1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a hybrid inflator used for an airbag system of an automobile.
2. Description of Related Art
A solid gas generating agent is used together with a pressurized gas as a gas generation source for a hybrid inflator, and the gas heat generated by combustion of the solid gas generating agent is used to compensate the drop in temperature caused by heat absorption induced by rapid expansion of the pressurized gas flowing out of the inflator.
On the other hand, when an inflator is installed at a vehicle, from the standpoint of saving space and eliminating design restrictions, it is preferred that the inflator be as small as possible, and the demand for size reduction is very strong. Please see JP-A No. 2003-226222, JP-A No. 11-286254, JP-A No. 2001-526148, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,602,361, 5,913,537.