Patent ID: 7175198
Filing Date: 2007-02-13
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An inflator, comprising: a cylindrical inflator housing having a first end that is closed and a second end defining an opening, and adapted to accommodate a pressurized gas therein, the cylindrical inflator housing extending in a longitudinal axial direction thereof; a diffuser portion attached to the second end of the cylindrical inflator housing, the diffuser portion including, a gas introducing chamber in communication with the cylindrical inflator housing through a first opening, an igniter accommodating chamber for accommodating an igniter and in communication with the gas introducing chamber through a second opening, the igniter accommodating chamber having a third opening, for inserting the igniter, at a portion opposing the second opening, and a gas discharging hole provided in a wall of the diffuser portion for discharging the pressurized gas, an imaginary center axis of the gas discharging hole being parallel to an imaginary center axis of the first opening, such that the pressurized gas is discharged in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axial direction of the cylindrical inflator housing; the diffuser portion defining therein a gas path extending from the first opening to the gas discharging hole; and only a single rupturable plate provided within the diffuser portion and blocking the gas path prior to activation of the inflator, wherein, the igniter accommodating chamber is freely in communication with an environment outside of the diffuser portion through the gas discharging hole prior to an activation of the inflator.