Patent ID: 6189922
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A dual initiator inflator for providing inflation gas to an inflatable located in a vehicle, comprising:an inflator housing for storing a pressurized medium;a first gas generating assembly including a first propellant that generates products of combustion including a first propellant gas;a first initiator assembly for initiating ignition of said first propellant;a second gas generating assembly including a second propellant that generates products of combustion including a second propellant gas;a second initiator assembly for initiating ignition of said second propellant;an outlet assembly through which inflation gas, which includes at least one of the first propellant gas and the second propellant gas, passes into the inflatable in the vehicle; anda control system operatively associated with said first and second initiator assemblies for controlling activation thereof:wherein, when the vehicle is subject to a low impact event, said first initiator assembly is activated using said control system and the inflatable is inflated using inflation gas to a first pressure and, after a delay beginning with activation of said first initiator assembly, said second initiator assembly is activated using said control system, with substantially all of the propellant gas that passes to the inflatable being generated by said first propellant and substantially no propellant gas is received in the inflatable from said second propellant when said low impact event is detected and, when the vehicle is subject to a high impact event, said first initiator assembly and said second initiator assembly are activated substantially at the same time and the inflatable is inflated using inflation gas that includes both the first propellant gas and the second propellant gas to a second pressure, with said second pressure being greater than said first pressure.