JPH05278554A - Vehicle occupant restraint - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an improved and novel apparatus for an inflatable expansion means such as a vehicle occupant restraint. CONSTITUTION: An apparatus 12 for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint includes a containing means for receiving gases to provide a combustible gas mixture. An igniter 24 is activated to effect ignition of the mixture 18 of gases in response to sudden vehicle deceleration. A directing means directs a flow of gas from the containing means into the inflatable occupant restraint. In the preferred embodiment, the gases are an inert gas, a fuel gas, and an oxidizing gas. Also a lean mixture of a fuel gas and oxidizing gas could be used. An improved igniter 24 transmits energy through an imperforate portion of a wall of the receiving means to ignite a charge in the containing means. The igniter 24 may include an elongate core disposed in a fragile sheath which is shattered as the core is burnt.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

Related Application This application is directed to Jack L. Blmental.
Umenthal and Nahum Gat, and is a continuation-in-part application of application number 07 / 761,685, entitled "Inflatable Vehicle Occupant Restraint". It has the benefit of the earlier filing date of the above-mentioned application Serial No. 07 / 761,685 and is claimed by this document.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to new and improved inflatable inflators, such as vehicle occupant restraints.

[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. Upon rapid deceleration of the vehicle indicative of a collision, the gas in the container is released, causing the vehicle occupant restraint, which restrains the vehicle occupant during the collision, to inflate. Further rapid deceleration of the vehicle, indicative of a collision, ignites the gas-producing material. When the gas-producing material burns, it heats the stored gas and forms a hot gas or vapor that mixes with the stored gas, and the heated mixture of gases flows into the vehicle occupant restraint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved device for inflating inflators, such as occupant restraints. The device includes means for receiving a gas to provide a combustible gas mixture.
The device also includes ignition means for igniting the mixture of gases to warm the gas in the containing means and increase the pressure. The device also includes directional means for directing gas from the gas containing means to the expander.

Preferably, the mixture of gases comprises an inert gas, a flammable 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 combustible gas. The oxidant gas is preferably oxygen. The inert gas can be removed and, instead, a mixture of fuel-poor combustible gas 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.

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

In another embodiment, the primary container contains a fuel gas, the secondary container contains an oxidant gas, and the containing means receives the fuel gas and the oxidant gas into a gas mixture therein. It defines a combustion chamber that is 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 expansion rate of the expander can be controlled by providing the desired volume of the expander at a given time after ignition of the fuel gas. The rate of expansion of the expander and the pressure within the expander are the amounts of fuel gas and oxidant gas to obtain the desired rate of combustion that subsequently determines the predetermined volumetric flow rate of the warm gas into the expander. 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 expander. Another technique for controlling the time required for expansion is to change the number of positions in the containing means where the fuel gas is ignited.

The improved ignition means provides for igniting a mixture of gases. The ignition means can be used to transfer energy through the non-perforated wall portion of the containing means. The energy transferred through the non-perforated wall portion of the containing means results in ignition of the igniting material within the containing means. In particular, the ignition charge located near the outside of the non-perforated wall portion of the containing means ignites enough 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 ignition means, an elongated central portion in the fragile casing is located in the containing means. The elongated central portion is ignited by the resulting shattering of the pods and blowing of the glowing reaction product into the containing means.

[0010]

【Example】

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

When a sudden deceleration of a vehicle occurs, which indicates a vehicle collision,
When the vehicle collides, the passenger restraint device 12 swells before the passenger moves toward a certain part (handle, instrument panel, etc.) of the vehicle and collides with the part vigorously. Located between its parts. The inflated occupant restraint device 12 absorbs the kinetic energy of the occupant's movement and restrains the occupant's movement, so that the occupant does not violently hit the vehicle parts. Such an occupant restraint device can be inflated with various gases. Regardless of the gas used for the occupant restraint device 12, the occupant restraint device is commonly referred to as an air bag.

The passenger restraint device 12 causes gas to flow from the container 14 to inflate it. The container 14 has a gas chamber 16 containing a gas mixture 18. The gas mixture 18 preferably comprises a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas for burning 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 be methane or a mixture of hydrogen and methane.

Alternatively, the gas mixture in container 14 is
It may be 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 vessel 14 burns easily by ignition, but is 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 to 98 mol% of the gas mixture 18. The balance is an inert gas, 0 to 91 mol% of the gas mixture 18
Is. Preferably, the gas mixture 18 is 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 normally under pressure. The pressure depends on the capacity of the occupant restraint system 12 to be inflated, the time required to inflate, the desired inflation pressure, the volume of the container of gas mixture 18, and the proportion of each gas in the gas mixture. Typically, the gas mixture 18 in the vessel 14 is 500-5,000 ps.
i. Gas mixture 18 preferably in container 14
Is 1,000 to 3,000 psi. However, the present invention can use any gas mixture regardless of pressure.

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

If the vehicle suddenly decelerates, a deceleration sensor 22 (which may be of any suitable construction known in the art) activates an igniter 24 in the gas chamber 16 to cause the gas mixture 1
The fuel gas in 8 ignites. Since the oxidizing gas is present, the fuel gas burns. As the fuel gas burns,
The pressure of the gas chamber 16 rises because the heat generated by the combustion of the fuel gas warms the gas and the combustion of the fuel gas generates additional gas and vapor. After a lapse of a predetermined time, or when the pressure in the gas chamber 16 reaches a predetermined value, the end wall 28 of the container 14 bursts and warm gas flows through the flow control port to the occupant restraint system 12. ..
When the gas flows into the passenger restraint device 12, the passenger restraint device 12 is inflated by the gas and is placed at a predetermined position for restraining the passenger.

If the amount of hydrogen is less than about 8 mol%, it may be difficult to ignite the hydrogen. The amount of hydrogen is 1
If it is 4 mol% or more, unacceptable pressure and / or temperature are generated in the occupant restraint system 12. Preferably, the gas mixture 18 comprises fuel gas in such an amount that it is sufficiently consumed by combustion in the vessel 14. Therefore, the occupant restraint system 12 may remain inactive due to the inert gas, combustion products and residual oxidizing gas if an inert gas is used, or if the inert gas is not used. It is inflated almost exclusively by the oxidizing gas and the combustion products.

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

The fuel gas in the gas mixture 18 burns to generate heat which raises the pressure of the gas in the gas chamber 16 and thus the container 14 to inflate the occupant restraint system 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 produced instead of the solid substance, so that a particulate filter or the like is not necessary.

The container 14 of the safety device 10 is shown in detail in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the container 14 has a cylindrical tank 30. The 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 gases contained in the container. Therefore, 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 large number of gas flow openings 35.

The igniter housing 34 extends through an opening at one end of the tank 30 to provide the igniter 24.
Support. The igniter 24 may be of any type of many known types of igniters. Thus, the igniter may be a spark plug, a flash valve igniter (such as that shown in US Pat. No. 3,695,179), or a pyrotechnic igniter. The particular igniter 24 shown in FIG. 4 is a known squib containing a pyrotechnic material, preferably zirconium potassium perchlorate. A single ignition device as shown in FIG. 4 or multiple ignition devices can be used.
The proportion of fuel gas in the gas mixture 18 may be varied to facilitate ignition of the fuel gas by the igniter or ignitors.

The cylindrical manifold 40 is used as the ignition device 2.
4 through an opening at the end of tank 30 opposite 4, and likewise through an adjacent opening in 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 rupture disc 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 contained in the chamber 1.
Increase the pressure in 6. When the increased pressure in the tank 30 reaches a predetermined level, the end wall portion 28 bursts. The pressurized gas then passes through the manifold 40 into the chamber 1
6 to the gas flow opening 35 of the diffuser 32,
A vehicle occupant restraint system (occupant) through the gas diversion opening 35.
ant restraint) 12 flows.

FIG. 5 shows the pressure in the chamber 16 and the vehicle occupant restraint system 12 during operation of the vehicle occupant safety apparatus 10.
3 is a graph showing the relationship with the volume of gas inside. The pressure in the chamber 16 is shown 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.
Is shown to the right of. At time T ₀ , the fuel gas in the gas mixture 18 in the chamber 16 is ignited and the pressure in the chamber 16 begins to rise above the storage pressure P _S as a result of combustion. At time T ₁ , end wall 28 bursts and pressurized gas begins to flow into vehicle occupant restraint system 12.
The gas volume within the vehicle occupant restraint system 12 then begins to rise, as shown by curve V. 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 orifices 44 into the vehicle occupant restraint system 12, thereby causing the chamber 16 to expand.
The pressure inside 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 system 12. As the pressure in the chamber 16 decreases, the volume of gas in the vehicle occupant restraint system 12 will increase.
2 rises until fully inflated for the purpose of restraining the vehicle occupants.

FIG. 5 is merely an example of the operation of the vehicle occupant restraint inflator of the present invention. The curve in FIG. 5 can be changed in many ways to change the capacity-versus-time curve to tailor 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 system 12 is reduced. be able to. Further, the number of locations to ignite the fuel gas in the gas mixture 18 and / or the area of the control orifice 44 can be increased. Further, 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 system 12 can be increased, for example, by reducing the fuel gas content and / or the oxidant gas content in the gas mixture 18.

Aspect I described above is a preferred aspect of the invention. Hereinafter, another aspect of the present invention, which is another method for carrying out the present invention, will be described.

EXAMPLE 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 will be used to represent the same members. It should be noted that the subscript a is used with the reference numerals to represent the members shown in FIG. 2 in order to avoid confusion.

The passenger car 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
Similar to 8, the gas mixture 18a includes a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas to support combustion of the fuel gas, and an inert gas. Moreover, as another aspect, 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 vehicle occurs quickly, the deceleration sensor 22a activates the opening device 60 and the container 14a
A hole is mechanically formed in the end wall 28a of the. The opening device 60 consists of a piston. The explosive charge causes the piston to move against the end wall 28a. 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.
This opens the container 14a, while at the same time igniting the fuel in the gas mixture 18a by the igniter 24a. In another aspect, the gas mixture 18a is
It may be ignited shortly after the holes have been drilled in 8a. This is to drive a slightly "softer" or slower initial gas flow into the occupant restraint 12a. Additionally, the gas mixture 18a may be ignited before the end wall 28a is pierced. When the fuel gas burns, the gas inside the chamber 16a is heated. The heated gas flows from the chamber 16a through the opening of the end wall 28a into the occupant restraint 12a. As a result, the passenger 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 particular embodiment, the gas mixture 18a comprises dry air. Hydrogen gas of about 11 mol% was added to the dry air as a fuel gas. Before the end wall 28a of the container 16a is pierced by the opening device 60 and the gas mixture 18
Before the hydrogen gas in a is ignited, 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.

(Embodiment 3) A third embodiment of the present invention is as follows.
It 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 elements. It should be noted that the subscript b is used with the reference numerals to represent the members shown in FIG. 3 in order to avoid confusion.

The passenger car safety device 10b (FIG. 3) includes a passenger restraint 12b. The restraint expands due to the gas flow from the container 14b and restrains the movement of the occupant.
The container 14b includes an upper compartment 70 and a lower compartment 72. The upper compartment 70 has an end wall 28b. The upper and lower compartments 70 and 72 are separated from each other by an intermediate wall 74. The upper compartment 70 contains pressurized gas 78
including. The pressurized gas is not flammable. The lower compartment contains 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, the gas mixture 80 may consist of an oxidizing gas and a fuel gas. In this case, the gas mixture 8
0 is a gas mixture with very low fuel.

When the passenger car suddenly decelerates, the deceleration sensor 2
2b actuates the opener 60b, causing the end wall 28 of the container
Make a hole in b mechanically. 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 gas 78 flows from upper compartment 70 into occupant restraint 12b, the pressure within upper compartment 70 decreases. Therefore, the pressure differential 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 the predetermined pressure differential is reached, the intermediate wall 74 ruptures and the lower compartment 72 and the upper compartment 70 are connected by the fluid path. As a result, the lower compartment 72 is connected to the occupant restraint 12b via the upper compartment by the fluid path.

A sensor 86 detects whether the intermediate wall 74 has ruptured due to the pressure difference. In another aspect, the sensor 86 detects if the intermediate wall 74 is offset from a preset position. A sensor 86 determines if the intermediate wall 74 has ruptured or is offset from some preset position.
Sensor 86 activates the igniter 88,
The fuel gas in the gas mixture 80 is ignited. When the fuel gas in the gas mixture 80 is ignited and burned, the gas in the lower compartment 72 is heated. When the gas in the lower compartment 72 is heated, the pressure in the lower compartment 72 increases. Therefore, the intermediate wall 74
Also, the gas velocity flowing through the end wall 28b and reaching the occupant restraint 12b increases, and moreover, the gas volume effective for inflating the occupant restraint 12b also increases.

In the upper compartment 70, pressure 2,
It may be filled with dry air at 000 psi. The gas mixture in the lower compartment 72 may have different compositions and different pressures. The lower compartment 72 may be filled with a gas mixture at a pressure of 2,000 psi. The gas mixture 80 in the lower compartment 72 comprises 85-90 mol% dry air and 10-15
It may also consist of 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 for the gas mixture 18 mentioned 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
4, the lower compartment 72 and the upper compartment and occupant restraint 12b are preferably connected by a fluid path, but the upper compartment 70 and the lower compartment 7 of the container 14b are
The two can be connected by different ways of fluid path. For example, the intermediate wall 7 may be formed by an opening device similar to the opening device 60b.
4 can be punched mechanically. The operation of activating the opening device to open a hole in the intermediate wall 74 and simultaneously activating the igniter to ignite the fuel gas in the gas mixture is performed in advance after the deceleration sensor 22b detects a sudden deceleration of the passenger vehicle. It takes place when the predetermined time interval has elapsed.

(Embodiment 4) A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
Shown in. In this embodiment, hydrogen is stored in the container 100 under pressure, and oxygen is stored in the container 101 under pressure. The container 100 has a storage means 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.

A flow control orifice 110 is provided at the outlet 102.
And a rupture disk 112 is also provided. When the rupture disc 112 opens, the combustion chamber 1 of the containment means 106
Hydrogen flows into 04. The flow of hydrogen is partially controlled near the region of the flow control orifice 110. Exit 108
Includes a flow control orifice 114 and a burst disc 116.
Is provided. When the rupture disc 116 opens, oxygen flows into the combustion chamber 104 of the containment means 106.
The oxygen flow is partially controlled near the region of the flow control orifice 114. Therefore, the burst disks 112, 11
When 6 is opened, the containment means 116 contains a gas, namely hydrogen and oxygen, and forms a combustible mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.

A suitable ignition device 130 is associated with the containment means 106. When the ignition device 130 is activated, the mixture of gases within the combustion chamber 104 of the containment means 106 ignites, increasing the pressure within the combustion chamber 104 and warming the gas. Gas travels from the combustion chamber 104 through 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 towards the inflatable occupant restraint 134 and the pressure within the combustion chamber 104.
The inflatable vehicle occupant restraint 134 may be as previously described in Example 1.

A suitable opening device 140 ensures that the burst disk 11
Combined with 2. When the opening device 140 is activated, the rupture disc 112 opens. Similarly, a suitable opening device 142
Is associated with the rupture disc 116. Opening device 142
When actuated, the rupture disc 116 opens.

The opening devices 140, 142 operate with a vehicle deceleration sensor that senses a sudden deceleration of the vehicle as a sign of a collision. As a result, hydrogen and oxygen are transferred to the combustion chamber 104.
Flow into and are mixed together there. The vehicle deceleration sensor also activates the ignition device 130, and subsequently ignites the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen in the combustion chamber 104. The mixture of gases in the combustion chamber 104 ignites, warming the gas and increasing the pressure in the combustion chamber 104. The gas then flows into the vehicle occupant restraint 134.

The amount of hydrogen and oxygen stored in the containers 100 and 101 can be changed. The amount of hydrogen in combustion chamber 104 is preferably about 10 mol% of the total amount of hydrogen and oxygen in 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 combustion of the mixture of gases in the combustion chamber 104 and oxygen. Steam products are included in the combustion products.

(Embodiment 5) A fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. The components of this embodiment of the invention are generally similar to the components of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in Examples 1-4 and the same reference numerals are used to indicate similar components. is doing. The subscript c is added to the numbers in FIGS. 7-9 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 is 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 18c of gases therein may contain the oxidizing gas and the combustion gas in an amount such that the mixture has a very low combustible content. That is, the amount of oxidizing gas may exceed the amount required to promote combustion of the fuel gas.

When the gas mixture 18c ignites, the container 1
It burns in 4c, but it is not explosive unless it ignites.
The gas mixture 18c in the container 14c is normally loaded with pressure. 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 suitable construction (not shown here) transmits a signal to the conductors 150, 152 to activate the firing device 24c. .. The ignition device 24c is activated 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 inside the chamber 16c rises. 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 lapse of a predetermined time, a rupture disc (not shown here) in the rupture disc assembly 156 ruptures and one or two rupture discs rupture. Warm gas flows into the vehicle occupant restraint through the above flow control orifices. 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 invention, the ignition device 24c is actuated to transfer energy through the imperforate wall 160 (FIG. 8) of the container 14c to allow the gas in the container 14c to The mixture 18c can be ignited and combusted. The ignition device 24c is disposed adjacent to the non-perforated outer wall surface 166 of the wall portion 160. Outer charge 164
Is enclosed in a cylindrical metal housing 170. The metal housing 170 is welded to the non-perforated outer portion 166 of the wall portion 160. Outer charge 164
Is fitted with the non-perforated outer portion 166 of the wall portion 160.

The inner pyrophoric charge 174 is attached to the wall 1
The non-perforated inner portion 176 of 60 is arranged in a fitted state. The inner charge material 174 is a cylindrical metal housing 17
Wrapped in 8. The metal housing 178 is welded to the non-perforated inner portion 176 of the wall 160. A cylindrical sealing disk 186 prevents exposure of the inner charge material to the gas mixture in chamber 18c.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the outer pyrotechnic charge material 164 is RDX (Royal Da).
It may be “Nish Explosive”. However, if desired, HMX (Her Majest)
It was also possible to use y's Explosive). Outer charge 164 and inner charge 17
Both of the four cross sections have a diameter of about 0.254 cm (about 0.
It has a cylindrical shape of 100 inches.

In the particular illustrated embodiment of the invention, the inner charge material 174 is contained in two compartments. A cylindrical outer partition 180 and a cylindrical inner partition 182. Outer compartment 180
Is pentaerythritol tetranitrate (BKNO
₃ ) Made. The inner partition 182 is made of potassium potassium nitrate. In this particular embodiment of the invention, cylinder 14c is 304 stainless steel remelted in a vacuum arc. The thickness of the cylinder wall 160 between the outer charge material 164 and the inner charge material 174 is about 0.085 inch.

The igniter 24c is the extended ignition line 19
Including 2. The ignition line 192 has an end 194 and is located adjacent to the inner charge 174 and the sealing disk 186. In FIG. 8, the end 19 of the ignition line 192
4 is telescopically mounted in the housing 178, the end of the ignition line 192 is connected adjacent to the sealing disk 196 and is arranged adjacent to the internal charge 174. The central axis of the ignition line 192 in the longitudinal direction is
It is arranged so as to coincide with the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the container 14c. Ignition line 192 extends from housing 178 through the center of container 14c to the right end of the container in FIG. The ignition line 192 has an end, shown 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, supports may be provided inside the burst disk assembly or on the lateral 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. Sheath 202 is a fabric of a fragile material such as plastic, ceramic or composite.
An elongated core 204 is placed inside the sheath 202.
The core 204 is a non-explosive, ignitable material, and is formed of a material having high combustion heat.

The core 204 comprises three cylindrical strands 2
06, 208, and 210 (FIG. 9), sheath 2
It is confined by 02 unopened cylindrical lateral walls. The strands 206, 208 and 210 include longitudinally extending support members 214 which are coated with a mixture of non-explosive, ignitable powdered fuel, oxidant and a suitable binder. The support member 214 is a fabric such as fiberglass, metal or polymeric material.

The area divided by the sheath 202 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the core 204. Therefore, the core strand 20
A space is created between 6, 208, 210 and the sheath 202, and between the core strands themselves. Strands 206, 20
Powder adhesive ignition layer 22 made of the same material as 8, 210
2 is placed inside the sheath 202.

Ignition line 192 is Explosive Technolog
Available commercially from y (Fairfield California), I
Known as TLX. Three strands 206,
Ignition line 192 having a core 204 formed of 208 and 210 and a cylindrical sheath 202 has been previously disclosed, and it is contemplated that ignition line 192 can 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 on lines 150, 152 to ignite the external charge 164. External charge 1
The ignition of 64 is performed by the unopened wall portion 160 of the container 14c.
Vibrate. Wall portion 1 between charges 164 and 174
The force transmitted by the vibration of 60 causes ignition of the ignition portion 180 of the internal charge 174. This ignites the charging 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.

Upon ignition of the core 204, the ignition reaction propagates along the ignition line at a very fast rate, on the order of 1,000-1,500 meters per second. The sheath 202 is destroyed as the reaction propagates along the ignition line 192. The sheath 202 breaks into small incandescent particles of reaction products that are radially released from the ignition line 192.

The heat obtained by the ignition of the ignition line 192 rapidly heats the gas near the surface of the sheath 202, and
Promptly heat up to 000 ° F. This is chamber 1
The combustible mixture of gases 18c in 6c is ignited. In addition, the small incandescent particles of reaction products emitted radially from the ignition line 192 resulting from the destruction of the sheath effectively ignite the combustible gas mixture 18c at a location remote from the ignition line.

That is, the ignition line 192 plays two roles of heating the gas mixture 18c inside the container 14c and igniting the gas mixture. The ignition line 192 increases the substantial amount of heat to the 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 can make 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. Figure 6
In a variation of this embodiment, an inert gas is added to the container 10
It can also be stored under pressure in separate containers similar to 0 and 101. The device according to the present invention is
It is also known as an air bag and can be used as a vehicle occupant restraint or other inflator. For example, the device according to the present invention can be used for inflating automobile seat belts, rafts, escape chutes and the like. Applications, improvements, changes and modifications that can be easily made by those skilled in the art are within the technical scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of 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 showing performance characteristics of a representative vehicle occupant safety device according to the present invention.

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

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

8 is a fragmentary schematic enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 7. FIG.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Passenger Safety Device 12 Inflatable Vehicle Occupant Restraint 14 Container 18 Gas Mixture 22 Deceleration Sensor 24 Igniter

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Nayham Gut, Nineth Street, Manhattan Beach, California 90266, USA 1227 (72) Inventor John H. Semcena, Michigan, USA 48073, Royal Oak, Durham 3818 (72) Inventor Ernst M. Fagle, Winslow, Michigan 48444, United States, Winslow 2510 (72) Inventor Richard Jay Thompson, Michigan, USA 48444, Imrey City, Westwood Drive 635

Claims (46)

[Claims] 1. A device for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, the device comprising: means for containing a gas to generate a combustible mixture of the gas; and igniting the gas mixture. An apparatus comprising means for warming and increasing the pressure of gas within said containment means and means for introducing gas from said containment means into said vehicle occupant restraint. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ignition means comprises means for generating a gas mixture in response to a sudden deceleration of the vehicle. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas mixture contains an inert gas, a fuel gas, and an oxidant gas for maintaining combustion of the fuel gas. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said containing means comprises a single container for containing said inert gas, fuel gas and oxidant gas. 5. The relative amounts of inert gas, fuel gas, and oxidant gas generate a predetermined volumetric flow of heated gas upon combustion of the fuel gas to inflate a vehicle occupant restraint. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is selected for. 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fuel gas is selected from hydrogen and gaseous hydrocarbons, the oxidant gas is oxygen, and the inert gas is selected from nitrogen and argon. 7. The housing means is approximately 500-5,00.
The device of claim 4 under a pressure of 0 psi. 8. The fuel gas is about 10 parts of the gas mixture.
-14 mol% hydrogen, the oxidant gas is oxygen about 15-25 mol% of the gas mixture, and the inert gas is 61-7 of the gas mixture.
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the nitrogen comprises 5 mol%. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas mixture comprises a lean mixture of fuel gas and oxidant gas. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said containment means comprises a single container for said fuel gas and oxidant gas. 11. A first container for the fuel gas, a second container for the oxidant gas, and a fuel gas and an oxidant gas defined by the housing means from the first and second containers. Claim 1 with means for introducing into the combustion chamber.
The described device. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the ignition means produces a gas mixture within the combustion chamber. 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said introducing means introduces gas from said combustion chamber into said vehicle occupant restraint. 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said igniting means comprises an elongated heating source extending from one end of said containing means to a central portion of the means. 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said housing means has a central longitudinal axis and said elongated heat source is located on the central longitudinal axis of said housing means. 16. The igniting means comprises an elongated core disposed within a frangible sheath in the containment means, and the resulting destruction of the sheath causes initial combustion of the core to produce incandescent reaction products. The apparatus of claim 1 including means for jetting into the combustible gas mixture along the length of the core. 17. A first pyrophoric charge material and the non-perforated wall portion, wherein the accommodating means has a non-perforated wall portion, and the ignition means is disposed adjacent to a first side of the non-perforated wall portion. The apparatus of claim 1 having a second pyrotechnic charge disposed adjacent the second side of the. 18. The housing means has a non-perforated wall portion, and the ignition means is adjacent to an energy source provided adjacent to a first side of the non-perforated wall portion and a second side of the non-perforated wall portion. And then placed
Means for being actuated by energy transmitted through its wall to generate a combustible mixture of gases. 19. A device for inflating an inflator, the device comprising a means for containing a gas to generate a combustible mixture of the gas, igniting and warming the gas mixture, An apparatus comprising means for increasing the pressure of gas within the containment means and means for introducing gas from the containment means into the inflator. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the gas mixture contains an inert gas, a fuel gas, and an oxidant gas for maintaining combustion of the fuel gas. 21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said containing means comprises a single container for containing said inert gas, fuel gas and oxidant gas. 22. The first pyrophoric charge material and the non-perforated wall portion wherein the accommodating means has a non-perforated wall portion, and the ignition means is disposed adjacent to a first side of the non-perforated wall portion. 20. The device of claim 19 having a second pyrotechnic charge disposed adjacent the second side of the. 23. The igniting means comprises an elongated core disposed within a frangible sheath in the containment means, and the resulting destruction of the sheath resulting in initial combustion of the core to provide incandescent reaction products to the elongated core. 23. The apparatus of claim 22 including means for jetting into the combustible gas mixture along the length of the core. 24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the gas mixture comprises a poor mixture of fuel gas and oxidant gas. 25. Further, a first container for the fuel gas, a second container for the oxidant gas, and a fuel gas and an oxidant gas are defined from the first and second containers by the housing means. 25. Apparatus according to claim 24, comprising means for introducing into the combustion chamber. 26. A device for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, the device comprising: a container having a non-perforated wall with inner and outer sides; an ignitable substance disposed in the container; Ignition means for igniting the ignitable substance in the container to generate a gas flow from the container, the means comprising an energy source disposed adjacent to the outside of the non-perforated wall of the container and the container. A means for igniting the ignitable substance in the container, which is arranged adjacent to the inside of the non-perforated wall part of the container and is operated by energy transmitted through the non-perforated wall part of the container. And an introducing means for introducing gas from the container to the vehicle occupant restraint. 27. The energy source comprises a first pyrophoric charge, and means disposed adjacent an inner portion of the non-perforated wall of the container comprises: 27. Apparatus according to claim 26, having a second pyrotechnic charge material which is ignited under the influence of vibrations transmitted through the dead bore of the container in response to ignition. 28. The ignition means comprises an elongated heating source,
The heating source extends through a central portion of the container from a location adjacent the second pyrotechnic charge and heat is provided from the elongated heating source along the length of the elongated pyrotechnic material. 28. The device according to claim 27, wherein 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the container has a central longitudinal axis and the elongated heat source is located on the central longitudinal axis of the container. 30. The igniting means comprises an elongate core disposed within a frangible sheath in the container, the means disposed adjacent to the inside of the imperforate wall results in the sheath. Is operable to burn the core by initiating the destruction of the core and initiate the ejection of incandescent reaction products into the pyrophoric material within the vessel.
6. The device according to 6. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the container has a central longitudinal axis and the elongated core and frangible sheath are located on the central longitudinal axis of the container. 32. The elongate core and fragile sheath extend from one end of the container through the center of the container to provide an incandescent reaction product at at least one end and the center of the container. 4. The jetting in the material direction
0 device. 33. The device of claim 26, wherein the pyrophoric material comprises a combustible mixture of gases. 34. A device for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, the device comprising: receiving means for receiving at least two gases, ignition means for igniting the gases, and gas from the receiving means. An apparatus comprising introduction means for introducing the vehicle occupant restraint and inflating the restraint. 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least two gases in the containment means contain a fuel gas and an oxidant gas for maintaining combustion of the fuel gas. 36. The igniting means burns the elongated core disposed in a frangible sheath within the containment means, and the resulting breakage of the sheath, and the glowing reaction product of the core. 35. The apparatus of claim 34, including means for injecting into the gas within the containing means along the length of the elongated core. 37. The non-perforated wall and the non-perforated wall, wherein the accommodating means has a non-perforated wall portion, and the ignition means is disposed adjacent to the first side of the non-perforated wall portion. A second pyrotechnic charge material disposed adjacent the second side of the section.
4. The device according to 4. 38. The accommodating means has a non-perforated wall portion, and the ignition means is provided with an energy source disposed adjacent to the first side of the non-perforated wall portion, and a second portion of the non-perforated wall portion. 35. Apparatus according to claim 34, comprising means for allowing at least one of the gases to be expelled into the containment means by energy transmitted through the imperforate wall located adjacent the side. .. 39. A method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, the method comprising generating a combustible mixture of gases in a container, igniting the combustible gas mixture in the container, and discharging the gas. A method comprising introducing the container into a vehicle occupant restraint. 40. The step of producing a combustible mixture of gases produces an inert gas, a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, and the step of igniting the combustible mixture of gases burns the fuel gas. Claim 3 which causes
9. The method described in 9. 41. The step of generating a combustible mixture of gases stores fuel gas in one vessel, oxidant gas in another vessel, and mixes fuel and oxidant gas. 40. The method of claim 39 including the step of forming a combustible mixture of gases in response to a sudden deceleration of the vehicle. 42. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of sensing the occurrence of a sudden deceleration of the vehicle, the step of igniting a combustible mixture of gases in response to the sensing step occurring. 43. The method of claim 39, comprising the step of burning in a vessel at least a portion of one of the gases in a combustible mixture of gases. 44. The method of claim 39, wherein the step of igniting a combustible mixture of gases in the container comprises transferring energy through a non-porous portion of the container wall. 45. The step of igniting a combustible mixture of gases in a container ignites a first charge material located outside the container, and from a first charge material to a second charge material. 40. Ignition of a second charge material located inside the container under the influence of a transmission force through the solid wall of the container. 46. The step of igniting a combustible mixture of gases in a container comprises incandescent substances in the gas mixture within the container along an elongated passage extending from one end of the container through the center of the container. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the method comprises squirting into.