JP2001233167A - Coolant/filter means support member for air bag gas generator and air bag gas generator using it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coolant/filter means support member for an air bag gas generator capable of positioning a coolant/filter means, preventing the short path of the operating gas, and preventing the heat transfer to a buffer material between the coolant/filter means and a housing inner face and/or a diffuser shell. SOLUTION: This coolant/filter means support member for the air bag gas generator is a component used for the air bag gas generator, and it includes at least an annular section arranged to face one end face side in a tubular housing and a wall section abutting on the inner periphery of the coolant/filter means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas generator for an airbag for protecting an occupant from an impact, and more particularly, to cooling and / or cooling a working gas for inflating an airbag in a gas generator housing. The present invention relates to a component member used for supporting a cylindrical coolant / filter means for purifying and a gas generator for an airbag using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a vehicle collides at a high speed, an occupant is supported by an airbag (bag) which is rapidly inflated by gas. 2. Description of the Related Art An airbag system is mounted for the purpose of preventing a hard part inside a vehicle, such as glass, from being crushed and injured. Normally, this airbag device is composed of a sensor, a control unit, a pad module, and the like.The pad module is composed of a module case, an airbag, a gas generator, and the like, and is attached to, for example, a steering wheel. I have.

In the internal gas generator, when the ignition means is activated by an impact, the gas generation means burns to generate high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and the generated gas is supplied to an airbag (bag body) from a gas discharge port. The airbag is inflated by injecting the airbag into the airbag, thereby forming a cushion between the steering wheel and the occupant for absorbing shock. Normally, the working gas for inflating the airbag generated by the combustion of the gas generating means has a high temperature, and depending on the type of the gas generating means, the working gas may contain combustion by-products. Are known.

Therefore, in the conventional gas generator, the combustion products contained in the working gas are purified in the housing before being discharged from the housing.
In order to cool the working gas, a filter means and a coolant / filter means formed in a cylindrical shape are provided.

[0005] Further, since the cylindrical filter means or the like purifies and / or cools the working gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent before discharging the gas from the gas discharge port, the gas generating means includes: It is housed in a hollow part such as the cylindrical filter means. Therefore, the filter means and the coolant / filter means also have a function of defining a space for accommodating the gas generating means.

Therefore, conventionally, a gas generator that generates a working gas by burning a gas generating means,
In most of them, filter means and coolant / filter means having the above functions are used. It is desirable that the coolant / filter means does not move in forming the accommodating space for the gas generating means, and it is also desirable that the coolant / filter means does not move when the working gas passes therethrough. Are fixedly arranged by various methods.

However, in view of the role played by the coolant / filter means in the manufacture and operation of the gas generator, simply fixing it in the housing is still not sufficient, and furthermore the action of the coolant / filter means It is desirable if various problems caused by the above can be solved.

[0008]

That is, in consideration of the operational safety of the airbag system, it is desirable that all the working gas pass through the coolant / filter means.
Considering that this coolant / filter means is also used to form a space for filling the gas generating means in the production of the gas generator, the arrangement location is always fixed at a fixed place. Is desirable. Further, at the time of operation of the gas generator, the temperature of the housing becomes high depending on the kind of the gas generating agent and the like, and the airbag in contact with the housing may be damaged. It is desirable that the heat generated in the gas generator is not transmitted. Also, when fixing the coolant / filter means in the housing, it is desirable that the fixing be performed reliably.

However, as before, these effects cannot be expected simply by fixing the coolant / filter means in the housing.

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention relates to the conventional coolant /
It is an object of the present invention to provide a coolant / filter means support member for providing a gas generator for an airbag having a simpler structure while solving the problem caused by the filter means, and to provide a gas generator for an airbag using the same. Aim.

[0011]

The components used in the gas generator for an air bag according to the present invention are arranged in a housing constituting the gas generator so that the coolant / filter means can be arranged and / or. Positioning during operation of the gas generator and / or preventing a short path in which the working gas does not pass through the coolant / filter means, and / or heat generated by combustion of the gas generating means formed the gas outlet side A coolant / filter means support member for preventing conduction to the side housing end face and / or securely holding and fixing the coolant / filter means by elasticity.

That is, a gas generating means for generating a working gas for inflating an airbag in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port, and a cylindrical coolant for cooling and / or purifying the working gas in the housing. An annular portion disposed at least on one end surface side in a cylindrical housing, the annular portion being used for a gas generator for an airbag including and / or a filter means; And a wall portion contacting an inner peripheral surface of the filter means.

The wall constituting the coolant / filter means support member abuts on the inner peripheral surface of the end of the coolant / filter means when the coolant / filter means support member is disposed in the housing. It is designed to prevent a so-called short path in which the working gas is discharged without passing through the coolant / filter means when the generator is operated, or to position the coolant / filter means.

This wall portion can be formed, for example, by bending the annular portion in a circumferential shape in a U-shaped cross section. In addition, it can also be formed by connecting a cylindrical member vertically to the annular portion.

When the wall is formed by bending into a U-shaped cross section, the outside of the bent portion has a surface perpendicular to the annular portion, and the inside of the bent portion is the center of the annular portion. It is desirable to be formed as what inclines toward. Forming a vertical surface on the outside of the wall ensures that the vertical surface contacts the inner surface of the coolant / filter means. By forming the wall portion, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the position of the coolant / filter means is shifted due to vibration and the like and the gas generating means enters under the coolant / filter means in a process of assembling the gas generator. That is, when the diffuser shell in the form of a closed cylinder is turned upside down and the coolant / filter means support member is disposed, and the coolant / filter means is positioned by the coolant / filter means support member, the coolant / filter means is disposed. It is feared that the coolant / filter means is shaken by the vibration or the like at the time of manufacturing the gas generator, and enters the gas generating means filled in the hollow portion. However, with such a shape of the wall, the gas generating agent does not enter between the wall and the coolant / filter means, so that the gas generating means enters under the coolant / filter means. Can be avoided.

[0016] A bent portion which bends toward the coolant / filter means side is formed on the periphery of the annular portion which constitutes a part of the coolant / filter means support member and is disposed opposite to the end face of the housing. Is desirable. When the coolant / filter means support member is disposed in the housing, the bent portion is formed so as to contact the outer peripheral edge of the end of the coolant / filter means. Is coolant /
The so-called short path discharged without passing through the filter means can be prevented, and the coolant / filter means can be positioned. The bent part is coolant /
When the annular portion of the filter means support member is disposed in contact with the end face of the coolant / filter means, it is preferable that the filter means support member be formed so as to cover the outer peripheral face of the end of the coolant / filter means. The length of the portion extending along the outer peripheral surface of the coolant / filter means from the bent portion can be appropriately adjusted within a range that does not block the outer periphery of the coolant / filter means.

Further, by forming the distance between the bent portion and the wall to be the same as the radial thickness of the coolant / filter means disposed in the gas generator housing, the coolant / filter distance between the coolant and the filter can be increased. The filter means can be sandwiched, and the coolant / filter means can be reliably positioned and fixed.

When a central opening is formed at the center of the annular portion, the inner diameter of the central opening is adjusted so that the inner edge of the circular portion abuts on the end surface of the inner cylindrical member disposed in the gas generator housing. It is desirable to regulate. With such a configuration, the coolant / filter means support member is positioned by the inner cylinder member disposed in the housing, and the coolant / filter means can be positioned by the coolant / filter means support member.

The annular portion of the coolant / filter means support member is formed such that at least a portion abutting on the end face of the coolant / filter means has elasticity in its thickness direction when disposed in the housing. Is desirable. For example, the annular portion may be formed of an elastic member such as a resin, or may be bent and formed as a shape or structure capable of appropriately exhibiting elasticity. Thereby, even if the cylindrical coolant / filter means arranged in the housing does not expand and contract in the axial direction, the portion becomes a buffer when the coolant / filter means is arranged, and the coolant is used due to its elasticity. / The filter means can be sandwiched between the upper and lower inner surfaces of the housing.

The coolant / filter means support member, when disposed in the housing, has at least a portion abutting on the end face of the coolant / filter means.
Desirably, it is configured to prevent heat transfer from the coolant / filter means to the housing. For example, in the annular portion, at least a portion existing on the end face of the coolant / filter means is formed of a heat insulating member such as a resin, or is bent so that a heat insulating space can be secured between the coolant / filter means diffuser shell inner surface. Can be formed. Thereby, the heat of the coolant / filter means, which has been increased by cooling the working gas, is
The transmission to the housing can be prevented, and the situation of damaging the airbag can be further avoided.

As described above, the coolant / filter means support formed by the annular portion facing the end face of the housing, the bent portion formed on the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion, and / or the wall formed on the annular portion. Preferably, the member is formed as a single member. In this case, for example, stainless steel can be formed by press molding or the like. If the coolant / filter means support member is formed of a single member, a single member is formed and arranged in the manufacture of the gas generator for the airbag, thereby preventing a short path of the working gas, and preventing the coolant / filter means from the housing. Therefore, the effects of preventing heat conduction to the heat sink, buffering the coolant / filter means, and / or positioning and supporting the coolant / filter means can be obtained, and the manufacturing cost thereof can be greatly reduced.

When positioning the coolant / filter means at the wall thereof, the coolant / filter means support member has a length capable of supporting at least the end of the coolant / filter means. Need to be formed.

Further, a cylindrical wall portion abutting on an inner peripheral surface of an end portion of the cylindrical coolant / filter means is formed integrally with the annular portion, and the wall portion surrounds an inner peripheral surface of the end of the cylindrical coolant / filter means. With such a configuration, a so-called short path in which the working gas passes through the coolant / filter means can be prevented. In this case, the wall must surround the inner peripheral surface of the end of the filter means over the entire circumferential direction. The wall portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the coolant / filter means so that the working gas does not pass between the wall portion and the inner peripheral surface of the coolant and does not pass through the end face of the coolant / filter means. It is desirable that they are formed so as to be in contact with each other.

Further, the annular portion of the coolant / filter means supporting member is formed of a heat insulating material such as ceramics or ceramic fiber, or is formed in a shape and structure capable of forming a space for heat insulating. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the heat generated by the combustion of the gas generating means from being conducted to the housing end face on the side where the gas outlet is formed. Then, the annular portion is formed using a material capable of securing elasticity capable of expanding and contracting at least in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the coolant / filter means support member (that is, the thickness direction of the annular portion). By forming it into a shape and a structure that can secure elasticity that can expand and contract in the direction, as a cushioning material, the elasticity of the coolant / filter means can be securely held in the housing.
Can be fixed.

Therefore, in the coolant / filter means supporting member, at least an annular portion sized to cover the end face of the coolant / filter means, and an inner wall portion sized to cover the inner peripheral surface at the end of the coolant / filter means. If the coolant / filter means support member of the gas generator for an air bag integrally formed with
Positioning at the time of disposing the filter means can be performed, and a so-called short path in which the working gas passes through the coolant / filter means can be prevented. At this time, the wall portion is formed so as to cover the inner surface of the end of the coolant / filter means over the entire surface in the circumferential direction, and the peripheral wall surface is formed so as to abut on the inner surface of the end of the coolant / filter means. It is desirable to have been.

[0026] Of the coolant / filter means support member, at least the annular portion covering the end face of the coolant / filter means is formed of a heat insulating member or is formed in a shape capable of securing a space, so that the gas generating means is formed. Heat generated by the combustion can be prevented from being conducted to the housing end face on the side forming the gas outlet side,
If the annular portion is formed of a member having elasticity as appropriate, or is formed in a structure having elasticity so that it can be expanded and contracted in a direction perpendicular to the plane, the coolant / filter means is elastically used. Can be securely held and fixed.

The above-mentioned coolant / filter means support member is suitably used particularly in a pyrotechnic gas generator using a coolant / filter means, and is a gas generator for an air bag which exerts a suitable action in production and operation. Realize.

That is, an ignition means for operating a gas generator, a gas generation means for generating a working gas for inflating an airbag by operating the ignition means, and a gas generating means are provided in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port. What is claimed is: 1. A gas generator for an airbag, comprising a tubular coolant / filter means for purifying and / or cooling a working gas, wherein a working gas is provided near said tubular coolant / filter means. Blocking the passage between the filter means end face and the inner surface of the housing and / or positioning the coolant / filter means and / or preventing heat transfer from the coolant / filter means to the housing; And / or a coolant / filter formed of a single member which supports the coolant / filter means between the upper and lower inner surfaces of the housing by elasticity. It is a gas generator for an air bag, characterized in that terpolymers means supporting member is arranged.

Such a gas generator can be realized, for example, by disposing any one of the coolant / filter means support members in the vicinity of the cylindrical coolant / filter means disposed in the housing. In this case, the coolant / filter means support member is arranged such that its annular portion abuts against the end face of the coolant / filter means and the wall portion partially covers the inner peripheral surface of the coolant / filter means in the axial direction. Is desirable. The coolant / filter means is positioned and / or supported by the coolant / filter means support member, and the gas generator is configured so as not to be displaced by the combustion pressure of the gas generating means. desirable.

The housing forming the outer shell of the gas generator includes a diffuser shell having a closed cylindrical shape having a gas discharge port formed on a peripheral wall thereof and a closure shell having a closed cylindrical shape closing the diffuser shell. It can be formed by a combination. Both shells can be formed using various steel materials such as iron and stainless steel, and the openings can be joined to each other by various joining methods.

The coolant / filter means is a coolant / filter means comprising a metal wire mesh conventionally used for cooling the working gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating means, and a combustion product contained in the working gas. , And also has a function of cooling the working gas. Further, it is also possible to form a complicated gap structure using the laminated metal mesh body, use a coolant filter that cools the working gas, and collects the combustion residue in the working gas. However, if the coolant / filter means support member in the present invention is formed as having elasticity in its thickness direction, it can function as a cushioning member, so that a plain woven wire mesh or expanded metal can be used. Even if it is hard to expand and contract in the axial direction, such as a coolant / filter means formed using the same, it can be used.
These coolant / filter means are usually formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and are arranged outside the place where the gas generating means is accommodated. On the outer periphery of the coolant / filter means, an outer layer made of a laminated metal mesh, a porous cylinder, an annular belt or the like can be arranged and supported in order to suppress swelling due to combustion of the gas generating means.

In the gas generator of the present invention, as a gas generating means which is housed in a housing and burns to generate a working gas, it is based on an inorganic azide, for example, sodium azide (sodium azide) which has been widely used in the past. In addition to azide-based gas generating agents, non-azide-based gas generating agents that are not based on inorganic azides can be used, and these are not limited to a specific gas generating means.

The ignition means is operated in response to an operation signal or the like, and is used to ignite and burn the gas generating means. Only the electric ignition type igniter which operates in accordance with the operation signal is used. In addition to the above, if necessary, it can be used in combination with a transfer charge that ignites and burns by the operation of the igniter to generate a hot gas mist for burning the gas generating means.

The gas generator for an airbag is housed in a module case together with an airbag (bag) which introduces gas generated by the gas generator and expands, thereby forming an airbag device. In this airbag device, the gas generator operates in conjunction with the detection of the impact by the impact sensor, and discharges the working gas from the gas outlet of the housing. This working gas flows into the airbag, which breaks the module cover and bulges, forming a shock absorbing cushion between the rigid structure in the vehicle and the occupant.

[0035]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gas generator for an air bag according to the present invention;
A filter means support member and a gas generator for an airbag using the same will be described. Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows a coolant / filter means support member of a gas generator for an air bag according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective vertical sectional view in a use state showing the first embodiment.

The coolant / filter means support member (coolant means support member 50) shown in this figure is the inner surface of the gas generator housing at the side where the gas outlet 11 is formed, that is, the end of the diffuser shell 1 end. , A bent portion 54 formed on the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion, and a wall portion in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the end of the coolant / filter means (coolant 7) at the time of disposition. 52 are integrally formed using various steel materials such as stainless steel. The wall portion 52 is formed integrally with the annular portion 51 by bending the annular portion 51 into a size capable of covering the entire inner circumferential surface of the coolant 7 at a predetermined width in the circumferential direction. The distance between the bent portion 54 and the wall portion 52 is formed to the thickness of the coolant 7.

The wall portion 52 constituting a part of the coolant means support member 50 can function as a positioning when the coolant 7 is arranged by contacting the outer peripheral surface with the inner peripheral surface of the coolant 7. Further, a so-called short path in which the working gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent passes through the end face of the coolant 7 can be prevented. The bent portion 54 formed on the peripheral edge of the annular portion 51 also contacts the outer peripheral edge of the end of the coolant 7 to perform positioning when disposing the coolant 7 and to prevent a short path of the working gas.

The annular portion 51 which constitutes a part of the coolant means supporting member 50 and is arranged opposite to the end face on the side where the gas discharge port is formed (ie, the ceiling inner face of the diffuser shell 1) has The portion of the coolant 7 facing the end surface 28 is formed so as to be inclined downward toward the outside in the radial direction. Thereby, the coolant means supporting member 50 can exhibit elasticity such that it can expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the plane. Also, as shown in FIG.
Is formed, a space 53 is formed between the end surface 28 of the coolant 7 and the inner surface 29 of the housing upper part. This space portion 53 can function as a heat insulating space 53 that prevents the heat of the coolant 7 stored by the passage of the working gas from being transmitted to the end face of the diffuser shell 1 in which the gas outlet is formed. It should be noted that substantially the same effect can be expected even when the annular portion is formed using a member or the like that has appropriate elasticity and heat insulation without being inclined downward radially outward. it can. Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an airbag gas generator formed including the coolant means support member 50 (that is, the coolant / filter means support member) shown in Embodiment 1 above.

The gas generator shown in FIG. 1 has a housing 3 comprising a diffuser shell 1 and a closure shell 2.
The interior is defined by an inner cylinder member 13 as two chambers, an ignition means housing chamber 23 and a gas generating agent combustion chamber 22. The igniter 4 and the transfer charge 5 are accommodated in the ignition means accommodating chamber 23 as igniting means for igniting and burning the gas generating agent 6 by being actuated by an impact. Gas generating agent 6 that is ignited and burned to generate working gas
And a substantially disk-shaped under plate 18 for supporting the gas generating agent 6 and preventing its movement. The peripheral wall 10 of the diffuser shell 1 has a plurality of gas outlets 11.
Are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the gas outlet 11
Is closed by the seal tape 25. The inner shell member 13 of the closure shell 2 is arranged in the central hole 12 in a fitting manner. Diffuser shell 1 and closure shell 2
Is near the position on the axial center cross section of the housing 3,
The housings 3 are formed by overlapping the respective flange portions 15 and 16 and joining them by laser welding.

A coolant 7 (coolant / filter means) provided in the housing 1 for purifying and cooling gas generated by ignition and combustion of the gas generating agent 6 includes:
The gas generating agent 6 is disposed so as to surround the inner cylindrical member 13 to define an annular chamber, that is, a combustion chamber 22 for the gas generating agent.
The coolant 7 can be formed by laminating stainless steel flat knit wire meshes in the radial direction and compressing them in the radial and axial directions. The coolant 7 can be used even if it does not easily expand and contract in the axial direction. In particular, in the coolant 7 shown in FIG.
Is formed shorter in the axial direction by the amount of the coolant means supporting member 50 disposed at the center. A gap 9 is formed between the outer peripheral wall of the housing 3 and the coolant 7, and the gap 9 functions as a gas flow path.

The annular portion 51 of the coolant means support member 50 described in the first embodiment is interposed between the axial end of the coolant 7 and the upper inner surface 29 of the diffuser shell 1. The annular portion 51 opposed to the inner peripheral surface of the housing is formed so that the range in which the end face of the coolant 7 abuts is inclined downward toward the outside in the radial direction. A cylindrical wall portion 52 that covers the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion (that is, the diffuser shell side) is integrally formed. The annular portion 51 is sandwiched between the coolant 7 and the diffuser shell 1 to form a space 53 between the two. The space portion 53 functions as a heat insulating space for preventing heat conduction from the coolant to the diffuser shell. At the same time, the annular portion 51 can expand and contract in a direction orthogonal to the plane, and the elasticity allows the coolant 7 to be held between the upper and lower end surfaces of the housing. The annular portion may be disposed on the end face of the coolant 7 without being inclined, as in the gas generator for an air bag in another embodiment of FIG.

The coolant means support member 50 is
Since the wall 52 and the bent portion 54 are provided, the working gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent 6 does not pass through the end face of the coolant 7. Therefore, all the working gas passes through the coolant 7, and the working gas, which is appropriately cooled and from which the combustion products generated by the combustion are removed, is discharged from the gas discharge port.

In this embodiment, the wall portion 52 is formed by bending the annular portion 51 into a substantially "U" shape. More specifically, the outside of the wall portion 52 (ie, the side in contact with the coolant 7) has a surface perpendicular to the annular portion, and the inside of the bent portion (ie, the side of the inner cylinder member 13) is formed. It is formed so as to be inclined so as to narrow toward the center of the annular portion. By forming the wall portion 52, it is possible to prevent the gas generating agent 6 housed in the combustion chamber 22 from entering the end face of the coolant 7 when assembling the gas generator.

The annular portion 51 has an inner cylindrical member at the center thereof.
An opening (that is, a center opening 55) having a size to be in contact with the end face formed in the 13 flange shape is formed. Thereby, if the inner cylinder member 13 is fixed to the diffuser shell 1,
The coolant means support member 50 can be positioned and positioned by the central opening 55, and the coolant 7 can be positioned and fixed by the coolant means support member 50. Therefore, the gas generator can be easily and reliably assembled.

An inner periphery of the coolant 7 protects the coolant 7 from a flame caused by the combustion of the gas generating agent 6 and also prevents the direct contact between the gas generating agent 6 and the coolant 7 by a perforated cylindrical perforator. It is also possible to provide a rated basket (not shown).

In the housing 1, a substantially disk-shaped under plate 18 disposed inside the gas generating agent combustion chamber 22 defined outside the inner cylindrical member 13 has a circular portion contacting the gas generating agent 6. 19, and a central hole 20 into which the outer peripheral wall of the inner cylindrical member 13 is fitted. The circular portion 19 supports the gas generating agent 6 to prevent the gas generating agent 6 from moving. Has been eliminated. A caulking portion 21 is formed at the end of the inner cylinder member 13 on the side that houses the igniter 4, and the igniter 4 is fixed by the caulking portion 21. The peripheral wall of the inner cylinder member 13 has a plurality of fire holes 26 arranged at equal intervals, and the fire holes 26 are closed by a seal tape 27.

In the gas generator shown in this figure, the transfer charge 5 is ignited and burned by the igniter 4 operated by impact, and the flame is applied to the seal tape 27 for closing the transfer hole 26 of the inner cylinder member 13.
And flows into the combustion chamber 22. The gas generating agent 6 in the combustion chamber 22 is ignited by the flame of the transfer charge 5 and burns to generate working gas. The working gas is purified and cooled while passing through the coolant 7, passes through the gap 9, breaks the seal tape 25 that closes the gas outlet 11, and
Is discharged from

In this gas generator, the coolant 7 can be positioned by the wall portion 52 and the bent portion 54 of the coolant means support member 50 during manufacture, and the coolant 7 can be securely fixed by the elasticity of the annular portion 51. Can be.
In the operation, since the short path of the working gas is suppressed by the wall portion 52 and the bent portion 54 of the coolant means supporting member, all the working gas is purified and / or cooled by the coolant 7. Since the annular portion 51 of the coolant means support member 50 prevents the heat accumulated in the coolant 7 from conducting to the diffuser shell,
During operation of the gas generator, the possibility that the temperature of the diffuser shell 1 becomes high and damages the airbag or the like can be further reduced. Embodiment 3 FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the airbag apparatus of the present invention in the case of including a gas generator using an electric ignition type ignition means.

This airbag device is composed of a gas generator 200
, An impact sensor 201, a control unit 202, a module case 203, and an airbag 204. As the gas generator 200, the gas generator described with reference to FIG. 1 is used, and its operation performance is adjusted in the initial stage of the gas generator operation so as to minimize impact on the occupant. ing.

The impact sensor 201 can be composed of, for example, a semiconductor acceleration sensor. In this semiconductor type acceleration sensor, four semiconductor strain gauges are formed on a beam of a silicon substrate which is deflected when acceleration is applied,
These semiconductor strain gauges are bridge-connected.
When acceleration is applied, the beam deflects, causing strain on the surface. Due to this strain, the resistance of the semiconductor strain gauge changes, and the change in resistance is detected as a voltage signal proportional to the acceleration.

The control unit 202 has an ignition determination circuit, and a signal from the semiconductor acceleration sensor is input to the ignition determination circuit. When the shock signal from the sensor 201 exceeds a certain value, the control unit 202 starts the calculation, and when the calculation result exceeds a certain value, outputs an operation signal to the igniter 4 of the gas generator 200.

The module case 203 is made of, for example, polyurethane and includes a module cover 205. The module case 203 houses the airbag 204 and the gas generator 200 and is configured as a pad module. When the pad module is mounted on the driver's seat side of an automobile, the pad module is usually mounted on the steering wheel 207.

The airbag 204 is made of nylon (for example, nylon 66) or polyester, and its bag opening 206 surrounds the gas outlet of the gas generator, and is fixed to the gas generator flange in a folded state. Have been.

When an impact is detected by the semiconductor acceleration sensor 201 at the time of a collision of an automobile, a signal is sent to the control unit 202, and when the impact signal from the sensor exceeds a certain value, the control unit 202 starts calculation.
When the calculated result exceeds a certain value, an operation signal is output to the igniter 4 of the gas generator 200. Thereby, the igniter 4 operates to ignite the gas generating agent, and the gas generating agent burns to generate gas. This gas is blown into the airbag 204, whereby the airbag breaks the module cover 205 and bulges, forming a cushion between the steering wheel 207 and the occupant to absorb impact.

[0055]

According to the coolant / filter means support member of the gas generator for an air bag shown in the present invention, the short path of the working gas at the end face of the filter means is prevented while having a simpler structure. All the working gas can be purified and / or cooled by the coolant / filter means, and the airbag can discharge the cooled and clean working gas. Further, since the temperature rise of the housing caused by the operation of the gas generator can be reduced, particularly at the housing end surface on the side where the gas outlet is formed, damage to the airbag due to contact with the housing is prevented. It can be further blocked.

Further, when manufacturing the gas generator, the coolant / filter means supporting member is provided with a coolant / filter.
Since the filter means can be positioned, the space for filling the gas generating means formed inside the coolant / filter means can always be determined at a fixed location. Further, by forming the coolant / filter means support member as having elasticity at least in its thickness direction, the coolant / filter means support member also functions as a buffer means between the inner surface of the housing and the end face of the coolant / filter means. Can be securely fixed in the housing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective vertical sectional view showing one embodiment of a coolant / filter means support member according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an airbag gas generator formed using a coolant / filter means support member.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an airbag gas generator formed using a coolant / filter means support member of another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an airbag device of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1 diffuser shell 2 closure shell 3 housing 4 igniter 5 transfer agent 6 gas generating agent 7 coolant / filter 50 coolant / filter means support member 51 annular portion 52 wall portion 54 bent portion

Claims (16)

[Claims] In a cylindrical housing having a gas outlet,
Gas generation for an airbag including gas generation means for generating a working gas for inflating an airbag, and cylindrical coolant / filter means for cooling and / or purifying the working gas in a housing. A component member used for a vessel, comprising at least an annular portion opposed to at least one end surface side in a cylindrical housing, and a wall portion abutting on an inner peripheral surface of the coolant / filter means. A coolant for an airbag gas generator, wherein the coolant /
Filter means support member. 2. The coolant / filter means support member, when disposed in the housing, has its wall abutting against the inner peripheral surface of the end of the coolant / filter means, and operates when the gas generator is activated. The coolant / filter means support member according to claim 1, wherein a short path in which gas is discharged without passing through the coolant / filter means is prevented and / or the coolant / filter means is positioned. 3. The coolant / filter means supporting member according to claim 1, wherein a bent portion which bends toward the coolant / filter means side is formed on a peripheral edge of said annular portion. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the bend and the wall is formed to be the same as the radial thickness of the coolant / filter means disposed in the gas generator housing. Coolant / filter means support member. 5. The coolant / filter means support member, when disposed in the housing, has a bent portion abutting on an outer peripheral edge of an end of the coolant / filter means, so that the coolant / filter means support member is activated when the gas generator is activated. And the working gas is coolant /
5. The coolant according to claim 3, wherein a short path discharged without passing through the filter means is prevented and / or the coolant / filter means is positioned.
Filter means support member. 6. The wall portion extends circumferentially around the annular portion.
The coolant / filter means support member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support member is formed by bending the cross section into a "U" shape. 7. A wall formed by bending the annular portion into a U-shaped cross section, wherein the outside of the bent portion has a surface perpendicular to the annular portion, and the bent portion is formed. 7. The inside of the body is formed to be inclined toward the center of the annular portion.
A coolant / filter means support member as described. 8. The annular portion has a central opening at the center thereof, and an inner edge of the central opening is formed to have a size to abut against an end surface of an inner cylindrical member disposed in the gas generator housing. The coolant according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Filter means support member. 9. The coolant / filter means support member, wherein a portion which comes into contact with an end face of the coolant / filter means when disposed in the housing is formed as having elasticity in a thickness direction thereof. The coolant / filter means support member according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. The coolant / filter means supporting member is formed such that a portion abutting on an end face of the coolant / filter means when disposed in the housing prevents heat transfer from the coolant / filter means to the housing. The coolant / filter means support member according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the support member is provided. 11. The coolant / filter means support member according to claim 1, wherein said coolant / filter means support member is formed as a single member. 12. An ignition means for operating a gas generator in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port, a gas generation means for generating an operating gas for inflating an airbag by operating the ignition means, and What is claimed is: 1. A gas generator for an airbag, comprising a tubular coolant / filter means for purifying and / or cooling a working gas, wherein a working gas is provided near the tubular coolant / filter means. Blocking the passage between the filter means end face and the inner surface of the housing and / or positioning the coolant / filter means and / or preventing heat transfer from the coolant / filter means to the housing; And / or a coolant / filter formed of a single member that supports the coolant / filter means between the upper and lower inner surfaces of the housing by elasticity. -A gas generator for an airbag, wherein a means support member is disposed. 13. An ignition means for operating a gas generator, a gas generation means for generating an operating gas for inflating an airbag by operating the ignition means, and a gas generating means, which is provided in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port. 12. A gas generator for an airbag containing and containing a tubular coolant / filter means for purifying and / or cooling a working gas, wherein a gas generator for an airbag is provided near the tubular coolant / filter means. A gas generator for an airbag, wherein the coolant / filter means support member according to any one of the above is disposed. 14. The coolant / filter means support member has an annular portion in contact with an end face of the coolant / filter means, and a wall portion partially covers an inner peripheral surface of the coolant / filter means in the axial direction. The gas generator for an airbag according to claim 13. 15. The airbag according to claim 13, wherein said coolant / filter means is positioned and / or supported by said coolant / filter means support member, and does not shift its position due to the combustion pressure of said gas generating means. For gas generator. 16. A gas generator for an airbag, an impact sensor that senses an impact to activate the gas generator, an airbag that expands by introducing gas generated by the gas generator, and the airbag. And a module case for accommodating the
An airbag device, wherein the gas generator for an airbag is the gas generator for an airbag according to any one of claims 12 to 15.