Initiator and gas generator

Abstract

An initiator and gas generator using the initiator. An initiator includes a conductive header, a reactant disposed on one side of the header, a cover member for covering the reactant, an electrode pin extending through the header to protrude from the other side of the header, and insulated from the header, a heating member provided between the one side of the header and the electrode pin so as to generate heat by the application of electricity, a cylindrical terminal protruding from the other side of the header coaxially with the electrode pin, and a connector-retaining portion provided at a leading end of the cylindrical terminal. The electrode pin and the cylindrical terminal are coaxial, the initiator can be mounted in an initiator housing in whatever direction it points, and the efficiency in mounting the initiator in the initiator housing is high. The size of the connector is also reduced.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An initiator comprising: 
 a conductive header;    a reactant disposed on one side of the header;    a cover member for covering the reactant;    an electrode pin extending through the header to protrude from the other side of the header, the electrode pin being insulated from the header;    a heating member provided between the one side of the header and the electrode pin so as to generate heat by the application of electricity; a cylindrical terminal protruding from the other side of the header coaxially with the electrode pin; and    a connector-retaining portion provided at a leading end of the cylindrical terminal.    
     
     
         2 . An initiator according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector-retaining portion is an outward flange provided at the leading end of the cylindrical terminal.  
     
     
         3 . An initiator according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating member is a bridge wire.  
     
     
         4 . An initiator comprising: 
 a conductive header;    a reactant disposed on one side of the header;    a cover member for covering the reactant;    an electrode pin extending through the header to protrude from the other side of the header, the electrode pin being insulated from the header;    a heating member provided between the one side of the header and the electrode pin so as to generate heat by the application of electricity; and;    a connector-retaining portion provided at a leading end of the electrode pin.    
     
     
         5 . An initiator according to  claim 4 , wherein the connector-retaining portion is shaped like a cone that decreases in diameter toward a leading end thereof.  
     
     
         6 . An initiator according to  claim 4 , wherein the heating member is a bridge wire.  
     
     
         7 . A gas generator comprising: 
 a gas-generating agent; and    an initiator;    wherein the initiator comprises a conductive header;    a reactant disposed on one side of the header;    a cover member for covering the reactant;    an electrode pin extending through the header to protrude from the other side of the header, the electrode pin being insulated from the header;    a heating member provided between the one side of the header and the electrode pin so as to generate heat by the application of electricity; a cylindrical terminal protruding from the other side of the header coaxially with the electrode pin; and    a connector-retaining portion provided at a leading end of the cylindrical terminal;    wherein the initiator causes the gas-generating agent to start a gas-generating reaction.    
     
     
         8 . An initiator comprising: 
 an electrode pin; and    a cylindrical terminal;    wherein the electrode pin and cylindrical terminal are coaxial; and;    wherein the initiator may be mounted in a housing in any direction.    
     
     
         9 . An initiator according to  claim 8  further comprising an outward flange at the leading end of the cylindrical terminal for retaining a connector.  
     
     
         10 . An initiator comprising only one electrode pin; thereby allowing the initiator to be easily attached to a connector.  
     
     
         11 . An initiator according to  claim 10 , wherein the pin includes a cone shaped connector-retaining portion that decreases toward a leading end of the pin.  
     
     
         12 . An initiator for an airbag gas generator comprising only a single electrical conducting pin configured to connect to a connector having only a single pin jack.