EP1441193B1 - Initiator and gas generator - Google Patents
Initiator and gas generator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1441193B1 EP1441193B1 EP04000358A EP04000358A EP1441193B1 EP 1441193 B1 EP1441193 B1 EP 1441193B1 EP 04000358 A EP04000358 A EP 04000358A EP 04000358 A EP04000358 A EP 04000358A EP 1441193 B1 EP1441193 B1 EP 1441193B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- header
- initiator
- electrode pin
- connector
- reactant
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B3/00—Blasting cartridges, i.e. case and explosive
- F42B3/10—Initiators therefor
- F42B3/103—Mounting initiator heads in initiators; Sealing-plugs
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B3/00—Blasting cartridges, i.e. case and explosive
- F42B3/26—Arrangements for mounting initiators; Accessories therefor, e.g. tools
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an initiator suitably incorporated in a gas generator in an air bag device, a seat-belt pretensioner, and the like, and to a gas generator having the initiator.
- an air bag is quickly inflated by a gas generator called an inflator.
- the gas generator contains a gas-generating agent, and an initiator for causing the gas-generating agent to start a gas-generating reaction.
- the initiator includes a reactant, and a filament-shaped bridge wire serving as a heating resistor that causes the reactant to start a reaction (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-292099, U.S. Patent No. 5,404,263).
- a connector-retaining portion is provided in the rear of the initiator to retain a connector for the application of electricity (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-165600).
- the initiator 10 shown in Fig. 3 includes a substantially cylindrical cup 12 having a closed end and an open rear end.
- a reactant 14 is contained in the cup 12.
- the rear of the cup 12 is closed by a header 16.
- the leading end of an electrode pin 18 extending through the header 16 lies inside the cup 12.
- a bridge wire 22 is provided between the leading end of the electrode pin 18 and the header 16. Both ends of the bridge wire 22 are welded, respectively, to the electrode pin 18 and the header 16. The bridge wire 22 is in contact with the reactant 14 inside the cup 12.
- the electrode pin 18 and the header 16 are spaced with an insulating material 19, such as glass, therebetween so as not to be in electric contact with each other.
- An electrode pin (ground pin) 20 protrudes from the header 16.
- a resin mold 24 is formed to surround the header 16 and the bottoms of the electrode pins 18 and 20, and a substantially annular collar 26 is combined with the resin mold 24.
- the collar 26 has a hole 32 in which a connector 30 is to be inserted.
- a retaining recess 34 is provided on an inner peripheral surface at the entrance of the hole 32 so as to retain the connector 30.
- a retaining projection 36 is provided on a side face of the connector 30 so as to engage with the retaining recess 34.
- Pin jacks 18j and 20j in which the electrode pins 18 and 20 are to be inserted are provided on a leading end face of the connector 30.
- the resin mold 24 has a D-shaped projection 24D, and a D-shaped recess 30D in which the projection 24D is to be fitted is provided on the leading end face of the connector 30.
- the projection 24D and the recess 30D are sometimes T-shaped, instead of being D-shaped.
- a voltage is applied from a battery to the bridge wire 22 through the electrodes 18 and 20.
- the bridge wire 22 generates heat, and the reactant 14 is ignited to start a reaction.
- High-pressure gas and heat are generated by the reaction of the reactant 14, and a gas-generating agent in a gas generator causes a gas-generating reaction. With the reaction, the cup 12 is broken, and hot gas or the like is emitted.
- the reactant includes a first reactant composed of a mixture of lead styphnate and aluminum powder disposed to surround the bridge wire 22, and a second reactant composed of BKNO 3 or gunpowder disposed to surround the first reactant.
- the first reactant rapidly reacts to generate heat, and the second reactant starts to react in response to the heat from the first reactant, thereby producing high-pressure hot gas and fine particles.
- the two electrode pins 18 and 20 are arranged side by side with a predetermined distance therebetween, the width of the connector 30 is large.
- U.S. Patent No. 6,167,808 forms a basis for the preamble of claim 1.
- U.S. Patent No. 4,267,567 forms a basis for the preamble of claim 3.
- An object of the present invention is to overcome the above problems, and to provide an initiator that can be easily produced at a low production cost and that can reduce the size of a connector, and a gas generator using the initiator. According to the present invention, this object is achieved by an initiator as defined by claim 1 or claim 3.
- the dependent claims define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.
- the initiator of the present invention includes a conductive header, a reactant disposed on one side of the header, a cover member for covering the reactant, an electrode pin extending through the header to protrude from the other side of the header, and insulated from the header, a heating member provided between the one side of the header and the electrode pin so as to generate heat by the application of electricity, a cylindrical terminal protruding from the other side of the header coaxially with the electrode pin, and a connector-retaining portion provided at a leading end of the cylindrical terminal.
- the initiator since the electrode pin and the cylindrical terminal are coaxial, the initiator can be mounted in an initiator housing in whatever direction it points, and the efficiency in mounting the initiator in the initiator housing is high.
- the size of the connector can be reduced.
- an outward flange may be provided at the leading end of the cylindrical terminal. This structure is simple and is easily formed.
- the initiator of the present invention includes a conductive header, a reactant disposed on one side of the header, a cover member for covering the reactant, an electrode pin extending through the header to protrude from the other side of the header, and insulated from the header, a heating member provided between the one side of the header and the electrode pin so as to generate heat by the application of electricity, and a connector-retaining portion provided at a leading end of the electrode pin.
- the initiator Since the initiator has only one electrode pin, it can be mounted in an initiator housing in whatever direction the connector points, and the efficiency in mounting the initiator in the initiator housing is high. Moreover, the size of the connector can be reduced.
- the connector-retaining portion is shaped like a cone that decreases in diameter toward its leading end, the structure is simple and is easily formed.
- a bridge wire may be suitable as the heating member for generating heat by the application of electricity.
- the bridge wire is inexpensive, and the initiator can be produced easily.
- the heating member is not limited to the bridge wire.
- a gas generator of the present invention includes a gas-generating agent, and the above initiator of the present invention that causes the gas-generating agent to start a gas-generating reaction.
- the present invention provides an initiator that can be easily produced at a low production cost and that can reduce the size of a connector, and a gas generator using the initiator.
- a cup 52 and a header 54 fitted in an entrance of the cup 52 constitute a casing 56.
- the casing 56 is filled with a reactant 58.
- the cup 52 is shaped like a circular container made of SUS304 or the like.
- a body of the header 54 is shaped like a disc made of an anticorrosion metal such as SUS304, and an outer peripheral surface thereof is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the cup 52, for example, by welding.
- a cylindrical terminal 54A protrudes from the center of an outer surface of the disc-shaped body of the header 54.
- a connector-retaining portion 54a shaped like an outward flange (thick flange) is provided at the leading end of the cylindrical terminal 54A.
- the cylindrical terminal 54A is formed integrally with the disc-shaped body of the header 54.
- a hole 60 extends from a leading end face of the cylindrical terminal 54A to an inward surface of the header 54 (surface facing the interior of the casing 56).
- An electrode pin 62 coaxially extends through the hole 60.
- the electrode pin 62 is fixed to the header 54 with an insulating fixing material 66, such as glass, therebetween so as not to touch the header 54.
- the leading end of the pin 62 protrudes outward from the cylindrical terminal 54A.
- a bridge wire 68 is provided between the surface of the header 54 inside the cup 52, and an end face of the electrode pin 62.
- An outer surface of the cup 52 is covered with a resin cover 52a made of nylon, polypropylene, or the like.
- a rear side of the cup 52 and a rear end face of the header 54 are covered with a resin mold 70 made of nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, or the like.
- the cylindrical terminal 54A extends outward through the resin cover 70.
- a ground terminal of a connector contacts the leading end of the cylindrical terminal 54A.
- the reactant 58 may be composed of only a first reactant (ignition agent), or may be composed of a mixture of the first reactant and a second reactant (oxidizer particles).
- the first reactant includes, for example, a single metal, such as Mg, Zr, Ti, W, B, Si, C, Be, Li, A1, V, CaC 2 , Ca, Ce, or La, or an alloy or compound of them.
- the second reactant includes, for example, KClO 4 , KCLO 3 , KIO 4 NH 4 ClO 4 , NH 4 NO 3 , KNO 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , Fe 3 O 4 , Sr(NO 3 ) 2 , CuO, or NiO.
- a connector (not shown in Fig. 1) is attached to the initiator 50 from the upper side of Fig. 1.
- the connector has a pin jack in which the electrode pin 62 is to be inserted, and a hole in which the cylindrical terminal 54A is to be inserted.
- a chuck portion is provided on an inner surface of the hole to engage with the connector-retaining portion 54a.
- the bridge wire 68 when a voltage is applied between the electrode pin 62 and the cylindrical terminal 54A, the bridge wire 68 generates heat, the reactant 58 starts to react, and a high-pressure and hot gas containing fine particles is generated.
- the reactant 58 contains oxidizer particles, the reaction is accelerated because metal particles quickly causes an oxidation reaction and generates heat by an oxidizing action of the oxidizer particles.
- the connector can be fitted on the cylindrical terminal 54A in whatever direction around the pin jack it points. Moreover, since the electrode pin 62 and the cylindrical terminal 54A are coaxial, the connector may be small. In addition, the initiator 50 can be produced easily.
- a cup 82 and a header 84 fitted in an entrance of the cup 82 constitute a casing 86.
- the casing 86 is filled with a reactant 88.
- the cup 82 is shaped like a circular container made of SUS304 or the like.
- the header 84 is a substantially cylindrical member made of SUS304 or the like, and having a small-diameter portion 84a and a large-diameter portion 84b.
- An outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 84a is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the cup 82, for example, by welding.
- a hole 90 is provided in the center of the header 84 to extend therethrough in the axial direction of the cylinder.
- An electrode pin 92 extends through the hole 90.
- the pin 92 is fixed to the header 84 with an insulating fixing material 96, such as glass, therebetween so as not to touch the header 84.
- the leading end of the pin 92 protrudes outward from the header 84.
- a frusto-conical connector-retaining portion 92a that tapers off toward the leading end is provided integrally with the leading end of the electrode pin 92.
- the base end of the connector-retaining portion 92a has a diameter larger than the diameter of the electrode pin 92.
- a bridge wire 98 is provided between an end face of the header 84 inside the cup 82, and an end face of the electrode pin 92.
- An outer surface of the cup 82 is covered with a resin cover 82a made of nylon, polypropylene, or the like.
- a rear side of the cup 82 and a rear end face of the header 84 are covered with a resin mold 100 made of nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, or the like. Almost the center of an outer end face of the header 84 is not covered with the resin mold 100.
- a ground terminal of a connector contacts the exposed face of the header 84.
- a connector (not shown) is attached to the initiator 80 from the upper side in Fig. 2.
- the connector has a pin jack in which the electrode pin 92 is to be inserted.
- a chuck portion is provided in the innermost portion of the pin jack to engage with the connector-retaining portion 92a. When the electrode pin 92 is inserted in the pin jack to a predetermined depth, the chuck portion engages with the connector-retaining portion 92a, thereby preventing the connector from falling off.
- the bridge wire 98 when a voltage is applied between the electrode pin 92 and the header 84, the bridge wire 98 generates heat, the reactant 88 starts to react, and a high-pressure hot gas containing fine particles is generated.
- the connector can be attached to the initiator 80 in whatever direction around the electrode pin 92 it points. Moreover, the connector may be small. In addition, the initiator 80 can be produced easily.
- the initiator of the present invention is applicable to various gas generators.
- the gas generators may be incorporated in various air bag devices, such as a driver's seat air bag, a passenger's seat air bag, a rear-seat air bag, a side air bag, a head-protection air bag, and a pedestrian-protection air bag, and in seat-belt pretensioners.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
- Automotive Seat Belt Assembly (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to an initiator suitably incorporated in a gas generator in an air bag device, a seat-belt pretensioner, and the like, and to a gas generator having the initiator.
- In air bag devices provided in high-speed moving bodies such as automobiles, an air bag is quickly inflated by a gas generator called an inflator. The gas generator contains a gas-generating agent, and an initiator for causing the gas-generating agent to start a gas-generating reaction. Conventionally, the initiator includes a reactant, and a filament-shaped bridge wire serving as a heating resistor that causes the reactant to start a reaction (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-292099, U.S. Patent No. 5,404,263). A connector-retaining portion is provided in the rear of the initiator to retain a connector for the application of electricity (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-165600).
- An example of a known initiator will be described with reference to Fig. 3.
- The
initiator 10 shown in Fig. 3 includes a substantiallycylindrical cup 12 having a closed end and an open rear end. Areactant 14 is contained in thecup 12. The rear of thecup 12 is closed by aheader 16. The leading end of anelectrode pin 18 extending through theheader 16 lies inside thecup 12. - A bridge wire 22 is provided between the leading end of the
electrode pin 18 and theheader 16. Both ends of the bridge wire 22 are welded, respectively, to theelectrode pin 18 and theheader 16. The bridge wire 22 is in contact with thereactant 14 inside thecup 12. - The
electrode pin 18 and theheader 16 are spaced with aninsulating material 19, such as glass, therebetween so as not to be in electric contact with each other. - An electrode pin (ground pin) 20 protrudes from the
header 16. Aresin mold 24 is formed to surround theheader 16 and the bottoms of theelectrode pins annular collar 26 is combined with theresin mold 24. - The
collar 26 has ahole 32 in which aconnector 30 is to be inserted. Aretaining recess 34 is provided on an inner peripheral surface at the entrance of thehole 32 so as to retain theconnector 30. Aretaining projection 36 is provided on a side face of theconnector 30 so as to engage with theretaining recess 34.Pin jacks electrode pins connector 30. In order to cause theconnector 30 to point in one direction, theresin mold 24 has a D-shaped projection 24D, and a D-shaped recess 30D in which theprojection 24D is to be fitted is provided on the leading end face of theconnector 30. Theprojection 24D and therecess 30D are sometimes T-shaped, instead of being D-shaped. - In an emergency such as a car collision, a voltage is applied from a battery to the bridge wire 22 through the
electrodes reactant 14 is ignited to start a reaction. High-pressure gas and heat are generated by the reaction of thereactant 14, and a gas-generating agent in a gas generator causes a gas-generating reaction. With the reaction, thecup 12 is broken, and hot gas or the like is emitted. - For example, the reactant includes a first reactant composed of a mixture of lead styphnate and aluminum powder disposed to surround the bridge wire 22, and a second reactant composed of BKNO3 or gunpowder disposed to surround the first reactant. The first reactant rapidly reacts to generate heat, and the second reactant starts to react in response to the heat from the first reactant, thereby producing high-pressure hot gas and fine particles.
- Since the above-described known
initiator 10 has two pins, it needs to be mounted in an initiator housing so that the rotation angles of the initiator housing and the initiator precisely coincide with each other, and this makes mounting operation difficult. - For such a reason, the production cost of the known initiator is mostly high.
- Furthermore, the two
electrode pins connector 30 is large. - U.S. Patent No. 6,167,808 forms a basis for the preamble of claim 1. U.S. Patent No. 4,267,567 forms a basis for the preamble of claim 3.
- An object of the present invention is to overcome the above problems, and to provide an initiator that can be easily produced at a low production cost and that can reduce the size of a connector, and a gas generator using the initiator.
According to the present invention, this object is achieved by an initiator as defined by claim 1 or claim 3. The dependent claims define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention. - The initiator of the present invention includes a conductive header, a reactant disposed on one side of the header, a cover member for covering the reactant, an electrode pin extending through the header to protrude from the other side of the header, and insulated from the header, a heating member provided between the one side of the header and the electrode pin so as to generate heat by the application of electricity, a cylindrical terminal protruding from the other side of the header coaxially with the electrode pin, and a connector-retaining portion provided at a leading end of the cylindrical terminal.
- In such an initiator, since the electrode pin and the cylindrical terminal are coaxial, the initiator can be mounted in an initiator housing in whatever direction it points, and the efficiency in mounting the initiator in the initiator housing is high.
- Since the electrode pin and the cylindrical terminal are coaxially arranged, the size of the connector can be reduced.
- As the connector-retaining portion, an outward flange may be provided at the leading end of the cylindrical terminal. This structure is simple and is easily formed.
- According to another embodiment, the initiator of the present invention includes a conductive header, a reactant disposed on one side of the header, a cover member for covering the reactant, an electrode pin extending through the header to protrude from the other side of the header, and insulated from the header, a heating member provided between the one side of the header and the electrode pin so as to generate heat by the application of electricity, and a connector-retaining portion provided at a leading end of the electrode pin.
- Since the initiator has only one electrode pin, it can be mounted in an initiator housing in whatever direction the connector points, and the efficiency in mounting the initiator in the initiator housing is high. Moreover, the size of the connector can be reduced.
- In a case in which the connector-retaining portion is shaped like a cone that decreases in diameter toward its leading end, the structure is simple and is easily formed.
- In the present invention, a bridge wire may be suitable as the heating member for generating heat by the application of electricity. The bridge wire is inexpensive, and the initiator can be produced easily. However, the heating member is not limited to the bridge wire.
- A gas generator of the present invention includes a gas-generating agent, and the above initiator of the present invention that causes the gas-generating agent to start a gas-generating reaction.
- As described above, the present invention provides an initiator that can be easily produced at a low production cost and that can reduce the size of a connector, and a gas generator using the initiator.
- Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
- Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an initiator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an initiator according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a known initiator.
- In an
initiator 50 shown in Fig. 1, acup 52 and aheader 54 fitted in an entrance of thecup 52 constitute acasing 56. Thecasing 56 is filled with areactant 58. In this embodiment, thecup 52 is shaped like a circular container made of SUS304 or the like. A body of theheader 54 is shaped like a disc made of an anticorrosion metal such as SUS304, and an outer peripheral surface thereof is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of thecup 52, for example, by welding. - A
cylindrical terminal 54A protrudes from the center of an outer surface of the disc-shaped body of theheader 54. A connector-retainingportion 54a shaped like an outward flange (thick flange) is provided at the leading end of thecylindrical terminal 54A. Thecylindrical terminal 54A is formed integrally with the disc-shaped body of theheader 54. - A
hole 60 extends from a leading end face of thecylindrical terminal 54A to an inward surface of the header 54 (surface facing the interior of the casing 56). - An
electrode pin 62 coaxially extends through thehole 60. Theelectrode pin 62 is fixed to theheader 54 with aninsulating fixing material 66, such as glass, therebetween so as not to touch theheader 54. The leading end of thepin 62 protrudes outward from thecylindrical terminal 54A. - Inside the
casing 56, abridge wire 68 is provided between the surface of theheader 54 inside thecup 52, and an end face of theelectrode pin 62. - An outer surface of the
cup 52 is covered with aresin cover 52a made of nylon, polypropylene, or the like. A rear side of thecup 52 and a rear end face of theheader 54 are covered with aresin mold 70 made of nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, or the like. Thecylindrical terminal 54A extends outward through theresin cover 70. A ground terminal of a connector contacts the leading end of thecylindrical terminal 54A. - The
reactant 58 may be composed of only a first reactant (ignition agent), or may be composed of a mixture of the first reactant and a second reactant (oxidizer particles). Although not particularly limited, the first reactant includes, for example, a single metal, such as Mg, Zr, Ti, W, B, Si, C, Be, Li, A1, V, CaC2, Ca, Ce, or La, or an alloy or compound of them. Although not particularly limited, the second reactant includes, for example, KClO4, KCLO3, KIO4 NH4ClO4, NH4NO3, KNO3, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, Sr(NO3)2, CuO, or NiO. - A connector (not shown in Fig. 1) is attached to the
initiator 50 from the upper side of Fig. 1. The connector has a pin jack in which theelectrode pin 62 is to be inserted, and a hole in which thecylindrical terminal 54A is to be inserted. A chuck portion is provided on an inner surface of the hole to engage with the connector-retainingportion 54a. When thecylindrical terminal 54A is inserted in the hole to a predetermined depth, the chuck portion is retained by the connector-retainingportion 54a, thereby preventing the connector from falling off. - In the
initiator 50 having such a configuration, when a voltage is applied between theelectrode pin 62 and thecylindrical terminal 54A, thebridge wire 68 generates heat, thereactant 58 starts to react, and a high-pressure and hot gas containing fine particles is generated. In a case in which thereactant 58 contains oxidizer particles, the reaction is accelerated because metal particles quickly causes an oxidation reaction and generates heat by an oxidizing action of the oxidizer particles. - In the
initiator 50, since theelectrode pin 62 and thecylindrical terminal 54A are coaxial, the connector can be fitted on thecylindrical terminal 54A in whatever direction around the pin jack it points. Moreover, since theelectrode pin 62 and thecylindrical terminal 54A are coaxial, the connector may be small. In addition, theinitiator 50 can be produced easily. - In an
initiator 80 shown in Fig. 2, acup 82 and aheader 84 fitted in an entrance of thecup 82 constitute acasing 86. Thecasing 86 is filled with areactant 88. In this embodiment, thecup 82 is shaped like a circular container made of SUS304 or the like. Theheader 84 is a substantially cylindrical member made of SUS304 or the like, and having a small-diameter portion 84a and a large-diameter portion 84b. An outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 84a is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of thecup 82, for example, by welding. - A
hole 90 is provided in the center of theheader 84 to extend therethrough in the axial direction of the cylinder. - An
electrode pin 92 extends through thehole 90. Thepin 92 is fixed to theheader 84 with an insulating fixingmaterial 96, such as glass, therebetween so as not to touch theheader 84. The leading end of thepin 92 protrudes outward from theheader 84. - A frusto-conical connector-retaining
portion 92a that tapers off toward the leading end is provided integrally with the leading end of theelectrode pin 92. The base end of the connector-retainingportion 92a has a diameter larger than the diameter of theelectrode pin 92. - A
bridge wire 98 is provided between an end face of theheader 84 inside thecup 82, and an end face of theelectrode pin 92. - An outer surface of the
cup 82 is covered with aresin cover 82a made of nylon, polypropylene, or the like. A rear side of thecup 82 and a rear end face of theheader 84 are covered with aresin mold 100 made of nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, or the like. Almost the center of an outer end face of theheader 84 is not covered with theresin mold 100. A ground terminal of a connector contacts the exposed face of theheader 84. - A connector (not shown) is attached to the
initiator 80 from the upper side in Fig. 2. The connector has a pin jack in which theelectrode pin 92 is to be inserted. A chuck portion is provided in the innermost portion of the pin jack to engage with the connector-retainingportion 92a. When theelectrode pin 92 is inserted in the pin jack to a predetermined depth, the chuck portion engages with the connector-retainingportion 92a, thereby preventing the connector from falling off. - In the
initiator 80 having such a configuration, when a voltage is applied between theelectrode pin 92 and theheader 84, thebridge wire 98 generates heat, thereactant 88 starts to react, and a high-pressure hot gas containing fine particles is generated. - In the
initiator 80 shown in Fig. 2, only oneelectrode pin 92 protrudes from theheader 84, and the connector can be attached to theinitiator 80 in whatever direction around theelectrode pin 92 it points. Moreover, the connector may be small. In addition, theinitiator 80 can be produced easily. - The initiator of the present invention is applicable to various gas generators. The gas generators may be incorporated in various air bag devices, such as a driver's seat air bag, a passenger's seat air bag, a rear-seat air bag, a side air bag, a head-protection air bag, and a pedestrian-protection air bag, and in seat-belt pretensioners.
Claims (6)
- An initiator (50) comprising:a conductive header (54) including a disc-shaped body and a cylindrical terminal (54A);a reactant (58) disposed on a first side of the disc-shaped header body;a cover member (52a) for covering the reactant (58);an electrode pin (62) extending through the header (54), the electrode pin (62) being insulated from the header (54); anda heating member (68) provided between the first side of the disc-shaped header body and the electrode pin (62) so as to generate heat by the application of electricity;
wherein the cylindrical terminal (54A) protrudes from the side of the disc-shaped header body opposing the first side, coaxially with the electrode pin (62); and the electrode pin (62) protrudes from a leading end of the cylindrical terminal
characterized in thata connector-retaining portion (54a) is provided at said leading end of the cylindrical terminal (54A) facing away from the disc-shaped header body. - An initiator (50) according to claim 1, wherein the connector-retaining portion (54a) is an outward flange provided at the leading end of the cylindrical terminal (54A).
- An initiator (80) comprising:a conductive header (84);a reactant (88) disposed on a first side of the header (84);a cover member (82a) for covering the reactant (88);an electrode pin (92) extending through the header (84) to protrude from the side of the header (84) opposing the first side, the electrode pin (92) being insulated from the header (84); anda heating member (98) provided between the first side of the header (84) and the electrode pin (92) so as to generate heat by the application of electricity;
characterized in thata connector-retaining portion (92a) is provided at a leading end of the electrode pin (92). - An initiator (80) according to claim 3, wherein the connector-retaining portion (92a) is shaped like a cone that decreases in diameter toward a leading end thereof.
- An initiator (50; 80) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heating member (68; 98) is a bridge wire.
- A gas generator comprising:a gas-generating agent; andan initiator (50; 80) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 that causes the gas-generating agent to start a gas-generating reaction.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2003012497 | 2003-01-21 | ||
JP2003012497 | 2003-01-21 | ||
JP2003296486 | 2003-08-20 | ||
JP2003296486A JP2004243309A (en) | 2003-01-21 | 2003-08-20 | Initiator and gas generator |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1441193A1 EP1441193A1 (en) | 2004-07-28 |
EP1441193B1 true EP1441193B1 (en) | 2006-10-11 |
Family
ID=32599331
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04000358A Expired - Fee Related EP1441193B1 (en) | 2003-01-21 | 2004-01-09 | Initiator and gas generator |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20040141279A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1441193B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2004243309A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1517249A (en) |
DE (1) | DE602004002703T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050066833A1 (en) * | 2003-09-04 | 2005-03-31 | Hamilton Brian K. | Single pin initiator for a gas generating device |
JP2009111724A (en) | 2007-10-30 | 2009-05-21 | Nec Electronics Corp | Amplifier |
US8607703B2 (en) * | 2010-04-09 | 2013-12-17 | Bae Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc. | Enhanced reliability miniature piston actuator for an electronic thermal battery initiator |
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WO2015169667A2 (en) * | 2014-05-05 | 2015-11-12 | Dynaenergetics Gmbh & Co. Kg | Initiator head assembly |
CN111954765B (en) * | 2018-02-06 | 2022-09-20 | 乔伊森安全***收购有限责任公司 | Actuator assembly and method of assembling the same |
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US5398544A (en) * | 1993-12-23 | 1995-03-21 | Ford Motor Company | Method and system for determining cylinder air charge for variable displacement internal combustion engine |
US5686691A (en) * | 1995-12-22 | 1997-11-11 | Oea, Inc. | Slurry-loadable electrical initiator |
US6167808B1 (en) * | 1999-04-06 | 2001-01-02 | Trw Inc. | Initiator for air bag inflator |
DE10326253B3 (en) * | 2003-06-11 | 2004-11-04 | Schott Glas | Metal-glass fastening equipment lead-through for airbag or seat belt tension triggers has metal pins in a through-opening and a main body with front and rear sides and a release action |
-
2003
- 2003-08-20 JP JP2003296486A patent/JP2004243309A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2003-11-19 US US10/715,478 patent/US20040141279A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-11-20 CN CNA2003101165554A patent/CN1517249A/en active Pending
-
2004
- 2004-01-09 EP EP04000358A patent/EP1441193B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-01-09 DE DE602004002703T patent/DE602004002703T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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DE602004002703D1 (en) | 2006-11-23 |
CN1517249A (en) | 2004-08-04 |
US20040141279A1 (en) | 2004-07-22 |
JP2004243309A (en) | 2004-09-02 |
DE602004002703T2 (en) | 2007-08-16 |
EP1441193A1 (en) | 2004-07-28 |
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