Igniting unit, especially for an inflator, inflator, airbag module, vehicle safety system and method of manufacturing an igniting unit

Abstract

The invention relates to an igniting unit ( 10 ), especially for an inflator, comprising an electric igniter ( 11 ) including a first inner cap ( 12 ) which forms a space ( 14 ) for being filled with a booster propellant charge with a second outer cap ( 13 ). in accordance with the invention, the second cap ( 13 ) is an electrically non-conductive insulating cap.

1 . An igniting unit ( 10 ), especially for an inflator, Comprising:
 an electric igniter ( 11 ) including a first inner cap ( 12 ) which forms a space ( 14 ) for being filled with a booster propellant charge with a second outer cap ( 13 ), wherein   the second outer cap ( 13 ) is in the form of an electrically non-conductive insulating cap.   
     
     
         2 . The igniting unit according to the preamble of  claim 1 , wherein the second cap ( 13 ) is connected to the electric igniter ( 11 ) by plastic insert molding. 
     
     
         3 . The igniting unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the second cap ( 13 ) is made of plastic material at least in portions, or characterized in that the second cap ( 13 ) is made of metal at least in portions. 
     
     
         4 . The igniting unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the second cap ( 13 ) is connected to the electric igniter ( 11 ) by material connection, especially by laser or ultrasonic welding, or by positive and/or friction-type connection, especially by press-fitting or adhesive bonding. 
     
     
         5 . The igniting unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the space ( 14 ) is filled with 30 to 1500 mg, especially 200 to 1200 mg, especially 300 to 1000 mg, in particular 350 to 500 mg of booster propellant charge. 
     
     
         6 . An inflator comprising an igniting unit according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . An airbag module comprising an inflator according to  claim 6 . 
     
     
         8 . A vehicle safety system comprising an igniting unit according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing an igniting unit ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein by the steps of:
 filling the second cap ( 13 ) in the form of an outer cap with the booster propellant charge,   press-fitting the electric igniter ( 11 ) into the second cap ( 13 ) so that the first cap ( 12 ) and the second cap ( 13 ) form a space ( 14 ) which is filled with the booster propellant charge,   connecting the second cap ( 13 ) to the electric igniter ( 11 ) by plastic insert molding.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein a plastic base ( 24 ) connecting the second cap ( 13 ) to the electric igniter ( 11 ) is formed by the plastic insert molding process. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing an igniting unit ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein by the steps of:
 filling the second cap ( 13 ) in the form of an outer cap with the booster propellant charge,   press-fitting the electric igniter ( 11 ) into the second cap ( 13 ) so that the first cap ( 12 ) and the second cap ( 13 ) form a space ( 14 ) which is filled with the booster propellant charge,   connecting the second cap ( 13 ) to the electric igniter ( 11 ) by material connection, by laser or ultrasonic welding or by positive and/or friction-type connection by press-fitting and/or adhesive bonding.   
     
     
         12 . An airbag module comprising an igniting unit of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A vehicle safety system comprising an inflator according to  claim 6 . 
     
     
         14 . A vehicle safety system comprising an inflator according to  claim 7 . 
     
     
         15 . A vehicle safety system comprising an inflator according to  claim 12 .