AIRBAG INFLATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

An airbag assembly may include an airbag and an inflator in fluid communication with the airbag. The inflator may have a gas source chamber containing a gas source and a centrifugal flow chamber into which the gas flows from the gas source chamber through a centrifugal flow barrier. As the gas moves through the centrifugal flow barrier, it may be urged to move along a pathway that encircles at least a part of a longitudinal axis of the inflator. The gas may then move toward the longitudinal axis to flow through an orifice of an inward flow barrier. this inward flow may occur at a velocity that is generally too large for entrained particulates. Thus, such particulates may remain in the centrifugal flow chamber. The gas may flow from the orifice into a plenum chamber that releases the gas to the airbag via a plurality of apertures.

主权项

1. An inflator for an airbag system for protecting a vehicle occupant from injury through use of an airbag, the inflator comprising:
an exterior wall within which a gas source chamber and a centrifugal flow chamber are defined wherein the exterior wall is shaped to define a longitudinal axis; a gas source contained within the gas source chamber, wherein, in response to receipt by the inflator of an activation signal, the gas source provides a gas; a centrifugal flow barrier between the gas source chamber and the centrifugal flow chamber, wherein the centrifugal flow barrier comprises a centrifugal flow feature that, in response to passage of the gas through the centrifugal flow barrier, urges the gas to move along a pathway that at least partially encircles the longitudinal axis; and an inward flow barrier comprising an orifice proximate the longitudinal axis to release gas from the centrifugal flow chamber; wherein an inward flow region spans a width of the centrifugal flow chamber adjacent to the inward flow barrier, wherein the inward flow region is substantially free of any structure that would block flow of the gas toward the longitudinal axis.