JP3137916U - Gas generator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a gas generator with higher safety by automatically burning an ignition agent prior to ignition of the gas generation agent at a high temperature such as a vehicle fire.
A gas generator (100) includes a long cylindrical housing (1), a gas discharge cylinder (12) attached to one end of the housing (1), and a holder (8) fitted to the other end of the housing (1). In the housing 1, a columnar filter 4, a combustion chamber 3 in which the gas generating agent 2 is loaded, and the gas generating agent 2 are arranged in the direction from the gas discharge cylinder 12 side end toward the holder 8 side end. The enhancer agent 6 to be ignited and the igniter 5 held in the holder 8 are arranged in order. The enhancer agent 6 has an automatic ignition function, and the filter 4 has an end on the combustion chamber 3 side. The automatic ignition agent 17 is further provided so as to be in contact with at least a part of the gas generating agent 2.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas generator for inflating an airbag or the like, and more particularly to a gas generator suitable for inflating a side or curtain airbag or the like.

  Conventionally, as a gas generator for inflating a side airbag or a curtain airbag, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 below can be cited. The gas generator disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a long cylindrical housing having a filter therein, and a combustion chamber formed in the housing and loaded with a gas generating agent that generates high-temperature gas by combustion. A gas generating agent igniting means for igniting and burning the gas generating agent in the combustion chamber, and an end on the filter side of the housing. And a gas discharge cylinder attached to the part.

Utility Model Registration No. 3129859

  In addition, when a high temperature is generated in a vehicle fire, etc., and this high temperature is transferred to the gas generating agent in the gas generator, most of the gas generating agent ignites and burns at a time, which is higher than the original desired pressure. Pressure gas may be generated. In order to prevent this, an automatic ignition agent having a so-called automatic ignition function, which has an ignition temperature lower than that of the gas generating agent, is arranged in the ignition means, and the automatic ignition agent is ignited before the gas generating agent at the above high temperature. A short cylindrical gas generator is already known which is combusted and started to burn the gas generant at a temperature lower than the ignition temperature of the gas generant in the housing. Therefore, in this short cylindrical gas generator, since it is possible to prevent the generation of high-temperature and high-pressure gas even when exposed to a high temperature as described above, safety can be maintained.

  However, in a long cylindrical gas generator in which an autoignition agent having an ignition temperature lower than that of the gas generating agent is arranged in the ignition means, the position where heat is transmitted is automatically determined depending on which end of the long housing. There was a risk that the igniting agent would not function sufficiently. In particular, the gas generator as in Patent Document 1 has a long shape, and like the short cylindrical gas generator described above, the ignition means has an automatic ignition temperature lower than that of the gas generating agent. When a pyrotechnic agent is placed, a member with a large heat capacity such as a cylindrical filter or a gas discharge cylinder is placed at one end. There is a possibility that combustion of the gas generating agent is accelerated, and there is a possibility that the role of the autoignition agent is not sufficiently fulfilled.

  In view of this, the present invention provides a highly safe gas in a long cylindrical gas generator by ensuring that the autoignition agent burns prior to the ignition of the gas generating agent at a high temperature such as a vehicle fire. The purpose is to provide a generator.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  A gas generator according to the present invention includes a long cylindrical housing, a gas discharge cylinder attached to one end of the housing, and a holder fitted into the other end of the housing. A cylindrical filter, a combustion chamber loaded with a gas generating agent, an enhancer for igniting the gas generating agent, and the holder in a direction from the gas discharge cylinder side end toward the holder side end And the enhancer agent has an automatic ignition function, and at the end of the filter on the combustion chamber side, at least a part of the gas generating agent. It is further provided with an autoignition agent that is mounted so as to come into contact. In addition, it further includes a bottomed cylindrical enhancer cup provided between the combustion chamber and the igniter, wherein the enhancer cup has an opening disposed on the holder side and a bottom disposed on the combustion chamber side. The enhancer cup may be fixed to the holder, and the enhancer agent may be accommodated in the enhancer cup.

  In the gas generator of the present invention, it is preferable that the autoignition agent mounted on the filter is mounted on the central axis of the housing at the end of the combustion chamber on the filter side. As another aspect, in the gas generator according to the present invention, the autoignition agent attached to the filter is disposed on the center axis of the housing at the end of the filter on the combustion chamber side. It may be incorporated in a recess molded inside.

  According to the above configuration, in the long cylindrical gas generator, the gas generating agent is reliably generated at a high temperature such as a vehicle fire, regardless of which end of the long housing the heat transfer position is. A safer gas generator can be provided by causing the autoignition agent to burn prior to the ignition.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a gas generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a gas generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a gas generator 100 includes a long cylindrical housing 1, a combustion chamber 3 filled with a gas generating agent 2 that generates high-temperature gas by combustion, and an interior of the housing 1 adjacent to the combustion chamber 3. A columnar filter 4 disposed in the igniter 5, an igniter 5 that generates a flame that causes the gas generating agent 2 in the combustion chamber 3 to ignite and burn from the rupture portion 5 a, and a flame generated in the igniter 5. An enhancer cup 7 containing an enhancer 6 having an automatic ignition function, a holder 8 to which the igniter 5 and the enhancer cup 7 are caulked and fixed, and combustion on a concentric shaft of the housing 1 And an automatic ignition agent 17 attached to the filter 4 side end of the chamber 3. The igniter 5, the enhancer agent 6, the enhancer cup 7, and the holder 8 that is caulked and fixed at the shaft end 9 of the housing 1 have a function as an ignition means for the gas generating agent 2. is doing. Further, a plate-like cushion material 10 which is also a partition member is provided between the ignition means and the gas generating agent 2. Further, a gas discharge cylinder 12 that is caulked and fixed is provided at the shaft end portion 11 of the housing 1. In addition, a cylindrical member 18 is disposed around the igniter 5 so that the rupture portion 5a is located inside.

  The housing 1 is filled with the cushioning material 10, the combustion chamber 3 (including the gas generating agent 2), and the cylindrical filter 4 in this order from the ignition means to the gas discharge cylinder 12. An auto-ignition agent 17 is attached to the end on the 4 side. The housing 1 is made of a metal such as iron, for example.

  The cushion material 10 is disposed so as to hold the gas generating agent 2 in the combustion chamber 3 together with the filter 4 and suppresses the gas generating agent 2 from being powdered by vibration.

  The filter 4 is, for example, a cylindrical one formed by an aggregate of knitted wire mesh, plain weave wire mesh, or crimp woven metal wire. Further, one end of the filter 4 is in contact with a part of the surface at one end of the gas discharge cylinder 12, and the other end is adjacent to the combustion chamber 3.

  The autoignition agent 17 has a circular shape mounted on the central axis of the housing 1 at the end of the combustion chamber 3 on the filter 4 side, and one end is in contact with the end of the filter 4 on the combustion chamber 3 side. The other end is in contact with a part of the gas generating agent 2 filled on the filter 4 side in the combustion chamber 3. Examples of the autoignition agent 17 include a composition formed by binding aminotetrazole, nitrate, and a metal compound with a binder (for example, synthetic hydroxytalcite or acidic clay). Moreover, as a molded object of the autoignition agent 17, it is a powder, a granule, a gel, an extrusion molded product, a product obtained by press molding a pellet-like powder, and the shape thereof is an extruded product or a product molded into a pellet. Is mentioned.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the enhancer cup 7 has one hole 7 a formed in the bottom that comes into contact with the cushion material 10, a cylindrical portion 7 b, and a flange 7 c formed in the opening, The enhancer agent 6 is accommodated. A seal member 16 is affixed inside the hole 7a. Further, the bottom of the enhancer cup 7 is in contact with the cushion material 10, and the flange 7 c is caulked and fixed by the holder 8. Here, as a modification, the seal member 16 may be attached to the outside of the hole 7a. The enhancer cup 7 is made of a metal material such as iron that is relatively hard and resistant to heat. As a modification, a plurality of holes may be formed in the bottom of the enhancer cup 7. As another modification, the enhancer cup 7 may be made of aluminum without holes. The aluminum enhancer cup 7 without holes is ruptured by ignition combustion of the enhancer agent 6.

  Examples of the composition of the enhancer agent 6 include a composition containing 5-aminotetrazole, boron, potassium nitrate, and molybdenum trioxide. Moreover, as a molded object, a powder, a granule, a gel form, an extrusion molded object etc. are mentioned, for example. Here, as a modification, without using the enhancer cup 7, the enhancer agent 6 is placed in a space surrounded by the housing 1, the igniter 5, the holder 8, the cushion material 10, and the cylindrical member 18. It may be filled.

  The igniter 5 includes a cup-shaped member 5b having a rupture portion 5a that is ruptured by a flame generated by ignition, a plurality of electrode pins 5c, and a plug (not shown) through which the electrode pins 5c are provided, It has an igniting agent (not shown) filled in the cup-shaped member 5b and an insulator (not shown) covering the opening side of the cup-shaped member 5b and the electrode pin 5c. The embolus is made of a metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or iron. Moreover, the electrode pin 5c is formed with metals, such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper, iron, like the embolization. In the embolus, the periphery of the electrode pin 5c is covered with an insulator (not shown) such as glass or resin, and is insulated from each other. Further, one end of the electrode pin 5c (on the cup-shaped member 5b side) is bridged by a heat generating portion (not shown).

  The cylindrical member 18 is disposed so that the rupture portion 5a is positioned inside the cup-shaped member 5b, and forms a recess together with the rupture portion 5a at one end portion on the bottom side of the enhancer cup 7. The inner wall is in contact with the periphery of the side surface of the cup-shaped member 5b. Further, the inner wall of the one end of the cylindrical member 18 is disposed so as to protrude from the periphery of the rupture portion 5 a toward the combustion chamber 3. The cylindrical member 18 is a member having such a hardness that the deformation around the side surface of the cup-shaped member 5b is suppressed during ignition, and examples thereof include a metal material and a hard resin. And the flame ejection part 18a is an opening part of the recessed part which controls the direction of a flame to the hole 7a direction, when the rupture part 5a bursts by ignition of the igniter 5.

  The holder 8 holds the igniter 5 and the enhancer cup 7. The holder 8 is fitted into one end of the housing 1 on the igniter 5 side, and is held by caulking together with the shaft end 9 of the housing 1 to close one end of the housing 1.

  The gas discharge cylinder 12 is fitted into the other end portion of the housing 1 on the filter 4 side, is held by caulking together with the shaft end portion 11 of the housing 1, and closes the other end of the housing 1. is there. Further, the gas discharge cylinder 12 includes a gas flow path 13 formed therein so as to have an opening 13a at an end on the combustion chamber 3 side, and a gas flow path 13 around an end opposite to the opening 13a. The cylindrical member has a gas discharge hole 14 formed so as to communicate with the outside, and has a strength capable of withstanding the internal pressure of the gas flowing into the gas flow path 13. The gas flow path 13 is formed so that a long cylindrical first space 13b having a small diameter and a short cylindrical second space 13c having a large diameter are coaxially and in communication with each other, on the second space 13c side. The seal member 15 is affixed.

  Next, the operation of the gas generator 100 will be described. When the collision sensor detects a collision of the automobile, a signal is sent to the igniter 5 of the gas generator 100 via the electrode pin 5c, and a heat generating portion (not shown) formed by bridging at one end of the electrode pin 5c is caused to generate heat. . And a gas and a flame are generated by igniting an ignition agent in the cup-shaped member 5b. The gas and flame of the igniter 5 ruptures the rupture portion 5a and is almost concentrated in the direction of the hole 7a (in the direction of the combustion chamber 3) by the flame ejection portion 18a, and then is ejected into the enhancer cup 7 and the enhancer agent 6 is discharged. Efficient ignition combustion. Then, the flame generated from the ignited enhancer agent 6 is ejected so as to spread in the axial direction and the radial direction of the housing 1 in the combustion chamber 3 through the hole 7a, and the gas generating agent 2 is ignited and burned, thereby causing a high temperature. Generates gas efficiently. The ignition combustion of the gas generating agent 2 is sequentially shifted from the shaft end 9 side of the housing 1 to the filter 4 side.

  When combustion in the combustion chamber 3 proceeds and the combustion chamber 3 rises to a predetermined internal pressure, the high-temperature gas generated in the combustion chamber 3 enters the filter 4, where slag collection and cooling occur, It becomes clean gas. Thereafter, the gas flows from the opening 13a in the gas discharge cylinder 12 into the second space 13c. Then, after the seal member 15 is ruptured, the seal member 15 flows into the first space 13 b, and the above-described clean gas is discharged from the gas discharge hole 14.

  Thereby, the clean gas discharged from the gas discharge hole 14 is directly introduced into the interior of an airbag, an air belt, or the like, and efficiently and instantaneously expands.

  When a vehicle fire or the like occurs on the igniter 5 side in the housing 1, the enhancer agent 6 having an automatic ignition function is ignited as the temperature around the gas generator rises, and the gas generator 2 is ignited and combusted. The ignition combustion of the gas generating agent 2 is sequentially shifted from the shaft end 9 side of the housing 1 to the filter 4 side.

  On the other hand, when a fire occurs in the vicinity of the filter 4 in the housing 1, the temperature of the gas generator suddenly rises from the gas discharge cylinder 12 having high thermal conductivity. 17 is automatically ignited, and the gas generating agent 2 around the automatic igniting agent 17 is burned. The ignition combustion of the gas generating agent 2 is sequentially shifted from the filter 4 side to the igniter 5 side end of the combustion chamber 3.

  According to the above configuration, in the long cylindrical gas generator 100, the gas is reliably transmitted at a high temperature such as a vehicle fire regardless of which end side of the long housing 1 is where heat is transmitted. It is possible to provide the gas generator 100 with higher safety by causing the enhancer agent 6 or the automatic ignition agent 17 having an automatic ignition function to burn before the ignition of the generating agent 2.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
Next, the gas generator which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a gas generator according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, since each part to which the codes | symbols 1-18 in the gas generator 100 in 1st Embodiment are given, and each part to which the codes | symbols 31-48 are given in this modification are the same things in order, description. May be omitted.

  The gas generator 200 of the present modification includes (1) a point in which the filter 24 has a space formed in a recess on the central axis of the housing 21 at the end on the combustion chamber 23 side, (2) The point that the auto-ignition agent 37 is mounted by being incorporated in the recess, and the end of the filter 24 of the auto-ignition agent 37 on the combustion chamber 23 side is in contact with the gas generating agent 22; This is different from the gas generator 100 according to the first embodiment.

  According to this modification, the same operation and effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

<Other Modifications of First Embodiment>
Next, a gas generator according to another modification of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a gas generator according to another modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, since each part to which the code | symbols 1-18 in the gas generator 100 in 1st Embodiment are given, and each part to which the code | symbols 51-68 are given in this modification are the same in order, description May be omitted.

  In the gas generator 300 of this modification, the autoignition agent 57 is annular, and the annular outer peripheral surface is mounted along the periphery of the combustion chamber 43 and in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the housing 41. There is a difference from the gas generator 100 according to the first embodiment.

  According to this modification, the same operation and effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the annular autoignition agent 57 is mounted around the combustion chamber 43 in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the housing 41 having good thermal conductivity, when the vehicle fire occurs and the temperature around the gas generator rises Compared with the gas generator mounted on the central axis of the housing 41, the temperature at which the autoignition agent 57 rises is detected earlier, and the autoignition agent 57 spontaneously ignites quickly, It is ignited and burned. Therefore, the gas generator 300 having further safe operability can be provided.

  The present invention can be changed in design without departing from the scope of the utility model registration request, and is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications.

It is sectional drawing of the gas generator which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the gas generator which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the gas generator which concerns on the other modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 41 Housing 2, 22, 42 Gas generating agent 3, 23, 43 Combustion chamber 4, 24, 44 Filter 5, 25, 45 Igniters 5a, 25a, 45a Rupture 5b, 25b, 45b Cup-shaped member 5c , 25c, 45c Electrode pins 6, 26, 46 Enhancer agents 7, 27, 47 Enhancer cups 7a, 27a, 47a Holes 7b, 27b, 47b Tubular parts 7c, 27c, 47c Flange parts 8, 28, 48 Holders 9, 11 , 29, 31, 49, 51 Shaft end 10, 30, 50 Cushion material 12, 32, 52 Gas discharge cylinders 13, 33, 53 Gas flow paths 13a, 33a, 53a Openings 14, 34, 54 Gas discharge hole 15 , 16, 35, 36, 55, 56 Seal members 17, 37, 57 Auto-ignition agent 18, 38, 58 Cylindrical members 18a, 38a, 58a Flame ejection part 1 0,200,300 gas generator

Claims (4)

A long cylindrical housing;
A gas discharge cylinder mounted on one end of the housing;
A holder fitted into the other end of the housing,
A cylindrical filter, a combustion chamber loaded with a gas generating agent, and an enhancer that ignites the gas generating agent in a direction from the gas discharge cylinder side end toward the holder side end in the housing. And an igniter held by the holder are arranged in order,
The enhancer agent has an automatic ignition function,
The gas generator further comprising an autoignition agent attached to an end of the filter on the combustion chamber side so as to be in contact with at least a part of the gas generating agent. A bottomed cylindrical enhancer cup provided between the combustion chamber and the igniter;
In the enhancer cup, an opening is disposed on the holder side, a bottom is disposed on the combustion chamber side, and the enhancer cup is fixed to the holder,
The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the enhancer agent is contained in the enhancer cup.   3. The gas according to claim 1, wherein the autoignition agent attached to the filter is attached on a central axis of the housing at an end of the combustion chamber on the filter side. Generator. The auto-ignition agent attached to the filter is incorporated in a recess formed in the filter on the center axis of the housing at the end of the filter on the combustion chamber side. The gas generator according to claim 1 or 2.

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