Apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint

摘要

An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint includes containing means 14c for a combustible mixture of gases. An igniter 24c is activated to effect ignition of the mixture of gases in response to sudden vehicle deceleration. A directing means directs a flow of gas from the containing means into the inflatable occupant restraint. In the preferred embodiment the gases are an inert gas, a fuel gas e.g. hydrogen of methane, and an oxidizer gas e.g. oxygen. Also, a lean mixture of a fuel gas and oxidizer gas could be used. An igniter transmits energy through an imperforate portion of a wall 160 of the containing means to ignite a charge 180, 182, 206 in the containing means. The igniter may include an elongate core 204 disposed in a frangible sheath 202 which is shattered as the core is burned.