WO2001074631A1

WO2001074631A1 - Gas generator

Info

Publication number: WO2001074631A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/002850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takeshi Ishida; Yoshiyuki Kishino; Masahiro Yoshida
Original assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki-Kaisha
Priority date: 2000-04-03
Filing date: 2001-04-02
Publication date: 2001-10-11
Also published as: JPWO2001074631A1; AU2001244702A1; TW495453B

Abstract

A gas generator (S) which comprises a long-sized cylindrical housing (1) and a partition plate (2) dividing the housing (1) to define a combustion chamber (16) and a cooling filter chamber (17). The combustion chamber (16) is filled with a gas generating agent (5) which generates high temperature gas when burned. The cooling filter chamber (17) has a filter member (3) installed therein for catching and cooling high temperature gas slag. The cover member (9) of the housing (1) has an ignition means (7) mounted thereon for igniting and burning the gas generating agent (5) in the combustion chamber (16). In the gas generator (S), the housing (1) is projected into the combustion chamber (16) to form an annular projection (6). The annular projection (6) holds the partition plate (2) between it and the filter member (3) while pressing the partition plate (2) from the side of the combustion chamber (16).

Description

'Specification

Gas generator technical field

The present invention relates to a gas generator suitable for inflating and deploying a side collision or passenger airbag. Background art

An example of a gas generator for inflating and deploying a side collision airbag is shown in FIG. The gas generator shown in FIG. 5 includes a long cylindrical housing 51 having both ends closed. Inside the housing 51, a partition ring member 52 is mounted. The partition ring member 52 is inserted into the inner periphery of the housing 1 and defines the inside of the housing 51 as a combustion chamber 53 and a cooling filtration chamber 54. An annular groove 56 into which the annular projection 55 of the housing 51 is fitted is formed on the outer periphery of the partition ring member 52. The annular projection 55 is formed to project into the annular groove 56 by drawing the outer periphery of the housing 51. The annular projection 55 is fitted according to the shape of the annular groove 56, and positions and fixes the partition ring member 52 in the housing 51. A gas generating agent 57 that generates a high-temperature gas by combustion is loaded in the combustion chamber 53. In the cooling and filtering chamber 54, a cylindrical filling material 58 is mounted. At the shaft end of the housing 51, an ignition means 59 for igniting and burning the gas generating agent 57 in the combustion chamber 53 is mounted. In this gas generator, the ignition means 59 is energized and ignited by a collision detection signal from a collision sensor, and this flame is ejected into the combustion chamber 53. In the combustion chamber 53, the gas generating agent 57 is ignited and burned by the blasted flame to generate a large amount of high-temperature gas. The high-temperature gas generated in the combustion chamber 53 is The rupture plate 60 is ruptured at a predetermined internal pressure and flows through the partition ring member 52 into the inner periphery of the filter member 58. Then, the high-temperature gas flows into the filter material 58, where it is collected and cooled, and is discharged from the gas discharge holes 51a of the housing 51 into the airbag. The airbag is rapidly inflated and deployed by a large amount of clean gas released from each gas discharge hole 51a.

The conventional gas generator has a structure in which the annular projection 55 of the housing 51 is fitted into the annular groove 56 of the partition ring member 52 to position and fix the partition ring member 52 in the housing 51. Has adopted. Therefore, in the partition ring member 52, it is necessary to increase the axial dimension of the housing 51 in order to form the annular groove 56. For this reason, even in the housing 51, it is necessary to increase the axial dimension in order to mount the partition ring member 52, and the entire gas generator becomes large. In addition, increasing the thickness of the partition ring member 52 and increasing the length of the housing 51 increase the weight of the gas generator and cannot reduce the manufacturing cost.

In recent years, in the technical field of gas generators, lightweight, low-cost, and small-sized gas generators have been demanded. From this point of view, it is difficult to provide a conventional gas generator that is lightweight, low-cost, and compact.

An object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight, low-cost, and compact gas generator. Disclosure of the invention

The gas generator of the present invention mainly expands and deploys an air bag for side collision or for a passenger seat, and defines a long cylindrical housing in a combustion chamber and a cooling filtration chamber by a partition plate. I do. The combustion chamber is charged with a gas generating agent that generates high-temperature gas by combustion, and the high-temperature gas Perform lag collection and cooling, and install enough filter material. At the shaft end of the housing, ignition means for igniting and burning the gas generating agent in the combustion chamber from the shaft end of the housing is mounted.

In the gas generator according to the present invention, the projection is formed by projecting the housing into the combustion chamber. The projection presses the partition plate from the combustion chamber side and clamps the partition plate with the filter material. Preferably, the protrusion is formed by drawing the outer periphery of the housing. As long as the filter material can be sandwiched, only one projection may be provided, but it is preferable to provide two or more projections, and more preferably, an annular projection projecting over the entire circumference of the housing.

Thus, the partition plate is sandwiched between the projection, preferably the annular protrusion and the filter material, and is positioned and fixed in the housing, so that the thickness of the partition plate can be minimized. That is, the partition plate can have a minimum thickness that can withstand the internal pressure due to combustion in the combustion chamber and the heat of the high-temperature gas.

Further, in assembling the gas generator, after forming a projection, preferably an annular projection, on the housing, the partition plate is inserted into the inner periphery of the housing to make contact with the projection, preferably the annular projection. In this state, the gas generating agent is charged into the combustion chamber, and the filter material is mounted in the cooling and filtering chamber. Subsequently, by closing both ends of the housing, the partition plate is held between the projections, preferably the annular projections and the filter material. The assembling of the gas generator can be performed by a simple operation by forming a projection, preferably an annular projection, on the housing in advance.

Further, in the gas generator according to the present invention, the filter material is formed into a cylindrical shape having a combustion hole penetrating in the axial direction of the housing, and a gas generating agent is loaded in the combustion hole.

This ensures that the volume for loading the gas generant is in the filter material. And the axial length of the housing can be shortened.

In the gas generator according to the present invention, the partition plate is formed in a cup shape having an outer cylinder support.

Thus, the partition plate forms an annular gas passage space between the housing and the filter material while restricting the radial movement of the housing of the filter material by the outer tube supporting material. This gas passage space makes the clean gas flowing out of the filter material uniform and makes it possible to discharge it into the airbag. '' In addition, in assembling the gas generator, a unit can be formed by attaching a cup-shaped partition plate to the filter material in advance, and by simply inserting this unit into the housing, the filter material can be mounted and the partition plate can be attached. Can be positioned and fixed. Further, in the gas generator according to the present invention, the partition plate is formed with a cylindrical member projecting into the combustion chamber or into the combustion hole of the Z and the filter material, and communicates with the combustion chamber and the inside of the combustion hole through the internal cylinder material. Is what you do.

As a result, high-temperature gas and flame generated in the combustion chamber can be intensively introduced from the inner cylinder into the combustion holes of the filter material.

Further, in the gas generator according to the present invention, the partition plate has an inner cylindrical member protruding into the combustion chamber, and communicates with the combustion chamber and the filter material through the inner cylindrical member.

As a result, high-temperature gas, flame, and the like generated in the combustion chamber can be intensively introduced from the inner cylinder material into the filter material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a gas generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. FIG. 4 shows a gas generator according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a conventional gas generator. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A gas generator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG.

The gas generator S shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 mainly expands and deploys an air bag for side collision. The gas generator S includes a long cylindrical housing 1, a partition plate 2, a filter material 3, a gas generating agent 5, an annular protrusion 6, and ignition means 7. The gas generator S employs a structure in which the partition plate 2 is positioned and fixed in the housing 1 by being sandwiched between the annular projection 6 and the filter material 3.

The housing 1 includes an outer cylindrical member 8 having both ends opened, and lid members 9 and 10 for closing each opening side of the outer cylindrical member 8. The housing 1 is hermetically sealed by inserting the respective lid members 9 and 10 into the respective openings of the outer cylinder 8 and drawing around the outer periphery of the respective openings of the outer cylinder 8. This is the structure that forms the space P. The drawing process is performed by fitting each opening side of the outer cylindrical member 8 into the annular groove 11 of each of the lid members 9 and 10 and joining the sealing material 12 in the annular groove 11 to the inside of the housing 1. Seal. The outer cylinder member 8 is formed with a plurality of gas discharge holes 8a communicating with the sealed space P and the inside of the airbag. Each gas discharge hole 8 a is formed on the lid member 10 side (the portion where the finoleta material 2 force S is disposed) from the middle of the housing 1 in the axial direction, and is defined in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the outer cylinder 8. Openings are provided at intervals (see Fig. 2). Each of these gas discharge holes 8 a is closed by a burst plate 20 attached to the inner periphery of the housing 1. The burst plate 20 is formed of a metal foil such as aluminum, and plays a role of preventing moisture inside the housing 1 and adjusting the internal pressure. In addition, a support hole 19 is formed in the lid member 10 so as to open to the housing 10. In addition, it is preferable that the outer cylinder member 8 and the lid members 9 and 10 are formed of a rigid material represented by a metal member such as steel, stainless steel, and steel with plating.

The partition plate 2 is formed in a cylindrical cup shape by integrally forming an outer cylinder support member 13 and a partition plate 14 closing one end of the outer cylinder support member 13. The partition plate 14 is formed with a gas hole 15 opening into the outer cylinder support member 13. The partition plate 2 is mounted in the middle of the housing 1 in the axial direction by fitting the outer cylinder support member 13 to the inner periphery of the housing 1. Further, the outer cylinder supporting member 13 projects to the lid member 10 side, is inserted into the inner periphery of the housing 1, and is in a state capable of being inserted into the outer periphery of the filter member 3. Thus, the inside of the sealed space P of the housing 1 is axially defined by the partition plate 2 as a combustion chamber 16 and a cooling filtration chamber 17. The combustion chamber 16 is formed on the lid member 9 side of the partition plate 2. The cooling and filtering chamber 17 is formed closer to the lid member 10 than the partition plate 2. Further, the thickness t of the outer cylinder support member 13 and the partition plate 14 of the partition plate body 2 is a minimum value that can withstand an increase in the internal pressure of the housing 1, a high-temperature gas, flame heat, and the like. The partition plate 2 is manufactured by press-forming a steel plate having a thickness t.

The filter material 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a combustion hole 23 and is mounted in the cooling and filtering chamber 17. A filter support 18 is provided around the outer periphery of the filter material 3. The filter material 3 is integrated into the filter support 18, and the shaft end of the partition plate 2 and the housing 1 is provided. It is arranged between the cover member 10 as a part. The shaft ends 3 A and 3 B of the filter material 3 are supported by being inserted into the outer tube support 13 and the support holes 19 of the partition plate 2. Thus, the filter material 3 forms an annular gas passage space P1 between the filter support material 18 and the housing 1. The combustion holes 23 of the filter material 3 penetrate the housing 1 in the axial direction, Hole 15 Further, the filter material 3 is restricted from moving in the radial direction of the housing 1 by the outer tube supporting material 13 of the partition plate 2. Further, since the filter material 3 is supported by the outer tube support material 13, the contact between the filter material 3 and the filter support material 18 and the burst plate 20 is prevented. The filter supporting member 18 has a plurality of gas passage holes 18a communicating with the inside of the filter member 3 and the gas passage space P1. The gas generating agent .5 generates a high-temperature gas by combustion, and is continuously loaded into the combustion chamber 16 and the combustion holes 23 of the filter material 3. Thereby, the combustion chamber 16 functions as a primary first combustion chamber, and the combustion hole 23 of the filter material 3 functions as a secondary combustion chamber. Further, the gas generating agent 5 is prevented from being powdered by vibration by the cushion material 21. The cushion material 21 is mounted between the gas generating agent 5 and the pressing material 22. The cushion member 21 is provided with a cross-shaped notch for reliably transmitting the power of the flame from the ignition means 7 to the gas generating agent 5 without delay. The cushion material 21 is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber or silicone foam.

The annular projection 6 is formed by drawing around the outer periphery of the housing 1. In the drawing, an annular projection 6 is formed by projecting a portion of the housing 1 on the combustion chamber 16 side near the partition plate 2 into the combustion chamber 16 (see FIG. 1). The annular projection 6 is sandwiched by the shaft end 3 a of the filter material 3 while pressing the partition plate 14 from the combustion chamber 16 side, so that the partition plate body 2 is located in the middle of the housing 1 in the axial direction. Position and fix. Further, the annular projection 6 closes the shaft end 3 a of the filter material 3 with the partition plate 14 by pressing against the partition plate 14, and seals the gas passage space P 1 from the combustion chamber 16. Further, the annular projection 6 restricts the movement of the filter material 3 toward the combustion chamber 16 by pressing against the partition plate 14. The igniting means 7 is composed of only an igniter that energizes and ignites, and is attached to the lid member 9 from inside the housing 1. The ignition means 7 protrudes toward the combustion chamber 16 and contacts the cushioning material 21 through the pressing member 22. The ignition means 7 is energized and fired by a collision detection signal from a collision sensor. Next, the operation of the gas generator S will be described.

When the collision sensor detects the collision of the vehicle, the gas generator S energizes and ignites the ignition means 7. After the flame of the ignition means 7 ruptures and opens the cushion material 21, the flame is ejected into the combustion chamber 16, and the gas generating agent 5 is forcibly ignited from the lid member 9 serving as the shaft end of the housing 1. Burn. Thus, a large amount of high-temperature gas is generated in the combustion chamber 16.

High-temperature gas, flame, and the like generated in the combustion chamber 16 are guided to the gas holes 15 內 by the partition plate 2, and flow out into the combustion holes 23 of the filter material 3. At this time, the high-temperature gas, the flame, and the like do not flow directly to the shaft end 3a of the filter material 3 and the gas passage space P1 due to the pressing between the annular projection 6 and the partition plate 14, and the filter material 3 Guided into the combustion holes 23.

The high-temperature gas, flame, etc., flowing out of the combustion holes 23 of the filter material 3 sequentially flow into the filter material 3 from the partition plate 2 side, where they pass through the slag collection and cooling, and then enter the gas passage space P 1 Spilled to. At the same time, the gas generating agent 5 in the combustion hole 23 of the filter material 3 is ignited and burned sequentially from the partition plate 2 side. When the combustion in the housing 1 proceeds and the inside of the housing 1 rises to a predetermined pressure, the burst plate 20 ruptures, and the clean gas uniformized in the gas passage space P 1 is discharged into each gas discharge hole 8. Released from a into the airbag. Thus, the airbag is rapidly inflated and deployed by a large amount of clean gas discharged from each gas discharge hole 8a.

As described above, in the gas generator S of the present invention, the partition plate 14 is sandwiched between the annular projection 6 and the shaft end 3a of the filter material 3 so that the partition plate 2 is housed. A structure for positioning and fixing in the housing 1 is adopted. Accordingly, the thickness t of the partition plate 2 can be set to a minimum value that can withstand the predetermined internal pressure of the combustion chamber 16 and the heat of the high-temperature gas. As a result, the gas generator S can shorten not only the thickness of the partition plate 2 but also the length of the housing 1 in the axial direction, and it is possible to provide a light-weight, low-cost, and compact one. .

In addition, by loading the gas generating agent 5 into the combustion hole 23 of the filter material 3, the loading volume of the gas generating agent 5 can be secured in the filter material 3, and the axial direction of the Length can be shortened.

Further, by forming the partition plate member 2 into a cup shape with the outer cylinder support member 13 and the partition plate 14, the partition plate member 2 can be unitized with the filter member 3, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the gas generator S. It becomes possible. That is, the gas generator S is assembled by forming the annular projection 6 on the housing 1, inserting the partition plate 2 into the inner periphery of the housing 1, and abutting the annular projection 6, so that the inside of the housing is in the combustion chamber. 16 and cooling filtration chamber 17. After the gas generator S is loaded with the gas generating agent 5 in the combustion chamber 16 and the filter material 3 is mounted in the cooling and filtering chamber 17, each opening side of the outer cylinder 8 is closed with a lid member. Assembled by closing at 9,10. In this assembling process, the cup-shaped partition plate 2 is fitted into the shaft end 3A of the filter material 3 in advance to form a unit, and this unit can be fitted into the housing 1. As described above, the gas generator S can be assembled by a simple operation by forming the annular projection 6 in advance, loading the gas generating agent 5 and attaching the filter material 3. In particular, by assembling the partition plate 2 and the filter material 3, the assembly process of the gas generator S can be simplified.

Further, by forming the partition plate member 2 in a cup shape, the radial movement of the housing 1 of the filter member 3 can be restricted, and the gas passage space P1 can be formed between the housing 1 and the filter member 3. Form the gas passage space P1 This means that the clean gas flowing out of the filter material 3 can be made uniform, and the amount of gas discharged from each gas discharge hole 8a into the airbag can be made uniform. As a result, the airbag is inflated and deployed smoothly without bias. The filter material 3 and the filter support material 18 are supported by the cup-shaped partition plate 2, so that the contact between the filter material 3 and the filter support material 18 and the burst plate 20 is eliminated. 0 can be prevented from being damaged.

Further, in the gas generator S of the present invention, the configuration shown in FIG. 4 can be adopted. In FIG. 4, the gas generator S is obtained by forming the inner cylindrical member 35 on the partition plate 2. The inner cylindrical member 35 is formed in the partition plate 14 and protrudes into the combustion chamber 16 from around the inner periphery of the gas hole 15.

Then, the high-temperature gas, flame, and the like generated in the combustion chamber 16 flow intensively into the cylindrical material 35 by the inner cylinder 35 projecting into the combustion chamber 16. As a result, high-temperature gas, flame, and the like generated in the combustion chamber 16 are intensively jetted into the combustion hole 23 of the filter material 2 through the inner cylinder 35 and the gas hole 15, and the combustion hole 23 The gas generating agent 5 inside is instantaneously and efficiently burned. In addition, since the high-temperature gas, flame, and the like in the combustion chamber 16 are concentrated in the inner cylindrical member 35, the flow rate around the outer periphery of the inner member 35 can be reduced. Thus, heat transfer of the partition plate 14 due to high-temperature gas or the like is suppressed, so that the influence of heat melting on the shaft end 3a of the filter material 3 can be reduced.

The partition plate 2 is not limited to the one in which the inner cylindrical member 35 projects into the combustion chamber 16, but the one that projects into the combustion hole 23 of the filter material 2, the combustion chamber 16 內 and Those that protrude into any of the filter holes can also be employed. In addition, the amount of protrusion of the inner cylindrical member 35 does not affect the combustion of the gas generating agent 5 in the combustion chamber 16 and the filter hole. Further, it is assumed that there is no influence on the formation of the annular projection 16 on the inner and outer diameters of the inner cylindrical member 35. The gas generator S of the present invention is not limited to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and may employ, for example, the following forms.

(1) As the partition plate 2, a configuration consisting of only the partition plate 14 having the gas holes 15 and a configuration consisting of the partition plate 14 and the inner cylindrical member 35 can be adopted.

(2) The finoleta material 3 can be directly supported by the cup-shaped partition plate 2 without using the filter support material 18.

(3) A configuration in which the gas generating agent 5 is not loaded in the combustion hole 23 of the filter material 3 can be adopted.

(4) As the filter material 3, not only a cylindrical material but also a cylindrical material can be adopted.

(5) The outer cylinder 8 can be a bottomed one with one end closed.

(6) The outer cylinder member 8 and the lid members 9 and 10 can be integrated by using welding or the like in addition to drawing.

(7) The annular projection 6 is not limited to being formed in the middle of the housing 1 in the axial direction, but may be formed at any part of the housing 1 in the axial direction. Thus, the volume ratio between the combustion chamber 16 and the cooling / filtering chamber 17 can be changed.

(8) The gas generator S can be applied to a device that inflates and deploys a passenger airbag mounted in an instrument panel.

(9) Enhancer can be used for the ignition means if necessary. Industrial applicability

According to the gas generator of the present invention, not only the thickness of the gas generator and the partition plate but also the length of the housing in the axial direction can be shortened. It becomes possible.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A long cylindrical housing with both ends closed, a partition plate inserted into the inner periphery of the housing and axially defining the inside of the housing as a combustion chamber and a cooling and filtering chamber; and the combustion chamber A gas generating agent that is charged into the cooling filter chamber and generates a high-temperature gas by combustion; a filter material that is mounted in the cooling and filtering chamber and that is disposed between a shaft end of the housing and the partition plate; A projection formed by projecting the housing into the combustion chamber and holding the partition plate from the chamber side from the chamber side; and a projection attached to the housing and igniting and burning the gas generating agent in the combustion chamber. A gas generator comprising: ignition means;

2. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the projection is an annular projection formed over the entire circumference of the housing.

3. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the filter material is formed in a cylindrical shape having a combustion hole penetrating in the axial direction of the housing, and the gas generating agent is loaded in the combustion hole. A gas generator as described.

4. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the partition plate is formed in a cup shape having an outer cylinder supporting member inserted into an inner periphery of the housing and an outer periphery of the filter material. vessel.

5. The partition plate body is formed with an inner cylindrical member protruding in at least one of the combustion holes of the filter material in the combustion chamber, and the inside of the combustion chamber and the combustion holes of the filter material are formed through the inner cylindrical material. The gas generator according to claim 4, wherein the gas generator is in communication.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the partition plate body is formed with an inner cylindrical member projecting into the combustion chamber, and the combustion chamber and the filter member を通して are communicated through the inner cylindrical member. A gas generator according to claim 1.