Patent ID: 7594676
Filing Date: 2009-09-29
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An inflation device for inflating an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, the inflation device comprising: a first chamber having a first volume of inflation gas; a second chamber having a second volume of inflation gas; a first inflation opening for allowing the first volume of inflation gas to pass therethrough and a first sealing member, the first sealing member sealing the first inflation opening; a second inflation opening for allowing the second volume of inflation gas to pass therethrough and a mechanically activateable pyrotechnic squib sealing the second inflation opening; a diffuser tube in fluid communication with the first inflation opening, the second inflation opening and the inflatable cushion; an initiator for removing a portion of the first sealing member from the first inflation opening; a projectile moveably disposed within the diffuser tube, the projectile further comprising a tip portion configured to activate the pyrotechnic squib when the projectile is moved from a first position to a second position wherein the tip portion makes contact with the mechanically activateable pyrotechnic squib, wherein activation of the pyrotechnic squib allows fluid communication between the second chamber and the diffuser tube; and wherein the first volume of inflation gas flows from the first chamber at a first flow rate and the second volume of inflation gas flows from the second chamber at a second flow rate, the second flow rate being smaller than the first flow rate, and wherein the first flow rate generates a force to cause the projectile to move from the first position to the second position.