JP5242228B2 - Gas generator for personnel restraint system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas generator used in a personnel protection device such as an airbag device mounted on an automobile.

  There are three types of gas generators, one using only a solid gas generating agent, one using only a pressurized gas, and one using both a solid gas generating agent and a pressurized gas. Of these, in a gas generator that uses only pressurized gas, the opening of the bottle portion that encloses the gas is closed with a rupture member, and the rupture member is destroyed by some method to discharge the gas, such as an airbag. Will be inflated. As a method of destroying the rupture member, a method in which the combustion product (hot gas, flame, shock wave, etc.) from the igniter is directly applied to the rupture member. A method of hitting a member is known.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a gas generator having a mechanism for causing a flying object to fly and destroying a rupturable plate. The flying object is represented by a movable container 104 and is arranged in a passage 82 in the guide 74 in the adapter housing 70 of the plug 40 attached to one end opening of the container 15 filled with pressurized gas.

In this structure, a concave portion is formed at one end of the movable container 104, and B / KNO ₃ 122 is filled therein. As soon as B / KNO ₃ is ignited by the igniter, the movable container 104 moves, destroys the tape 83 and the rim 60 (the destruction portion 58 surrounded by the V groove 65), and enters the inside of the container 15. At this time, the combustion product of B / KNO ₃ also enters the inside of the container 15 and warms the pressurized gas inside the container 15.

In Patent Document 1, a pressurized gas discharge passage is formed around the guide 74 and communicates with the discharge port 50. For this reason, the passage 82 after the movable container 104 flies is completely useless space.
US Pat. No. 5,464,247

  The present invention is a personnel restraint device in which the expulsion of the heated gas is enhanced by operating both the opening of the closed gas outflow path and the heating of the pressurized gas at the time of operation by the transfer powder case. It is an object to provide an industrial gas generator.

[Claim 1]
As a means for solving the problems, the present invention
A bottle portion filled with pressurized gas and having an opening on one end, an igniter housing chamber fixed to the opening and containing an igniter, and a diffuser portion having a gas discharge port; A gas generator for a person restraining device, wherein a gap between the bottle part and the diffuser part is closed with a rupture member;
An explosive charge case containing explosive charge is disposed in the gas outflow path between the igniter and the rupture member,
By operation of the igniter,
The explosive case is destroyed when the explosive case collides in a state where the explosive is burned,
Furthermore, the pressurized gas temperature is increased by moving the charge transfer case in a state where the transfer charge is burned into the bottle,
Furthermore, the gas generator for personnel restraint devices is provided in which the gas outflow path in which the charge transfer case was present is opened by the movement of the transfer charge case.

  The transfer charge case only needs to have a strength that can be broken by colliding with the rupture member during operation.For example, the transfer charge case may be made of metal or resin and have a shape and volume that can store the transfer charge. That's fine.

  The transfer agent may be in powder form, a molded body, or a powder or molded body filled in a container such as aluminum or resin in order to ensure moisture resistance.

Examples of the transfer agent include boron nitrate (B / KNO ₃ ), RDX (hexahydrotrinitrotriazine), PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate), TAGN (triaminoguanidine nitrate), HMX ( Cyclotetramethylenetetra-nitramine), CL-20 (hexanitrohexaisoisobrutitan), NTO (nitrotriazolone), TNAZ (trinitroazetidine), MTV (magnesium / Teflon / Viton) and mixtures thereof are used. be able to.

  Further, as a charge transfer agent, a nitroguanidine as a fuel, a basic copper nitrate or strontium nitrate as an oxidant, and a sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose as a binder can be used.

  In the gas generator of the present invention, at least the following effects (I) to (III) can be obtained during operation.

  (I) The transfer product case is blown off by the combustion product generated by the operation of the igniter, and the internal transfer agent is ignited and burned. And the explosive case collides with a rupture member in the state, and the said rupture member is destroyed.

  (II) When the rupture member is destroyed as in (I), the rupture member is blown in the direction of the closed end face of the bottle, and the explosive charge case also jumps into the bottle. At this time, since the transfer charge in the transfer charge case is in a combustion state, the pressurized gas inside the bottle is heated.

  (III) As the charge transfer case moves to the inside of the bottle as in (II) above, the gas outflow path in which the transfer charge case was present is opened, so a wider flow path for pressurized gas is secured. The Moreover, since the charge transfer case can be enlarged to the extent that the gas outflow path is substantially closed before the operation, the breaking strength against the rupture member can be increased.

[Claim 2]
As a means for solving the problems, the present invention
A bottle portion filled with pressurized gas and having an opening on one end, an igniter housing chamber fixed to the opening and containing an igniter, and a diffuser portion having a gas discharge port; A gas generator for personnel restraint equipment,
In the pressurized gas outflow path between the bottle part and the diffuser part, the transfer charge case in which the transfer charge is accommodated is protruded into the bottle part and the other end side is located on the igniter side. The outflow route is blocked by being arranged,
By operation of the igniter,
The transfer gas case is moved into the bottle with the transfer powder burned to increase the pressurized gas temperature,
Furthermore, the gas generator for personnel restraint devices is provided in which the gas outflow path closed by the charge transfer case is opened by the movement of the transfer charge case.

  In the present invention, the charge transfer case itself functions as a closing member (corresponding to the rupture member of the above invention) of the gas outflow path. Therefore, during operation, the following effects (I ') to (II') substantially the same as the above actions (I) to (III) can be obtained.

  (I ') By the combustion product generated by the operation of the igniter, the transfer charge case is blown off and moved into the bottle, and the internal transfer charge is ignited and burned, so that the pressurized gas inside the bottle is heated. Is done.

  (II ′) As shown in the above (I ′), the transfer charge case moves into the bottle, so that the gas outflow path blocked by the transfer charge case is opened. Since the explosive charge case is enlarged until the gas outflow path can be closed before operation, a wide pressurized gas outflow path is secured.

[Claim 3]
As a means for solving the problem, the present invention, the explosive charge case comprises a cup-shaped case main body and a cover member placed on the cup-shaped case main body, and the case main body covers the ignition part of the igniter from the opening side, The gas generator for personnel restraint device according to claim 2, wherein the cover member is fixed to the diffuser portion by welding.

  Since the combination of the cup-shaped case main body and the cover member functions as the explosive case in the invention of claim 1, the explosive charge case is attached to the diffuser portion, so that the gas outflow route can be obtained. Can also be blocked.

[Claim 4]
As a means for solving the problems, the present invention provides a gas generator for a personnel restraint device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a side surface of the explosive charge case closes a gas discharge port.

  Since the gas generator for the personnel restraint device of the present invention can heat the pressurized gas after the operation and can secure a large gas outflow path, the operation performance of the personnel restraint device such as an air bag device by gas discharge is good. .

(Gas generator in Fig. 1)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig.1 (a) is sectional drawing to the length direction of the gas generator 10 of this invention, FIG.1 (b) is sectional drawing of one component (powder charge case).

  The gas generator 10 has a bottle part 12 and a diffuser part 20. The bottle portion 12 has an opening portion 14 at one end side and is closed at the other end side, and the internal space 16 is filled with a gas such as helium, argon, nitrogen at a filling pressure of 50,000 kPa. Yes. The cross section in the width direction of the bottle portion 12 is circular, and the opening portion 14 is also circular.

  A diffuser portion 20 is welded to the opening portion 14 side of the bottle portion 12 at the joint portion 18. The diffuser portion 20 has an outer shell formed by a diffuser housing 28, a gas discharge port 22 for discharging pressurized gas to the outside during operation, and a wire mesh filter 24 provided so as to cover the gas discharge port 22 from the inside. have.

  The opening part 14 of the bottle part 12 is closed with a rupturable plate 19 welded and fixed to the diffuser part 20, and the internal space 16 of the bottle part 12 is maintained in a high-pressure airtight state before operation.

  The diffuser part 20 is provided with an igniter 26 provided with an igniting agent in an ignition part 26 a as a means for destroying the rupturable plate 19. An igniter accommodation chamber 29 that accommodates the igniter 26 is formed inside the diffuser portion 20, and the igniter accommodation chamber 29 and the external atmosphere of the diffuser portion 20 are communicated with each other through a gas discharge port 22. For this reason, after the operation, the igniter housing chamber 29 also becomes a gas outflow path.

  The igniter 26 is attached to the end 30 of the diffuser portion 20 and is fixed by caulking the end 30 of the diffuser housing 28.

  A gas outflow path 32 is provided between the igniter 26 in the igniter housing chamber 29 and the internal space 16, and is closed by the rupturable plate 19 before the operation, and most of the case is a transfer charge case. 36 is occupied.

  The transfer charge case 36 is formed from an aluminum small cup 40 fitted inside from the opening side of the large cup 38 in order to hold the large transfer cup 38 made of aluminum and the transfer charge 34 filled in the large cup 38. Become.

  In the explosive charge case 36, the small cup 40 is put on the ignition portion 26 a, and the bottom surface 38 a of the large cup 38 is in contact with the rupturable plate 19.

  The outer diameter of the large cup 38 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the gas outflow path 32, but may be smaller than the inner diameter of the gas outflow path 32. The outer peripheral surface 38b of the large cup 38 is a smooth surface, but may have irregularities.

  The small cup 40 has an opening 42 formed at the center, and the opening 42 is closed with a thinner aluminum tape 44.

  In FIG. 1B, the large cup 38 and the small cup 40 are integrated so that the opening wall of the small cup 40 is bent outward and the opening wall of the large cup 38 is sandwiched.

  Next, operation | movement of the airbag apparatus provided with the gas generator 10 of FIG. 1 is demonstrated. When the vehicle receives an impact, an ignition current flows from the in-vehicle sensor or the control unit to the igniter 26, and the igniter 26 operates. The igniting agent filled in the igniter 26a of the igniter 26 is ignited by an electric current to generate a combustion product.

  At this time, the combustion product collides with the small cup 40 of the explosive charge case 36 and causes the case 36 to fly to the rupturable plate 19 side. At the same time, the combustion product breaks through the aluminum tape 44 with the opening 42 closed and enters the large cup 38. As a result, the transfer charge 34 is ignited, and combustion products are also generated from the transfer charge 34. A part of this also serves as a propulsion force of the explosive case 36 by ejecting from the opening 42.

  The gunpowder case 36 that has struck collides with the rupturable plate 19 and destroys the rupturable plate 19. Then, it enters the internal space 16. Even at this stage, the transfer charge 34 is still burning, so high-temperature heat and gas are released from the transfer charge 34 and the pressurized gas is warmed.

  When the rupturable plate 19 is destroyed and the explosive charge case 36 moves to the inside of the bottle 12, the gas outflow path 32 is largely opened, and the pressurized gas in the internal space 16 passes through the gas outflow path 32 and the igniter housing chamber. 29, the filter 24, and the gas discharge port 22 to be discharged into the airbag.

  At this time, since the released gas contains the gas warmed inside the bottle 12, the temperature of the gas is prevented from lowering due to the pressure being released from the high pressure state in the bottle 12 at once, and a necessary airbag is used. The expansion pressure is maintained.

(Gas generator in Fig. 2)
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the length direction of the gas generator 100 of the present invention. The gas generator 100 of FIG. 2 functions basically with the same mechanism as the gas generator 10 of FIG. 1, but the diffuser portion is different from the gas generator 10 of FIG. explain.

  The diffuser portion 120 connected to the opening of the bottle 12 has an outer shell formed by a diffuser housing 128. The diffuser housing 128 has a peripheral wall surface 128a and a closed end surface 128b, and a plurality of gas discharge ports 22 are provided in the peripheral wall surface 128a. The gas discharge port 22 may be formed in the peripheral wall surface 128a at a position closer to the igniter 26.

  An annular fragile portion 150 is formed on the closed end face 128b. As shown in the figure, the annular fragile portion 150 is a portion where an annular cut is made with respect to the closed end face 128b. The closed end face 128b including the fragile portion 150 corresponds to the rupturable plate 19 shown in FIG.

  The interior of the diffuser housing 128 is an igniter housing chamber 129, in which the igniter 26 is housed, and a transfer charge case 136 is housed in the remaining space. A space in which the explosive charge case 136 is accommodated corresponds to the gas outflow path 32 shown in FIG.

  The transfer charge case 136 accommodates the transfer charge 134 filled in an aluminum container in the cylindrical member 140.

  The tubular member 140 has a small-diameter opening 141 on the igniter 26 side, and the opening 141 side is in contact with the ignition part 26a of the igniter. The opening 141 may be closed with a thin aluminum tape. The tubular member 140 has a large-diameter opening 142 on the fragile portion 150 side, and the opening 142 is in contact with the closed end surface 128b. The gas discharge port 22 is closed by the peripheral wall surface 143 of the cylindrical member 140. 144 is an O-ring for improving airtightness.

  Next, operation | movement of the airbag apparatus provided with the gas generator 100 of FIG. 2 is demonstrated. When the vehicle receives an impact, an ignition current flows from the in-vehicle sensor or the control unit to the igniter 26, and the igniter 26 operates. The igniting agent filled in the igniter 26a of the igniter 26 is ignited by an electric current to generate a combustion product. The gas discharge port 22 is closed by the cylindrical member 140, and the O-ring 144 is further disposed to improve the airtightness in the ignition means housing chamber 129, so that combustion products do not leak to the outside. The propulsive force with respect to the explosive charge case 136 is increased.

  And a combustion product penetrate | invades into the inside of the cylindrical member 140 from the opening part 141, and pushes the charge powder 134 at the same time it pushes the charge powder case 136 to an axial direction. Combustion products are also generated from the charge transfer agent 134, and a part of the transfer product 134 is also ejected from the opening 141, thereby serving as a propulsion force that causes the transfer charge case 136 to fly.

  Subsequently, the explosive charge case 136 destroys the fragile portion 150 of the closed end face 128 b and jumps out into the bottle 12. At this stage, since the charge transfer 134 is still burning, high-temperature heat and gas are released from the transfer charge 134 and the pressurized gas in the internal space 16 is warmed.

  When the fragile portion 150 is destroyed and the transfer charge case 136 moves into the bottle 12, the gas outflow path (the space where the transfer charge case 136 was installed) is greatly opened, and the pressurized gas in the internal space 16 is The gas is discharged into the airbag through the gas outflow path and the gas discharge port 22.

  At this time, since the released gas contains the gas warmed inside the bottle 12, the temperature of the gas is prevented from lowering due to the pressure being released from the high pressure state in the bottle 12 at once, and a necessary airbag is used. The expansion pressure is maintained.

(Gas generator in Fig. 3)
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Fig.3 (a) is sectional drawing to the length direction of the gas generator 200 of this invention, FIG.3 (b) is the elements on larger scale of (a). The gas generator 200 of FIG. 3 functions basically with the same mechanism as the gas generator 10 of FIG. 1, but the diffuser portion is different from the gas generator 10 of FIG. explain.

  A diffuser housing 228 forms an outer shell of the diffuser unit 220 connected to the opening of the bottle 12. An igniter 26 is fixed inside the diffuser housing 228 by a resin 227. A gas discharge port 22 is formed in the peripheral wall portion of the diffuser housing 228.

  The charge transfer case 236 includes a cup-shaped case main body 237 and a cover member 250 that covers the case main body 237.

  The case main body 237 has a cylindrical peripheral wall surface 237a and a closed end surface 237b, and the side facing the closed end surface 237b is an opening 239. The opening 239 side of the case main body is in contact with the annular step 229 of the diffuser housing 228. A plurality of communication holes 240 are formed at positions near the closed end surface 237b of the peripheral wall surface 237a. The formation position of the communication hole 240 can be changed as appropriate.

  In the case main body 237, a charge transfer agent 234 filled in an aluminum container is accommodated.

  An aluminum cover member 250 is covered from the outside of the case body 237. The communication hole 240 is closed by the cover member 250. For this reason, the inside of the charge transfer case 236 and the internal space 16 are blocked, and the transfer charge case 236 has the same function as the rupturable plate 19 shown in FIG.

  An annular step portion 237c is formed on the peripheral wall surface 237a of the case body, and when inserted into the diffuser housing 228, the one end portion side 228a and the annular step portion 237c are flush with each other. This flush surface and the flange portion 250a of the cover member 250 are overlapped, and the flange portion 250a and one end portion 228a of the diffuser housing are welded. This prevents the pressurized gas from leaking from the gap between the explosive charge case 236 and the diffuser housing 228.

  In the explosive charge case 236, the closed end surface 237 b side of the case main body is located in the internal space 16, and the opening 239 side is covered with the igniter 26 in the diffuser housing 228. In the remaining space where the igniter 26 is not attached in the diffuser housing 228, the space where a part of the charge transfer case 236 exists corresponds to the gas outflow path 32 shown in FIG. The gas discharge port 22 is closed by the peripheral wall surface 237a of the charge transfer case before operation.

  Next, operation | movement of the airbag apparatus provided with the gas generator 200 of FIG. 3 is demonstrated. When the vehicle receives an impact, an ignition current flows from the in-vehicle sensor or the control unit to the igniter 26, and the igniter 26 operates to generate a combustion product. The gas discharge port 22 is closed by the case main body 237, and the flange portion 250a of the cup and the one end portion 228a of the diffuser housing are welded to improve the airtightness, so that the combustion product does not leak to the outside. The propulsive force with respect to the explosive charge case 236 is increased.

  The combustion products cause the charge transfer case 236 to fly in the axial direction and simultaneously ignite the transfer charge 234. Combustion products are also generated from the charge transfer agent 234, the cover member 250 is broken, and the communication hole 240 is opened.

  The charge transfer case 236 jumps out of the bottle 12, and since the transfer charge 234 is still burning at this stage, high-temperature heat and gas are released from the transfer charge 234, and the pressurized gas in the internal space 16 is warmed.

  As the charge transfer case 236 moves into the bottle 12, a gas outflow path (a space in which a part of the transfer charge case 236 has been installed) is greatly opened, and the pressurized gas in the internal space 16 passes through the gas outflow path. It passes through the gas discharge port 22 and is discharged into the airbag.

  At this time, since the released gas contains the gas warmed inside the bottle 12, the temperature of the gas is prevented from lowering due to the pressure being released from the high pressure state in the bottle 12 at once, and a necessary airbag is used. The expansion pressure is maintained.

(Gas generator in Fig. 4)
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 4A is a sectional view of the gas generator 300 of the present invention in the length direction, and FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. The gas generator 300 in FIG. 4 functions basically with the same mechanism as the gas generator 10 in FIG. 1. However, since the diffuser portion is different from the gas generator 10 in FIG. explain.

  The diffuser portion 320 connected to the opening of the bottle 12 has an outer shell formed by a diffuser housing 328. The diffuser housing 328 has a peripheral wall surface 328a and a closed end surface 328b, and a plurality of gas discharge ports 22 are provided in the peripheral wall surface 328a. The gas discharge port 22 is closed with a seal tape 23 from the inside, and may be formed on the peripheral wall surface 328a closer to the igniter 26.

  An annular fragile portion 350 is formed on the closed end surface 328b. The annular fragile portion 350 is a portion in which an annular cut is made with respect to the closed end face 328b as shown. The closed end face 328b including the fragile portion 350 corresponds to the rupturable plate 19 shown in FIG.

  The interior of the diffuser housing 328 is an igniter accommodation chamber 329, in which the igniter 26 is accommodated, and a transfer charge case 336 is accommodated in the remaining space. The igniter 26 is fixed with a resin 342 together with an igniter collar 341. A space in which the explosive charge case 336 is accommodated corresponds to the gas outflow path 32 shown in FIG.

  The charge transfer case 336 has a peripheral wall surface 336a and a closed end surface 336b, and the side facing the closed end surface 336b is an opening 336c. A charge transfer agent 334 filled in an aluminum container is accommodated in the transfer charge case 336.

  Next, operation | movement of the airbag apparatus provided with the gas generator 300 of FIG. 4 is demonstrated. When the vehicle receives an impact, an ignition current flows from the in-vehicle sensor or the control unit to the igniter 26, and the igniter 26 operates. The ignition powder provided in the igniter 26 is ignited by an electric current to generate a combustion product.

  The combustion product pushes the transfer charge case 336 in the axial direction, and simultaneously enters the transfer charge case 336 through the opening 336c to ignite the transfer charge 334. Combustion products are also generated from the charge transfer 334.

  Subsequently, the explosive charge case 336 breaks the fragile portion 350 of the closed end surface 328 b and jumps out into the bottle 12. Even at this stage, the transfer charge 334 is still burning, so high-temperature heat and gas are released from the transfer charge 334 and the pressurized gas in the internal space 16 is warmed.

  When the fragile portion 350 is destroyed and the transfer charge case 336 moves into the bottle 12, the gas outflow path (the space in which the transfer charge case 336 was installed) is greatly opened, and the pressurized gas in the internal space 16 is The gas is discharged into the airbag through the gas outflow path, the filter 24 and the gas discharge port 22.

  At this time, since the released gas contains the gas warmed inside the bottle 12, the temperature of the gas is prevented from lowering due to the pressure being released from the high pressure state in the bottle 12 at once, and a necessary airbag is used. The expansion pressure is maintained.

(A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the gas generator of this invention, (b) is a fragmentary sectional view of one component of (a). The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the gas generator of another embodiment of this invention. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the gas generator of another embodiment of this invention, (b) is the elements on larger scale of (a). (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the gas generator of another embodiment of this invention, (b) is the elements on larger scale of (a).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Gas generator 12 Bottle 19 Rupture plate 20 Diffuser part 22 Gas outlet 26 Igniter 34 Transfer charge 36 Transfer charge case 38 Large cup 40 Small cup

Claims (3)

A bottle portion filled with pressurized gas and having an opening on one end, an igniter housing chamber fixed to the opening and containing an igniter, and a diffuser portion having a gas discharge port; A gas generator for a person restraining device, wherein a gap between the bottle part and the diffuser part is closed by a rupture member
An explosive charge case containing explosive charge is disposed in the gas outflow path between the igniter and the rupture member ,
The gas discharge port of the diffuser portion is closed by the peripheral wall surface of the explosive charge case,
By operation of the igniter,
The explosive case is destroyed when the explosive case collides in a state where the explosive is burned,
Furthermore, the pressurized gas temperature is increased by moving the charge transfer case in a state where the transfer charge is burned into the bottle,
Further, a gas generator for a personnel restraint device in which the gas transfer path where the transfer charge case was present is opened by the movement of the transfer charge case and gas is discharged from the gas discharge port . A bottle portion filled with pressurized gas and having an opening on one end, an igniter housing chamber fixed to the opening and containing an igniter, and a diffuser portion having a gas discharge port; A gas generator for personnel restraint equipment,
In the pressurized gas outflow path between the bottle part and the diffuser part, the transfer charge case in which the transfer charge is accommodated is protruded into the bottle part and the other end side is located on the igniter side. The flow path is blocked by the arrangement ,
The gas discharge port of the diffuser portion is closed by the peripheral wall surface of the explosive charge case,
By operation of the igniter,
The transfer gas case is moved into the bottle with the transfer powder burned to increase the pressurized gas temperature,
Furthermore, the gas generator for personnel restraint devices , in which the gas transfer path closed by the transfer powder case is opened and the gas is discharged from the gas discharge port by moving the transfer powder case.   The explosive charge case is composed of a cup-shaped case body and a cover member placed on the cup-shaped case body, the case body is covered on the ignition part of the igniter from the opening side, and the cover member is welded and fixed to the diffuser part. The gas generator for a personnel restraint device according to claim 2.

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