JP2001354107A - Method for inflating vehicle occupant restraint implement - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for inflating a novel and improved inflating implement such as a vehicle occupant restraint implement. SOLUTION: This method for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint implement is a method including a step for storing first gas 78 in a first chamber 70, a step for storing second gas 80 composed of a combustible gas mixture in a second chamber 72, a step for releasing the first and second gases at different time and flowing the gases from the first and second chambers at different time, a step for igniting the combustible gas mixture after releasing the first gas from the first chamber and a step for sending the first gas and the ignited combustible gas mixture in the vehicle occupant restraint implement.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Related Applications This application is based on Jack L. Bl.
No. 07 / 761,685, filed by Umenthal and Nahum Gat, and entitled "Expanding Vehicle Occupant Restraints." It has the benefit of the earlier filing date of the aforementioned application Ser. No. 07 / 761,685 and is claimed by this document.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for inflating a new and improved inflator, such as a vehicle occupant restraint.

[0003] Known structures of a vehicle occupant restraint background expansion of invention is disclosed in US Patent No. 3,806,153, in Nos 3,868,124 No. and 3,895,821. In each of the structures disclosed in these patents, air, or other gas, and gas-producing solid material are stored in a container. When a rapid deceleration of the vehicle indicative of the collision occurs, the gas in the container is released, inflating the vehicle occupant restraint that restrains the vehicle occupant during the collision. Further, when there is a rapid deceleration of the vehicle indicating a collision, the gaseous substance is ignited. As the gas-producing substance burns, it heats and mixes with the stored gas, forming a hot gas or vapor, and the heated mixture of gas flows into the vehicle occupant restraint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method for inflating an inflating inflator, such as an occupant restraint. A method for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of storing a first gas in a first chamber, and placing a second gas comprising a combustible gas mixture in the second chamber. Storing; releasing said first and second gases at different times and flowing out of said first and second chambers at said different times; Igniting the combustible gas mixture after being released from
Delivering the first gas and the ignited combustible gas mixture into the vehicle occupant restraint.

[0005] Preferably, the gas mixture comprises an inert gas, a combustible gas and an oxidant gas. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen or argon or a mixture of nitrogen and argon. The fuel gas is preferably hydrogen or methane or a mixture of hydrogen and methane, but may be some other flammable gas. The oxidant gas is preferably oxygen. The inert gas can be removed and, instead, a mixture of fuel-poor combustible gases can be used. A small amount of an inert tracer gas, such as helium, can also be added to aid in gas leak investigation of the device.

[0006] The means of inclusion can take a variety of different forms. In one aspect of the invention, the containing means is a single container for containing an inert gas, a fuel gas, and an oxidant gas as a gas mixture. Alternatively, a single container may contain a mixture of highly fuel-poor flammable gases.

In another embodiment, the primary container contains a fuel gas, the secondary container contains an oxidant gas, and the means for containing receives the fuel gas and the oxidant gas and forms a mixture of gases therein. Defining a combustion chamber to be ignited. In this embodiment, the amount of oxidant gas used exceeds the stoichiometric amount to support combustion of the fuel gas.

In accordance with the present invention, the rate of inflation of the inflator can be controlled by providing the desired volume of the inflator at a given time after ignition of the fuel gas. The rate of inflation of the inflator and the pressure in the inflator are determined by the amount of fuel gas and oxidant gas to obtain the desired combustion rate that continues to determine the predetermined volumetric flow rate of the warm gas into the inflator. Can be controlled by selecting Alternatively or additionally, the rate of expansion may be controlled by a flow control orifice or the like through which gas flows into the inflator. Another technique for controlling the time required for expansion is to vary the number of locations in the containment means where the fuel gas is ignited.

[0009] The improved ignition means provides for igniting a mixture of gases. The igniting means can be used to transfer energy through a portion of the perforated wall of the containing means. Energy transmitted through the unperforated wall portion of the containing means results in ignition of the ignited material in the containing means. In particular, the ignition charge located near the outside of the non-perforated wall portion of the containing means is ignited to cause ignition of the ignition charge located near the inside of the non-perforated wall portion of the containing means. It's easy to do. According to another feature of the igniting means, an extended central portion in the frangible sheath is located in the containing means. The elongated central portion is ignited as a result of the pods being crushed and the glowing reaction product blowing into the containing means.

[0010]

EXAMPLE 1 The present invention can be embodied by many different structures. As a representative, FIG. 1 illustrates the present invention embodied in an occupant safety device 10. The occupant safety device 10 includes an inflatable occupant restraint device 12.
And a device for inflating the occupant restraint.

When the vehicle suddenly decelerates, indicating a vehicle collision,
Before the occupant moves toward a certain part (the steering wheel, the instrument panel, and the like) of the vehicle when the vehicle collides and collides with the part vigorously, the occupant restraining device 12 inflates, and the occupant in the vehicle and Located between its parts. The inflated occupant restraint system 12 absorbs the kinetic energy of the occupant's movement and arrests the occupant's movement so that the occupant does not bump into parts of the vehicle. Such an occupant restraint device can be inflated with various gases. Regardless of the gas used for the occupant restraint 12, the occupant restraint is commonly referred to as an air bag.

The occupant restraint system 12 inflates the gas by flowing gas from the container 14. The container 14 has a gas chamber 16 for containing a gas mixture 18. The gas mixture 18 preferably includes a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas that burns the fuel gas, and an inert gas. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen, argon or a mixture of nitrogen and argon. The oxidizing gas is preferably oxygen. The fuel gas is preferably hydrogen, but may also be methane or a mixture of hydrogen and methane.

Alternatively, the gas mixture in the container 14 is
A mixture of oxidizing gas and fuel gas, wherein the fuel gas is very thin and the amount of oxidizing gas is in excess of that required to burn the fuel gas.

The gas mixture 18 in the container 14 is readily combusted by ignition, but otherwise not explosive.
The gas mixture 18 can have various compositions.
The fuel gas of the gas mixture 18 is 2 to 16 mol%. The oxidizing gas is 7-98 mol% of the gas mixture 18. The balance is an inert gas, which is 0 to 91 mol% of the gas mixture 18.
It is. Preferably, the gas mixture 18 comprises 10-14 hydrogen.
Mol%, oxygen 15-25 mol% and inert gas 61-7
Contains 5 mol%.

The gas mixture 18 in the container 14 is typically
It is under pressure. Pressure inflates the occupant
Capacity of the restraint device 12, the time required to inflate,
Expansion pressure, volume of gas mixture 18 container, and gas mixing
It depends on the proportion of each gas in the compound. Usually a container
The gas mixture 18 in 14 is about 344.70 × 10 ^Four
Or about 3447.0 × 10^FourPascal (500-5,
000 psi). Preferably the gas in the container 14
Mixture 18 is about 689.40 × 10^FourTo about 206
8.20 × 10^FourPascal (1,000-3,000p
si). However, the present invention
Such gas mixtures can also be used.

In one embodiment of the present invention, gas mixture 18 comprises dry air and hydrogen. The mixture of dry air and hydrogen ranges from 86 mole% air and 14 mole% hydrogen to 92 mole% air and 8 mole% hydrogen. However, here, 90 mol% of air and 10 mol% of hydrogen
A range of 7 mol% and 13 mol% of hydrogen is preferred.

When the vehicle suddenly decelerates, a deceleration sensor 22 (of any suitable construction known in the art) activates an igniter 24 in the gas chamber 16 and the gas mixture 1
The fuel gas in 8 ignites. The fuel gas burns because of the presence of the oxidizing gas. As the fuel gas burns,
The pressure of the gas chamber 16 rises because the gas is warmed by the heat generated by the combustion of the fuel gas and additional gas and steam are generated by the combustion of the fuel gas. After a predetermined time, or when the pressure in the gas chamber 16 reaches a predetermined value, the end wall 28 of the container 14 ruptures and warm gas flows through the flow control port to the occupant restraint 12. .
As the gas flows into the occupant restraint device 12, the occupant restraint device 12 is inflated by the gas and is in place to restrain the occupant.

If the amount of hydrogen is less than about 8 mole percent, it will be difficult to ignite the hydrogen. The amount of hydrogen is 1
If it is greater than 4 mole percent, unacceptable pressure and / or temperature in the occupant restraint 12 will result. Preferably, the gas mixture 18 includes an amount of fuel gas sufficient to be consumed by combustion in the vessel 14. Accordingly, the occupant restraint system 12 may be activated by inert gas, combustion products and remaining oxidizing gas when inert gas is used, or by residual gas when inert gas is not used. Is almost monopolized by the oxidizing gas and the combustion products.

As the gas flows from the container 14 into the occupant restraint 12, the gas expands and cools. Furthermore, as the occupant restraint inflates, air from around the safety device 10 is drawn into the occupant restraint 12. This aspirated air also cools the gas in the occupant restraint 12.

The fuel gas in the gas mixture 18 burns to generate heat, which increases the pressure of the gas in the gas chamber 16 and causes the vessel 14 to inflate the occupant restraint 12 to the desired pressure. The total volume of gas that must be stored in the can be minimized.

Further, when the fuel gas is burned, a gaseous substance, that is, water vapor is generated instead of a solid substance, so that a particulate filter or the like is not required.

The container 14 in the safety device 10 is shown in detail in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the container 14 has a cylindrical tank 30. Tank 30 defines a chamber 16 containing a mixture 18 of gases. The tank 30 must be made of a material that is impermeable to the gas contained in the container. Thus, the tank 30 can be made of a suitable material, such as steel or aluminum,
It may have a glass lining. A cylindrical gas flow diffuser 32 encloses the tank 30. The diffuser 32 has a number of gas flow openings 35.

An igniter housing 34 extends through an opening in one end of the tank 30 and
I support. The igniter 24 may be of any of a number of known types of igniters. Thus, the igniter may be a spark plug, a flash valve igniter (eg, as shown in US Pat. No. 3,695,179), or a pyrotechnic igniter. The particular igniter 24 shown in FIG. 4 is a known squib that includes a pyrotechnic material, preferably zirconium potassium perchlorate. A single ignition device as shown in FIG. 4 or a plurality of ignition devices can be used.
The proportion of the fuel gas in the gas mixture 18 can be varied to facilitate ignition of the fuel gas by one or more igniters.

The cylindrical manifold 40 is connected to the ignition device 2.
4 extends through an opening at the end of the tank 30 on the opposite side and similarly extends through an adjacent opening in the diffuser 32. The circular end wall 42 of the manifold 40 located inside the tank 30 has a centrally located control orifice 44. The cylindrical side wall 46 of the manifold 40 has a circumferentially arranged gas flow opening 48 disposed between the tank 30 and the diffuser 32. The end wall 28 shown schematically in FIG. 1 is a rupturable plate supported within the manifold 40 between the control orifice 44 and the gas flow opening 48.

When the fuel gas in the gas mixture 18 in the chamber 16 is ignited by the igniter 24, the combustion of the fuel gas produces heat and gaseous combustion products, which are
The pressure in 6 is increased. When the increased pressure in the tank 30 reaches a predetermined level, the end wall 28 bursts. Next, the pressurized gas is passed through the manifold 40 to the chamber 1.
6 to the gas flow opening 35 of the diffuser 32,
Vehicle occupant restraint (occup) through gas flow opening 35
ant restraint).

FIG. 5 shows the pressure in the chamber 16 and the vehicle occupant restraint 12 during operation of the vehicle occupant safety device 10.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the gas volume and the volume of the gas. The pressure in the chamber 16 is indicated by the curve P in FIG. The scale for curve P is shown on the left side of FIG. The volume of gas in the vehicle occupant restraint system 12 is shown by curve V in FIG. The scale for curve V is shown in FIG.
To the right. At time T _0, the fuel gas in the mixture 18 of gas in the chamber 16 is ignited, the pressure in chamber 16 begins to rise above the storage pressure P _S as a result of combustion. At time T ₁ , the end wall 28 ruptures and pressurized gas begins to flow through the vehicle occupant restraint 12.
Next, as indicated by curve V, the volume of gas in vehicle occupant restraint 12 begins to rise. The combustion process continues to generate heat, which causes the gas mixture to expand at a faster rate than the gas flow flowing through the orifice 44 into the vehicle occupant restraint system 12, thereby causing the chamber 16 to expand.
The internal pressure remains initially constant or continues to rise after the end wall is opened. As combustion approaches completion, the pressure in chamber 16 decreases as the pressurized gas moves from chamber 16 into vehicle occupant restraint 12. As the pressure in the chamber 16 decreases, the volume of gas in the vehicle occupant restraint system 12 increases with the vehicle occupant restraint system 1.
2 rises until fully inflated for the purpose of restraining the vehicle occupant.

FIG. 5 merely illustrates an example of the operation of the vehicle occupant restraint inflation device of the present invention. The curve in FIG. 5 can be varied in a number of ways to alter the volume versus time curve to adjust the inflation of the vehicle occupant restraint for a particular application for a particular vehicle. For example, by increasing the fuel gas content of the gas mixture 18 and / or by increasing the oxidant gas content, the time to fully inflate the vehicle occupant restraint 12 is reduced. be able to. Further, the number of locations where the fuel gas in the gas mixture 18 can be ignited and / or the area of the control orifice 44 can be increased. In addition, these changes can be combined to reduce the time to inflate the vehicle occupant restraint system 12. Conversely, the time to fully inflate the vehicle occupant restraint 12 can be increased, for example, by reducing the fuel gas content and / or the oxidant gas content in the gas mixture 18.

Embodiment I described above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention, which is another method of practicing the present invention, will be described.

(Embodiment 2) The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2 is generally the same as that shown in FIG. 1, so the same reference numerals are used to represent the same members. It should be noted that the subscript a is used together with reference numerals to represent the members shown in FIG. 2 in order to avoid confusion.

The passenger safety device 10a (FIG. 2) includes an inflatable occupant restraint 12a. The restraint expands due to the gas flow from the container 14a. Container 1
4a has a chamber 16a. A gas mixture 18a is held in the chamber. Gas mixture 1
Like 8, the gas mixture 18a includes a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas for supporting combustion of the fuel gas, and an inert gas. In another embodiment, the gas mixture 18a may be a combustible gas mixture containing a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, and having a very small amount of fuel. Also, the gas mixture 18a
May be under pressure.

When the deceleration of the passenger car occurs quickly, the deceleration sensor 22a activates the opening device 60 and the container 14a
Is mechanically pierced in the end wall 28a. Opener 60 comprises a piston. The piston moves against the end wall 28a due to the explosive charge. Preferably, at the same time, the deceleration sensor 22a activates the igniter 24a,
The fuel in the gas mixture 18a is ignited. Thus, in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.
The container 14a is opened, and at the same time, the fuel in the gas mixture 18a is ignited by the igniter 24a. In another aspect, the gas mixture 18a is provided on the end wall 2
It may be ignited shortly after the hole is made in 8a. This is to pump a slightly "soft" or slow initial gas flow into the occupant restraint 12a. In addition, the gas mixture 18a may be ignited before the end wall 28a is pierced. When the fuel gas burns, the gas in the chamber 16a is heated. The heated gas flows from the chamber 16a through the opening in the end wall 28a and into the occupant restraint 12a. As a result, the occupant restraint 12a expands.

The gas mixture 18a can be of many different compositions. The preferred composition of the gas mixture 18a is similar to the gas 18 described above. According to one specific embodiment, gas mixture 18a includes dry air. Almost 11 mol% of hydrogen gas is added to the dry air as a fuel gas. Before the opening of the end wall 28a of the container 16a by the opening device 60 and the gas mixture 18
Before being ignited by the hydrogen gas in a, the pressure of the gas mixture 18a held in the container 14a is approximately 2,
000 psi. The storage pressure of the gas mixture 18a is preferably the same as that of the mixed gas 18 described above.

(Example 3) A third embodiment of the present invention relates to
This is shown in FIG. Since the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 is generally the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the same reference numerals will be used to represent the same members. Note that the subscript b is used together with a reference numeral to represent the member shown in FIG. 3 in order to avoid confusion.

The passenger car safety device 10b (FIG. 3) includes a passenger restraint 12b. The restraint is inflated by the gas flow from the container 14b and restrains the movement of the occupant.
Container 14b includes a first chamber, upper compartment 70, and a second chamber, lower compartment 72.
including. The upper compartment 70 has an end wall 28b. The upper and lower compartments 70 and 72
They are separated from each other by an intermediate wall 74. The upper compartment 70 contains an inflatable gas, ie, a pressurized gas 78. The pressurized gas is not flammable. The lower compartment contains a flammable gas, ie, a pressurized gas mixture 80. Gas mixture 80 preferably includes a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas to support combustion of the fuel gas in the gas mixture, and an inert gas. In another aspect, gas mixture 80 may comprise an oxidizing gas and a fuel gas. In this case, the gas mixture 80 is a gas mixture with very little fuel.

When the passenger car suddenly decelerates, the deceleration sensor 2
2b actuates the opener 60b and the container end wall 28
Mechanically pierce b. Since the gas 78 in the upper compartment 70 is under pressure, the container end wall 28
When b is pierced, gas 78 flows from upper compartment 70 into occupant restraint 12b.

As the gas 78 flows from the upper compartment 70 into the occupant restraint 12b, the pressure in the upper compartment 70 decreases. Thus, the pressure difference between the gas mixture 80 in the lower compartment 72 and the gas 78 in the upper compartment 70 increases. The pressure difference between the gas in the upper and lower compartments 70 and 72 is
When a predetermined pressure differential is reached, the intermediate wall 74 ruptures and the lower compartment 72 and the upper compartment 70 are connected by a fluid path. As a result, the lower compartment 72 is connected to the occupant restraint 12b via the upper compartment by a fluid path.

The sensor 86 detects whether the intermediate wall 74 has ruptured due to the pressure difference. In another aspect, the sensor 86 detects whether the intermediate wall 74 has deviated from a certain preset position. A sensor 86 detects whether the intermediate wall 74 has ruptured or is offset from a preset position.
Is detected, the sensor 86 activates the igniter 88,
The fuel gas in the gas mixture 80 is ignited. As the fuel gas in the gas mixture 80 is ignited and burns, the gas in the lower compartment 72 is heated. As the gas in the lower compartment 72 is heated, the pressure in the lower compartment 72 increases. Therefore, the intermediate wall 74
The gas velocity flowing through the end wall 28b and reaching the occupant restraint 12b is increased, and the gas volume effective for inflating the occupant restraint 12b is also increased.

The upper compartment 70 has a pressure of about 1
378.8 × 10 ⁴ Pascals (2,000 psi) of dry air may be charged. The gas mixture in the lower compartment 72 can have different compositions and have different pressures. The lower compartment 72 may be filled with a gas mixture at a pressure of about 1378.8 × 10 ⁴ Pascal (2,000 psi). The gas mixture 80 in the lower compartment 72 may consist of 85-90 mol% dry air and 10-15 mol% hydrogen gas. The upper compartment 70 is filled with nitrogen gas, and the lower compartment may be filled with a mixture containing nitrogen gas, hydrogen gas and oxidizing gas. The gas mixture in the lower compartment 72 may have any composition and / or storage pressure with respect to the gas mixture 18 described in the embodiment shown in FIG.

Upper and lower compartments 70 and 7
When the pressure difference between the two reaches a predetermined value, the intermediate wall 7
Preferably, the upper compartment 70 and the lower compartment 7 of the container 14b are ruptured and the lower compartment 72 and the upper compartment and the occupant restraint 12b are connected by a fluid path.
The two can be connected by different ways of the fluid path. For example, an opener similar to the opener 60b may be used to
4 can be mechanically pierced. The operation of activating the opening device to make a hole in the intermediate wall 74, and simultaneously activating the igniter to ignite the fuel gas in the gas mixture is performed after the deceleration sensor 22b detects a sudden deceleration of the passenger car. This is performed when a predetermined time interval elapses.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Shown in In this embodiment, hydrogen is stored with the container 100 under pressure, and oxygen is stored with the container 101 under pressure. The container 100 contains a container 10.
An outlet 102 is provided in communication with a combustion chamber 104 bounded by 6. Similarly, container 10
1 also has an outlet 108 in communication with the combustion chamber 104.

The outlet 102 has a flow control orifice 110
And a rupture disc 112 is also provided. When the rupture disk 112 is opened, the combustion chamber 1 of the storage means 106 is opened.
Hydrogen flows into 04. The flow of hydrogen is partially controlled near the area of the flow control orifice 110. Exit 108
Has a flow control orifice 114 and a rupture disc 116
Is provided. When the rupture disk 116 opens, oxygen flows into the combustion chamber 104 of the containment means 106.
The flow of oxygen is partially controlled near the area of the flow control orifice 114. Therefore, the rupture disks 112, 11
When 6 is opened, the gas, i.e. hydrogen and oxygen, is contained in the containing means 106 and a combustible mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is formed.

A suitable firing device 130 is associated with the receiving means 106. When the ignition device 130 is activated, the mixture of gases in the combustion chamber 104 of the containment means 106 ignites, increasing the pressure in the combustion chamber 104 and warming the gas. The gas is directed from the combustion chamber 104 via the flow control orifice 131 and the outlet conduit 132 to the inflatable occupant restraint 134. Flow control orifice 13
1 partially controls the flow rate of gas toward the inflatable occupant restraint 134 and the pressure within the combustion chamber 104.
The inflatable vehicle occupant restraint 134 may be as described in the first embodiment.

A suitable opening device 140 is provided for the rupture disc 11
Combined with 2. When the release device 140 is activated, the rupture disk 112 opens. Similarly, a suitable opening device 142
Are connected to the rupture disk 116. Release device 142
Is activated, the rupture disk 116 opens.

The release devices 140, 142 operate with vehicle deceleration sensors that sense a sudden deceleration of the vehicle as a sign of a collision. As a result, hydrogen and oxygen are
, Where they are mixed together. The vehicle deceleration sensor activates the igniter 130 in the same manner, and subsequently ignites the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen in the combustion chamber 104. Ignition of the gas mixture in the combustion chamber 104 warms the gas and increases the pressure in the combustion chamber 104. Thereafter, the gas flows into the vehicle occupant restraint 134.

The amounts of hydrogen and oxygen stored in the containers 100 and 101 can be changed. Preferably, the amount of hydrogen in the combustion chamber 104 is about 10 mol% of the total amount of hydrogen and oxygen in the combustion chamber 104. On the other hand, the amount of oxygen in the combustion chamber 104 is preferably about 90% of the total amount of hydrogen and oxygen in the combustion chamber 104. In this case, an amount of oxygen exceeding the amount required to promote the combustion of hydrogen will be supplied. Accordingly, the vehicle restraint expands with the products of the combustion of the mixture of gases in the combustion chamber 104 and oxygen. The products of combustion include water vapor.

(Embodiment 5) A fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. The components of this embodiment of the present invention are generally similar to the components of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in Embodiments 1-4, and the same reference numerals are used to designate similar components. are doing. The subscript c is appended to the numbers in FIGS. 7 to 9 to avoid mixing.

The vehicle safety device 10c (FIG. 7) includes a vehicle occupant restraint (not shown) that has been inflated by the flow of gas from the container 14c. Container 14
c contains a chamber 16 holding a gas mixture 18c.
c is provided. The gas mixture 18c preferably includes a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas that promotes combustion of the fuel gas, and an inert gas. Alternatively, container 14c
The mixture of gases 18c may include oxidizing gas and combustion gas in amounts that result in a mixture having very low flammable components. That is, the amount of the oxidizing gas may exceed the amount required to promote the combustion of the fuel gas.

When the gas mixture 18c ignites, the container 1
Burns in 4c but is not explosive unless ignited.
Normal pressure is applied to the gas mixture 18c in the container 14c. The gas mixture 18c is of the same composition as the gas mixture 18 detailed in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS.

When the vehicle suddenly decelerates, any type of deceleration sensor of known and appropriate construction (not shown here) transmits a signal to conductors 150 and 152 to activate igniter 24c. . The igniter 24c operates to ignite the fuel gas within the gas mixture 18c. The combustion of the fuel gas in the mixture 18c is promoted by the oxidizing gas. As the fuel gas burns, the pressure in chamber 16c increases. This increase in pressure is due to the heat supplied by the ignition device 24c and the combustion of the fuel gas.

When the pressure in the chamber 16c reaches a predetermined pressure or after a predetermined time, the rupture disk (not shown here) in the rupture disk assembly 156 ruptures and one or two The warm gas flows into the vehicle occupant restraint through the above flow control orifice. As the gas flows into the vehicle occupant restraint, the gas inflates the vehicle occupant restraint to a predetermined location for restraining the vehicle occupant.

According to a feature of this embodiment of the present invention, the igniter 24c is actuated to transmit energy through the non-porous wall 160 (FIG. 8) of the container 14c and to transfer the gas within the container 14c. Ignition of the mixture 18c can cause combustion. The igniter 24c is located adjacent to the non-porous outer wall surface 166 of the wall 160. Outer loading material 164
Are enclosed in a cylindrical metal housing 170. The metal housing 170 is welded to the solid outer portion 166 of the wall 160. Outer loading material 164
Are fitted with the non-porous outer portion 166 of the wall portion 160.

The inner ignitable charge 174 is applied to the wall 1
It is arranged in a fitted state with the non-perforated inner portion 176 of 60. The inner charge 174 is a cylindrical metal housing 17.
It is wrapped in eight. Such a metal housing 178 is welded to the solid inner portion 176 of the wall 160. The cylindrical sealing disk 186 prevents exposure of the inner charge to the mixture of gases in the chamber 18c.

In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the outer ignitable charge 164 is RDX (Royal Da
Nish Explosive). However, if desired, HMX (Her Maest
It was also possible to use y's Explosive). Outer loading material 164 and inner loading material 17
4 both have a diameter of about 0.254 cm (about 0.4 inch).
100 inch).

Specific Illustrative Embodiments of the Invention
The inner charge 174 is contained in two compartments.
I will. Cylindrical outer compartment 180 and cylinder
It is a partition 182 on the inner side of the shape. Outer compartment 180
Is made of pentaerythritol tetranitrate.
The inner compartment 182 is made of boron potassium nitrate (BKN).
O _Three). In this particular embodiment of the invention
, The cylinder 14c vacuum 304 stainless steel
It was formed by re-dissolving with Outer loading material 1
Cylinder wall 1 between 64 and inner charge 174
The thickness of the 60 is about 0.085 inches
It is.

The igniter 24c is connected to the extended ignition line 19
2 inclusive. The ignition line 192 has an end 194 and is located adjacent to the internal charge 174 and the sealing disk 186. 8, the end 19 of the ignition line 192
4 is telescopically mounted on the housing 178 and the end of the ignition line 192 is connected adjacent to the sealing disk 196 and is located adjacent to and near the internal charge 174. The longitudinal central axis of the ignition line 192 is
The container 14c is arranged so as to coincide with the central axis in the longitudinal direction. The ignition line 192 extends from the housing 178 through the center of the container 14c to the right end of the container in FIG. The ignition line 192 has an end, indicated at 196 in FIG. 7, which is located adjacent to the burst disk assembly 156.

Although the end 196 of the ignition line 192 is shown as unsupported in FIG. 7, a support may be provided inside the burst disk assembly or on the side wall of the container 14c. Further, if desired, the ignition line 192 can be offset to one of the central axes of the container 14c.

The ignition line 192 shown in FIG. 8 has a cylindrical sheath 202. The sheath 202 is a woven fabric of a brittle material such as plastic, ceramic or composite.
An elongated core 204 is disposed inside the sheath 202.
The core 204 is a non-explosive, ignitable material, and is formed of a material having a high heat of combustion.

The core 204 is composed of three cylindrical strands 2
06, 208 and 210 (FIG. 9) and sheath 2
02, which is confined by a non-open cylindrical lateral wall. Strands 206, 208 and 210 include a longitudinally extending support member 214, which is coated with a mixture of non-explosive, ignitable powdered fuel, oxidant and a suitable binder. The support member 214 is a woven material such as glass fiber, metal or polymer material.

The area delimited by the sheath 202 is larger than the sectional area of the core 204. Therefore, the core strand 20
6, 208, 210 and the space between the sheath 202 and between the core strand itself. Strand 206, 20
8, 210 powder adhesive ignition layer 22 made of the same material
2 are located inside the sheath 202.

The ignition line 192 is connected to Explosive Technolog.
Commercially available from y (Fairfield California)
Known as TLX. Three strands 206,
An ignition line 192 having a core 204 and a cylindrical sheath 202 formed by 208 and 210 has been previously disclosed and is contemplated to allow the ignition line 192 to take a variety of different configurations. For example, it is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,087 issued Sep. 7, 1980 under the name "Linear Ignition Fuse".

When the vehicle is suddenly decelerated, a deceleration sensor (not shown) transmits a signal via lines 150, 152 to ignite the external charge 164. External charge 1
64 is ignited by the non-open wall portion 160 of the container 14c.
Vibrates. Wall part 1 between charges 164 and 174
The force transmitted by the vibration of 60 causes the ignition portion 180 of the internal charge 174 to ignite. This ignites charge portion 182. Ignition of the charge portions 180 and 182 of the internal charge 174 destroys the sealing disk 186 and ignites the core 204 at the end of the ignition line 192.

When the core 204 is ignited, the ignition response propagates along the ignition line at a very fast rate, on the order of 1,000-1,500 meters per second. As the reaction propagates along the ignition line 192, the sheath 202 is broken. The sheath 202 is broken, resulting in small glowing particles of the reaction product emitted radially from the ignition line 192.

The heat obtained by igniting the ignition line 192 rapidly heats the gas near the surface of the sheath 202 to about 1,
Immediately warm to 000 ° F. This is chamber 1
The flammable mixture 18c of the gas in 6c is ignited. In addition, the small incandescent particles of the reaction product radially ejected from the ignition line 192 resulting from the rupture of the sheath effectively ignite the combustible gas mixture 18c remote from the ignition line.

That is, the ignition line 192 has two functions of heating the gas mixture 18c inside the container 14c and igniting the gas mixture. Ignition line 192 increases the substantial amount of heat to gas mixture 18c and requires less fuel gas than if different types of igniters were used.

Based on the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive applications, improvements, changes and modifications.
For example, the gas inside the container 101 of FIG. 6 may include an inert gas such as nitrogen along with oxygen. FIG.
In a variant of the embodiment of FIG.
It can also be stored under pressure inside a separate container similar to 0 and 101. The device according to the present invention comprises:
It can be used as another inflating device in addition to restraining a vehicle occupant, known as an air bag. For example, the device according to the invention can be used for inflating automobile seat belts, rafts, escape chutes and the like. Applications, improvements, changes, modifications, and the like that can be easily made by those skilled in the art are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a part of the vehicle occupant safety device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating performance characteristics of a representative vehicle occupant safety device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

8 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic view of a portion of the device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 occupant safety device 12 inflatable vehicle occupant restraint 14 container 18 gas mixture 22 deceleration sensor 24 igniter

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Jack El Blumenthal, Inventor: 9,004, California, United States, Los Angeles, North June 618 (72) Inventor: Nyham Ghat, 90266, California, United States, Manhattan Beach, Nines Street 1227 (72) Inventor John H. Shemchena 48073, Michigan, United States, Royal Oak, Durham 3818 (72) Inventor Ernst M. Faigle 48444, Michigan, United States of America 481, Imlay City, Winslow 2510 (72) Inventor Richard J. Thompson 48444, Michigan, USA, Imlay City, Westwood Drive 635 Ft. 3D054 DD02 DD04 DD07 DD30 4G068 DA08 DB16

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, comprising: storing a first gas in a first chamber; and transferring a second gas comprising a combustible gas mixture to a second gas. Storing in a chamber; releasing the first and second gases at different times and flowing from the first and second chambers at the different times; Igniting the flammable gas mixture after being released from one chamber; delivering the first gas and the ignited flammable gas mixture into the vehicle occupant restraint; A method that includes 2. A method for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, comprising: a combustible gas mixture comprising at least one stored fuel gas and a stored oxidant gas that promotes combustion of the fuel gas. Supplying a body into the combustion chamber; igniting a fuel gas in the combustion chamber to provide a heated gas and high pressure in the combustion chamber, thereby causing the inflation gas of the vehicle occupant restraint to expand. Forming the inflation gas from the combustion chamber to the vehicle occupant restraint without mixing the inflation gas with other stored gases. 3. A method for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint according to claim 2, wherein the step of providing a combustible gas mixture comprises providing an inert gas into the combustion chamber. Including methods. 4. A method for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the step of supplying a gas mixture of combustible gas comprises the step of providing the fuel gas in one container. Storing the oxidant gas in a separate container; and mixing the fuel gas and the oxidant gas in the combustion chamber in response to rapid deceleration of the vehicle. Generating a combustible gas mixture. 5. The method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint of claim 2, wherein the step of igniting the fuel gas in the container comprises:
A method comprising transmitting energy through a solid portion of a container wall. 6. The method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint according to claim 2, wherein the step of igniting a fuel gas in the container includes the step of: displacing an incandescent material from one end of the container to the center of the container. Discharging into a gas mixture within said container along an elongated path extending through the portion.