Patent · US Expired

Exploding foil initiator for air bag inflator

US5678856A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
17References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 28, 1995
Grant dateOct 21, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 28, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/1647
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting a vehicle occupant comprises an Air bag having a stored deflated condition and an inflated condition for protecting a vehicle occupant. The apparatus also comprises an actuatable inflator (20, 320) for, when actuated, directing inflation fluid into the air bag. An energizable initiator (28, 228, 328) actuates the inflator (20, 320) upon energization. The initiator (28, 228, 328) comprises a foil, bridge section (126) and a flyer section (142). The foil bridge section (126) heats and explodes, in response to energization of the initiator (28, 228, 328), to propel the flyer section (142) to actuate the inflator (20, 320).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.