Pressure relief in airbag module reaction canisters

摘要

Featured for use as a part of an inflator-containing inflatable restraint system is a multipiece reaction canister wherein pieces of the canister are normally secured together by thermally degradable joining members which degrade at a temperature greater than the ambient temperature to which the reaction canister is normally subjected and less than the temperature at which the inflator autoignites, to permit separation of the reaction canister pieces and provide venting of pressure that can build-up within the reaction canister. As a result of alleviating concerns such as of material fragmentation when exposed to extreme heat conditions, e.g., a fire, the invention allows the more widespread use of light weight, temperature sensitive materials in reaction canister constructions.