Initiator and gas generator

Abstract

An initiator includes a header substantially formed of at least one of ceramic and resin, a pair of electrode pins disposed through the header and having extremities facing a front end of the header, a bridge circuit line provided between the extremities of the electrode pins, a reaction agent configured to react upon being heated by the bridge circuit line, and a cup surrounding the reaction agent and a side surface of the header.

1 . An initiator comprising: 
 a header substantially formed of at least one of ceramic and resin;    a pair of electrode pins disposed through the header and having extremities facing a front end of the header;    a bridge circuit line provided between the extremities of the electrode pins;    a reaction agent configured to react upon being heated by the bridge circuit line; and    a cup surrounding the reaction agent and a side surface of the header.    
   
   
       2 . The initiator according to  claim 1 , wherein the cup is formed substantially of metal and is fixed to the header by caulking.  
   
   
       3 . The initiator according to  claim 2 , further comprising an insulating layer formed on an inner surface of the cup.  
   
   
       4 . The initiator according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the electrode pins is disposed sufficiently close to the cup to thereby create a discharge gap across which static electricity may be discharged.  
   
   
       5 . The initiator according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one of the electrode pins comprises a projection that protrudes from along a length of the electrode pin in a direction toward the cup so that the discharge gap is formed between the projection and the cup.  
   
   
       6 . The initiator according to  claim 2 , wherein part of the header is metalized to form a metalized portion, and one end of the metalized portion is in contact with the cup, and another end of the metalized portion extends to a position close to one of the electrode pins, so that static electricity may be discharged via a discharge gap between said another end and said one of the electrode pins.  
   
   
       7 . The initiator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pin-to-pin distance adjusting member secured to the extremity of at least one of the electrode pins so as to approach the other of the electrode pins, wherein the bridge circuit line is connected to the pin-to-pin distance adjusting member.  
   
   
       8 . The initiator according to  claim 1 , wherein the extremities of the electrode pins are bent toward each other.  
   
   
       9 . The initiator according to  claim 8 , wherein each of said electrode pins has an L shape.  
   
   
       10 . The initiator according to  claim 8 , wherein each of said electrode pins has a crank shape.  
   
   
       11 . A gas generator, comprising: 
 a gas generating agent; and an initiator coupled to and configured to ignite the gas generating agent, wherein the initiator includes a header substantially formed of at least one of ceramic and resin; a pair of electrode pins disposed through the header and having extremities facing a front end of the header; a bridge circuit line provided between the extremities of the electrode pins; a reaction agent configured to react upon being heated by the bridge circuit line; and a cup surrounding the reaction agent and a side surface of the header.    
   
   
       12 . An air bag device, comprising: 
 an air bag;    a gas generating agent configured to inflate the air bag upon ignition; and    an initiator coupled to and configured to ignite the gas generating agent;    wherein the initiator includes a header substantially formed of at least one of ceramic and resin; a pair of electrode pins disposed through the header and having extremities facing a front end of the header; a bridge circuit line provided between the extremities of the electrode pins; a reaction agent configured to react upon being heated by the bridge circuit line; and a cup surrounding the reaction agent and a side surface of the header.    
   
   
       13 . A seat belt device, comprising: 
 a seat belt;    a pretensioner connected to the seat belt;    a gas generating agent configured cause the pretensioner to tension the seat belt upon ignition; and an initiator coupled to and configured to ignite the gas generating agent;    wherein the initiator includes a header substantially formed of at least one of ceramic and resin; a pair of electrode pins disposed through the header and having extremities facing a front end of the header; a bridge circuit line provided between the extremities of the electrode pins; a reaction agent configured to react upon being heated by the bridge circuit line; and a cup surrounding the reaction agent and a side surface of the header.