GAS GENERATOR FOR AIR BAGS WITH CIRCUMFERENTIALLY DISPOSED BLADES

摘要

The present invention provides a gas generator for air bags that includes a first shell (10) having a circular part (12) and an outer wall (20). The outer wall is formed of a porous material which allows gas to pass freely therethrough. A second shell (30) is attached to the first shell to form a housing into which is installed a gas generating device. The gas generating device includes a canister (40) filled with a gas generant. A plurality of first and second blade members (50, 60) fasten the first and second shells together. The blade members are at least equal in height to the total height of the housing, the first blade members being shaped to fit the outer circumferential surface of the canister and placed in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the canister and arranged along the circumference of the canister at periodic intervals to form a ring. The second blade members have a width at least equal to the circumferential interval between the first blade members and are spaced radially from the first blade members and shifted in the circumferential direction from the first blade members to positions facing the intervals between the first blade members. The first and second blade members have projections (52, 62) that extend through apertures (18) formed in the first and second shells. The projections engage the outer surfaces of the shells to fasten the shells together. Gases produced by the gas generating device on receiving impacts are delivered past the blade members and introduced, through the outer wall of the first shell, into the air bag to protect a passenger from the impacts.