Isolation member for air bag inflator.

摘要

The air bag inflator (10) is actuatable to supply inflation fluid under pressure, through discharge openings (40), into a diffuser chamber and thence through gas outlets (92) into an air bag. An isolation membrane (100) extends across the diffuser chamber between the discharge openings (40) and the gas outlets (92). The isolation membrane (100) is welded to the housing at axially and radially spaced locations. When the inflator (10) is not actuated, the isolation membrane (100) blocks fluid flow including the conduction of moisture from the environment around the inflator through the discharge openings (40) and into the interior of the inflator. The isolation membrane (100) has a weakened portion defined by a stress riser. When the inflator (10) is actuated, the pressure of the fluid flowing through the discharge openings (40) breaks the isolation membrane (100) at the stress riser. The isolation membrane (100) moves to a second location in the diffuser chamber clear of the gas outlets (92) to enable fluid flow out of the diffuser chamber and into the air bag.