Abstract: Airbag inflator system includes an inflatable airbag, a flexible housing, and a gas generating system for generating gas which is directed from the housing to the interior of the airbag. The housing may be made by an extrusion process to provide it with its flexible form and a curved or arcuate form if necessary or desired. The housing may be elongate and/or mounted to a roof rail and/or made of plastic. An aspirating structure or nozzle may be arranged between the gas generating system and an interior of the airbag, which nozzle is varied as a function of temperature. The aspirating structure or arrangement enables air from the passenger compartment of the vehicle to mix with the generated gas prior to being directed into the airbag.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an air bag module, in particular for a knee air bag. The air bag module includes an air bag housing, a air bag cushion, a tubular gas generator, a air bag cushion holding device, and a gas guiding device, to which the tubular gas generator is fastened. The gas guiding device is integrally formed with the air bag cushion holding device.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a base (14) and a cap (16), one of the base (14) and the cap (16) having at least one groove (34) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber (18) of the gas generator and an exterior of the combustion chamber (18). The other one of the base (14) and the cap (16) covers the at least one groove (34) to define at least one enclosed passage (36) extending along the at least one groove (34) for enabling fluid communication between the combustion chamber (18) and the exterior of the combustion chamber. In another aspect, a gas generant composition (20) having an auto-ignition temperature is positioned within the gas generating system (10). An adhesive composition (30) having a decomposition temperature lower than the gas generant auto-ignition temperature secures the cap (16) to the base (14).

Abstract: A gas generator (10) is provided including a housing (12). A gas generating composition (16) produces expanded gases upon activation of the inflator (10), thereby increasing the internal pressure and compressing the spring (50) operably coupled to the gas release member (40). As the spring (50) is compressed, a gas exit aperture (27), sealed prior to gas generator (10) activation, is opened as the gas release member (40) is unseated from gas exit aperture (27). After gas generator (10) activation, the spring energy of the spring (50) gradually equalizes and then counters the gas pressure of the system gases, thereby once again attenuating the gas exit opening (27) to maintain an optimum average system pressure as the gas is released from the housing (12).

Abstract: A containment device for an inflator, the containment device comprising: an outlet plate having an outlet opening; a burst disk disposed over the outlet opening; an initiator having a support member; a movable support disposed between the support member and the burst disk, the support providing support to the burst disk; wherein activation of the initiator causes the movable support to move which allows the burst disk to rupture.

Abstract: An inflator for an air bag which can be assembled easily is provided. An igniter 30 is fixed inside a closure 20 using a resin 28 by charging molten resin through a resin charging hole 24 provided in the closure 20, and hardening the resin. The closure 20 is fixed to an inflator housing 12 by welding at a connecting portion 18. Since the number of components and the number of steps are smaller, favorable assembly workability is achieved.

Abstract: An inflator for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. The inflator includes a pressure vessel having an opening formed therein. A quantity of relatively unreactive pressurized gas is stored in the pressure vessel. A quantity of a gas generant composition is positioned in an interior of the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the pressurized gas. An igniter is positioned proximate the gas generant for initiating combustion of the gas generant. A rupturable, fluid-tight seal is positioned to seal the opening in the pressure vessel for maintaining the pressurized gas within the pressure vessel prior to activation of the igniter. Activation of the igniter results in combustion of the gas generant. Pressure from the combustion gases, in combination with the pressure of the gases stored under pressure in vessel, cause the burst disk to rupture, providing an inflation gas to an associated vehicle airbag, for example.

Abstract: An airbag can include a covering that surrounds an interior space that can be filled with gas, a gas-conducting pipe which is stretched longitudinally along a direction of extent, and a contact region of the covering that surrounds the inflow opening and encloses the gas-conducting pipe in a sealing manner along a circumferential direction of the gas-conducting pipe that encircles the direction of extent. A protective layer of the covering can be arranged, at least in some sections in the interior space of the covering, with respect to the gas-conducting pipe so that damage to the covering during filling of the interior space of the covering with hot gas can be prevented by the protective layer. At least one fastening region of the protective layer, via which the protective layer can be connected to the covering, can be connected to the contact region of the covering.

Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag, first and second inflators, a gas-supply mechanism and a release member for connecting between a holding structure and the airbag. Gas generated by the second inflator is supplied into the airbag when the release member is pulled by the airbag while gas generated by the first inflator inflates the airbag. According to the airbag device, a gas amount supplied into an airbag can be switched according to an occupant's seating position without equipping a sensor for measuring a distance between an occupant and the airbag or a control device for computing the gas amount supplied.

Abstract: An airbag module for protecting a vehicle occupant is provided. The airbag module comprises at least one airbag. A gas generator is in fluid communication with the airbag to inflate the airbag with a gas. A deformable ribbon interfaces with the fluid communication between the gas generator and the airbag. The deformable ribbon has a spiral form with a first radial end covering a second radial end when the gas generator is deactivated.

Abstract: An technique is provided for suppressing external force received by a connector from a housing body side, in an airbag apparatus for use in a motorcycle, which has a construction housing an inflator for generating gas for expanding an airbag at a gas-generating section, and a connector for connecting a harness for supplying electric current to an igniting section of the inflator in the housing body. In one form, an airbag apparatus mounted on a two-wheeled motor vehicle is constructed to prevent the retainer wall portion from directly interfering with a connector by intervening a vertical extending portion of a lower holder that holds a lower portion of an inflator at a space between the retainer wall portion and the connector.

Abstract: A firing agent which is used in a gas generating device of a vehicle occupant protection device together with a non-azide gas generating agent, for firing the non-azide gas generating agent, wherein the firing agent contains a fuel and an oxidizing agent and is configured to burn at a combustion speed higher than that of the non-azide gas generating agent; a method for using the firing agent; and a gas generating device of a vehicle occupant protection device using the firing agent.

Abstract: A gas generant composition used in pressure activated restraint system devices such as micro-gas generator applications such as seat belt pretensioners is provided. The gas generant composition includes a potassium perchlorate gas generant additive in addition to a non-azide nitrogen-containing gas generating fuel, a metal ammine nitrate oxidizer, and a metal oxide burn rate enhancing and slag formation additive. The gas generant composition desirably has improved ignitability as compared to a similar composition without the potassium perchlorate gas generant additive. The gas generant composition also desirably produces or results in effluents having either or both reduced carbon monoxide and NOx contents as compared to the effluent produced or resulting from a similar composition but without the inclusion of the potassium perchlorate gas generant additive.

Abstract: A gas generator including an approximately cylindrical housing including an ignition chamber, first and second combustion chambers, and first and second discharge paths. The ignition chamber, disposed in a base portion of the housing, includes an igniter and an enhancer agent. The first and second combustion chambers, disposed respectively in first and second cylindrical portions of the housing, each contains gas generating agent. The first and second discharge paths are disposed respectively on front end sides of the first and second cylindrical portions of the housing and enable gases generated in the first and second combustion chambers to be discharged from the housing therethrough. The inner diameters of the first and second combustion chambers are regulated to differ from each other. Thereby, outputs in respective gas output portions can be made to differ, while size increase and slower start-up of gas output in each gas output portion are prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator for a restraining system for a vehicle including: an inflator housing storing a gas generation source, a diffuser having a plurality of gas discharge holes for discharging gas provided within the inflator housing, a gas discharge channel member including a gas outlet port and being attached to cover an outer surface of the diffuser, the gas discharge channel member having a gas-introducing port communicating with at least one of the gas discharge holes and a pin-introducing port communicating with at least one of the remaining gas discharge holes, and the diffuser and the gas discharge channel member, fixed by a fixing pin inserted into both of the at least one of the remaining gas discharge holes and the pin-introducing port.

Abstract: A method of making an air-bag is disclosed in which a selected plastics material is blow moulded within an appropriate mould to form a blow moulded air-bag. The mould is such that the blow moulded air-bag (1) has at least one indented region, such as a central oval region (10) of the upper part (7) of the air-bag, which, on inflation of the air-bag, becomes outwardly extending.

Abstract: A curtain airbag includes a non-expanding portion located halfway along the curtain airbag in a front-and-back direction, a front expanding chamber provided at a vehicle front side of the non-expanding portion, a rear expanding chamber provided at a vehicle back side of the non-expanding portion, an upper expanding chamber provided at an upper side of the non-expanding portion, a lower expanding chamber provided at a lower side of the non-expanding portion, and a vertical expanding chamber connected to a halfway portion of the lower expanding chamber in a front-and-back direction. The vertical expanding chamber allows the gas to flow therethrough, and extends upward. The vertical expanding chamber is connected only to the lower expanding chamber to allow the gas to flow therethrough.

Abstract: An inflator having at least first and second gas outputs and configured to generate gas. The inflator releases the gas through the first gas output with a fist gas flow rats and to release the gas through the second gas output with a second gas flow rate different from the first gas flow rate.

Abstract: A dual-type gas generator for inflating air bags is provided in which a first igniter structure having a first combustion chamber accommodating a first gas generating material and a second igniter structure having a second combustion chamber accommodating a second gas generating material both exhaust, when activated, to exhaust gas to a common filter chamber. When the igniter structures are intended to be activated separately and with a time lag, gas generated in the first chamber often flows into the second chamber and may ignite the second gas generating material. This malfunction can be prevented by various flame-transferring preventing structures that preclude direct flow of gas from the first chamber into the second chamber through the common filter chamber.

Abstract: A micro gas generator 10 is provided primarily for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of pyrotechnic materials into a seatbelt pretensioner 26, for example. A perforated housing 12 of gas generator 10 provides a body for containment of the other gas generant constituents, and forms a propellant chamber 14. A propellant or gas generant 16 is contained within chamber 14 and provides combustion thereof. An annular bore 20 is centrally oriented within the bore seal 18 thereby providing a seat for an associated initiator 22. An initiator blast shield 36 is encased about the initiator 22 thereby attenuating or mitigating the force and progression of the combustion of an ignition compound (not shown) within the initiator 22.

Abstract: A gas generator, relating to a gas generator for a side air bag or the like, is provided. The gas generator has an inner cylindrical member stored in a housing, wherein the inner cylindrical member has a second outside diameter portion abutting against the inner peripheral surface of the housing, and a first outside diameter portion smaller in outside diameter than the second outside diameter portion, the tip end of the first outside diameter portion side abuts against the closed end portion (one end portion) of the housing, the filter is provided on the outside of the inner cylindrical member in the radial direction of the first outside diameter portion, and the ignition means is provided on the opposite end portion (the other end) from the closed end portion of the housing.

Abstract: An inflator has a sealed vessel for containing compressed gas. The inflator has an axis. The vessel has a gas outlet passageway. The inflator has an elongated sealing cap closure with an internal chamber portion open to the compressed gas and sealed vessel to seal the opening of the gas outlet passageway. The elongated sealing cap is coaxial with the inflator. When a triggering device is activated it exerts a force against the elongated sealing cap closure in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the inflator that causes the elongated sealing cap closure to fail and allows gas to escape from the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airbag inflator assembled, in part, using ultrasonic welding. The inflator includes a housing adapted to receive an initiator assembly and an adaptor socket to connect the inflator to the electronic systems of the vehicle. The initiator and the adaptor socket are welded together at a point of interface through the housing of the inflator using an ultrasound welding process. Joint seals are provided that allow the production of a gas-tight seal upon completion of assembly of the airbag inflator.

Abstract: A gas generator, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, has a pyrotechnical propellant (16), a combustion chamber (12) filled with the pyrotechnical propellant (16), an igniter (14) associated with the combustion chamber (12), a pressure chamber (18), filled with compressed gas, which is adjacent to the combustion chamber (12) and has a first opening (22) remote from the combustion chamber (12) closed by a first diaphragm (26), the diaphragm (26) being destroyed upon activation of the igniter (14), and a second pressure chamber (28) which is filled with compressed gas and has a second opening (34) closed by a second diaphragm (36).

Abstract: A gas generator is provided with a metal housing constituted by an initiator shell and a closure shell, a combustion chamber which is formed inside the housing and into which gas generants generating a high-temperature gas through combustion are loaded, a filter member disposed around the combustion chamber, an igniter mounted into the housing and igniting and burning the gas generants inside the combustion chamber and a plurality of gas discharge openings formed on the housing and discharging the gas generated in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas generator comprising a pressure vessel containing a gas under a first predetermined pressure. An initiator housing closes one end of the pressure vessel and has an opening at the inner end thereof that is closed by an initiator rupture disk constructed to rupture at a second predetermined pressure in the initiator housing greater than the first predetermined pressure. A micro-gas generator or initiator is disposed within the initiator housing. A manifold closes the other end of the pressure vessel and has an opening at the inner end thereof closed by a manifold rupture disk constructed to rupture at a third predetermined pressure greater than the first predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A gas generating system usable in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system is provided. The system includes an outer housing having an outer diameter varying within a range of approximately 16 millimeters to approximately 20 millimeters. A vehicle occupant protection system and an airbag module including the gas generating system are also provided.

Abstract: An air bag inflator has a cylindrical housing defining an internal space therein and having a convex portion protruding towards the internal space, and a cup member provided inside the cylindrical housing and having a cylindrical wall, provided with a vent hole that communicates inside the cup member with a space defined by the cup member and an inner surface of the cylindrical housing, and an end wall closing a first end of the cylindrical wall. The cup member is supported inside the cylindrical housing by making contact with the convex portion. An inflator assembly method includes, forming the convex portion, providing the cup member, and inserting the cup member inside the internal space of the cylindrical housing, such that the cup member abuts the convex portion.

Abstract: A gas generator that eliminates work for welding-fixing a holder to a housing and subjecting the holder to an excess processing, which can be easily manufactured at low cost, and a method for manufacturing the gas generator. The gas generator includes an approximately short cylindrical housing including a bottomed member and a lid member, gas generants arranged in the housing to generate a high-temperature gas by combustion, a filter arranged in an inner circumference part of the housing so as to surround the gas generants in a diameter direction of the housing, an igniter energized from the outside to ignite, and a holder to which the igniter is fixed and that is fixed to the bottomed member so that the igniter is arranged coaxially with the housing. At least one of the holder and the bottomed member is clamped, and pressed and deformed in an axial direction of a hole so that the holder is fixed to the bottomed member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator for an inflatable restraint system in an automobile, or more generally, a gas generator. The inflator includes an inflator body having a plurality of inflation apertures and defining a first combustion chamber wherein a first propellant charge is positioned. At least one annular spring containing a cushion is provided for maintaining the integrity of the shape of the propellant charge.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) provides inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (12) includes a primary housing (20), a primary inflation fluid source (100), a secondary housing (70), and a secondary inflation fluid source (200). The primary housing (20) is constructed from sheet metal by stamping. The primary inflation fluid source (100) is located in the primary housing (20). The primary inflation fluid source (100) is actuatable to effect a primary flow of inflation fluid out of the primary housing (20) to inflate the inflatable device (14). The secondary housing (70) is constructed from sheet metal by stamping. The secondary housing (70) is disposed within the primary housing (20). The secondary inflation fluid source (200) is located in the secondary housing. The secondary inflation fluid source (200) is actuatable to affect a secondary flow of inflation fluid to supplement the primary flow of inflation fluid.

Abstract: An airbag inflator (1) for motor vehicles, more specifically an airbag inflator which is adapted to reduce high sound levels generated by the streaming of a gas flow out of the outlet into ambient air, which airbag inflator comprises at least one gas outlet (9) which is adapted to reduce high sound level generated by the streaming of a gas flow out of the outlet into ambient air. The gas outlet (9) of the airbag inflator (1) has an orifice (10;18) that is non-circular. When in use, the non-circular orifice (10; 18) of the gas outlet (9) enhances the mixing of the gas flow with the ambient air and thus provides for a reduction of the sound level caused by the gas flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator for a restraining device for a vehicle, including: an igniter attached via an igniter collar to an opening in a housing bottom portion; the igniter collar including a main body portion that supports the igniter and an attachment portion that is fixed to the housing bottom portion; at least part of the attachment portion absorbing strains caused by deformation of the housing, sealing between the housing and the igniter collar, by deforming itself correspondingly to deformation of the housing when the housing deforms during the actuation.

Abstract: A gas generating system includes an inflator that contains an auto-ignition cradle containing an auto-ignition composition. The cradle operatively and thermodynamically communicates with the exterior of the inflator and also resiliently contains the auto-ignition composition, thereby maximizing the ignitability of the auto-ignition composition in the event of a fire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator including an igniter, a gas-generating agent and a coolant/filter in a housing, a positioning portion for the coolant/filter, which is formed in advance into a convex shape on the inward side of the housing and that is provided at least in either of the top surface or the bottom surface of the housing, the coolant/filter being positioned by the positioning portion.

Abstract: A new type of airbag inflator that may be used in an airbag system is disclosed. The inflator will generally include a housing and two initiators. Accordingly, the inflator is a “dual-stage” inflator. The two stages are disposed within the housing. The second initiator is disposed within a second stage generant cup. A cap is also used to engage the second stage cup. The cap maintains seated engagement with the second stage cup, even during deployment of the second stage. The second stage will also include one or more perforations, which constitute openings through which gas may flow. When the second initiator is in the unactuated state, these perforations will be isolated from the generant by the cap. Actuation of the second initiator unseals the one or more perforations but does not unseat the cap from the cup, due to constraints put in place to prevent such unseating.

Abstract: An inflator is disclosed herein. The inflator includes an initiator and a chamber that houses a quantity of stored gas. The initiator may be capable of actuating and causing the stored gas within the chamber to exit the chamber. A venting dome is also added to the initiator. The venting dome opens during deployment of the inflator. The venting dome also inverts and opens an aperture through which the stored gas may vent out of the inflator if the pressure of the stored gas exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag device comprising a gas generator, at one end of which a diffuser with radial discharge ports is positioned with a joining section. A non-metallic gas lance is fixed to the joining section upstream of the diffuser. The non-metallic gas lance is provided with or is plugged onto a reinforcing means at the axial end thereof that is associated with the joining section. The reinforcing means redirects the gas flow from the diffuser from a radial discharge direction thereof to an axial discharge direction during normal operation of the gas generator In case of an extremely applied high temperature capable of causing self-ignition of the gas generator, the gas lance material and the reinforcing means are destroyed, as a result of which the gas flow is no longer redircted to the axial direction thereby preventing the gas generator from acting as a rocket which could be hazardous.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator for a motor vehicle safety device, the generator comprising: a first chamber (C) for combustion containing a pyrotechnic initiator (2) and a pyrotechnic charge (3) whose combustion is triggered by said initiator; and. a second chamber (D) for diffusion into which the gas that results from combustion of said charge (3) is transferred prior to being exhausted to the outside; these two chambers (C, D) being separated from each other by a “nozzle” partition (12) presenting at least one communication orifice (13). According to the invention, said diffusion chamber (D) is provided with a piston (5) suitable for closing or not closing said orifice (13) as a function of the gas pressure in the combustion chamber (C), said piston (5) being urged to its position for closing the orifice (13) by a mass (6) of elastically deformable material, said mass (6) presenting stiffness that varies as a function of temperature, said stiffness decreasing with increasing temperature.

Abstract: A gas generating system includes a first enclosure containing a gas, and a second enclosure having a gas generant material contained therein. The second enclosure is operatively coupled to the first enclosure so as to enable fluid communication between the first enclosure and the second enclosure. After activation of the gas generating system, the gas in the first enclosure passes through the second enclosure prior to exiting the system.

Abstract: A gas generator (10) is provided, comprising an initiator (48) including an initiator charge, a gas generant insert (52) spaced apart from the initiator (48), and a fluid-impermeable blast director (42) interposed between the initiator (48) and the gas generant insert (52). The blast director (42) provides a barrier between the gas generant insert (52) and a blast resulting from ignition of the initiator charge when the initiator charge is ignited. The blast director (42), when used with particular gas generant configurations, reduces the effects of the initiator blast and reduces the amount of gas generant exposed to the blast, enabling the structural integrity of the gas generant (52) to be maintained.

Abstract: A passenger-seat airbag includes a left airbag and a right airbag. A root portion connects a left-airbag root portion and a right-airbag root portion. An accordion-folded portion with relatively small folding widths is formed by accordion-folding both side portions of the root portion, whereby at least a gas-injection hole closest to each of both ends of an inflator in a longitudinal direction among a plurality of the gas-injection holes of the inflator is prevented from being closed by the root portion when the passenger-seat airbag is provided in a vehicle.

Abstract: A gas generator (10) includes an igniter (27) and first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?) positioned to enable fluid communication with the igniter (27) upon activation of the igniter. Flow regulators (54, 54?) are provided to regulate a flow of combustion products from the igniter (27) to the first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?), to correspondingly regulate a time period between activation of the igniter (27) and initiation of combustion of the first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?). In another aspect, the gas generator (10) includes a modular baffle system (70) including a first baffle chamber (71) in fluid communication with an inflation gas generant combustion chamber (50) for receiving therein combustion products from combustion of an inflation gas generant (52) positioned in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An inflating device has a casing, an air bag tray, an gas generating device and a check valve. The gas generating device is mounted on the casing and has a tube, an gas generator and a guiding plate. The tube extends into the casing and has an air channel and vents. The gas generator is attached to one end of the tube and has a housing, a chemical holder and an igniting device. The chemical holder is mounted inside the housing to contain chemicals. The igniting device is attached to housing and extends into the chemical holder to ignite the chemicals. The guide plate is mounted inside the casing and corresponds to the vents. The check valve is mounted in the casing and corresponds with and closes an inlet of the casing.

Abstract: Aside airbag has a lower chamber corresponding to the chest of the occupant and an upper chamber corresponding to the head of the occupant. A strap is provided at the boundary between the lower and upper chambers. The attachment position of a door-side attachment portion of the strap is higher than the attachment position of a seat-side attachment portion of the strap and lower than the upper end of a door trim or at the same height as the upper end of the door trim. Thus, the peripheral length from the upper end of a door-side base cloth of the side airbag to the door-side attachment portion of the strap is shorter than the peripheral length from the upper end of a seat-side base cloth of the side airbag to the seat-side attachment portion of the strap. As such, upon deployment of the side airbag, the upper chamber can be raised up toward a door window glass.

Abstract: An inflator is located inside an airbag of airbag device for supplying inflation gas. The inflator includes a substantially cylindrical body for generating inflation gas, and a substantially tubular retainer made of sheet metal to be mounted around the body for holding the body by fastening a fastening portion. The retainer includes mounting bolts for mounting the airbag to a predetermined mounting position. The retainer includes a fastening portion, a first support portion and a second support portion which are arranged in order along axial direction of the body to abut against a circumference of the body. The fastening portion and the second support portion are located in a substantially opposite area from the first support portion in the circumference of the body based on a center of a cross section of the body taken perpendicularly to the axial direction of the body as the retainer holds the body.

Abstract: A gas generator has a combustion chamber containing a pyrotechnic propellant charge and a biasing unit biasing the propellant charge. A holding device is provided, which holds the biasing unit in a predetermined, fixed, compressed position and which is designed to be releasable, so as to selectively release the biasing unit, so that it arrives at a release position in which it exerts a biasing force on the propellant charge.

Abstract: An inflator is a hybrid inflator constructed by coupling a tank charged with a pressurized gas and a gas generator containing a gas-generating chemical. A coupling mechanism is provided in each of the tank and the gas generator, and the tank and the gas generator are coupled to each other with the coupling mechanisms.

Abstract: A gas generator comprises an oblong outer housing and an elongated combustion chamber insert with a tubular wall arranged in the outer housing. The combustion chamber insert contains a solid propellant, has a first and a second axial end and is held in the outer housing. The tubular wall of the combustion chamber insert is fixed at both axial ends by a form fit in radial and axial direction to the outer housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator, in particular for airbag modules in motor vehicles, comprising a plurality of separate generator stages which can be ignited independently of one another and each of which includes in its own pressure housing at least one igniter, at least one propellant charge and at least one combustion chamber. The generator stages are arranged at least partly in a common filter housing together with a common filter unit and the space remaining in the filter housing is designed at least regionally as an outflow passage system leading from outflow apertures formed in the pressure housings to the filter unit.