US 5,683,108 A · Air bag inflator

Abstract

An inflator (12) includes a vessel (30) having a chamber (34) containing inflation fluid under pressure for inflating an air bag (16). A plug (50) is located in an opening (52) into the chamber (34). The plug (50) has a fluid passage (72) for directing inflation fluid from the chamber (34) to the air bag (16). The plug (50) has a tapered surface (90) which partially defines an electrical conductor passage (82) extending through the plug at a location spaced apart from the fluid passage (72). A tapered seal member (100) is press fit into a tapered end portion (88) of the electrical conductor passage (82) in fluid tight sealing engagement with the tapered surface (90). An electrical conductor (126) extends through the electrical conductor passage (82) and through the seal member (100). The electrical conductor (126) is connectable with an electrical device (24), such as an igniter, in the chamber (34).

Claims13

Dependent claims

An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

a vessel having a chamber for containing inflation fluid under pressure for inflating the inflatable device, said vessel having an opening into said chamber;
a plug located in said opening, said plug having a fluid passage for directing inflation fluid from said chamber to the inflatable device;
said plug having a tapered surface which at least partially defines an electrical conductor passage extending through said plug at a location spaced apart from said fluid passage;
a tapered seal member press fit in said electrical conductor passage in engagement with said tapered surface on said plug for blocking leakage of inflation fluid from said chamber through said electrical conductor passage;
and
an electrical conductor which extends through said electrical conductor passage and through said seal member, said electrical conductor extending into said chamber and being connectable with an electrical device in said chamber.

3 more elements

A closure assembly for blocking fluid flow through an opening in a wall defining a fluid chamber in an inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said closure assembly comprising:

a body portion having a fluid passage for directing fluid from the chamber to the inflatable device upon actuation of the inflator, said body portion being connectable with the wall of the inflator;
said body portion having an electrical conductor passage which is spaced apart from said fluid passage and which has a tapered end portion;
a tapered seal member which is disposed in said tapered end portion of said electrical conductor passage in sealing engagement with said body portion, said seal member having an opening which extends through said seal member;
an electrical conductor extending through said electrical conductor passage and through said opening in said seal member;
and
a body of electrically insulating material disposed in said opening in said seal member and enclosing a portion of said electrical conductor thereby to electrically insulate said electrical conductor from said seal member and to provide a fluid tight seal between said electrical conductor and said seal member.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Air bag inflator

Life of this patent

Air bag inflator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13