Multiple stage air bag inflator system

摘要

A multi-stage air bag inflator includes a housing with at least two separated chambers, each containing gas generating material and an ignition system for activating the material to generate gas for rapidly filling an associated air bag. An internal wall is provided in the housing to form the separated chambers and the wall has a frangible section designed to rupture in response to a predetermined level of gas pressure in one of the chambers providing fluid communication between the chambers. The frangible section is supported against rupture in response to gas pressure in the other gas chamber so that different levels of air bag inflation with gas are possible in response to the severity of the impact.