| 摘要 |
A multiple-chamber inflator ( 10 ) for a vehicle occupant protection system. The inflator ( 10 ) includes a housing ( 12 ) having a first end and a second end, and a divider disc ( 18 ) positioned in an interior of the housing ( 12 ) intermediate the housing ends to form a first (primary) propellant chamber ( 20 ) and a second (secondary) propellant chamber ( 22 ) within the interior of the housing ( 12 ). The divider ( 18 ) has a first surface ( 59 ) in communication with the first propellant chamber ( 20 ), a second surface ( 57 ) in communication with the second propellant chamber ( 22 ), and at least one aperture ( 60 ) extending between the first and second surfaces to provide fluid communication between the first propellant chamber ( 20 ) and the second propellant chamber ( 22 ). A pressure-resistant shim ( 62 ) fabricated from a low-melting point material is fixed on the divider first surface ( 59 ) over the at least one aperture ( 60 ) to block the aperture. The shim ( 62 ) is configured to melt upon exposure to a predetermined temperature generated by combustion of the propellant ( 48 ) in the first propellant chamber ( 20 ), thereby opening the at least one aperture ( 60 ). The shim ( 62 ) isolates the first chamber ( 20 ) from the second chamber ( 22 ). The shim ( 62 ) also facilitates an increase in pressure in the first chamber ( 20 ) during combustion of the first gas generating propellant ( 48 ), thereby increasing the efficiency of the combustion reaction in the first chamber ( 20 ).
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