JPH09156453A - Inflator and identifying method of inflator before and after its operation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To identify an inflation before and after its operation and promote its reutilization by changing the external appearance after its operation. SOLUTION: An aluminum foil 34 closing a gas exhaust nozzle 29 is stuck on the peripheral face of the upper case 27 of an inflator 24. When the inflator 24 is operated, gas is ejected from the gas exhaust nozzle 29, and the aluminum foil 34 is broken by the ejecting force. A worker can easily identify that the inflator 24 has been operated. The reutilization of the upper case 27 and the lower case 28 of the inflator 24 can be promoted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inflator which ejects gas when actuated and a method for identifying before and after actuation of the inflator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an occupant protection auxiliary device, for example, an air bag device is widely used. This type of airbag device is equipped with a mechanical ignition type or electric ignition type sensor that detects a collision state, and when this sensor detects a collision state, the inflator operates to eject gas and inflate the bag body. It is like this.

A structure of this type of inflator is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 213149/1993. Briefly, as shown in FIG. 21, the inflator 2
00 is an upper case 20 made of aluminum alloy or the like
2 and the lower case 204, which are integrated by welding the joints of both. A mechanical ignition type sensor 206 for detecting a collision state is arranged at the axial center of the inflator 200. Immediately above the sensor 206, a detonator 207 that is ignited by a firing pin (not shown) piercing, and a transfer agent 208 that propagates the flame of the detonator 207 are arranged. Also, the sensor 2
A gas generating agent 210 that burns by the flame propagated through the transfer agent 208 is enclosed around 06, and a large amount of high-temperature gas is generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent 210. There is.

By the way, for example, the upper case 202 and the lower case 204 in the inflator 200 which has been operated.
There is a request to reuse the etc. However, a caution is usually provided on the bottom surface of the lower case 204 of the inflator 200 so as not to heat or energize the inflator 200 when the airbag device is removed or the steering wheel is repaired. A label is attached. Therefore, if the inflator 200 of the airbag device is in operation, the caution label may be disregarded and may be removed and heated, but since the caution label remains as it is after operation. People tend to think that they should not be dissolved for reuse. That is, it is a factor that prevents reuse of the inflator 200 that it is not possible to identify whether the inflator 200 is activated only by the presence of the seashone label after the inflator 200 is activated.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention can provide an inflator and a method for identifying before and after actuation of an inflator, which can distinguish before and after actuation and promote reuse by changing the appearance after actuation. Is the purpose.

[0006]

The present invention according to claim 1 is an inflator which ejects gas by being operated, and is based on the deploying force or the moving force of a member which is deployed or moved by receiving gas pressure. It is characterized in that the inflator is provided with an identification means that can identify the inflator before and after the operation by changing the appearance of the inflator.

The present invention according to claim 2 is an inflator which ejects gas by being actuated, and the appearance of the inflator is changed based on the jetting force of the gas so that the inflator can be discriminated before and after actuation. It is characterized in that the inflator is provided with an identification means capable of

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the second aspect, the change in appearance is a change in shape.
It is characterized by:

The present invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 3, the change in the shape is a change in the shape of the gas ejection portion provided in the inflator.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the change in the shape of the gas ejection portion is caused by breakage or separation of a closing member that closes the gas ejection port. I am trying.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the change in appearance is a change in color.
It is characterized by:

The present invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the change in color is caused by a coloring means that forms a colored portion at a visible position in the inflator when the inflator is operated. It is characterized by that.

The present invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 7, the change in color is caused by the coloring means ejecting a coloring material from the outside of the inflator.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, which is an inflator which ejects gas by being operated, the appearance of the inflator is changed based on the heat generated from the inflator at the time of operation. It is characterized in that the inflator is provided with identification means that enables identification after operation.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, before and after the operation of the inflator is identified based on the identification means provided on the inflator and changing the appearance of the inflator when the inflator operates.
It is characterized by:

According to the first aspect of the present invention, gas is ejected when the inflator is activated. Here, in the present invention, the appearance of the inflator changes based on the deploying force or the moving force of the member that deploys or moves in response to the gas pressure ejected from the inflator. This identifies that the inflator has been activated.

According to the present invention, the gas is ejected when the inflator is activated. Here, in the present invention, the appearance of the inflator changes based on the ejection force of the gas ejected from the inflator. This identifies that the inflator has been activated.

According to the present invention of claim 3, claim 2
In the invention described above, since the change in the appearance is the change in the shape, it is easy to visually recognize as in the case of the change in the color described later.

According to the present invention of claim 4, claim 3
In the invention described above, since the change in the shape is the change in the shape of the gas ejection portion provided in the inflator, the certainty of the change in the shape can be ensured. That is, since the gas ejection portion of the inflator is the portion that receives the gas ejection force most, it is most certain to change the shape of this portion.

According to the present invention of claim 5, claim 4
In the described invention, the change in the shape of the gas ejection portion is caused by breakage or separation of the closing member that closes the gas ejection port, so that it can be realized with a simple configuration.

According to the present invention of claim 6, claim 2
In the invention described above, since the change in appearance is a change in color, it is easy to visually recognize as in the case of the change in shape described above.

According to the present invention of claim 7, claim 6 is provided.
In the above-mentioned invention, when the inflator is activated, the coloring means forms the coloring portion at a visible position on the inflator. By this coloring, the inflator changes from the original color (metal color) to the colored color.

According to the present invention of claim 8, claim 7 is provided.
In the invention described above, since the coloring means is configured to change the color by injecting the coloring material from the outside of the inflator, the coloring means is realized with a simpler structure than the case where the coloring means is arranged inside the inflator. be able to.

According to the present invention of claim 9, when the inflator is actuated, the gas is ejected. Here, in the present invention, the appearance of the inflator changes based on the heat generated when the inflator operates. This identifies that the inflator has been activated.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, gas is ejected when the inflator is actuated. Here, in the present invention, before and after the operation of the inflator is identified based on the identification means provided on the inflator and changing the appearance of the inflator by the operation of the inflator.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. The first embodiment corresponds to an embodiment of the present invention described in claims 2 to 5 and claim 10.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the airbag device 10 for the driver's seat is separated from the steering wheel 12, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the airbag device 10. Has been done. As shown in these figures, in the vicinity of the hub 12A of the steering wheel 12,
A bracket 14 having a bolt insertion hole is attached. Correspondingly, the base plate 16 of the airbag device 10 is provided with a leg portion 18 that can come into contact with the bracket 14 and has a bolt insertion hole. Then, in a state where the bracket 14 and the leg portion 18 are brought into contact with each other and both bolt insertion holes are coaxially positioned, the airbag device 10 is fixed to the steering wheel 12 by a bolt and a nut (not shown). There is.

The airbag device 10 is provided with the base plate 16 having a substantially box shape as described above. When a predetermined high load is applied to the base plate 16 (when the vehicle rapidly decelerates)
Further, an airbag pad 22 is attached, which is broken from the thin portion 20 and expands in a direction in which a pair of expansion parts 22A are separated from each other. As a method of attaching the airbag pad 22, there is a method of attaching it to the base plate 16 via an insert plate (not shown) insert-molded inside. A bag body (not shown) is stored in a folded state between the airbag pad 22 and the base plate 16.

A bulging portion 16A having a rectangular shape when viewed from the back side is formed in the central portion of the base plate 16, and the inflator 24 is attached to the bolt 2 by the bulging portion 16A.
It is fixed by 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inflator 24
Includes an upper case 27 penetratingly arranged in the bulging portion 16 </ b> A of the base plate 16 and a lower case 28 which is fitted to the upper case 27 and integrated by welding. The upper case 27 and the lower case 28
Are both made of aluminum alloy. Upper case 27
A plurality of rectangular gas outlets 29 are provided on the peripheral wall of the
Are formed. Further, a through hole 32 is formed in the axial center portion of the lower case 28 of the inflator 24, and a squib (not shown) is arranged in the through hole 32. A transfer agent (not shown) is disposed directly above the squib, and a gas generating agent, a coolant, a filter, etc. are accommodated around the transfer agent. The squib is an electric ignition type, but a mechanical ignition type is provided with an acceleration sensor.

Here, a strip-shaped aluminum foil 34 is attached to the peripheral surface of the upper case 27 of the inflator 24 described above by an adhesive or a seal. As a result, the plurality of gas ejection ports 2 formed on the peripheral wall of the upper case 27 are formed.
9 is closed. In addition, the thickness of the aluminum foil 34 is a thickness (for example, 0.25 mm to
It is set to about 0.5 mm).

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. When a predetermined high load is applied, a predetermined current is applied to the squib. As a result, the transfer agent is ignited and the flame is propagated to the gas generating agent. Therefore, the gas generating agent burns to generate a large amount of high temperature gas. The generated gas flows into the bag body from the gas ejection port 29 formed in the inflator 24 and inflates the bag body. As a result, the airbag pad 22 breaks along the thin portion 20, and the bag body bulges toward the occupant seated on the driver's seat while the pair of deploying portions 22A are deployed.

Here, the gas ejection port 2 of the inflator 24
When the gas is ejected from 9, the aluminum foil 34 is broken by the ejection force of the gas. Therefore, the appearance of the inflator 24 changes as compared with the state before the aluminum foil 34 is broken. The “change in appearance” referred to here is the aluminum foil 34.
Is a change in the shape of the inflator 24 including "," and "a change in the shape" is a change in the shape of the gas ejection portion including the gas ejection port 29 and the aluminum foil 34. The "change" is due to breakage of the aluminum foil 34 that is the closing member that closes the gas ejection port 29. As a result, even when the inflator 24 is removed from the base plate 16 when the airbag device 10 is discarded, the operator sees the inflator 24 whose appearance is changed by the broken aluminum foil 34, and the inflator 24 is not activated. It turns out that

As described above, in this embodiment, since the aluminum foil 34 is attached to the peripheral surface of the upper case 27 of the inflator 24 so as to close the gas ejection port 29, the aluminum foil 34 can be broken by the ejection force of gas. Inflator 24
Can be easily identified after activation. Therefore, reuse of the upper case 27, the lower case 28, and the like of the inflator 24 can be promoted.

Further, in this embodiment, since the shape of the inflator 24 including the aluminum foil 34 is changed by breaking the aluminum foil 34 by the jetting force of gas, the visibility can be improved. As a result, the distinguishability of the inflator 24 before and after the operation can be improved. Further, since the shape of the gas ejection portion is changed by breaking the aluminum foil 34, it is possible to ensure the shape change. That is, the inflator 2
Since the gas ejection port 29 of No. 4 is the part that receives the gas ejection force most, it is most certain to change the shape at this part. From this, before the operation of the inflator 24,
It is possible to improve the distinguishability after the operation.

Moreover, in this embodiment, since the change in the shape of the gas ejection portion is caused by the breakage of the aluminum foil 34 that closes the gas ejection port 29, it can be realized with a simple structure. Therefore, the cost can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the upper case 27
Gas spout 29 by attaching aluminum foil 34 to the peripheral surface of
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various configurations can be adopted. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, each gas ejection port 29 may be fitted with a rectangular styrofoam 35, which is a light member, and the styrofoam 35 may be blown off by the ejection force of gas. Good. When the temperature blown out from the inflator 24 is low, it is possible to use non-combustible paper, resin film, or the like instead of the aluminum foil 34. Further, the aluminum foil 34 may be colored with a color different from the surface color of the inflator 24 to improve the visibility.

Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the inflator 24 of the airbag device 10 for the driver's seat, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the airbag device for the passenger seat and the airbag device for side impact, Furthermore, if the shape of the inflator is changed, the present invention can be applied to a pretensioner that rapidly retracts the buckle device at the time of collision or rapidly rotates the winding shaft of the webbing winding device in the webbing winding direction. . Note that this point is the same for the second and subsequent embodiments to be described later.

Based on this point, another example to which the present invention is applied will be described below. 6 and 7 show an airbag device 36 for the passenger seat. The airbag device 36 for the passenger seat is arranged in the upper part of the glove box in the instrument panel 38 of the vehicle or immediately below the windshield glass. The airbag device 36 includes a substantially box-shaped module case 40, and the instrument panel reinforcement 4 in which the module case 40 is arranged along the vehicle width direction via a stay (not shown).
It is attached to 2. In addition, the module case 40
An airbag door 44 is attached to the opening of the module so as to be expandable, and a cylindrical inflator 46 is arranged in the module case 40. Inflator 46
A bag body 48 is arranged in a folded state around the.

FIG. 8 shows a vertical sectional structure of the inflator 46 described above. In addition, this inflator 46
Is a high pressure gas filled type inflator. The inflator 46 includes a cylindrical pressure vessel 50. At one end of the pressure vessel 50, a tubular housing 54 having a plurality of gas ejection ports 52 is fixed by welding. The front end opening of the housing 54 is closed by a pressure partition wall 56. A tubular housing 58 is similarly fixed to the inside of the housing 54 by welding. As a result, a gas outlet 59 is formed between the housing 54 and the housing 58. In addition, on the bottom side of the housing 58, the holding body 6 having a substantially cylindrical shape is formed.
0 is retained, and a gas heating agent (explosive) in the middle
62 are provided. A squib 64 is arranged at the axial center of the holding body 60, and the squib 64 and the gas heating agent 6 are provided.
An igniting agent 66 is provided between the two. Further, a piercing member 68 that moves by the ignition force of the gas heating agent 62 is provided at the tip of the housing 58.

A hemispherical closing member 70 is fixed to the other end of the pressure vessel 50 by welding. A mixed gas of argon and helium is sealed under pressure in an internal space 72 of the pressure container 50 formed between the closing member 70 and the housing 54.

Further, in the housing 54 of the inflator 46 described above, the aluminum foil 8 is formed so as to cover the gas ejection port 52.
0 is attached.

According to the above construction, when a predetermined high load is applied, a predetermined current is passed through the squib 64 to heat the gas heating agent 62 via the igniting agent 66. For this reason,
The gas heating agent 62 ignites, and the ignition force at this time pressurizes the air in the housing 54. Therefore, the pressurized air acts on the piercing member 68, and the piercing member 68 moves to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line. As a result, the pressure partition wall 56 is broken, and the mixed gas in the internal space 72 is ejected from the gas ejection port 52 via the gas outlet 59. Then, the aluminum foil 80 is broken by the jetting force of the gas at this time.

On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows a vertical sectional structure of another type of inflator 82. The inflator 82 is a gas generating agent type inflator. The inflator 82 is a bottomed cylindrical inflator case 8
4 is provided. At the open end of the inflator case 84, a plug 88 having a squib 86 arranged in the axial center is fitted. Further, a cylindrical filter 90 is arranged inside the inflator case 84, and a gas generating agent 92 that generates nitrogen gas is enclosed inside the filter 90. A plurality of gas outlets 94 are formed on the peripheral wall of the inflator case 84 described above, and an aluminum foil 96 is attached to the peripheral surface of the inflator case 84 so as to cover the gas outlets 94.

According to the above construction, when a predetermined high load is applied, a predetermined current is passed through the squib 86 to burn the gas generating agent 92. As a result, a large amount of gas is generated and the gas is ejected from the gas ejection port 94 via the filter 90. Then, the aluminum foil 96 is broken by the jetting force of the gas at this time.

In the above structure, the gas outlets 52, 94 of the inflators 46, 82 of the passenger seat airbag device 36 are closed by the aluminum foils 80, 96, but the invention is not limited to this. It may be closed at. [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
An embodiment will be described. It should be noted that the second embodiment relates to claim 2, claim 6 to claim 8, and claim 10.
This corresponds to one embodiment of the present invention described above.

FIG. 10 shows an airbag device 1 for the driver's seat.
00 is shown in vertical section. As shown in the figure, the airbag device 100 includes a substantially box-shaped base plate 102, and resin airbag pads 104 are provided on both sides of the base plate 102 with rivets 1.
It is fixed by 06. The airbag pad 104 is formed with a thin portion 108 that is substantially H-shaped when viewed from the occupant side, and when the predetermined high load is applied, the thin portion 108 is formed.
It is designed to break from and expand.

At the center of the base plate 102, an inflator 114 composed of an upper case 110 and a lower case 112 is arranged. The upper case 110 of the inflator 114 is inserted into a circular hole formed in the central portion of the base plate 102.
A plurality of gas ejection ports 116 are formed on the peripheral wall of No. 4. Further, around the circular hole of the base plate 102, a ring-shaped retainer 1 to which a weld nut 118 is fixed.
20 are arranged. Between the retainer 120 and the base plate 102, the peripheral edge portion of the opening of the bag body 122 that is stored between the airbag pad 104 and the base plate 102 in a folded state is sandwiched. In this state, the bolt 124 is screwed into the weld nut 118 from the lower case 112 side of the inflator 114, so that the inflator 114 is fixed to the base plate 102.

Here, in this embodiment, one of the bolts 124 for fixing the inflator 114 described above to the base plate 102 is stopped, and a spray 126 is attached instead. Specifically,
The spray 126 is the lower case 1 of the inflator 114.
12, a can 130 having an injection port 128 protruding toward the bottom surface side, a bag 134 in which the liquid coating material 132 for coloring is enclosed, and a can 134 standing on the upper end of the can 130. And a bolt 136 that is hollow inside. Of these, the bolt 136 includes a shaft portion 136A having a male screw formed on the circumferential surface, and a shaft portion 136A.
The head 136B fixed to the axially intermediate portion of A. Then, the bolt 126 is screwed into the weld nut 118 of the retainer 120, so that the spray 126 is fixed to the inflator 114.

According to the above structure, when a predetermined high load is applied, the gas is ejected from the gas ejection port 116 of the inflator 114. Therefore, the bag body 122 is inflated, and the airbag pad 104 is broken from the thin portion 108 and deployed. Here, when the internal pressure of the bag body 122 increases, the internal pressure of the can 130 increases via the shaft portion 136A of the bolt 136. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the bag 134 is pressed and ruptured, and the paint 132 enclosed therein is sprayed from the spray port 128. As a result, the inflator 11
The paint 132 is attached to the bottom surface of the lower case 112 of No. 4,
A colored portion is formed on the bottom surface of the lower case 112 of the inflator 114.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the spray 126 for adhering the coating material 132 to the bottom surface of the lower case 112 by the jetting force of the gas is arranged in the inflator 114, the colored portion is formed on the bottom surface of the lower case 112 of the inflator 114. Whether or not the inflator 114 is in operation can be easily identified by checking whether or not the inflator 114 is in operation. Therefore, reuse of the upper case 110, the lower case 112, and the like of the inflator 114 can be promoted.

Further, in this embodiment, the bag 134 in the can 130 is broken by the jetting force of the gas, and the paint 132 is attached to the bottom surface of the lower case 112, so that the inflator 1
Since the color of No. 14 is changed from the original color (metal color) to the colored color, the visibility can be improved, and thus the distinguishability before and after the operation of the inflator 114 can be improved. it can.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the inflator 1 is
14, the paint 132 is sprayed from the outside of the inflator 1
Since it is the composition which changes the color of 14, spray 12
Compared with the case where the coloring means corresponding to 6 is provided inside the inflator 114, it can be realized with a simple configuration. In other words, when disposing the coloring means inside the inflator 114, it may be necessary to consider the layout change of the functional parts such as the gas generating agent housed inside and the shape change of the inflator 114. However, according to the present embodiment, since the spray 126 as the coloring means is arranged outside the inflator 114, it can be realized with a simple structure. Therefore, the cost can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the spray 126 is arranged outside the inflator 114 to facilitate the realization. However, the layout of the functional parts of the inflator 114 is changed so that the inside of the inflator 114 is colored. The means (the bag containing the paint 138) may be arranged in any direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, when gas is ejected from the gas ejection port 116 of the inflator 114,
Along with this, the paint 138 is ejected from the gas ejection port 116. Therefore, the upper case 1 of the inflator 114 is
Liquid paint 138 is adhered to 10 to be colored.

In the present embodiment, the liquid paint 13 is used.
Although Nos. 2, 138 are used, the present invention is not limited to this, and powder paint may be used.

Further, the gas generating agent itself may be made of a material capable of generating a colorable gas for the inflator 114. [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. The third embodiment corresponds to an embodiment of the present invention described in claims 1 to 3 and claim 10. Further, the same components as those in the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, a seal 140 is attached to the peripheral surface of the upper case 110 of the inflator 114 of the airbag device 100. One end of a string 142 is fixed to the seal 140. The other end of the string 142 is fixed to the inner surface of a strap 143 which is arranged in the bag body 122 and regulates the developed shape of the bag body 122. Further, the sticking surface of the seal 140 in the upper case 110 is provided with a display surface 144 (see FIG. 14) having a specific color or pattern.

According to the above structure, when a predetermined high load is applied, the gas is ejected from the gas ejection port 116 of the inflator 114. Therefore, the bag body 122 is inflated, and the airbag pad 104 is broken from the thin portion 108 and deployed. Here, as shown in FIG. 14, when the internal pressure of the bag body 122 rises and expands, the string 142 is pulled by the expanding force of the bag body 122, and the seal 140 is attached to the upper case 1.
Stripped from 10. Therefore, the display surface 144 with a specific color or pattern appears on the upper case 110.
Note that this also changes the appearance of the inflator 114.

As described above, in this embodiment, the string 142 is pulled by the expanding force of the bag body 122 which is expanded by receiving the gas pressure, whereby the seal 140 attached to the upper case 110 is peeled off and the display surface 144 appears. Since the configuration is adopted, it can be easily identified that the inflator 114 has been actuated. Therefore, reuse of the upper case 110, the lower case 112, and the like of the inflator 114 can be promoted.

In this embodiment, the airbag device 1
Since 00 is the application target of the present invention, the deploying force of the bag body 122 is used. However, when the application target of the present invention is a pretensioner, the buckle device is retracted or the winding shaft is rapidly moved in the webbing winding direction. The moving force of the piston or the wire for rotating may be used. [Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
An embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment corresponds to an embodiment of the present invention described in claims 9 and 10. Further, the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, the peripheral surface and the bottom surface of the lower case 28 of the inflator 24 are covered with a net-like cover 146. This net-like cover 146 has a shape such that a flat cylindrical shape is constituted by a wire rod as a single item as shown in FIG. Further, the cover 146 is made of a resin material (for example, a material having shrinkability such as vinyl chloride) that melts at a surface temperature (about 200 ° C.) or less of the inflator 24 during operation.

According to the above structure, since the cover 146 is not melted when the cover 146 is attached, it is possible to easily cover the lower case 28 of the inflator 24. Then, when a predetermined high load is applied, the inflator 24
High-temperature gas is ejected from the gas ejection port 29 of the. Therefore, the surface temperature of the inflator 24 rises, and when it reaches a predetermined temperature, the cover 146 melts and adheres to the surface of the lower case 28. Therefore, the appearance of the inflator 24 changes.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the cover 146 is melted by the heat generated from the inflator 24 and adheres to the lower case 28. Therefore, it can be easily identified that the inflator 24 has been operated. be able to. Therefore, reuse of the upper case 27, the lower case 28, and the like of the inflator 24 can be promoted.

Although the cover 146 formed in the shape of a wire is used in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cover 14 formed in the shape of a face as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.
8 may be used. The same action and effect can be obtained by using this cover 148. Furthermore, this cover 148
Leg portions 150 are formed at predetermined intervals, and a claw 152 formed at a tip end portion of the leg portion 150 is locked in a groove 154 formed at a predetermined position on the peripheral surface of the lower case 204 of the inflator 200. It is like this. For this reason, the degree of adhesion of the cover 148 to the lower case 204 can be increased. The inflator 200 shown in FIG.
Is the same as the inflator shown as the prior art, and the description thereof will be omitted by giving the same numbers to the respective parts.

Further, in the present embodiment, the inflator 2 is
4,200 lower cases 28, 204 with covers 146,
Although the structure in which the inflator is covered with 148 is adopted, any structure can be used as long as the appearance of the inflator can be changed based on the heat generated from the inflator. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. Adhesive 1 whose adhesive performance deteriorates when the peripheral surface reaches a predetermined high temperature
The display member 158 may be fixed by fixing means such as 56. In this case, when the inflator 24 operates and the surface temperature thereof rises, the adhesive performance of the adhesive 156 deteriorates and the display member 158 peels off. This allows the operator to easily identify that the inflator 24 has been actuated. A specific color or pattern may be displayed on the attachment surface of the display member 158 in the lower case 28 so that the operator can easily identify it.

[0066]

As described above, the inflator according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1 changes the appearance of the inflator based on the deploying force or the moving force of the member that is deployed or moved by receiving the gas pressure. Since the inflator is provided with the identification means capable of identifying before and after the operation of the inflator, it is possible to identify before and after the operation, and it is possible to promote the reuse.

In the inflator according to the second aspect of the present invention, by changing the appearance of the inflator based on the jetting force of gas, the inflator is provided with identification means that enables identification before and after operation of the inflator. Since it was set up,
It has an excellent effect that it is possible to identify before and after the operation, and it is possible to promote reuse.

In the inflator according to the present invention as defined in claim 3, in the invention according to claim 2, the change in appearance is changed in shape, so that the visibility is improved. As a result, before and after actuation of the inflator. It has an excellent effect of making it easy to identify.

In the inflator according to the present invention described in claim 4, in the invention described in claim 3, since the change in shape is the change in the shape of the gas ejection portion provided in the inflator, the certainty of the change in shape is ensured. This has an excellent effect that the distinguishability before and after the operation of the inflator can be improved.

In the inflator according to the present invention as defined in claim 5, in the invention according to claim 4, the change in the shape of the gas ejection portion is caused by the breakage or separation of the closing member for closing the gas ejection port. It has an excellent effect that it can be realized with a simple configuration, and thus cost reduction can be achieved.

In the inflator according to the present invention described in claim 6, in the invention described in claim 2, the change in appearance is changed in color, so that the visibility is improved, whereby the inflator is actuated before and after actuation. It has an excellent effect of making it easy to identify.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the inflator according to the sixth aspect, the color change is formed by a coloring means which forms a colored portion at a position visible on the inflator when the inflator operates. Since it is caused to occur, the visibility is improved, which has an excellent effect of making it easy to identify the inflator before and after the operation.

The inflator according to the present invention of claim 8 is the same as the invention of claim 7, wherein the color change is caused by the coloring means ejecting a coloring material from the outside of the inflator. It has an excellent effect that the cost can be reduced.

The inflator according to the present invention according to claim 9 changes the appearance of the inflator on the basis of the heat generated from the inflator during operation, thereby enabling identification before and after operation of the inflator. Since the inflator is provided, it has an excellent effect that it is possible to discriminate before and after the operation, and the reuse can be promoted.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for identifying before and after actuation of an inflator based on an identification means provided on the inflator and changing the appearance of the inflator when the inflator is actuated. Since it is a method to identify after operation,
It has an excellent effect that the inflator can be easily identified before and after the operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an inflator according to a first embodiment in an upside-down state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an airbag device including the inflator shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the airbag device shown in FIG. 2 in a state of being separated from a steering wheel.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inflator corresponding to FIG. 1, showing an embodiment using styrofoam instead of aluminum foil.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of the inflator shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a passenger seat airbag device as viewed from the side of a vehicle.

7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the passenger airbag device shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the high-pressure gas-filled type inflator shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a solid gas generating agent type inflator.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an airbag device for a driver's seat including an inflator according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a state when the airbag device shown in FIG. 10 is deployed.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view corresponding to FIG. 11 showing an example in which the coloring means is provided inside the inflator.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an airbag device for a driver's seat including an inflator according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a state when the airbag device shown in FIG. 13 is deployed.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an inflator according to a fourth embodiment.

16 is a perspective view showing the cover shown in FIG. 15 as a single body.

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an inflator with another cover attached.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the cover shown in FIG. 17 as a single body.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an inflator showing an example in which a display member is attached with an adhesive instead of the cover.

20 is a cross-sectional view of main parts showing the display member shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an inflator of an airbag device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

24 inflator 29 gas ejection port (gas ejection part) 34 aluminum foil (identification means, gas ejection part, closing member) 35 styrofoam (identification means, gas ejection part, closing member) 46 inflator 52 gas ejection port (gas ejection part) 80 Aluminum foil (identification means, gas ejection part, closing member) 82 Inflator 94 Gas ejection port (gas ejection part) 96 Aluminum foil (identification means, gas ejection part, closing member) 114 Inflator 122 Bag body (deployed by receiving gas pressure) Member to be sprayed 126 Spray (identifying means, coloring means) 132 Paint (coloring material) 138 Paint (coloring material) 140 Seal (identifying means) 142 String (identifying means) 146 Cover (identifying means) 148 Cover (identifying means) 156 Adhesion Agent (identifying means) 158 Display member (identifying means)

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An inflator which ejects gas by being operated, wherein the appearance of the inflator is changed based on the deploying force or moving force of a member that deploys or moves upon receiving gas pressure,
An inflator, wherein the inflator is provided with identification means that enables identification before and after operation of the inflator. 2. An inflator that ejects gas by being activated, and an identifying means that enables identification before and after activation of the inflator by changing the appearance of the inflator based on the ejection force of gas. An inflator provided on the inflator. 3. The inflator according to claim 2, wherein the change in appearance is a change in shape. 4. The inflator according to claim 3, wherein the change in the shape is a change in the shape of a gas ejection portion provided in the inflator. 5. The inflator according to claim 4, wherein the change in shape of the gas ejection portion is caused by breakage or separation of a closing member that closes the gas ejection port. 6. The inflator according to claim 2, wherein the change in appearance is a change in color. 7. The inflator according to claim 6, wherein the change in color is caused by a coloring means that forms a coloring portion at a visible position on the inflator when the inflator operates. 8. The inflator according to claim 7, wherein the color change is caused by the coloring means ejecting a coloring material from the outside of the inflator. 9. An inflator which ejects gas by being operated, wherein the appearance of the inflator is changed based on the heat generated from the inflator when the inflator is actuated, so that the inflator can be identified before and after the operation. An inflator, characterized in that the identifying means is provided on the inflator. 10. The operation of the inflator, wherein the inflator is identified before and after the operation based on identification means provided on the inflator and changing the appearance of the inflator when the inflator operates. Front-back identification method.