JPH11157412A - Gas generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas generator which inflates an air bag slowly in the initial period of air bag expansion, thereafter inflates quickly, and thereby allows the air bag to exhibit its original functions. SOLUTION: A sealed space S in a housing 1 is partitioned by a partitioning member 5 into an upper 3 and a lower combustion chamber 4, and a gas generating agent 6 and a filter member 7 surrounding it 6 are arranged in the combustion chambers 3 and 4. An ignitor 8 is arranged to combust only the gas generating agent in the upper chamber 3, and thereby the gas generating agent 5 in the upper chamber 3 is combusted by the ignitor 8. Then the gas generating agent 6 in the lower chamber 4 is lighted by the heat borne by the high temp. gas spouted from heat conducting holes 23 formed with the combustion and melting of a delay powder 24 of the partitioning member 5 by the combustive heat generated in the upper chamber 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas generator used for an airbag of an automobile, and more particularly, to a gas generator capable of controlling multistage deployment of an airbag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A gas generator for inflating and deploying an airbag at a high speed in order to protect an occupant from an impact caused by a collision of an automobile is provided in a steering wheel or an airbag module mounted in an instrument panel. In the event of a collision, a high-pressure gas is rapidly generated by a signal from a collision sensor.

As an example of a gas generator for inflating and deploying an airbag, as shown in FIG. 11, a central cylinder and an outer cylinder of upper and lower containers 102 and 103 having a closed double cylindrical structure are joined by friction welding. A housing 101 in which an annular closed space is formed.
In this closed space, a gas generating agent 104 and a filter member 105 are sequentially arranged from a central cylinder toward an outer cylinder. An ignition device 106 ignited by a collision detection signal from a collision sensor and a transfer agent 107 ignited by the ignition of the ignition device 106 are arranged in the center cylinder.
In the gas generator, the igniter 106 is ignited by the collision detection signal from the collision sensor, and this flame causes the transfer agent 1 to ignite.
07, and the flame of the transfer agent 107 is blown out into the closed space through the squib 108 of the central cylinder.
04 is ignited and burned to rapidly generate a large amount of high-temperature and high-pressure gas. A large amount of high-temperature and high-pressure gas generated suddenly in the housing 101 flows into the filter member 105, where the gas flows through a plurality of gas discharge holes 109 of the upper container 102 through slag collection and cooling, and is discharged into the airbag. The bag is inflated and ignited rapidly.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional gas generator, a large amount of gas is released in response to a collision detection signal from a collision sensor, whereby the airbag is rapidly inflated and deployed. However, the vehicle has a certain deployment mode regardless of the collision mode of the automobile (low-speed collision, high-speed collision, etc.) and the posture and position of the occupant. Therefore, when the occupant of the car is near the steering wheel or the instrument panel, or when there is a large deviation from the design conditions such as a relatively gentle collision mode,
There is a case where the occupant receives an impact (punching phenomenon) due to the airbag which is rapidly inflated and deployed, and even when the occupant is injured by the airbag, the airbag cannot function properly to protect the occupant. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and it is possible to perform a two-stage deployment control of an airbag in which the airbag is inflated and deployed slowly in the initial stage of deployment and then rapidly inflated and deployed thereafter. None. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gas generator capable of exerting an original function of an airbag.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the gas generator according to the present invention, a closed space in the housing is divided into two combustion chambers by a partition member. A filter member surrounding the gas generating agent is disposed, and an igniter for burning only one combustion chamber is disposed. The igniter burns the gas generating agent in one combustion chamber, and the combustion generated at this time is performed. An opening is formed in the partition member by heat, and the gas generating agent is ignited in the other combustion chamber by high-temperature gas ejected into the other combustion chamber with a time lag through the opening. . This allows the airbag to be gently inflated and deployed only by a relatively small amount of gas generated in one of the combustion chambers in the early stage of the deployment of the airbag, and then a large amount of gas due to the confluence of the gas supplied from the other combustion chamber. This allows the airbag to be inflated and deployed rapidly.

Further, as a detailed configuration of the gas generator, there is a gas generator used for a driver seat airbag or a gas generator used for a passenger seat airbag. (1) As a gas generator used for an airbag for a driver's seat, a housing has a double cylinder structure of an outer cylinder and a central cylinder, and an inner cylinder is disposed near the inside of the outer cylinder. A combustion space and a gas passage space are defined by a filter member disposed in the inner cylinder, and a combustion space is defined by upper and lower combustion chambers by a partition member inserted between the filter member and the central cylinder. ,
The gas generating agent in the upper combustion chamber is configured to be ignited by an igniter, whereby the high temperature gas ejected with a time lag from the opening formed in the partition member after the combustion of the gas generating agent in the upper combustion chamber. In addition, the gas generating agent in the lower combustion chamber is ignited, and the housing has a double cylindrical structure, which is defined by the inner cylinder as a combustion space and a gas passage space, and is inserted between the inner cylinder and the central cylinder. A combustion space is defined by upper and lower combustion chambers by a partition member, and the gas generating agent in the upper combustion chamber is ignited by an igniter. A method in which the gas generating agent in the lower combustion chamber is ignited by high-temperature gas ejected with a time lag from an opening formed in the partition member. Furthermore, the housing has a double cylindrical structure, and is inserted between the outer cylinder and the center cylinder. Depending on the partition member The closed space is defined by upper and lower combustion chambers, and the gas generating agent in the upper combustion chamber is ignited by an igniter. A method of igniting the gas generating agent in the lower combustion chamber with the hot gas ejected at a time difference from the opening formed

(2) As a gas generator used in a passenger airbag, a housing is composed of a bottomed cylindrical outer cylinder and a lid member.
A combustion space and a gas passage space are defined by the inner cylinder member and a filter member in the inner cylinder member, and the combustion space is defined by two partitioning members inserted into the filter member into two left and right combustion chambers.
The gas generating agent in the right-side combustion chamber is ignited by an igniter, so that after the gas generating agent in the right-side combustion chamber is burned, high-temperature gas is ejected with a time lag from an opening formed in the partition member. A method of igniting the gas generating agent in the left combustion chamber by the heat of the heat. Also, the housing is composed of an outer cylinder and a lid member, and is defined as a combustion space and a gas passage space by the inner cylinder, The combustion space is divided into two combustion chambers on the left and right sides by the inserted partition member, and the gas generating agent in the right combustion chamber is ignited by an igniter. After combustion, the gas generating agent in the left combustion chamber is ignited by the high-temperature gas ejected with a time lag from the opening formed in the partition member. Partition section inserted between central cylinders The closed space is defined by two combustion chambers on the left and right sides, and the gas generating agent in the right combustion chamber is ignited by an igniter, thereby forming a partition member after the combustion of the gas generating agent in the right combustion chamber. System that ignites the gas generating agent in the left combustion chamber with the hot gas that is injected with a time lag from the opening

Further, as a method of injecting a high-temperature gas into the other combustion chamber with a time lag from an opening of the partition member by combustion of one combustion chamber, one or a plurality of heat conducting holes are formed in the partition member, By arranging the delay medicine so as to close the inside of the heat conduction hole, the delay medicine is burned by the heat of combustion of one combustion chamber to open the heat conduction hole, thereby leaving a time difference in the other combustion chamber. A method of ejecting a high-temperature gas by forming a partition member with a spreading medicine, burning the spreading medicine by the combustion heat of one combustion chamber to form an opening in the partition member,
This allows the high-temperature gas to be injected into the other combustion chamber with a time difference.

The chemical composition of the postponement medicine comprises a reducing agent comprising a powder of a metal, a metal alloy or a sulfide thereof, and an oxidizing agent comprising an oxide or a peroxide.
FeSi, Al, PbCu, CuP,
One or more members selected from the group consisting of SbCu and Sb ₂ S ₃ are preferable, and CuO, Fe ₂ O ₃ , Si
O ₂ , BaO ₂ , Pb ₃ O ₄ , PbCrO ₄ , BaCr
One or more selected from the group of O ₄ is preferred. In particular, in order to control the formation time of the opening formed in the partition member by the heat of combustion in one of the combustion chambers, SbCu + CuO, Al
+ Fe ₂ O ₃ , Sb ₂ S ₃ + BaO ₂ , Al + CuO,
SbCu + BaO ₂ , FeSi + Pb ₃ O ₄ , CuP +
It is preferable to select from the group of the chemical composition of the combination of the reducing agent and the oxidizing agent composed of PbCrO ₄ , CuP + BaCrO ₄ , and to adjust the distribution ratio of the reducing agent and the oxidizing agent so that the time for forming the opening with respect to the partition member is appropriately adjusted Can control.

Further, in order to facilitate the molding of the spread medicine or the molding of the partition member by the spread medicine, it is preferable to include additives of raw rubber, hypalone, and nitrocellulose.

In a gas generator used for an airbag for a driver's seat, when a gas discharge hole opened to a lower combustion chamber is positioned at an axial center below an end face of a side flange, the gas discharge hole is formed. The high-temperature gas released from the hole collides with the flange cylinder, and the slag can be collected and cooled in the gas by the collision. When the order of the start of combustion in the upper and lower combustion chambers is such that the upper combustion chamber is burned and then the lower combustion chamber is burned, the gas from the lower combustion chamber is already released from the upper combustion heat. Since the airbag is released into the airbag after starting to inflate and deploy, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of damage such as melting of the airbag due to the high-temperature gas released from below.

When the inner cylindrical member is formed of expanded metal, the expanded metal has a plurality of gas passage holes projecting from the inner and outer peripheral surfaces and communicating with each other. The layer itself forms a gas passage space, and the inner cylinder member and the outer cylinder and the filter member can be arranged in close contact with each other, so that the positioning and arrangement of these members becomes easy.

Further, when the filter member is formed of an aggregate of a knitted wire mesh or a crimped wire, the filter member can be manufactured at low cost and gas can be easily transmitted from one combustion chamber to the other combustion chamber.

By positioning the partition member in contact with the step of the central cylinder, each combustion chamber can be defined with a simple structure.
Further, by adjusting the step portion, the volume of each combustion chamber can be easily changed and adjusted.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A gas generator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The gas generator according to the present invention has two combustion chambers defined by a partition member in a housing, wherein a gas generating agent of one combustion heat can be ignited by an igniter, and gas generation of the other combustion chamber is performed. The agent is ignited by the heat of the high-temperature gas ejected from the opening formed in the partition member with a time difference due to the heat of combustion of one of the combustion chambers.
In the initial stage of airbag deployment, the gas is slowly expanded and deployed by a small amount of gas generated by the combustion of only the gas generating agent in one combustion chamber, and then rapidly expanded by the large amount of gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent in both combustion chambers. That is, the two-stage output characteristic is provided. Hereinafter, the gas generator used for the driver airbag shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the gas generator used for the passenger airbag shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 will be described.

First, the specific structure of the gas generators X1 to X3 used in the driver's seat airbag shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described.

The gas generator X1 shown in FIG. 1 has a short cylindrical housing 1, an inner cylinder 2 defining a combustion space S1 and a gas passage space S2 inside the housing 1, and a gas generator X1 inside the combustion space S1. , A partition member 5 defining the upper and lower combustion spaces 3 and 4, a gas generating agent 6 and a filter member 7 disposed in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4, and a gas generating agent 6 in the upper combustion chamber 3 And an igniter 8.

The housing 1 has a structure in which the upper container 9 and the lower container 10 are joined by butt welding (for example, friction welding) to define a closed space S inside. Housing 1
The upper container 9 includes a short cylindrical outer cylinder 11, an upper lid 12 for closing the upper end of the outer cylinder 11, and a short cylinder disposed concentrically within the outer cylinder 11 and extending from the upper lid 12 to the vicinity of the lower end. It has a cylindrical shape with a lid and a central cylinder 13 and is integrally formed of an aluminum alloy or the like. The outer cylinder 11 has a plurality of gas discharge holes 1 opening into the closed space S on the upper lid 12 side.
A thin cylindrical burst plate 14 is attached to the inner periphery of each gas discharge hole 11a for preventing moisture in the housing 1 and adjusting the internal pressure during combustion.

The lower container 10 of the housing 1 comprises the outer cylinder 1
A lower lid 15 for closing a lower end portion of the outer cylinder 11, a cylindrical flange cylindrical part 16 located radially outside the outer cylinder 11 from the outer peripheral edge of the lower lid 15 and extending toward the upper lid 12,
Are arranged concentrically in the lower cover 15 and the upper cover 12.
And has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, which is formed by a cylindrical projection cylindrical portion 17 extending toward the bottom, and is integrally formed of an aluminum alloy or the like. A side flange 18 that is bent radially outward from the distal end of the flange cylindrical portion 16 is integrally formed. The side flange 18 has a plurality of fastening holes 19 for attaching to a retainer of an airbag module (not shown) formed in a circumferential direction. Have been. The lower lid 15 is integrally formed with a mounting cylinder 20 provided concentrically within the projection cylinder 17, and the mounting cylinder 20 extends toward the upper lid 12.

The housing 1 is provided with a lower end peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 11 of the upper container 9 abutting against a peripheral surface of the lower lid 15 and a central cylinder 1.
3 is joined to the upper end peripheral surface of the projection cylindrical portion 17 by friction welding to form a double cylindrical structure, thereby forming an annular closed space S inside. The closed space S of the housing 1 includes a cylindrical inner cylinder member 2 having a plurality of gas passage holes 2a and a cylindrical filter member 7 which is press-fitted into the inner cylinder member 2. 13, the annular combustion space S1 inside the filter member 8.
And an annular gas passage space S2 outside the inner cylindrical member 2. The inner cylindrical member 2 and the filter member 7 extend between the upper and lower lids 12 and 15 and are in contact with both the lids 12 and 15. Reference numeral 29 denotes a cushion member disposed between the gas generating agent 6 and the upper lid 12 in the upper combustion chamber 3. The cushion member 29 is made of an elastic material such as silicon rubber or silicone foam from the viewpoint of preventing powdering due to vibration of the gas generating agent 6. It is preferable to use.

The inner cylindrical member 2 is a cylindrical body that defines a gas passage space S2 between the inner cylindrical member 2 and the outer cylindrical member 5. For example, it is preferable to form the inner cylindrical member 2 with an expanded metal as shown in FIG. . As shown in FIG. 4A, the inner cylindrical member 2 is formed by inserting an expanded metal base material 21 having a plurality of slits 21a at predetermined intervals in a stainless steel thin plate or a normal thin steel plate in the direction of an arrow. By pulling, as shown in FIG. 4B, each slit 21a is uniformly opened. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4C, the expanded metal is formed into a cylindrical shape, and the ends are joined to each other by spot welding or the like so as to have a plurality of gas passage holes 2a. When the inner cylindrical member 2 is made of expanded metal, the portions of the gas passage holes 2a are formed by the slits 21a as shown in FIG. 5 at the time of the tensile processing in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. The facing portion is shaped to warp inward and outward by a height h from the reference plane B of the base material 21, protrudes inward and outward by a height h at each slit 21 a, opens in the circumferential direction, and extends in the axial direction. A plurality of gas passage holes 2a will be formed.

When arranging the inner cylindrical member 2, the outer peripheral portion of the inner cylindrical member 2 may be brought close to or in contact with the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 11 (to the extent that the burst plate 14 is damaged or damaged). It may be arranged with a possible outer diameter. Thereby, the inner cylinder material 2 itself (expanded metal layer itself)
Forms the gas passage space S2, the inner cylinder member 2, the filter member 7 and the outer cylinder 11 can be arranged in close contact, and there is an advantage that the positioning and arrangement of these members becomes easy. Further, the inner cylinder 2 is not limited to one formed of expanded metal, but may be a base material (punching plate) formed by forming a plurality of gas passage holes 2a at predetermined intervals in a stainless steel sheet or a normal thin steel sheet. It may be manufactured by molding into a cylindrical shape and joining the ends by spot welding or the like.

The filter member 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape which can be press-fitted into the inner peripheral portion of the inner cylindrical member 2, and is, for example, a knitted wire mesh [shown in FIG. 6 (a)] or a crimp woven wire [FIG. 6) is preferably formed in a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a filter member having a function of collecting and cooling slag in the gas generated in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4 and having an easy gas flow.

The combustion space S1 defined by the inner cylindrical member 2 and the filter member 7 is substantially parallel to the upper lid 12 and the lower lid 15, and is divided into two upper and lower combustion chambers 3 by a partition member 5 disposed therebetween. , 4. The partition member 5 includes an upper container 9
Disk portion 5 having a through hole 22 through which the central cylinder 13 passes
a and a short cylindrical flange 5b rising from the outer peripheral edge of the disk portion 5a, and a plurality of stepped heat conducting holes 23 are formed in the disk portion 5a in the circumferential direction. Partition member 5
The flange 5b is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the filter
Are press-fitted into the central cylinder 13, respectively, and are positioned by bringing them into contact with a step 13 b formed in the central cylinder 13, thereby defining two upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4 in the axial direction of the housing 1. Each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4 is loaded with a gas generating agent 6. In the respective heat conducting holes 23 of the partition member 5, a spreading medicine 24 that opens the respective heat conducting holes 23 by the combustion heat of the upper combustion chamber 3 is press-fitted. The chemical composition of the postponed medicine 24 is formed to include a reducing agent composed of a powder of a metal or a metal alloy or a sulfide thereof, and an oxidizing agent composed of an oxide or a peroxide. FeSi, Al, PbCu, CuP, SbCu, S
It is preferable to use one or more selected from the group of b ₂ S ₃ , and the oxidizing agent may be CuO, Fe ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ ,
It is preferable to use at least one selected from the group consisting of BaO ₂ , Pb ₃ O ₄ , PbCrO ₄ , and BaCrO ₄ .

[0026] As the optimum as a pharmaceutical composition for rolling agent 24, the agent comprising a _{SbCu + CuO Al + Fe 2 O} 3 Sb 2 S 3 + BaO of _{2 Al + CuO SbCu + BaO 2} FeSi + Pb 3 O 4 CuP + PbCrO 4 CuP + BaCrO 4 reducing agent and an oxidizing agent One or more selected from the group of compositions is preferred. As a result, since the delay medicine 24 in each heat conduction hole 23 is burned (melted) by the combustion heat generated in the upper combustion chamber 3, each heat conduction hole 23 is opened with a time lag after the combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3. The combustion chambers 3 and 4 communicate with each other through the heat conduction holes 23, and a high-temperature gas is ejected from the upper combustion chamber 3 into the lower combustion chamber 4 through the heat conduction holes, and the lower combustion chamber is delayed from the combustion in the upper combustion chamber. Will start burning. The time difference between the opening of each heat conducting hole 23 of the partition member 5 and the lower combustion chamber 4 is determined by adjusting the mixing ratio of the reducing agent and the oxidizing agent, which is the chemical composition of the spreading agent 24, by adjusting the mixing ratio of the spreading agent 24.
The combustion rate of this is controlled and can be easily achieved.
The postponed medicine 24 can be easily molded by containing at least one additive selected from the group consisting of raw rubber, hypalone, and nitrocellulose.

The igniter 8 includes an igniter 8A and the igniter 8A.
And is disposed in a storage space formed by the central tube 13 of the upper container 9 and the projecting tube portion 17 of the lower container 10. The igniter 8A is provided with a sealing material 26 on a tapered step 25 formed in the mounting cylinder 20.
(Rubber sheet).
It is fixed by caulking by bending the leading end 27 of the “0” inward. The transfer agent 8B is provided on the upper lid 12 at a predetermined distance from the igniter 8A, and the flame ignited by the igniter 8A passes through the plurality of squib holes 28 of the central cylinder 13 to be burned upward. Spout into chamber 3. The igniter 8 (ignition device 8B) is connected to a collision sensor (not shown), and is ignited based on a collision detection signal from the collision sensor.

Next, the operation of the gas generator X1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. A collision sensor detects a car collision,
When the igniter 8A is ignited by the collision detection signal,
The generated flame ignites the transfer agent 8B on the upper lid 12 side to expand the flame. The expanded flame is ejected from each of the fuse holes 28 of the central cylinder 13 into the upper combustion chamber 3, and the flame burns the gas generating agent 6 to generate a high-temperature gas. The high-temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 flows into the filter member 7, where it flows through the gas passage holes 2a of the inner cylindrical member 2 through the slag collection and cooling, into the gas passage space S2, and burns. When the gas pressure that rises with the combustion in the chamber 3 reaches a predetermined pressure, the burst plate 14 is broken, and the clean gas equalized in the gas passage space S2 is uniformly distributed from each gas discharge hole 11a into the airbag. Will be released. Then, the airbag starts gently inflating and deploying only by the gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3.

At this time, a part of the high-temperature gas flowing into the filter member 7 flows down and is ejected into the lower combustion chamber 4, but the amount of heat retained by the gas is transferred to the lower combustion chamber 4. Since it is absorbed by the facing filter member 7 and its temperature is lowered and is ejected into the lower combustion chamber 4, the gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 does not immediately ignite.

Subsequently, when the combustion temperature of the delay medicine 24 is reached after the start of combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3, each delay medicine 24 burns,
Thereby, each heat conduction hole 23 of the partition member 5 is sequentially opened, and the upper combustion chamber 3 and the lower combustion chamber 4 communicate with each other. The high-temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3
When the temperature in the lower combustion chamber 4 reaches a certain temperature (ignition temperature of the gas generating agent 6) by the heat of the high-temperature gas, the lower combustion heat 4 The combustion of the gas generating agent 6 is started with a small time difference.
Since the heat of combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3 is transmitted to the lower combustion chamber 4 via the filter member 6, the temperature of the lower combustion chamber 4 is also increased by this heat transfer. In the present example, the gas flowing through the filter member has the residual heat effect of the gas generating agent, but the ignition effect is hardly expected.

The high-temperature gas generated in the lower combustion chamber 4 is subjected to slag collection and cooling by the filter member 7 in the same manner as in the upper combustion chamber 3, and then to the gas passage holes 2a, 2a of the inner cylinder 2.
The gas reaches the gas passage space S2, and the clean gas equalized in the gas passage space S2 is uniformly discharged from each gas discharge hole 11a to the airbag. At this stage, the airbag is inflated and deployed by a large amount of high-pressure gas discharged from the upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4, so that the airbag shifts to rapid deployment. As a result, in the early stage of deployment, the e-bag is
Only the small amount of gas generated only starts the expansion and deployment gradually, and after a predetermined time elapses, the expansion and deployment is rapidly performed by the large amount of gas generated in the upper and lower two combustion chambers 3 and 4.

As described above, according to the gas generator X1, first, the gas generating agent 6 in the upper combustion chamber 3 is burned by the igniter 8, and the airbag is gradually expanded only by the gas generated in the combustion chamber 3. Then, the gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 is burned by the heat of the high-temperature gas ejected from the upper combustion chamber 3 through the heat conduction holes 23 of the partition member 5, so that the two combustion chambers 3 and 4 Since the airbag is rapidly inflated and deployed by the generated large amount of gas, the two-stage deployment control of the airbag (control of the amount of gas released to the airbag in two stages) can be performed easily and reliably. Therefore, even if the occupant in the driver's seat is seated near the steering wheel, it is less likely to receive an impact due to rapid inflation in the initial stage of deployment of the airbag, and the original function of the airbag can be exhibited safely. In particular, among the components constituting the gas generator, the gas generator 6 in the upper combustion chamber 3 is burned by using only one of the most expensive igniters 8, and the combustion in the lower combustion chamber 4 is performed by the delay agent 24. Since the deployment of the airbag is controlled by delaying the start, the two-stage deployment of the airbag can be achieved with an inexpensive gas generator.

Further, each of the heat conducting holes 23 of the partition member 5 is
4, the opening is formed by burning the spreading agent 24 with the combustion heat generated in the upper combustion chamber 3, and the high-temperature gas is ejected from the opening to the lower combustion chamber 4.
With the simple structure, the combustion of the gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 can be started with a time lag. Further, by adjusting the blending ratio of the reducing agent and the oxidizing agent of the postponement medicine 24, the combustion time can be controlled, whereby the time difference between the start of combustion in the lower combustion chamber 4 can be controlled to an optimum value. .

Next, the gas generator X2 shown in FIG.
Of the gas generator X1, the partition member 35 is provided in the inner cylindrical member 2.
1 is different from FIG. 1 in that a gas generating agent 6 and a filter member 7 are arranged in each of the upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4 and in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4. The same reference numerals denote the same members, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

In FIG. 2, the closed space S of the housing 1 is shown.
Is a combustion space S1 inside the inner cylindrical member 2 by the inner cylindrical member 2.
And a gas passage space S2 outside thereof. The combustion space S1 is divided into upper and lower two combustion chambers 3 and 4 by a partition member 35 which is substantially parallel to the upper lid 12 and the lower lid 15 and is disposed therebetween. The partition member 35 is formed in a disk shape having a through hole 22 through which the central cylinder 13 of the upper container 9 penetrates, and is formed with a plurality of heat conducting holes 23 into which the spreading medicine 24 is press-fitted over the circumferential direction. I have. And
The partition member 35 is press-fitted into the inner peripheral portion of the inner cylindrical member 2, the through-hole 22 is pressed into the outer peripheral portion of the central cylinder 13, and is positioned by being brought into contact with the step 13 a of the central cylinder 13, The upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4 are defined in the axial direction of the housing 1. Each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4 is loaded with a gas generating agent 6, and a filter member 7 is arranged so as to surround the gas generating agent. Each of the filter members 7 has a cylindrical shape that can be press-fitted into the inner cylindrical member 2 and does not block the heat conducting holes 23 of the partition member 35.
Is placed on the lower lid 15. Also, each filter member 7
Extends between the upper lid 12 and the lower lid 15 via the partition member 35.

Next, the operation of the gas generator X2 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the collision sensor detects the collision of the automobile and the igniter 8 is ignited by the collision detection signal, the high temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 is captured by the filter member 7 as in the case of FIG. After collection and cooling, after the pressure is equalized in the gas passage space S2, the discharge to the airbag is started, and the airbag starts to expand and deploy slowly only by the gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3.

At this time, a part of the gas in the gas passage space S2 is removed from the inner cylindrical member 2 and the filter member 7 facing the lower combustion chamber 4.
, And flows into the lower combustion chamber 4, but the amount of heat held by the gas is absorbed by the inner cylindrical member 2 and the filter member 7 facing the lower combustion chamber 4, and the temperature decreases to lower combustion. Since the gas flows into the chamber 4, the gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 does not ignite. Subsequently, when the temperature of the delaying medicine 24 rises and the combustion of the delaying medicine 24 starts and an opening is formed in the heat conducting hole 23, the high-temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 flows downward from the heat conducting hole 23. The gas is ejected into the combustion chamber 4 and the heat of the high-temperature gas causes the combustion of the gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 to start. The heat of combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3 is equal to that of the inner cylindrical member 2.
Also, the heat is transmitted to the lower combustion chamber 4 through the filter member 7, but the heat of the high-temperature gas ejected from each heat conducting hole 23 ignites the gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4. Is as described above. Thus, the combustion in the lower combustion chamber 4 is started with a small time difference after the combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3 is started.

The gas generated in the lower combustion chamber 4 flows out into the gas passage space S2 after collecting and cooling the slag by the filter member 7, and is discharged into the airbag together with the clean gas in the upper combustion chamber 3. In the early stage of deployment, the airbag starts gently inflating and deploying with a small amount of gas generated only in the upper combustion chamber 3, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, rapidly expanding with a large amount of gas generated in the upper and lower combustion chambers 3, 4. It will expand and expand.

As described above, according to the gas generator X2, FIG.
As in the case of the gas generator X1, the two-stage deployment control of the airbag can be easily performed, and the original function of the airbag can be exhibited safely.

Next, the gas generator X3 shown in FIG.
Of the gas generator X1, the partition member 45 is provided in the outer cylinder 11.
And the point that the filter member 7 is disposed in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4, and that each gas discharge hole 11a is connected to each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4. 1 and 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same members, and redundant description will be omitted.

In FIG. 3, the closed space S of the housing 1 is shown.
The inside is substantially parallel to the upper lid 12 and the lower lid 15, and the upper and lower two combustion chambers 3,
4 is defined. The partition member 45 is formed in a disk shape having a through hole 22 through which the central cylinder 13 of the upper container 9 penetrates, and is formed with a plurality of heat conducting holes 23 into which the spreading medicine 24 is press-fitted over the circumferential direction. I have. And the partition member 4
5 is press-fitted into the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 11, the through-hole 22 is press-fitted into the outer peripheral portion of the central cylinder 13, and abuts on the step 13 a of the central cylinder 13 and the step 11 b of the outer cylinder 11 for positioning. As a result, the upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4 are separated from each other in the axial direction of the housing 1. And each combustion chamber 3,
Each of 4 is loaded with a gas generating agent 6 and a filter member 7 is arranged so as to surround the gas generating agent 6. Each filter member 7 has a gas passage space S between the filter member 7 and the inner peripheral side of the outer cylinder 11.
2 and partition member 45 and lower lid 1 of upper lid 12.
5 is placed.

The outer cylinder 11 of the upper container 9 has a plurality of gas discharge holes 11a formed in two rows in the axial direction of the housing 1 so as to face the upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4, respectively. A burst plate 14 is attached to the inner periphery of each row of gas discharge holes 11a so as to close the gas discharge holes 11a. Each of the gas discharge holes 11a opening to the lower combustion chamber 4 is formed so that its center line a is located below the side flange 19 and faces the flange cylinder portion 16.

Next, the operation of the gas generator X3 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. When a collision of the automobile is detected and the igniter 8 is ignited by the collision detection signal, the high temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 is collected by the filter member 7 as in the case of FIG. After flowing through the gas passage space S2 and reaching a predetermined pressure, the burst plate 14 is broken, and after the pressure is equalized in the gas passage space S2, the release to the airbag is started. Then, only the gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 starts expansion and deployment gently.

Subsequently, when the combustion in the upper combustion chamber 2 proceeds and the delaying agent 24 starts burning to form an opening, high-temperature gas is ejected from the opening into the lower combustion chamber 4 to lower the combustion. Room 4
The combustion of the gas generating agent 6 in the interior is started. As in the case of the upper combustion chamber 3, the gas generated in the lower combustion chamber 4 breaks the burst plate 14 due to the increase in the gas pressure, and is released into the airbag together with the clean gas in the upper combustion chamber 3, and the air is released. The bag starts gently inflating and deploying with a small amount of gas generated only in the upper combustion chamber 3 in the initial stage of deployment, and rapidly expands and deploys with a large amount of gas generated in both combustion chambers 3 and 4 after a predetermined time has elapsed. Will be.

Meanwhile, the high-temperature gas generated in the lower combustion chamber 4 is cooled while passing through the filter member 7, and at the same time, a considerable amount of slag in the gas is removed, so that each gas discharge hole 11
a, once collides with the inner peripheral surface of the flange tube portion 16, then changes direction and rises,
8 to be released into the airbag. At this time, the slag remaining in the gas, which is not removed by the filter member 7, is removed because most of the slag adheres to the flange cylinder 16 when colliding with the flange cylinder 16 (inertial collection).
At the same time, the temperature of the gas is lowered by heat exchange with the flange tube portion 16. Further, the gas released from the lower combustion chamber 4 changes its direction upward after colliding with the flange cylinder 16 and rises. However, the gas released from the upper combustion chamber 3 causes the airbag to start inflating and deploying. Later (ie,
Since the airbag is released into the airbag (after the airbag moves in the detaching direction from the gas generator), the effect of suppressing the thermal damage of the airbag due to the gas flow in the axial direction of the housing 1 is also expected. Will be.

Next, the specific structure of the gas generators Y1 to Y3 used in the passenger seat airbag shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 will be described.

The gas generator Y1 shown in FIG. 7 has a long cylindrical housing 51 and a combustion space S inside the housing 51.
1 and a gas passage space S2, an inner cylinder member 52 that defines the combustion space S1 into two right and left combustion chambers 53 and 54, and a partition member 55 that is arranged in the combustion chambers 53 and 54. The gas generating agent 56 and the filter member 57 and the right combustion chamber 5
And an igniter 58 for burning the fourth gas generating agent 56.

The housing 51 includes a bottomed, long cylindrical outer cylinder 61 having an open end, and a lid member 62 for covering the open end of the outer cylinder 61. The closed space S is formed inside by making the annular rib 62a formed in the portion and the open end of the outer cylinder 61 abut against each other and friction-welded. A plurality of gas discharge holes 61 a communicating with the airbag are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 61.
As shown in FIG. 10, 1a is formed on a straight line extending in the axial direction at an angle of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the housing 51 to form two gas hole rows r1 and r2. The gas discharge holes 61a of the gas holes r1 and r2 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 61, and are a thin strip-shaped burst plate attached to the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 61. Each is closed at 65. The burst plate 65 has a minimum length and a width enough to close each gas discharge hole 61a of each gas hole row r1, r2, and plays a role of moisture prevention in the closed space S and internal pressure adjustment at the time of combustion. . In addition, about the burst plate 65, sticking one sheet in a roll shape is not excluded.

The closed space S of the housing 51 is formed by the inner cylindrical member 52 having a plurality of gas passage holes 52a and the cylindrical filter member 57 press-fitted into the inner cylindrical member 52. It is partitioned into a space S1 and a gas passage space S2 outside the inner cylindrical member 52. Inner cylinder 5
2 and the filter member 57 are press-fitted into a small-diameter hole 67 that is reduced in diameter at the bottom 61 b of the outer cylinder 61 and extend to the lid member 62. Like the inner cylinder 2 shown in FIG. 1, the inner cylinder 52 is formed into a cylindrical shape using expanded metal, and the ends are joined by a joining method such as spot welding to form a plurality of gas passage holes. 52a (see FIG. 4).
(See (a) to (c)). As shown in FIG. 10, each gas passage hole 52 a of the inner cylinder 52 opens at a portion different from each gas discharge hole 61 a when viewed from the circumferential direction of the housing 51, and extends in the axial direction of the housing 51. Each gas release hole 61
It is formed so as not to face a.

When arranging the inner cylindrical member 52 made of expanded metal, the outer peripheral portion of the inner cylindrical member 52 approaches or contacts the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 61 (to such an extent that the burst plate 65 is not damaged). It may be arranged so as to have an outer diameter dimension that can be brought into proximity or contact. This allows
The inner cylinder 52 itself (expanded metal layer itself) forms the gas passage space S2, and the inner cylinder 52, the filter member 57, and the outer cylinder 61 can be arranged in close contact.
Further, as the inner cylindrical member 52, a punching plate having a plurality of gas passage holes 52a may be formed into a cylindrical shape, and the ends may be joined by spot welding or the like. In order to form S <b> 2, it is necessary to provide a space between the outer cylinder 61 and the inner surface of the outer cylinder 61.

The filter member 57 is composed of a plurality of filter units 57A sequentially laminated in the axial direction of the housing 51. The filter unit 57A may be a knitted wire mesh (shown in FIG. 6A) or a crimp. An aggregate of woven wires (shown in FIG. 6B) is shown in FIG.
It is preferable to form it into a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. Thus, by appropriately changing the number of stacked filter units 57A, the filter members 57 can be arranged in accordance with the length of the housing 51 (the outer cylinder 61).
It has a function of collecting and cooling slag in the gas generated in 3, 54, and can facilitate passage of the gas. It should be noted that the filter member 57 does not exclude an integrally molded one without being divided into the filter units 57A.

The combustion space S 1 defined by the inner cylinder 52 and the filter member 57 is formed by the bottom 61 b of the outer cylinder 61 and the lid 6.
Partitioning member 55 that is disposed substantially parallel to
Thus, two combustion chambers 53 and 54 are defined on the right and left sides. The partitioning member 55 is formed in a disk shape having a stepped heat conducting hole 63 opened at the axis thereof.
To define two right and left combustion chambers 53 and 54 in the axial direction of the housing 51. Each of the combustion chambers 53 and 54 is loaded with a gas generating agent 56. In addition, in the heat conducting hole 63 of the partition member 55, a spreading medicine 64 that opens the heat conducting hole 63 by the combustion heat generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent 56 in the right combustion chamber 54 is press-fitted. The chemical composition of the delay medicine 64 is the same as that of the delay medicine 24 of FIG.

The bottom portion 61b of the outer cylinder 61 and the left combustion chamber 5
A cushion member 59 is inserted into the small-diameter hole 67 between the cushion member 59 and the gas generating agent 56.
Has a function of preventing powdering due to vibration of the gas generating agent 56. Therefore, as the cushion member 59, it is preferable to use an elastic material such as silicone rubber or silicone foam, but a material having a heat insulating function by ceramic fibers or the like may be used. Reference numeral 60 denotes a seal member for the filter member 57 that is press-fitted into the small-diameter hole 17 of the outer cylinder 61.

The cover member 62 includes a transfer agent 58A and the igniter 5
An igniter 58 made of 8B (electric detonator) is mounted so as to protrude into the right combustion chamber 53. Transfer agent 58A
Is housed in a flanged cap member 69 fitted into the projection 62b of the lid member 62, and faces the ignition device 58B with a gap t between the projections 62b. The flange 69b of the cap member 69 closes the shaft end of the filter member 57 to close the inner cylindrical member 5.
2 are bent and extended toward the lid member 62 in a state of being press-fitted into the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 61.
And is fixed in contact with the burr 61c of the outer cylinder 61 formed at the time of pressing. The projection 69c of the cap member 69 is inserted into the filter unit 57A,
A through hole 69d for transmitting the flame of the transfer agent 58A to the gas generating agent 56 is formed. The igniter 58B includes a cover member 62
And is caulked and fixed so as to face the transfer agent 58A with a gap t therebetween.

Next, the operation of the gas generator Y1 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. A collision sensor detects a car collision,
When the igniter 58B is ignited by the collision detection signal, the generated flame ignites the transfer agent 58A and expands the flame. The expanded flame is ejected from the through hole 69d of the cap member 69 into the right combustion chamber 53, and the gas generating agent 56 is burned by the flame to generate a high-temperature gas.
Then, the high-temperature gas generated in the right combustion chamber 53 flows into the filter member 57 (filter unit 57A),
Here, after collecting and cooling the slag, it flows into the gas passage space S2 from each gas passage hole 52a of the inner cylindrical member 52, and the combustion chamber 5
When the gas pressure that rises with the combustion in the combustion chamber 4 reaches a predetermined pressure, the burst plate 65 is broken, and the clean gas that has been equalized in the gas passage space S2 is uniformly distributed from the gas discharge holes 61a into the airbag. Released. Then, the ebag slowly starts to expand and deploy only by the gas generated in the right combustion chamber 53.

At this time, a part of the high-temperature gas flowing into the filter member 57 flows to the left and flows into the left combustion chamber 54, but the amount of heat held by the gas is reduced by the filter member facing the left combustion chamber 54. The gas generating agent 56 in the left combustion chamber 54 is not immediately ignited because the gas is absorbed by the first combustion chamber 57 and the temperature of the gas generating agent 56 is lowered and flows into the left combustion chamber 54. Further, when each gas passage hole 52a and each gas discharge hole 61a are arranged so as to be shifted in the circumferential direction, the clean gas flowing out from each gas passage hole 52a into the gas passage space S2 is directly sent to each gas discharge hole 61a. As a result, the slag remaining in the gas adheres to the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 61 and is removed, as a result of colliding with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 61 and flowing through the gas passage space S2. Cylinder 6
There is an effect of being cooled by heat exchange with 1. Further, as a result of equalization in the gas passage space S2, the filter member 57
Since the inner and outer surfaces of the filter member are equalized, respectively,
It is prevented that the gas flow locally flows through the inside and the filter member 57 is melted and damaged.

Subsequently, after the start of combustion in the right combustion chamber 53, when the delay agent 64 reaches the combustion temperature, each delay agent 64 starts burning, whereby the heat conducting hole 63 of the partition member 55 is opened and The combustion chamber 54 and the right combustion chamber 53 communicate with each other. Then, the high-temperature gas generated in the right-side combustion chamber 53 blows out to the left-side combustion chamber 54 through the heat-conducting holes 63, and ignites the gas generating agent 56 in the left-side combustion chamber 54 by the heat held by the high-temperature gas. To start. Thus, the combustion of the left-side combustion heat 54 is started at a small time difference after the start of the combustion of the right-side combustion heat 53. The high-temperature gas in the right combustion chamber 53 flows into the left combustion chamber 54 via the filter member 57, but is cooled by the filter member, so that the gas generating agent in the left combustion chamber is ignited by the inflow gas. Is the same as in the case described above.

The high-temperature gas generated in the left combustion chamber 54 is subjected to slag collection and cooling by the filter member 57 in the same manner as in the right combustion chamber 53, and then to the respective gas passage holes 52a, 52a of the inner cylinder 52. The gas reaches the gas passage space S2, and the clean gas equalized in the gas passage space S2 is uniformly discharged from each gas discharge hole 61a to the airbag. At this stage, the airbag is inflated and deployed by a large amount of high-pressure gas discharged from both the combustion chambers 53 and 54, so that the airbag shifts to rapid deployment. As a result, the airbag starts inflating and deploying gently with a small amount of gas generated only in the right combustion chamber 53 in the initial stage of deployment, and after the elapse of a predetermined time, the two combustion chambers 5
Due to the large amount of gas generated at 3, 54, it will expand and deploy rapidly.

As described above, also in the cylindrical gas generator Y 1, first, the airbag is gently inflated and deployed only by the gas generated in the right combustion chamber 53, and then the heat conduction of the partition member 55 from the right combustion chamber 53 is performed. The hot gas ejected through the hole 63 causes the gas generating agent 56 in the left combustion chamber 54
It is possible to inflate and deploy the airbag rapidly with a large amount of gas generated from both combustion chambers 53 and 54 at a time difference, so that two-stage deployment control of the airbag (two-stage Gas discharge amount control) can be performed easily and reliably. Therefore, even if the occupant in the passenger seat is seated near the instrument panel, it is less likely to receive an impact due to the rapid inflation in the initial stage of the airbag deployment, and the original function of the airbag is exhibited safely.

Further, if a configuration is adopted in which the postponed medicine 64 is burned by the combustion heat generated in the right combustion chamber 53 and the high-temperature gas is ejected into the left combustion chamber 54, it is as simple as the gas generator X1 of FIG. With the structure, the combustion of the gas generating agent 56 in the left combustion chamber 54 can be started with a time difference. Further, by appropriately selecting the composition of the reducing agent and the oxidizing agent, which are the chemical components of the delaying drug 64, as described above, the time of the combustion and melting of the delaying drug 64 can be controlled. It is possible to control the time difference between the start of the combustion to an optimum value.

Next, the gas generator Y2 shown in FIG.
Of the gas generator Y1, the partition member 75
7 is different from the point defined in the two right and left combustion chambers 53 and 54 by the arrangement of the filter member 57 (filter unit 57A) in each of the combustion chambers 53 and 54.
The same reference numerals denote the same members, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

In FIG. 8, the combustion space S 1 is formed by an outer cylinder 61.
The two right and right combustion chambers 5 are substantially parallel to the bottom 61 b and the lid member 62 by a partition member 75 disposed therebetween.
3,54. The partitioning member 75 has a disk shape having a heat conducting hole 63 opening at the axis thereof, and is press-fitted into the inner peripheral portion of the inner cylindrical member 52 so that two right and left combustion chambers 53, 54 are defined. Each of the combustion chambers 53 and 54 is loaded with a gas generating agent 56, and a filter member 57 is arranged so as to surround the gas generating agent 56. The filter member 57 is composed of a plurality of (four) stacked filter units 57A, and has a cylindrical shape that is pressed into the inner cylindrical member 52 so as not to block the heat conducting holes 63 of the partition member 75. I have. Further, the filter member 57 is connected to the bottom 61 b of the outer cylinder 61 and the lid member 62 via a partition member 75.
Extending between the two.

Next, the operation of the gas generator Y2 shown in FIG. 8 will be described. When the collision sensor detects the collision of the automobile and the igniter 58 is ignited by the collision detection signal, the high temperature gas generated in the right combustion chamber 53 is trapped by the filter member 57 as in the case of FIG. After collection and cooling, the pressure is equalized in the gas passage space S2, and then the airbag starts to be released into the airbag. The airbag starts to expand and expand gently only by the gas generated in the right combustion chamber 53.

Subsequently, the combustion in the right combustion chamber 53 proceeds,
When the spreading agent 64 starts burning, the heat conducting holes 63 are opened, and the high-temperature gas generated in the right combustion chamber 53 is ejected through the heat conducting holes 63 into the left combustion chamber 53, and the heat of the high-temperature gas causes The combustion of the gas generating agent 56 in the left combustion chamber 54 is started. The heat of combustion in the right combustion chamber 53 is transmitted to the left combustion chamber 54 via the inner cylindrical member 52 and the filter member 57. As described above, the ignition of the gas generating agent 56 in the left combustion chamber 54 is started by the generated high-temperature gas.

The gas generated in the left combustion chamber 54 flows out into the gas passage space S2 after collecting and cooling the slag by the filter member 57, and is discharged into the airbag together with the clean gas in the right combustion chamber 53. The airbag starts gently inflating and deploying with a small amount of gas generated only in the right combustion chamber 53 in the initial stage of deployment, and rapidly after a predetermined time elapses due to a large amount of gas generated in both combustion chambers 53 and 54. It will expand and deploy.

Next, the gas generator Y3 shown in FIG.
For the gas generator Y1, the point that the partition member 85 is directly arranged in the outer cylinder 61 to define two right and right combustion chambers 53 and 54, and the filter member 57 ( The difference is that the filter unit 57A) and the inner cylindrical member 52 are arranged, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 7 denote the same members, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

In FIG. 9, the inside of the closed space S of the housing 51 is substantially parallel to the bottom portion 61b of the outer cylinder 61 and the lid member 62, and is partitioned by the partition member 85 disposed therebetween. 54. The partition member 85 has a disk shape having a heat conduction hole 63 opening at the axis thereof, and is press-fitted into the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 61. Each of the combustion chambers 53, 54 has a gas generating agent 56,
Two filter units 5 surrounding the gas generating agent 56
7A and each filter member 5
7 are press-fitted, and are arranged in the order of the inner cylinder member 52 which defines a gas passage space S2 between the inner cylinder member 52 and the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 61. or,
The filter member 57 has a cylindrical shape that is pressed into the inner cylindrical member 52 so as not to block the heat conduction holes 63 of the partition member 65, and the bottom 61 b of the outer cylinder 61 and the lid member 62 are separated via the partition member 85. Extending between the two.

Next, the operation of the gas generator Y3 shown in FIG. 9 will be described. When the collision sensor detects the collision of the automobile and the igniter 58 is ignited by the collision detection signal, the high temperature gas generated in the right combustion chamber 53 is trapped by the filter member 57 as in the case of FIG. After collection and cooling, the pressure is equalized in the gas passage space S2, and then the airbag starts to be released into the airbag. The airbag starts to expand and expand gently only by the gas generated in the right combustion chamber 53.

Subsequently, when the delay medicine 64 starts burning due to the heat of combustion in the right combustion chamber 53, the heat conducting holes 63 are opened, and high-temperature gas is ejected from the opened heat conducting holes 63 into the left combustion chamber 54, The combustion of the gas generating agent 56 in the left combustion chamber 54 is started by the heat of the high-temperature gas. Then, the gas generated in the left combustion chamber 54 flows out into the gas passage space S2 through slag collection and cooling by the filter member 57, and is discharged into the airbag together with the clean gas in the right combustion chamber 53. The bag is placed in the right combustion chamber 5 at the beginning of deployment.
The expansion and deployment are started gently by the small amount of gas generated only in the combustion chamber 3, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the expansion and development are rapidly performed by the large amount of gas generated in both the combustion chambers 53 and 54.

The above-described gas generators X1 to X of the present invention
3, in Y1 to Y3, one or a plurality of heat conducting holes are formed in each partition member as a structure in which a high-temperature gas generated in one combustion chamber is ejected to the other combustion chamber with a time lag.
Although the case where the time delay medicine is pressed into the heat conduction hole has been described,
The present invention is not limited to this, and each partition member itself may be formed with a spreading medicine. As a result, after the combustion in one of the combustion chambers, the partition member itself is burned and opened by the combustion heat generated in the combustion chamber, and the high-temperature gas is introduced into the other combustion chamber through the opening formed in the partition member. It is also possible to ignite and burn the gas generating agent in the other combustion chamber with a time lag due to the heat of the high-temperature gas by jetting.

[0071]

As described above, according to the gas generator of the present invention, two combustion chambers are formed in the housing by the partition member, and the igniter is arranged only in one of the combustion chambers. The gas generating agent in the combustion chamber is burned by the igniter, and the airbag is gently inflated and deployed only by the gas generated here.After that, the time difference is caused by the hot gas ejected through the opening gradually formed in the partition member. In this case, the gas generating agent in the other combustion chamber is burned, and the airbag is rapidly expanded and deployed by a large amount of gas generated from both the combustion chambers. (Control of the amount of gas released into the bag) can be performed easily and reliably. Therefore, even if the occupant in the driver's seat is seated near the steering wheel, the impact of the rapid inflation in the initial stage of deployment of the airbag is reduced, and the original function of the airbag can be exhibited safely. Become.

Further, as a method of forming an opening in the partition member by the combustion heat of one of the combustion chambers and ejecting the high-temperature gas to the other combustion chamber with a time lag, one or a plurality of heat conducting holes are provided in the partition member. There is a method in which a spreading agent for closing the heat conducting hole is disposed and a method in which the partition member itself is formed by a spreading agent.In either method, the component composition of the spreading agent is adjusted or the spreading agent is adjusted. By adjusting the thickness, it is possible to adjust the combustion speed or the opening forming time, whereby it is possible to easily control the ignition time difference between the two combustion chambers, and to freely control the two-stage deployment of the airbag. The degree increases.

By adding at least one member selected from the group consisting of raw rubber, hyolone, nitrocellulose and the like to the spread medicine, the formability of the spread medicine is enhanced, and the partition member itself is integrally formed by the spread medicine. Things become easier.

Further, the two-stage deployment control of the airbag can be easily and reliably performed by one gas generator using one igniter, so that the cost reduction of the airbag device and the improvement of reliability are expected. .

The gas generator to which the present invention can be applied is applicable not only to a gas generator for a driver's seat having a short cylindrical shape but also to a gas generator for a passenger's seat having a long cylindrical shape. Since it is possible to maintain the characteristics of each gas generator without losing it, there is no need to develop a new gas generator with a special structure as a gas generator for two-stage deployment of airbags. Therefore, it is possible to develop a two-stage deployment gas generator easily and inexpensively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first example of a driver seat airbag according to the present invention.
It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the gas generator of an Example.

FIG. 2 shows a second example used in the driver's seat airbag of the present invention.
It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the gas generator of an Example.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a third example used in the driver's seat airbag of the present invention.
It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the gas generator of an Example.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a member for forming the inner cylindrical member,
(A) is a diagram showing an expanded metal base material,
(B) is a figure which shows the state which pulled the base material, (c) is a perspective view which shows the inner cylinder material shape | molded by the expanded metal.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a tension state of the expanded metal shown in FIG. 4;

6A and 6B are diagrams showing members for forming a filter member, wherein FIG. 6A is an enlarged view showing a knitted wire mesh, FIG. 6B is an enlarged view showing a crimped wire, and FIG. 6C is a formed filter member FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first airbag used for a passenger airbag according to the present invention;
It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the gas generator of an Example.

FIG. 8 shows a second example of the passenger seat airbag of the present invention.
It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the gas generator of an Example.

FIG. 9 shows a third example used in the passenger airbag of the present invention.
It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the gas generator of an Example.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIGS. 7 to 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view showing an example of a conventional gas generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 51 Housing 2, 52 Inner cylinder 2a, 52a Gas passage hole 3 Upper combustion chamber 4 Lower combustion chamber 5, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 Partitioning member 6, 56 Gas generating agent 7, 57 Filter Member 57A Filter unit 8,58 Ignition device 11,61 Outer tube 11a, 61a Gas discharge hole 12 Top cover 13 Center tube 15 Lower cover 16 Side flange 18 Flange tube portion 23,63 Heat transfer hole 24,64 Spread medicine S Closed space S1 Combustion Space S2 Gas passage space

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshiyuki Kishino 3903-39, Tomicho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. Himeji Factory Sensor Technology Co., Ltd. Himeji Technical Center Co., Ltd. 3903-39, Toyotomi-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.Sensor Technology in Himeji Factory, Himeji Technical Center Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koji Tanaka 3903-39, Tomi-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Himeji Factory Himeji Technical Center Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Moriko Kitao Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture 3903-39 Nippon Kayaku Himeji Factory (72) Inventor Kenjiro Ikeda Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture 3903-39, Tomicho, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Himeji Plant

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A gas generator comprising a housing (1, 51) having a plurality of gas discharge holes (11a, 61a) and having a sealed space (S) formed therein, wherein the sealed space (S) Inside the partition member (5, 35, 45,
55, 75, 85) to provide two combustion chambers (3, 4, 5,
3, 54), and each of the combustion chambers (3, 4, 53, 54) is charged with a gas generating agent (6, 56) for generating a high-temperature gas by combustion. A filter member (7, 57) is arranged around the agent (6, 56) so as to surround the agent, and the one combustion chamber (3, 53) is provided in the housing (1, 51). An igniter (8, 58) for igniting only the gas generating agent (6, 56) is disposed, and the heat generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent in the one combustion chamber (3, 53) causes the partition member ( 5,35,45,5
5, 75, 85) to form openings (23, 63). From the openings (23, 63) formed by the heat of combustion,
Gas generation characterized in that the gas generating agent (6, 56) in the other combustion chamber is ignited with a time lag by hot gas injected into the other combustion chamber (4, 54). vessel 2. The housing (1) includes a cylindrical outer cylinder (11), an upper lid (12) and a lower lid (15) for closing upper and lower ends of the outer cylinder (11), and the outer cylinder. (11) having a cylindrical central cylinder (13) concentrically provided on the upper lid (12), wherein the outer cylinder (11) and the central cylinder (1) are provided.
3) has a double cylindrical structure defining an annular closed space (S) by joining the lower lid (15), and the central cylinder (13) includes the combustion chambers (3, 4). Forming a plurality of fire holes (28) opening to one of the
2. A gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said igniter (8) is arranged inside said central tube. 3. The closed space (S) of the housing (1).
Is formed by the inner cylindrical member (2) having a plurality of gas passage holes (2a) and the filter member (7) inserted in the inner cylindrical member (2). S1)
And a gas passage space (S2) outside the inner cylinder member (2). The combustion space (S1) is defined by an inner peripheral portion of the filter member (7) and the central cylinder (13). The upper and lower combustion chambers (3, 3) are provided by the partition member (5) inserted between the upper and lower combustion chambers (3, 5).
The gas generator according to claim 2, wherein each of the combustion chambers (3, 4) is loaded with the gas generating agent (6), respectively. 4. The closed space (S) of the housing (1).
Is defined by an inner cylindrical member (2) having a plurality of gas passage holes (2a) into a combustion space (S1) inside the inner cylindrical member (2) and a gas passage space (S2) outside the inner cylindrical member (2). The combustion space (S1) is divided into two upper and lower portions by the partition member (35) disposed between the inner peripheral portion of the inner cylinder member (2) and the outer peripheral portion of the central cylinder (13). Combustion chamber (3, 4)
In each of the combustion chambers (3, 4), the gas generating agent (6) and the gas generating agent (6) are surrounded and charged into the inner cylinder (2), respectively. The gas generator according to claim 2, wherein the filter member (7) to be used is arranged. 5. The closed space (S) of the housing (1) is divided into two upper and lower combustion chambers (3, 3) by the partition member (45) press-fitted into the inner peripheral portion of the outer cylinder (11).
4) and each of the combustion chambers (3, 4) surrounds the gas generating agent (6) and the gas generating agent (6), respectively, and surrounds the inner periphery of the outer cylinder (11). The gas generator according to claim 2, further comprising a filter member (7) forming a gas passage space (S2) between the gas generator and the filter member. 6. The partition member (5, 35, 45) is positioned in contact with a step (13a) formed in the central cylinder (13). Gas generator as described in 7. The outer cylinder (1) is attached to the lower lid (15).
6. A flange cylindrical portion (16) for covering 1) from the radial outside, and a side flange (18) bent radially outward from a tip of the flange cylindrical portion (16) is formed. Gas generator described in Crab 8. The gas discharge hole (11a) is formed in the outer cylinder (11) so as to face each of the upper and lower combustion chambers (3, 4). The gas generator according to claim 7, wherein the gas discharge hole (11a) opened to (4) has its axial center located below the end face of the side flange (18). 9. The housing (51) is formed by joining a bottomed cylindrical outer cylinder (61) and a lid member (62) for closing an open end of the outer cylinder (61). S), and each of the combustion chambers (53, 54) is provided on the lid member (62).
The gas generator according to claim 1, further comprising an igniter (58) for igniting any one of the gas generating agents (56). 10. A closed space (S) of the housing (51) includes an inner cylinder (52) having a plurality of gas passage holes (52a) and a fill member (52) inserted into the inner cylinder (52). 57), a combustion space (S1) inside the filter member (57) and a gas passage space (S2) outside the inner cylinder (52) are defined. The partition member (55) inserted into the inner peripheral portion of the filter member (57) defines two right and left combustion chambers (53, 54), and each of the combustion chambers (53, 54). 10. The gas generator according to claim 9, wherein each of said gas generators is loaded with said gas generating agent (56). 11. A closed space (S) of the housing (51) is defined by a combustion space (S) inside the inner cylinder (52) by an inner cylinder (52) having a plurality of gas passage holes (52a).
1) and a gas passage space (S2) outside thereof, wherein the combustion space (S1) is divided into the partition member (75) which is inserted into the inner peripheral portion of the inner cylindrical member (52). ), The right and left combustion chambers (53, 54) are defined, and in each of the combustion chambers (53, 54), the gas generating agent (56) and the gas generating agent (56) are respectively provided. The filter member (5) surrounding and being press-fitted into the inner cylindrical member (52).
The gas generator according to claim 9, wherein (7) is arranged. 12. The closed space (S) in the housing (51) is divided into two right and left combustion chambers (53, 53) by the partition member (85) inserted into the inner periphery of the outer cylinder (61).
54), and a gas passage space (S2) is provided between the gas generating agent (56) and the inside of the outer cylinder (61) in each of the combustion chambers (53, 54). 10. An inner tube member (52) to be formed and said filter member (57) surrounding said gas generating agent (56) and being charged into said inner tube member (52).
Gas generator as described in 13. The inner cylindrical member (2, 52) is formed by molding an expanded metal having a plurality of gas passage holes (2a, 52a) into a cylindrical shape. , 52) are close to the outer cylinder (11, 61) and the inner circumference is in contact with the filter member (7, 57). The gas generator according to any one of claims 3 to 4, which also serves as the space (S2). 14. The filter member according to claim 1, wherein the filter member is formed in a cylindrical shape by an assembly of a knitted wire mesh or a crimped wire. The gas generator according to any one of claims 10 to 12, or claims 10 to 12. 15. The partition member (5, 35, 45, 5)
5, 75, 85) are provided in the combustion chambers (3, 4, 53, 5).
4) One or more heat conducting holes (23, 63) communicating with each other are formed, and a spreading agent (24, 64) is arranged in the heat conducting holes (23, 63) to form the heat conducting holes (23). , 63), and the high-temperature gas generated in the one combustion chamber (3, 53) is
The gas generating agent in the other combustion chamber (4, 54) is blown out from the heat conduction hole (23, 63) opened by the combustion of the spreading agent (24, 64) into the other combustion chamber (4, 54). (6,5
The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the gas generator is ignited to (6). 16. The partition member (5, 35, 45, 5)
5,75,85) is formed by a postponed medicine (24,64), and the hot gas generated in the one combustion chamber (3,53) is
The opening of the partition member (5, 35, 45, 55, 75, 85) formed by the combustion of the extended medicine (24, 64) blows out into the other combustion chamber (4, 54), and the other combustion is performed. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the gas generator (6, 56) in the chamber (4, 54) is ignited. 17. The chemical composition of the spreading agent (24, 64) comprises a reducing agent comprising a powder of a metal or a metal alloy or a sulfide thereof, and an oxidizing agent comprising an oxide or a peroxide. Claim 15 or Claim 16
Gas generator as described in 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent of the postponed medicine is FeSi, A.
l, PbCu, CuP, SbCu, gas generator according to claim 17 is Sb ₂ S ₃ 1 or more selected from the group consisting of 19. The oxidizing agent of the spreading agent is CuO, Fe
₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , BaO ₂ , Pb ₃ O ₄ , PbCrO
_4, BaCrO gas generator according to claim 17 is at least one selected from the group consisting of ₄ 20. The spreading agent is selected from the group consisting of a reducing agent of SbCu + CuO Al + Fe ₂ O ₃ Sb ₂ S ₃ + BaO ₂ Al + CuO SbCu + BaO ₂ FeSi + Pb ₃ O ₄ CuP + PbCrO ₄ CuP + BaCrO ₄ and a oxidizing agent. 18. The gas generator according to claim 17, which is at least one species. 21. The postponed medicine (24, 64) is formed on the partition member (5, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75) according to the mixing ratio of a reducing agent and an oxidizing agent, which are chemical compositions thereof. The gas generator according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein a time for forming the openings (23, 63) is adjusted. 22. The postponement drug (24, 64) is selected from the group consisting of raw rubber, hypalone, and nitrocellulose.
The gas generator according to any one of claims 15 to 21, comprising at least one kind of additive.