JPH10315898A - Gas generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas generator in the form of a long stretching cylinder for use in an air bag for assistant's seat or against lateral collision, which is to be embodied in a small-size, lightweight construction easily at a low cost. SOLUTION: A gas passing space G is partitioned in a housing 1 and in a position closest thereto an inner cylinder 8 is installed. Thereby the inner cylinder 8 can be given as large a diameter as near the inside diameter of the housing 1 even if it 1 is formed with a small diameter, so that the formation of the inner cylinder 8 is facilitated and the gas generator can be embodied in a small-size, lightweight construction at a low cost. The gas pressure is uniformalized by the gas passing space G, and therefore, gas release can be made uniformly from a gas release hole 5a provided in an outer cylinder 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas generator for deploying an air bag, and more particularly to a long cylindrical gas generator for a passenger seat or a side collision.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical example of a long cylindrical gas generator used in a conventional passenger or side collision airbag will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 14, the gas generator has a plurality of gas discharge holes 101a on the outer peripheral surface, and is hermetically sealed by an outer cylinder 101 having a bottomed cylindrical body with one end opened, and a lid member 102 for closing the open end. It has a long cylindrical housing 100 in which a space is defined.
A cylindrical burst plate 103 for closing 1a
The cylindrical filter member 104 is inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, and further inserted so as to be in close contact with the inner peripheral surface. Further, inside the housing 101, an inner cylinder 1 having a gas generating agent 105 and a plurality of gas passage holes 106a from the axial center thereof.
06 and the filter member 104 are housed. An ignition device 109 including an ignition device 107 ignited by a collision detection signal of a collision sensor and a transfer agent 108 ignited by the ignition device 107 is disposed on the lid member 102.

[0003]

By the way, the application range of the airbag for the passenger seat or the side collision has been expanded to various types of vehicles in recent years. In particular, the gas generator for the side collision has a seat back. Due to the necessity of installation in a narrow space such as a side portion or a vehicle body pillar portion, a reduction in size and weight is required.
Further, in the passenger seat gas generator, further reduction in size and weight is desired in order to mount the gas generator in a narrow instrument panel.

[0004] However, in the conventional gas generator, the housing 100 (the outer cylinder 10) is required to cope with miniaturization and weight reduction.
If 1) is reduced in diameter, the inner cylinder 106 also needs to be reduced in diameter. However, the reduction in the diameter of the inner cylinder is accompanied by difficulties in molding and increases the molding cost. Further, when the diameter of the housing 100 is reduced, each gas discharge hole 101a is reduced.
The operation of attaching the burst plate 103 to close the inner surface of the outer cylinder 101 becomes complicated. Therefore, simply reducing the diameter of the housing 100 may not only make the inner cylinder 106 difficult to form, but also increase the manufacturing cost of the gas generator due to the complexity of the operation of attaching the burst plate 103.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and is intended to reduce the size and weight of a long cylindrical gas generator used for a passenger seat or side collision airbag at low cost and easily. It was made.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a gas generator according to the present invention comprises a long cylindrical housing having a gas generating agent, a filter member, and an inner cylinder arranged at an end. What is claimed is: 1. A gas generator equipped with an ignition device, comprising: an outer cylinder having a plurality of axially extending gas holes having a plurality of gas discharge holes; and a lid disposed so as to seal an open end thereof. A housing is formed with the members, and inside the housing,
A burst plate attached to the inner surface of the outer cylinder and closing the gas release hole, and having a plurality of gas passage holes and inserted into the housing to form an annular gas passage space between the outer cylinder and the outer cylinder. An inner cylinder to be formed, an annular filter member inserted into the inner surface of the inner cylinder, a gas generating agent filled in an inner space of the annular filter member, and the gas generating agent mounted on one end of the housing. And an ignition device for igniting. As a result, since the inner cylinder is arranged closest to the housing, even if the diameter of the housing is reduced, the inner cylinder can be enlarged to a size close to the inner diameter of the housing. Become. Further, since the gas pressure is equalized by the gas passage space between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, the gas can be uniformly discharged from the gas discharge holes.

Further, the filter member is constituted by a plurality of filter units stacked in the axial direction of the housing, and a stacking boundary surface of the filter units is shifted from a position of each gas passage hole of the inner cylinder. Is preferred. Accordingly, it is possible to cope only by changing the number of stacked filter members according to the length of the housing, and it is possible to easily and inexpensively cope with various filter lengths. In addition, since the position of the lamination boundary surface of each filter unit is shifted from the position of the gas passage hole of the inner cylinder, high temperature gas is prevented from flowing directly from the lamination boundary surface to the gas passage hole.

The outer cylinder of the housing is a bottomed cylindrical body or a cylindrical body having both ends opened. Further, an inner inner cylinder is disposed in the filter member, and a gas outlet hole of the inner inner cylinder is formed in the outer cylinder in a circumferential direction. It is preferable to displace the gas holes in the axial direction so as not to face each other. As a result, the gas ejected from each gas passage hole near the gas outlet hole is removed after the slag adheres to the inner surface by passing through the filter member and collides with the inner surface of the outer cylinder. The gas ejected from the passage hole can sufficiently remove the slag by passing the filter member in the circumferential direction, and can also remove the slag remaining by the collision with the outer cylinder. Further, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the gas flow goes straight through the filter member and prevent the filter member from being melted and damaged by the high-temperature gas.

Further, the filter member is constituted by a plurality of filter units stacked in the axial direction of the housing, and the position of each gas discharge hole of the outer cylinder is shifted from the position of the stacking boundary surface of the filter unit. It is preferable to arrange them. This makes it difficult for the gas to pass through the lamination boundary surface, and even if it passes, the slag in the gas adheres to the inner surface of the outer cylinder and is removed by once colliding with the inner surface of the outer cylinder. Further, when the gas hole rows of the outer cylinder are uniformly arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, the use efficiency of the filter can be further improved.

It is preferable that each of the gas hole rows is formed within a predetermined distance from the opening end of the outer cylinder, so that the burst plate can be easily attached from the opening end side of the outer cylinder. And workability can be improved.

It is preferable that each gas passage hole of the inner cylinder is formed in a circumferential direction and an axial direction of the inner cylinder. Thus, the high-temperature gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent can be uniformly passed through the inside of the filter member, and the filter efficiency can be improved. When the gas discharge hole of the outer cylinder is formed only at a predetermined distance from the opening end of the outer cylinder, the gas passage hole of the inner cylinder is formed with the gas discharge hole of the outer cylinder. It is preferable to form the gas passage hole only in the other portion in the axial direction, avoiding the portion corresponding to the portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the high-temperature gas from flowing intensively to the portion of the filter member near the gas discharge hole.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG.
The gas generator X1 includes a housing 1 having a long cylindrical shape,
The gas generator 2, the filter member 3, the inner cylinder 8, and the ignition device 4 at the end are arranged in the housing 1 as main parts. The housing 1 is composed of a bottomed outer cylinder 5 having one end opened, and a lid member 6 covering the opening of the outer cylinder 5, and an annular rib 6 a formed at an outer peripheral end of the lid member 6. The closed space is formed by joining the open ends of the outer cylinder 5 by friction welding. The inside of the housing 1 is formed as a stepped hole having a small-diameter hole 17 for reducing the diameter at the bottom 5 b of the outer cylinder 5.
The inner cylinder 8 is press-fitted to define an annular gas passage space G between the outer cylinder 5 and the inner cylinder 8. The gas generating agent 2 and the cylindrical filter member 3 are sequentially housed in the inner cylinder 8 from the axial center thereof. Reference numeral 15 denotes a seal member of the filter member 3 press-fitted into the small-diameter hole 17 of the outer cylinder 5, and reference numeral 16 denotes a cushion member of the gas generating agent 2.

A plurality of gas discharge holes 5a communicating with an airbag (not shown) are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 5, and each gas discharge hole 5a is formed as shown in FIG. ,
The two gas hole rows r1 and r2 are formed on a straight line extending in the axial direction at an angle of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the housing 1.
Is formed. Each gas discharge hole 5 a of each gas hole row r 1, r 2 is sequentially formed at a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 5, and a strip-shaped burst plate adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 5. 7 (metal foil such as aluminum). The burst plate 7 has a minimum length and width enough to close each gas discharge hole 5a of each gas hole row r1 and r2, and prevents the gas generating agent 2 from being dampproof in a closed space and adjusting the internal pressure during combustion. It has the role of adjusting the speed. In addition, about the burst put 7, it does not exclude attaching one thing in the shape of a roll.

A plurality of gas passage holes 8a communicating with the filter member 3 and the gas passage space G are formed in the peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 8. As shown in FIG. 2, each gas passage hole 8a is opened at a portion different from each gas discharge hole 5a when viewed from the circumferential direction of the housing 1. It is formed so as not to face each other.

The filter member 3 is composed of a plurality (four) of filter units 3 A sequentially laminated in the axial direction of the housing 1, and is inserted into the inner cylinder 8 in close contact. As the filter unit 3A, an aggregate of a knitted wire mesh (shown in FIG. 3 (a)) or a crimped wire (shown in FIG. 3 (b)) is press-formed into a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 3 (c). It is preferable to manufacture it cheaply.

The cover member 6 includes a transfer agent 9 and an igniter 10.
(Electric detonator) is mounted. The transfer agent 9 is stored in a flanged cap member 19 fitted into the projection 6b of the lid member 6, and is opposed to the ignition device 10 with a gap h between the projections 6b. Cap member 19
The flange portion 19b of the filter member 3 closes the shaft end of the filter member 3 and bends in a state of being pressed into the inner periphery of the inner cylinder 8 to extend toward the lid member 6. And is fixed in contact with the burr 5c of the outer cylinder 5 formed at the time of press contact. The projection 19c of the cap member 19 is inserted into the filter unit 3A, and has a through hole 19d for transmitting the flame of the transfer agent 9 to the gas generating agent 2. Igniter 1
Numeral 0 is caulked and fixed so as to be fitted into the lid member 6 and face the transfer agent 9 with a gap h therebetween.

Next, the operation of the gas generator will be described. When a collision sensor (not shown) detects a collision of the automobile, the ignition device 4 is ignited by the collision signal to ignite the transfer agent 9, and a flame is ejected from the through hole 19 d of the cap member 19 into the inner cylinder 8. To ignite the gas generating agent 2,
Generates hot gas. The high-temperature gas generated in the inner cylinder 8 flows into each of the filter units 3A, passes through the circumferential direction of each of the filter units 3A, collects slag, cools down, and passes through each of the almost entire circumferences of the inner cylinder 8. The gas flows out from the gas passage hole 8a into the gas passage space G.

At this time, if the respective gas passage holes 8a and the respective gas discharge holes 5a are arranged so as to be shifted in the circumferential direction, the clean gas flowing from the respective gas passage holes 8a goes directly to the respective gas discharge holes 5a. Without any trouble, it once collides with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 5 and flows through the gas passage space G. This has the effect of removing the slag remaining in the gas by adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 5 and preventing the gas flow from flowing straight through the filter unit 3A to prevent melt damage. .

Subsequently, when the combustion of the gas generating agent 2 proceeds and the inside of the housing 1 reaches a predetermined pressure, each burst plate 7 ruptures and each gas discharge hole 5a of each gas hole row r1, r2.
Clean gas is released from the airbag into the airbag, and the airbag is rapidly inflated and deployed.

As described above, according to the gas generator X1, since the inner cylinder 8 is arranged closest to the outer cylinder 5, even if the diameter of the housing 1 is small, the inner cylinder 8 is reduced to the inner diameter of the housing 1. The dimensions can be made close to each other, and the inner cylinder 8 can be easily formed. or,
Since each gas discharge hole 5a is closed by a band-shaped burst plate 7 for each gas hole row r1, r2, it is not necessary to attach the burst plate 7 to the entire inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 5, thereby improving workability. Can be achieved. Accordingly, the size and weight of the long cylindrical gas generator can be easily reduced, and the production cost can be reduced.

Since the filter member 3 is composed of a plurality of filter units 3A, the filter unit 3
By simply changing the number of layers of A, it is possible to easily and inexpensively cope with various cylindrical gas generators having different lengths.

Further, since the gas passage holes 8a are formed substantially over the entire surface of the inner cylinder 8 in the circumferential direction and the axial direction, the high-temperature gas flows uniformly into each filter unit 3A. A dead space where gas does not flow in the member 3 is less likely to be formed, and the efficiency of the filter member 3 is improved.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the gas generator X2 shown in FIG. 4 is different from the gas generator X1 shown in FIG.
1 and 2, the same members as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

4 and 5, in the filter member 3 of the gas generator X2, a gas generating agent 2 and an inner cylinder 12 are sequentially stored from the axial center thereof. The inner and inner cylinders 12
A plurality of gas outlet holes 12a are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the filter member 3 in close contact therewith, and communicate with the gas generating agent 2 side and the filter member 3 side. As shown in FIG. 5, the gas outlet holes 12a are formed so that the center line a of the gas outlet hole 5a of the housing 1 and the center line b of the gas outlet hole 12a are orthogonal to each other. In other words, the gas outlet holes 12a and the gas discharge holes 5a are alternately formed in the outer cylinder 5 and the inner cylinder 12 so as not to face each other while having a phase of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction of the housing 1. Have been. Here, the "center line" means a line passing through the center point of the circumferential hole when there are a plurality of gas outlet holes 12a in the circumferential direction as shown in the figure.
In this case, each gas passage hole 8a of the inner cylinder 8 is
As shown in the figure, the housing 1 can be opened over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

When a collision sensor (not shown) detects a collision of the automobile, the ignition device 4 is ignited by the signal and the ignition agent 9 is ignited, and a flame is emitted from the through hole 19d of the cap member 19 to the inner and inner cylinders. The gas is spouted into the gas igniter 12 to ignite the gas generating agent 2 and generate high-temperature gas. The high-temperature gas generated in the inner cylinder 12 flows substantially uniformly into each filter unit 3A, passes through the circumferential direction of each filter unit 3A, collects slag, cools down, and completely cools the inner cylinder 8. The gas flows out into the gas passage space G from the peripheral gas passage holes 8a.

At this time, each gas outlet hole 12
a and the gas discharge holes 5a of the outer cylinder 5 are arranged so as to be shifted from each other with a phase of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction, so that the gas flowing out from each gas discharge hole 12a directly flows into each gas discharge hole 5a. Colliding with the inner circumference of the outer cylinder 5 without going to the gas passage space G
The slag remaining in the gas flowing through the inside of the outer cylinder 5 adheres to the inner surface of the outer cylinder 5 and is removed. Further, the gas ejected from each gas passage hole 8a near the gas discharge hole 5a is removed around the filter unit 3A. There is an effect that slag is sufficiently removed during the passage in the direction. In addition, since the gas flow in the filter unit 3A can be reduced from going straight, it is possible to prevent the filter unit 3A from being melted and damaged by the high-temperature gas.

Subsequently, when the combustion of the gas generating agent 2 proceeds and the inside of the housing 1 reaches a predetermined pressure, each burst plate 7
Is destroyed, and the clean gas is discharged into the airbag from each gas discharge hole 5a of each gas hole row r1, r2, and the airbag is rapidly inflated and deployed.

As described above, according to the gas generator X2, the filter units 3A are stacked and inserted into the inner cylinder 8, and the inner and inner cylinders 12 are further inserted into each of the filter units 3A. Can be configured before assembling into the container X2, and by simply pressing this assembly into the small-diameter hole 17 of the outer cylinder 5, the housing 1
The storage arrangement of the inner cylinder 8, the filter member 3 and the inner cylinder 12 with respect to the above is completed, so that the operability in attaching the burst plate 7 described above can be further improved. Accordingly, the size and weight of the long cylindrical gas generator can be easily reduced, and the production cost can be reduced.

Further, by disposing the gas outlet holes 12a of the inner and inner cylinders 12 with respect to the center line a of each gas discharge hole 5a, high-temperature gas can be circulated in the circumferential direction of each filter unit 3A. Therefore, the efficiency of the filter member 3 is improved.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a gas generator X3 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the gas generator X1 shown in FIG. Each gas discharge hole 5a
1 and 2 are changed, and the same members as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

6 and 7, each of the gas discharge holes 5a of the gas generator X3 has an angle of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction of the housing 1.
It is arranged in four gas hole rows r1 to r4 extending in the axial direction at an interval of degrees. Each of the gas hole rows r1 to r4 is formed such that a perforated portion α where the gas discharge holes 5a are formed and a non-porous portion β where the gas discharge holes 5a are not formed alternately appear in the axial direction. (Shown in FIG. 6). Each filter unit 3A is inserted in close contact with the inner cylinder 8 in a state of being stacked in the axial direction of the housing 1, and its length dimension L1 is such that the stacked boundary surface Z of each stacked filter unit 3A is The position is set so as to be located in the non-porous portion β of the cylinder 5, that is, the position of each gas discharge hole 5a does not overlap the position of the lamination boundary surface Z. As shown in FIG. 7, the gas discharge holes 5a of the gas hole rows r1 to r4 are closed by band-shaped burst plates 7 adhered to the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 5, respectively.

As described above, each gas discharge hole 5a of the outer cylinder 5 is
When arranged in each of the gas hole rows r1 to r4 separated by an angle of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction, the gas is uniformly discharged from multiple directions of the gas discharge holes 5a of each of the gas hole rows r1 to r4 due to the destruction of the burst plate 7. As a result, the airbag can be rapidly and uniformly inflated and deployed. At this time, if the positions of the gas discharge holes 5a of the gas hole rows r1 to r4 are set so as not to overlap with the position of the layer boundary Z, the gas flow passing through the layer boundary Z of each filter unit 3A is changed. Not only does the gas decrease, but even if it passes, the gas spouting into the gas passage space G once collides with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 5, and the slag in the gas becomes
The harmful gas including the slag is released to the airbag because it is attached to and removed from the inner peripheral surface of the airbag.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a gas generator X4 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the gas generator X1 shown in FIG. The arrangement of the gas discharge holes 5a and the arrangement of the gas passage holes 8a of the inner cylinder 8 are changed, and the same members as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The description is omitted.

8 and 9, each gas discharge hole 5a of the gas generator X4 has an angle 18 in the circumferential direction of the housing 1.
Rows of gas holes r1, r3 and r extending in the axial direction at a distance of 0 degree
2, r4. The gas discharge holes 5a of each of the gas hole rows r1 to r4 are formed by a predetermined number (four in FIG. 8) within a predetermined distance γ from the opening end of the outer cylinder 5 in the axial direction. Hole rows r1 and r3, each gas hole row r2
As shown in FIG. 9, each gas discharge hole 5 a in each row of r and r 4 is closed by a band-shaped burst plate 7 attached to the inner circumference of the outer cylinder 5. Note that the predetermined distance γ
Is within 1.5 times the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 5 and desirably 1 time or less, which is a desirable range in terms of the workability of attaching the burst plate 7. By the arrangement of the gas discharge holes 5a, the burst plate 7 can be stuck as a single strip instead of two strip plates. As shown in FIG. 9, each gas passage hole 8 a of the inner cylinder 8 is uniformly opened substantially over the entire surface in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the housing 1. Are formed so that the perforated portions δ where the gas passage holes 8a are not formed and the non-porous portions ε where the gas passage holes 8a are not formed alternately appear (see FIG. 8).
Each filter unit 3A is closely inserted into the inner cylinder 8 in a state of being stacked in the axial direction of the housing 1, and
The length L2 of each of the stacked filter units 3
A is set such that the lamination boundary surface Z of A is located at the non-porous portion ε of the inner cylinder 8, that is, the position of each gas passage hole 8a is set so as not to overlap the position of the lamination boundary surface Z. I have.

When a collision sensor (not shown) detects a collision of the automobile, the ignition device 4 is ignited by the signal and the ignition agent 9 is ignited, and a flame is emitted from the through hole 19d of the cap member 19 to the inner cylinder 8. Gas generating agent 2
To ignite and generate hot gas. The high-temperature gas generated in the inner cylinder 8 flows substantially uniformly into each filter unit 3A, passes through the circumferential direction of each filter unit 3A, receives slag removal and cools, and receives each of the substantially entire surfaces of the inner cylinder 8. The gas flows out into the gas passage space G from the gas passage hole 8a. At this time, since the lamination boundary surface Z of each filter unit 3A does not overlap with the opening position of each gas passage hole 8a, the high-temperature gas always passes through each filter unit 3A, undergoes slag removal and cooling, and passes through the gas passage space G. Leaked to Then, gas generating agent 2
When the pressure in the housing 1 reaches a predetermined pressure, the burst plates 7 are broken, and the clean gas is discharged from the gas discharge holes 5a of the gas hole rows r1 to r4 into the airbag. Inflate and deploy rapidly.

As described above, in the gas generator X4, since each gas discharge hole 5a is formed only within a range of a predetermined distance γ from the opening end of the outer cylinder 5, the burst plate 7 is connected to the opening end of the outer cylinder 5. Each gas discharge hole 5a can be closed by the work of sticking in the vicinity, and the work of sticking the burst plate becomes extremely easy.

Next, FIG. 10 shows a gas generator X5 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the gas generator X4 shown in FIG. In the region where the gas discharge holes 5a of the cylinder 5 are formed, that is, in the portion of the inner cylinder 8 corresponding to the portion at a distance γ from the opening end of the outer cylinder, a non-porous portion ε in which the gas passage holes 8a are not formed is used. Things.
Thereby, the high temperature gas is prevented from intensively flowing through the filter unit 3A in the portion near the gas discharge hole 5a of the outer cylinder 5.

That is, the high-temperature gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent 2 flows in the filter unit 3A in the axial direction in the non-porous portion ε having no gas passage hole 8a in the vicinity of the lid member 6 and passes through the gas passage hole. The gas reaches the perforated portion δ where the holes 8a are formed, from which the gas flows out to the gas passage space G through the gas passage holes 8a. Thereby, the gas discharge holes 5 of the outer cylinder 5 are formed.
In the filter unit 3A in the vicinity of the lid member 6 close to a, the occurrence of erosion of the filter member 3 due to the intensive flow of the high-temperature gas is prevented. Therefore, the inner cylinder 8 has the gas passage holes 8a arranged in the entire circumferential direction, and the gas discharge holes 5a of the outer cylinder 5 also have the same circumferential arrangement in the circumferential direction. Instead, it is possible to obtain a gas generator having a simple form that is axisymmetric.

Next, FIG. 11 shows a gas generator X6 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the gas generator X5 shown in FIG. Opened cylindrical members at both ends, and a lid member 6 at each of the open ends.
And that the closing member 36 is fixed by caulking, and that the gas discharge hole 5a of the outer cylinder 5 is formed in a region at a predetermined distance γ from the opening end on the side where the ignition device 4 is not disposed. Since the other parts are the same as those in FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

In FIG. 11, the housing 1 comprises an outer cylinder 5 having both ends opened, and a lid member 6 and a closing member 36 which cover both open ends of the outer cylinder 5, and the lid member 6 and the closing member 36 are provided. The lid member 6 and the closing member 36 are fitted into the outer cylinder 5 by bending both the caulking projections 30 protruding from both ends of the outer cylinder 5 into the radial direction. It is fixed. As described above, since the lid member 6 and the closing member 36 are fixed to the outer cylinder 5 by the caulking operation, both members can be fixed by a simple operation as compared with the above-described friction welding. .
The closing member 36 has a recess 38 continuously reduced in diameter on the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 5, and the inner cylinder 8 is press-fitted into the recess 38 to form an annular gas passage space between the outer cylinders 5. G is defined.

As shown in FIG. 12, the gas discharge holes 5a of the outer cylinder 5 are arranged in gas hole rows r1, r3 and r2, r4 extending in the axial direction at an angle of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the housing 1. ing. Each gas discharge hole 5a of each gas hole row r1 to r4
Are formed in a predetermined number (four places in FIG. 11) within a region of a predetermined distance γ in the axial direction from the opening end of the outer cylinder 5 on the closing member 36 side, and each gas hole row r1 and r3 and each gas hole are formed. Row r2
As shown in FIG. 12, the gas discharge holes 5a in each row of
Each is closed by a band-shaped burst plate 7 attached to the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 5. In addition, as described above, the burst plate 7 can be arranged by the arrangement of the gas discharge holes 5a.
Can be affixed as a single band instead of two. Each gas passage hole 8a of the inner cylinder 8 is
In other parts except the part corresponding to the area γ where the gas discharge holes 5a are provided, they are formed substantially uniformly in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the inner cylinder 8. The gas passage hole 8a is formed such that the non-porous portion ε and the perforated portion α alternately appear from the lid member 36 side when viewed in the axial direction of the housing 1. These functions and effects are the same as those in FIG.

The transfer agent 9 of the ignition device 4 is disposed only on one of the lid members 6 and is housed in a flanged cap member 40 fitted into the convex portion 6b of the lid member 6 to protrude. The portion 6b is opposed to the igniter 10 with a gap h therebetween. The flange 40 a of the cap member 40 is sandwiched between the filter member 3 and the lid member 6 and extends to the inner cylinder 8. The protrusion 40b of the cap member 40 is inserted into the filter unit 3A, and the through hole 4 for transmitting the flame of the transfer agent 9 to the gas generating agent 2.
0c is formed. The other parts are the same as those in FIG. 10, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13 shows a gas generator X7 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the gas generator X5 shown in FIG. The lid member 6 is fixed to the outer cylinder 5 by fitting the lid member 6 through the ring 37 and bending the caulking projection 30 projecting from the opening end of the outer cylinder 5 inward in the radial direction. Thus, the cover member 6 is connected to the outer cylinder 5 by the caulking operation.
The lid member 6 can be fixed by a simple operation as compared with the above-described friction welding, and the closing member 36 can be fixed as in the gas generator X6 in FIG.
Can be made simple without the need for caulking.

[0044]

As described above, according to the gas generator of the present invention, the filter member 3 has a larger inner diameter than the conventional method in which the filter member 3 is disposed between the inner cylinder 8 and the outer cylinder 5. Since it is configured to be arranged in the cylinder 8, the gas generator can be downsized,
With the demand for weight reduction, even if the outer cylinder 5 is reduced in diameter, the inner cylinder 8
Can be made close to the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 5, and the molding of the inner cylinder 8 becomes easier than before. Further, since a space is formed between the inner and outer cylinders and this space is used as the gas passage space G, the outer cylinder 5
Immediately before the gas is discharged from the gas discharge holes 5a, the gas pressure is made uniform in the gas passage space G, the gas discharge from each gas discharge hole 5a becomes uniform, and the airbag is normally deployed as designed. Becomes possible. Further, the burst plate 7 affixed to the gas discharge hole 5a also has a gas passage space G.
Will be ruptured by the pressure equalized gas,
The burst plate 7 is also ruptured substantially uniformly, which also makes it possible to make the amount of gas released from the gas discharge holes 5a substantially uniform.

Since the filter member 3 is arranged so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of the inner cylinder 8 and the inside thereof is filled with the gas generating agent 2, the high temperature generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent 2 can be obtained. Since the gas flows into the inside of the filter member 3 from the entire surface, the entire filter member 3 is effectively used, and as a result, the filter efficiency is improved. The gas generator can be reduced in size and weight more easily.

As the outer cylinder 5 of the housing 1, a bottomed cylindrical body or a cylindrical body having both ends opened is used. Further, an inner inner cylinder 12 is disposed in the filter member 3, and a gas outlet hole of the inner inner cylinder 12 is provided. 1
By displacing the gas passages 2a in the circumferential direction so as not to face the gas hole rows r1 and r2 of the outer cylinder 5, the gas ejected from the gas passage holes 8a in the vicinity of the gas outlet holes 12a causes After passing, the slag adheres to and is removed from the inner surface by the collision with the inner surface of the outer cylinder 5, and the gas ejected from each gas passage hole 8 a near the gas discharge hole 5 a passes through the filter member 3.
The slag is sufficiently removed by passing in the circumferential direction,
Since the slag remaining in the collision with the outer cylinder 5 can also be removed, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the gas flow goes straight through the filter member 3 and prevent the filter member 3 from being melted and damaged by the high-temperature gas.

Further, the filter member 3 is constituted by a plurality of filter units 3A stacked in the axial direction of the housing 1, and the position of each gas discharge hole 5a of the outer cylinder 5 is defined by the stacked boundary surface Z of the filter unit 3A. By displacing the gas, it becomes difficult for the gas to pass through the lamination boundary surface Z. Even if the gas passes, the gas slags once collides with the inner surface of the outer cylinder 5, so that the slag in the gas is transferred to the inner surface of the outer cylinder 5 As a result, the cleanliness of gas released into the airbag can be improved.
Further, when the gas hole rows r1 to r4 are uniformly arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, the gas passage holes 8a are formed substantially uniformly in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 8 in combination. The high-temperature gas generated in the central portion flows into the gas passage space G substantially uniformly from the entire surface of the inner cylinder 8. Therefore, also in this sense, the high-temperature gas circulates substantially uniformly in the filter member 3 disposed on the inner surface side of the inner cylinder, and slag removal and cooling are performed efficiently, so that the filter efficiency is improved. In addition, the size and weight of the gas generator can be easily reduced.

Further, since the filter member 3 is composed of a plurality of cylindrical filter units 3A, which are laminated in the inner cylinder, the length of the housing is different only by adjusting the number of laminated filter units. Since a single filter unit can be used for a gas generator, the manufacturing cost of the gas generator can be further reduced.

Further, since the lamination boundary surface Z of each filter unit 3A is arranged so as to be shifted from the position of the gas passage hole 8a of the inner cylinder 8, high-temperature gas due to the combustion of the gas generating agent is deposited on the lamination boundary surface Z. Direct inflow is prevented, and the degree of effective utilization of the filter member is improved.

Further, since the gas discharge holes 5a are closed by the band-shaped burst plate 7 for each of the gas hole rows r1 to r4, the burst plate 7 is stuck on the entire inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 5 as in the prior art. There is no need to attach it, and the work of attaching the burst plate 7 becomes easy. In particular, the gas discharge hole 5a is
In the case where the burst plate 7 is limitedly disposed near the opening, the work of attaching the burst plate 7 is further facilitated.

As a result of easy downsizing of the gas generator, a non-toxic non-azide organic compound containing a nitrogen-containing organic compound as a main component, which has a high gasification rate and therefore requires a small amount of a gas generating agent, can be used. The production of the used gas generator becomes easy. In particular, a non-azide organic compound can be applied to a side collision gas generator for which miniaturization is required, and the safety of the gas generator can be greatly improved.

Further, the gas passage hole 8a of the inner cylinder 8 and the outer cylinder 5
Since the positions of the gas discharge holes 5a are shifted in the axial direction, the high-temperature gas ejected from the gas passage holes 8a of the inner cylinder collides with the inner surface of the outer cylinder 5. As a result, the slag component remaining in the ejected gas is captured on the inner surface of the outer cylinder, and the cleanliness of the gas discharged into the airbag is further improved. At the same time, the erosion of the filter member 3 which occurs when the high-temperature gas goes straight from the gas passage hole 8a of the inner cylinder toward the burst plate 7 closing the gas discharge hole 5a of the outer cylinder 5 is prevented. It becomes more stable as a generator.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment of a gas generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of a filter member used in the gas generator of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A shows a knitted wire mesh, FIG. 3B shows a crimped wire, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a press-formed article of a shape.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment of the gas generator of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part showing still another embodiment of the gas generator of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part showing still another embodiment of the gas generator of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a main part showing a modification of the gas generator of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a main part showing a modification of the gas generator of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a main part showing another modification of the gas generator of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a main part showing a conventional gas generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 2 Gas generating agent 3 Filter member 3A filter unit 4 Ignition device 5 Outer cylinder 5a Gas discharge hole 5c Pressure contact burr of outer cylinder 6 Lid member 7 Burst plate 8 Inner cylinder 8a Gas passage hole 9 Transfer agent 10 Ignition device 12 Inside Tube 12a Gas outlet hole 19 Cap member with flange G Gas passage space r1 to r4 Gas hole row Z Stacking boundary surface

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshiyuki Kishino 3903-39, Tomimachi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. Himeji Factory Sensor Technology Co., Ltd. Himeji Technical Center (72) Inventor Kenichi Nagahashi Hyogo 3903-39, Toyotomi-cho, Himeji-shi, Japan Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.Sensor Technology in Himeji Factory, Himeji Technical Center Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Seigo Taguchi 3903-39, Toyotomi-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo In-plant sensor technology Himeji Technical Center (72) Inventor Takeshi Ishida 3903-39 Tomimachi-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Nippon Kayaku Himeji Technical Center Himeji Technical Center (72) Inventor Kikuchi Dai Hyogo Road City Toyotomichotoyotomi 3903-39 Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. Himeji plant in sensor technology Co., Ltd. Himeji Technical Center in

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A gas generating agent (2), a filter member (3) and an inner cylinder (8) are arranged in a long cylindrical housing (1), and an ignition device (4) is mounted at an end. An outer cylinder (5) in which a plurality of axially extending gas hole rows (r1 to r4) having a plurality of gas discharge holes (5a) are formed;
A cover member (6, 3
6) and a housing (1). Inside the housing (1), the gas release hole (5) is attached to the inner surface of the outer cylinder (5).
a) a burst plate (7) for closing a), an annular gas passage space (8) having a plurality of gas passage holes (8a) and being inserted into the housing (1) and the outer cylinder (5). G), and an annular filter member (3) inserted into the inner surface of the inner cylinder (8).
A gas generating agent (2) filled in an inner space of the annular filter member (3); and an ignition device (4) mounted on one end of the housing (1) and igniting the gas generating agent (2). A) a gas generator characterized by comprising: 2. The housing (1) is an outer cylinder (5) having a bottomed cylindrical body having one end closed and the other end open, an open end of the outer cylinder (5) closed, and the ignition device being closed. 2. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator comprises a lid member to which the component is attached. 3. The housing (1) has an outer cylinder (5) having a tubular body with both ends open and a lid member (1) for closing one end of an opening of the outer cylinder (5) and mounting an ignition device (4). 6. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is constituted by 6) and a closing member (36) for closing the other end of the opening of the outer cylinder (5). 4. The filter member (3) is a formed body formed by press forming a knitted wire mesh or an aggregate of crimp-formed wires, and the housing (1).
Filter units (3A) stacked in the axial direction
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein
Gas generator according to any of the above 5. The position of a lamination boundary surface (Z) of the filter unit (3A) is determined by each gas hole row (r1) of the outer cylinder (5).
The gas generator according to claim 4, wherein the gas generators are arranged so as to be displaced in the axial direction so as not to face the positions of the respective gas discharge holes (5a). 6. An inner cylinder (12) having a plurality of gas outlet holes (12a) is arranged in the filter member (3).
The inner space of the inner cylinder (12) is filled with the gas generating agent (2), and the gas outlet holes (12a) of the inner cylinder (12) are arranged in the circumferential direction of the housing (1). The gas cylinders are arranged on one or a plurality of straight lines extending in a shifted axial direction so as not to face each gas hole row (r1, r2) of the outer cylinder (5). Item 6. A gas generator according to any one of Items 5 7. The gas hole array (r1 to r4) according to claim 1, wherein the gas hole arrays (r1 to r4) are arranged at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction of the housing 1. Gas generator 8. The gas hole array (r1 to r4) is formed within a range of a predetermined distance (γ) from an axial opening end of the outer cylinder (5). To claim 7
Gas generator according to any of the above 9. A predetermined distance (γ) in which each of the gas hole rows (r1 to r4) is formed is equal to one of the inner diameters of the outer cylinder (5).
9. The gas generator according to claim 8, wherein the number is five times or less. 10. The gas passage hole (8) of the inner cylinder (8).
The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a) is formed substantially uniformly in a circumferential direction and an axial direction thereof. 11. A region other than the region of the inner cylinder (8) corresponding to a portion of a predetermined distance (γ) from one end of the outer cylinder (5) in which the gas discharge holes (5a) are formed, The gas generator according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the gas passage hole (8a) is formed substantially uniformly in a circumferential direction and an axial direction of the inner cylinder (8). 12. The filter member (3) is composed of a plurality of filter units (3A) stacked in the axial direction of the housing (1), and the filter unit (3A) has a stacked boundary surface (Z). The position of each of the gas passage holes (8a) of the inner cylinder (8) in the axial direction of the housing (1) is shifted from the position of each gas passage hole (8a). Gas generator as described in 13. The burst plate (7) is shaped like a strip extending in the axial direction of the housing (1).
The gas cylinder (5) is attached to the inner surface of the outer cylinder (5) so as to close each gas hole array (r1 to r4) in one or more rows. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 14. The gas generating agent according to claim 1, wherein the gas generating agent (2) is a non-azide gas generating agent containing a nitrogen-containing organic compound as a main component. Gas generator 15. The cover (6) is provided with the outer cylinder (5).
The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the gas generator is fixed by friction welding to an end of the gas generator. 16. The cover (6) is provided with the outer cylinder (5).
The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the gas generator is fixed by caulking with an end of the gas generator. 17. The closure (6) and closure (36).
The gas generator according to claim 3, characterized in that is fixed by caulking with each end of the outer cylinder (5). 18. The inner cylinder (8) is a cylindrical body open at both ends, and one open end of the outer cylinder (5) is a bottomed cylindrical body open at one end and open at the other end. The open end at the other end is supported by the closed end, and the flanged cap member (19)
And the flanged cap member (1
(9) The method according to (15), wherein the flange portion (19b) is held and fixed by a burr (5c) generated at the time of friction welding between the lid member (6) and the outer cylinder (5). The described gas generator 19. The inner cylinder (8) is a cylindrical body open at both ends, and one open end of the outer cylinder (5) is a bottomed cylindrical body open at one end and open at the other end. 17. The support according to claim 16, characterized in that it is supported by a closed end and the other open end is clamped and fixed by a lid member (6) which is crimped to the open end of the outer cylinder (5). Gas generator 20. The closing member (20), wherein the inner cylinder (8) is a cylindrical body with both ends opened, and both open ends are caulked and fixed to the open ends of the outer cylinder (5) of the cylindrical body with both ends opened. 36)
18. Gas generator according to claim 17, characterized in that it is clamped and fixed by a lid and a lid member (6).