Patent ID: 6237498
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An inflator, for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising a tubular inflator housing including opposite end faces at which it is closed off and having radial exit ports via which gas is able to exit said inflator, said inflator housing further having in its interior at least one combustion chamber packed with propellant, at least one ignition unit for igniting said propellant in said at least one combustion chamber and at least one filter located upstream of said exit ports, and further comprising at least one filter insert featuring an outer housing, said outer housing having a plurality of housing parts which at least partly surround said at least one filter disposed in said at least one filter insert, in a secured condition of said outer housing, said outer housing, together with its housing parts, being radially secured to said inflator housing without the provision of an axial stop, said outer housing having an outer geometry and said inflator housing having an inner geometry which permit total insertion of either of said outer housing and its housing parts in the axial direction into said inflator housing to different insertion depths when said outer housing is still in a non-secured condition.