas generator 10 includes a sealed pressurized gas supply or gas tank 18 in fluid communication with the first end 14 upon inflator 10 operation. A first seal 36 seals the first end 14 prior to gas generator 10 operation. A notched support member 56 is wedged within the housing 12 and fixes the first seal 36 against a sealed opening 24 of the gas tank 18, thereby preventing fluid flow during gas generator 10 inactivity. Upon gas generator 10 activation, the support member 56 is fractured by a force produced by an initiator 68 thereby releasing pressurized gas into the first end 14 and through the housing 12.

Abstract: An inflator 10 of a vehicle occupant protection system, for example, contains an elongated housing 12 having a first end 14 and a second 16. The gas generator 10 includes a sealed pressurized gas supply or gas tank 18 in fluid communication with the first end 14 upon inflator 10 operation. A first seal 36 seals the first end 14 prior to gas generator 10 operation. A notched support member 56 is wedged within the housing 12 and fixes the first seal 36 against a sealed opening 24 of the gas tank 18, thereby preventing fluid flow during gas generator 10 inactivity. Upon gas generator 10 activation, the support member 56 is fractured by a force produced by an initiator 68 thereby releasing pressurized gas into the first end 14 and through the housing 12.

Abstract: A gas generator which has an initiator and a gas generating agent for use in airbag deployment systems. An initiator includes a reaction agent, a casing formed by a cup and header, an electrode and a plasma generating agent. The plasma generating agent generates a plasma in response to the energization of the electrode that makes the reaction agent initiate a reaction.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus is provided which includes a plurality of combustion chambers and a filter chamber. The filter chamber contains a filter which includes a region which is not substantially heated by combustion gases generated by one combustion chamber and which receives combustion gases subsequently generated in another combustion chamber. In this fashion, a high gas cooling efficiency is achieved. The gas generating apparatus has an upwardly-opening vessel-shaped base and a downwardly-opening vessel-shaped cup which when combined form an outer shell of combustion chambers. A filter cap is fixed to the upper side of the cup, thereby defining the filter chamber. A first combustion chamber is positioned outside a pipe through the base and a second combustion chamber is formed inside the pipe. A foil on the inner surface of the filter chamber prevents combustion gases emitted by one combustion chamber entering another combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus is provided which includes a first combustion chamber having a first opening and a second combustion chamber having a second opening. Each of the combustion chambers contains an ignitor and a propellant. A filter chamber that accommodates a filter is provided. The filter chamber is separated from each of the combustion chambers. The apparatus is configured so that a combustion gas produced in the first combustion chamber exits through the first opening and enters a first portion of the filter chamber without passing through the second chamber. The second combustion chamber extends through the filter chamber and the first combustion chamber.

Abstract: An initiator includes a casing, a reactant disposed in the casing, and electrodes arranged to contact the reactant. The reactant contains an electrically conductive substance in a manner such that once a voltage is applied to the electrodes, an electric current flows through the electrically conductive substance, thereby initiating a reaction of the reactant. The initiator is easily manufactured with low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus is provided which includes a plurality of combustion chambers and a filter chamber. The filter chamber contains a filter which includes a region which is not substantially heated by combustion gases generated by one combustion chamber and which receives combustion gases subsequently generated in another combustion chamber. In this fashion, a high gas cooling efficiency is achieved. The gas generating apparatus has an upwardly-opening vessel-shaped base and a downwardly-opening vessel-shaped cup which when combined form an outer shell of combustion chambers. A filter cap is fixed to the upper side of the cup, thereby defining the filter chamber. A first combustion chamber is positioned outside a pipe through the base and a second combustion chamber is formed inside the pipe. A shim on the inner surface of the filter chamber prevents combustion gases emitted by one combustion chamber entering another combustion chamber.

Abstract: An airbag inflator for generating gas for deploying an airbag includes a cylindrical body, at least one partition disposed in the cylindrical body to divide the cylindrical body into a plurality of combustion chambers, a crimping portion formed at the cylindrical body near an outer periphery of the partition for holding the same, and a coining portion formed in at least one of side surfaces of the partition near the outer periphery thereof. The diameter of the partition is enlarged by the coining portion, so that the outer periphery of the partition securely contacts an inside of the cylindrical body to seal therebetween.

Abstract: An airbag inflator for generating gas for deploying an airbag includes a cylindrical body, at least one partition disposed in the cylindrical body to divide the cylindrical body into a plurality of combustion chambers, a crimping portion formed at the cylindrical body near an outer periphery of the partition for holding the same, and a coining portion formed in at least one of side surfaces of the partition near the outer periphery thereof. The diameter of the partition is enlarged by the coining portion, so that the outer periphery of the partition securely contacts an inside of the cylindrical body to seal therebetween.

Abstract: A gas generating apparatus is provided which includes a plurality of combustion chambers and a filter chamber. The filter chamber contains a filter which includes a region which is not substantially heated by combustion gases generated by one combustion chamber and which receives combustion gases subsequently generated in another combustion chamber. In this fashion, a high gas cooling efficiency is achieved. The gas generating apparatus has an upwardly-opening vessel-shaped base and a downwardly-opening vessel-shaped cup which when combined form an outer shell of combustion chambers. A filter cap is fixed to the upper side of the cup, thereby defining the filter chamber. A first combustion chamber is positioned outside a pipe through the base and a second combustion chamber is formed inside the pipe. A shim on the inner surface of the filter chamber prevents combustion gases emitted by one combustion chamber entering another combustion chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a base fabric for automobile air bags having excellent flexibility to ensure compact folding of the air bag and high flame retardancy for safety in hazard, which consists of a woven fabric web and a rubbery coating layer formed thereon from a silicone-based coating composition in the form of an aqueous emulsion comprising: (a) 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane represented by the general formulaX--?--SiR.sup.1.sub.2 --O--!.sub.m --?--SiZ.sub.2 --O--!n-SiR.sup.1.sub.2 --X,in which R.sup.1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, Z is R.sup.1, OR.sup.2 or --(--O--SiR.sup.1.sub.2 --).sub.k --OR.sup.2, R.sup.2 being a hydrogen atom or R.sup.1 and k being a positive integer not exceeding 1000, X is R.sup.1 or OR.sup.2, m is a positive integer of 100 to 10,000 and n is 0 or a positive integer not exceeding 1,000 and which contains at least two OR.sup.2 groups in a molecule; (b) from 0.

Abstract: An air bag includes a main body formed by sewing up the respective peripheries of two fabrics, a front panel and a rear panel with a thread, first tether belts and second tether belts for connecting the central portion of the front panel and the central portion of the rear panel. Each of the first tether belts has a low strength portion structured by forming notches on both sides. Stud bolts are inserted into through holes of the first tether belts, through holes of the air bag, bolt holes of the retainer, and bolt holes of a flange. The air bag deploys to the outside of the steering wheel quite rapidly in the initial stage of the deployment, and the front panel extends suitably forward in the latter stage of the deployment.

Abstract: An inflatable seat belt apparatus is formed of an inflatable portion which is usually maintained in a band shape and has an envelope shaped elastic inflatable member inflated and deployed in a rough spindle shape by introducing gas generated by a first gas generating device. The gas generating device operates in case of exceeding a predetermined threshold. A webbing includes the inflatable portion and extends over at least a range directly contacting with an occupant. A tongue is fixed to an end of the inflatable portion and includes a gas path extending from the gas generating device. A buckle is detachably engaged with the tongue. The envelope shaped inflatable member is inflated in a predetermined shape by introducing gas for a leak testing from a second gas generating device when the tongue is engaged with the buckle, and is inspected whether or not the gas leaks by a gas leak detecting device disposed in the gas path. A state of the damage is inspected.

Abstract: An inflatable seat belt apparatus is formed of an inflatable portion which is usually maintained in a band shape and has an envelope part inflated and deployed in a spindle shape by introducing gas generated by a gas generating device, the gas generating device acting in case of exceeding a predetermined threshold, a webbing having the inflatable portion extending over at least a range directly contacting with an occupant, a tongue fixed to an end of the inflatable portion and having a gas path from the gas generating device and a buckle to which the tongue is detachably engaged. The inflatable portion has an elastic inflatable unit inserted into the envelope part and is inflated and deployed by introducing the gas generated by the gas generating device into the elastic inflatable unit via a filter.

Abstract: An inflatable seat belt apparatus is formed of an inflatable portion which is usually maintained in a band shape and has an envelope part inflated and deployed in a spindle shape by introducing a gas generated by a gas generating device, the gas generating device acting in case of exceeding a predetermined threshold, a webbing having the inflatable portion extending over at least a range directly contacting with an occupant, a tongue fixed to an end of the inflatable portion and having a gas inlet from the gas generating device inside thereof and a buckle which detachably engages the tongue. The envelope part is made of a knitted fabric expanded in the weft direction in a range of contacting the chest of the occupant when the envelope part is inflated. The inflatable seat belt apparatus includes an inflation restricting device for restricting the expansion in the weft direction besides the range.

Abstract: An inflatable seatbelt system wherein if extremely high acceleration acts on the vehicle laterally when a lateral collision or other similar emergency situation occurs and this acceleration exceeds a first set value, a gas generator is activated to inflate a shoulder belt (2) surely and almost instantaneously in the same way as in a case where extremely high deceleration acts on the vehicle longitudinally. In this case, a portion of the shoulder belt (2a) extending between first and second anchors (6) and (20) also inflates to a large extent. Accordingly, the head and face of the occupant (M) are brought into contact with the inflated shoulder belt portion (2a) by the lateral acceleration. Therefore, the heavy impact load, which would otherwise be applied to the occupant's head and face, is relieved. Thus, the occupant's head and face are effectively and reliably protected.

Abstract: An inflatable seatbelt system having a webbing (11) formed by laying two strap-like webbing base fabrics (11a) and (11b) one on top of the other, which have a predetermined width approximately equal to the width of a typical conventional seatbelt, and sewing the respective side edges of these webbing base fabrics to each other at both lateral ends of the webbing (11). The warp (14) is disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the webbing (11), and the weft (15) is disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the webbing (11). The warp (14) is formed of threads which do not practically stretch when the webbing (11) inflates. The weft (15) is formed of rubber-like stretchable threads made of an elastic material, e.g., urethane. Accordingly, the webbing (11) inflates to a large extent in the lateral direction, but it does not practically inflate in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An inflatable seat belt apparatus is formed of an inflatable portion which is usually maintained in a band shape and has an envelope part inflated and deployed in a spindle shape by introducing a gas generated by a gas generating device, the gas generating device acting in case of exceeding a predetermined threshold, a webbing having the inflatable portion extending over at least a range directly contacting with an occupant, a tongue fixed to an end of the inflatable portion and having a gas inlet from the gas generating device inside thereof and a buckle which detachably engages the tongue. The envelope part is made of a knitted fabric expanded in the weft direction in a range of contacting the chest of the occupant when the envelope part is inflated. The inflatable seat belt apparatus includes an inflation restricting device for restricting the expansion in the weft direction besides the range.

Abstract: An inflatable seat belt apparatus is formed of an inflatable portion which is usually maintained in a band shape and has an envelope part inflated and deployed in a spindle shape by introducing gas generated by a gas generating device, the gas generating device acting in case of exceeding a predetermined threshold, a webbing having the inflatable portion extending over at least a range directly contacting with an occupant, a tongue fixed to an end of the inflatable portion and having a gas path from the gas generating device and a buckle to which the tongue is detachably engaged. The inflatable portion has an elastic inflatable unit inserted into the envelope part and is inflated and deployed by introducing the gas generated by the gas generating device into the elastic inflatable unit via a filter.

Abstract: An inflatable seat belt apparatus is formed of an inflatable portion which is usually maintained in a band shape and has an envelope shaped elastic inflatable member inflated and deployed in a rough spindle shape by introducing gas generated by a first gas generating device. The gas generating device operates in case of exceeding a predetermined threshold. A webbing includes the inflatable portion and extends over at least a range directly contacting with an occupant. A tongue is fixed to an end of the inflatable portion and includes a gas path extending from the gas generating device. A buckle is detachably engaged with the tongue. The envelope shaped inflatable member is inflated in a predetermined shape by introducing gas for a leak testing from a second gas generating device when the tongue is engaged with the buckle, and is inspected whether or not the gas leaks by a gas leak detecting device disposed in the gas path. A state of the damage is inspected.