WO2003078215A1

WO2003078215A1 - Capped inflator

Info

Publication number: WO2003078215A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/003342
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yuzo Goto; Yasunori Iwai; Masayuki Nakayasu
Original assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-03-19
Filing date: 2003-03-19
Publication date: 2003-09-25
Also published as: JP2003341467A

Abstract

A capped inflator capable of easily installing a cap, wherein the external surface of a diffuser part (20) including first gas outlets (22) is covered by the cap (40) having second gas outlets (45), and the cap (40) is fixed into a ring groove (31) provided in the diffuser part (20) by caulking the minimum diameter part (41b) thereof.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an inflation overnight with a cap suitable for use as an inflation overnight for a vehicle, an inflation for a side airbag, or the like, and an airbag apparatus using the inflation night with a cap.

Conventional technology

During the inflation for the inflatable safety system of the motor vehicle, the driver's seat airbag inflation, Inflation for passenger airbags, inflation for side airbags, inflation for curtains, inflation for bolsters, inflation for inflation for seat belts, inflation for tubular systems, Various inflation nights, such as an inflation night for a retainer, are known. During these inflation events, the curtain inflation event instantly expands a curtain-shaped airbag with a thickness of several centimeters to the window side of the vehicle when the vehicle receives a side impact. It is to let.

The following are known as related prior art. For example, US Pat. No. 5,527,066 discloses an apparatus for expanding a flexible container by using helium and hydrogen in combination, and US Pat. No. 5,728,486. Discloses a gas flow device for an airbag using a pressurized inert gas, and the specification of 3,680,886 discloses that an airbag is inflated with nitrogen or helium. No. 5,803,493 discloses a side inflation overnight housing for airbags using both pressurized gas and a gas generating agent. In addition, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 03131246 discloses a pressurized gas inflation system using argon or nitrogen as a pressurized gas. In various types of inflation evenings, small and light-weight daggers are required due to the demand for light-weight daggers on the vehicle itself, as well as improved workability, simplification of the manufacturing process, and improved safety during operation. However, none of the above-mentioned prior arts can fully satisfy all of them.

Disclosure of the present invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device using a cap with a cap that can achieve a reduction in size and weight, improve workability, and simplify the manufacturing process.

The present invention provides, as a means for solving the above problems, a tubular inflation overnight housing, one end of which is closed and the other end of which has an opening; And a diffuser part having a first gas discharge port for discharging a pressurized medium flowing out of the opening during operation to the outside, and an opening of the inflator housing. The outflow path of the pressurized medium between the diffuser and a part of the diffuser is closed with a rupturable plate, and furthermore, a part of the diffuser is provided with a means for destroying the rupturable plate. Provided is an inflation system with a cap which covers at least an outer surface including a first gas outlet and has a cap having an opening serving as a second gas outlet by caulking.

In this manner, by attaching the cap by caulking, the manufacturing process can be simplified as compared with the case where welding or the like is applied. In addition, when the airbag is installed during inflation, the effect of being able to fix the connection using the swaged portion is also obtained. In the above invention, the cap is provided between a minimum diameter portion provided on both sides in the length direction, a maximum diameter portion provided at a center portion in the length direction, and the minimum diameter portion and the maximum diameter portion. A barrel-shaped member having a step portion, preferably having an opening serving as the second gas discharge port at the step portion or the maximum diameter portion, and being attached to a part of the diffuser at the minimum diameter portion.

Provide the second gas outlet at the step, the maximum diameter part, or both the step and the maximum diameter part Thus, a space for distributing the pressurized medium can be secured between the first gas outlet and the second gas outlet, so that the ejection of the pressurized medium is not hindered.

In the above invention, it is preferable that the cap is attached by caulking one or both of the minimum diameter portions in a groove provided on a part of the peripheral surface of the diffuser. It is desirable that the groove provided on the part of the peripheral surface of the diffuser is a continuous groove (ring groove) that goes around the peripheral surface.

By installing in the groove in this way, the cap can be more firmly fixed to the diffuser part, and when attaching the airbag to the inflator, it can be connected and fixed using the groove (caulked part). Can be

In the above invention, the total opening area of the second gas discharge port is larger than the total opening area of the first gas discharge port, and the total opening area of the second gas discharge port is 1.10 of the total opening area of the first gas discharge port. It is preferably at least 5 times.

By defining the total opening area of the first gas outlet and the second gas outlet in this way, the pressure of the pressurized medium to be ejected can be controlled by the first gas outlet.

In the above invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the first gas outlets are provided, and at least two of the plurality of the first gas outlets are arranged at positions symmetrical in the width direction or at positions similar thereto. .

In the present invention, when the cross section in the width direction of a part of the diffuser is circular and two or more first gas outlets are provided, at least two first gas outlets are positioned in the width direction ( (In the radial direction). When three primary gas outlets are provided, the three outlets are evenly arranged at an angle of 120 °, and when four primary gas outlets are provided, the four outlets are installed at an angle of 90 °. It is desirable that they are evenly distributed, and the same applies when five or more are provided.

In the event that a fire occurs during transportation and storage of an inflator, and an inadvertent event occurs in which the inflator may malfunction, if there is only one primary gas outlet, the pressurized medium ejected therefrom Inflation overnight jumps out like a rocket It is very dangerous. However, as described above, if the arrangement of at least two first gas outlets is adjusted, and if the arrangement of three or four or more first gas outlets is adjusted, the above abnormal situation may occur. Is prevented.

In the above invention, the workability at the time of manufacturing is improved by using the cylindrical inflation housing which is symmetrical with respect to the axial direction and the width direction.

Further, the present invention provides, as means for solving the above problems, an operation signal output means comprising an impact sensor and a control unit, and a module case in which the inflation with cap and the airbag are housed in a case. To provide an airbag device.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION The inflation process of this invention can assemble easily, can reduce the burden of an operator, and can increase the connection strength at the time of connecting an airbag. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of an inflation process according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of attaching a cap in the event of FIG. 1.

Explanation of sign ''

1 0 Infre Evening

1 2 Inflation overnight housing

1 9 Bursting plate

2 0 Diffuse part

2 2 1st gas outlet

2 5 Igniter

3 1 Ring groove

4 0 cap

4 5 2nd gas outlet 3342

Embodiment of the Invention

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the inflation of the present invention in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a method of mounting a cap by caulking.

The inflation housing 12 has an opening 14 at one end, and the other end is closed by swaging or spinning. In the interior space 16 formed by the infra-red housing 12 and the diffuser part 20, a pressurized medium consisting of inert gas such as argon and helium, and nitrogen gas has a maximum pressure of 600,000 k. It is filled with about Pa. The inflation housing 12 has a circular cross section in the width direction, and the opening 14 is also circular.

The inflation housing 12 can be symmetrical with respect to the axial and width directions. After connecting the diffuser part 20 to the inflation overnight housing 12, the pressurized medium is filled from the gap between the seal pins 17 fitted into the pores provided on the closed end face, and then thinned together with the seal pins 17. The hole is welded and completely closed.

The diffuser part 20 is connected to the opening 14 side of the inflation overnight housing 12, and the diffuser part 20 is a first gas discharge port 2 for allowing the pressurized medium to flow out. Has two. The first gas outlet 22 is not closed, and a screen 29 made of an annular wire mesh for removing fragments of the rupturable plate 19 is arranged inside the first gas outlet 22.

The inflation housing 12 and the diffuser part 20 may be connected by welding (welded portion 26) as shown in Fig. 1, or a male thread is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the inflation housing 12. Alternatively, a female screw portion may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the end portion of the diffuser part 20, and the male screw portion and the female screw portion may be screwed and connected.

The outflow path 18 of the pressurized medium in the part 20 of the diffuser is closed by a rupturable plate 19, and before operation, the internal space 16 of the inflation overnight housing 12 has a high pressure. It is kept airtight.

The diffuser part 20 is provided with an igniter 25 provided with an igniter as a means for destroying the rupturable plate 19. The igniter 25 is attached after connecting the inflation overnight housing 12 and the diffuser part 20, and is fitted in a direction from the one end opening of the diffuser part 20 toward the rupturable plate 19. After the fitting, the diffuser part 20 is fixed by caulking the peripheral edge 28 of the one end opening. The igniter 25 is mounted coaxially with the central axis of the inflation housing 12. A cap 40 is attached to the diffuser part 20 so as to cover the outer surface including the first gas outlet 22. The cap 40 has a minimum diameter portion 41 a, 41 b provided on both sides in the length direction, a maximum diameter portion 43 provided at the center in the length direction, and a minimum diameter portion 41 a, 4. It is a barrel-shaped member having step portions 42 a and 42 b provided between 1 b and the maximum diameter portion 43. The cap 40 has a minimum diameter portion 41b caulked and is fixed in the ring groove 31. It is desirable to provide a flat surface or a depression on the outer surface side of the minimum diameter portion 41a in consideration of the connectivity at the time of airbag attachment.

Between the outer peripheral surface of the part of the diffuser 20 and the cap 40, a distribution space 46 composed of the outer peripheral surface of the part of the diffuser 20 and the maximum diameter part 4 3 of the steps 42a and 42b is formed. Has been done. Therefore, after the pressurized medium ejected from the first gas outlet 22 flows into the distribution space 46, the pressurized medium flows out of the second gas outlet 45 provided in the steps 42a and 42b. As a result, the same amount of pressurized medium is ejected from all the second gas outlets 45.

The pressurized medium flowing into the distribution space 46 is ejected radially because the second gas outlet provided in the step portions 42a and 42b and the first gas outlet 222 are not directly opposed. You. The second gas outlet 22 may be provided only in the stepped portion 42a or only in the stepped portion 42b in order to adjust the ejection direction of the pressurized medium according to the inflation and deployment direction of the airbag. In addition to this, it can be provided only on the maximum diameter portion 43, and further can be provided on the step portions 42a, 42b and the maximum diameter portion 43. The diameter of the first gas outlets 22 is preferably smaller than the diameter of the second gas outlets 45, and the same applies when a plurality of each are provided. For this reason, the total opening area of the second gas outlets 45 is larger than the total opening area of the first gas outlets 22 and is adjusted to 1.5 times or more.

From the viewpoint of preventing the inflation air 10 from rocketing out in the event of a malfunction, for example, the two first gas outlets 2 are located at positions that are symmetrical in the radial direction. It is preferable to provide 2.

Next, a method of attaching the cap 40 in the inflation overnight 10 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the cap 40 is fitted into the part of the diffuser 20 from the side of the igniter 25 and adjusted so that the minimum diameter portion 41b and the ring groove 31 match. At this time, the end of the minimum diameter portion 4 la is in contact with the opening edge 28 of the part 20 of the diffuser, and the contact portion is provided with a 0 ring 30 in order to maintain airtightness. Are located. Thereafter, the portion of the minimum diameter portion 41b of the cap 40 in FIG. 2 is swaged and fixed to the ring groove 31 as shown in FIG.

The airbag device using the inflation overnight 10 includes an operation signal output means including an impact sensor and a control unit, and the inflation overnight 10 and the curtain-shaped airbag 50 are housed in a case. This is a combination with a module case and the like, and for example, can have the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 17 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-334517.

When connecting the airbag to inflation overnight 10, cover the opening of the airbag with the cap 40 and secure it with the ring groove 3 1 (minimum diameter part 4 lb) where the cap 40 is swaged A method of connecting by tightening with a band can be applied. By fixing the opening of the airbag in the ring groove 31 as described above, the connection strength between the airbag and the inflatable board 10 is increased. Further, if necessary, the connection strength can be further increased by fastening the minimum diameter portion 41a (having a flat surface or a depression) with a fixing band in the same manner. Next, the operation of the airbag device using the inflation 10 will be described with reference to FIG. When the vehicle receives an impact, the igniter 25 is activated in response to a signal from the impact sensor, and the igniter is ignited and burns, so that the rupturable plate 19 is destroyed. Since the flow path 18 of the pressurized medium is opened by the destruction of the rupturable plate 19, the pressurized medium in the internal space 16 passes through the flow path 18 and the filter 29, and passes through the first gas outlet 2 After flowing from 2 into the distribution space 46, it is ejected through the second gas outlet 45 to inflate the airbag. At this time, the fragments of the rupture disk 19 are removed by the filter 29.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. One end is closed and the other end has an opening. A cylindrical inflator housing filled with a pressurized medium and an inflation overnight housing are fixedly attached to the opening side. A diffuser part provided with a first gas discharge port for discharging the pressurized medium flowing out of the opening part to the outside, and pressurizing between the opening part of the inflation housing and the diffuser part. The inflow path of the medium is closed by a rupturable plate, and a part of the diffuser is an inflator provided with a means for breaking the rupturable plate, and a part of the diffuser includes an outside air including at least a first gas outlet. Inflation overnight with a cap that covers the surface and has a cap that has an opening to serve as a second gas outlet.

2. The cap has a minimum diameter portion provided on both sides in the length direction, a maximum diameter portion provided in the center portion in the length direction, and a step portion provided between the minimum diameter portion and the maximum diameter portion. The barrel-shaped member having a gap according to claim 1, having an opening serving as a second gas discharge port at the step portion or the maximum diameter portion, and being attached to a part of the diffuser at the minimum diameter portion. Inflation overnight.

3. The inflation system with a cap according to claim 2, wherein the cap is attached by caulking one or both of the minimum diameter portions in a groove provided on a part of the peripheral surface of the diffuser.

4. The captive inflator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a total opening area of the second gas outlet is larger than a total opening area of the first gas outlet.

5. The captive inflation lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a total opening area of the second gas outlet is 1.5 times or more of a total opening area of the first gas outlet.

6. The plurality of first gas outlets are provided, and at least two of the plurality of first gas outlets are arranged at positions that are symmetrical to each other in the width direction or approximated thereto. An inflator with a cap according to any one of ~ 5.

7. The cap-mounted inflation housing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cylindrical inflation housing is symmetrical with respect to the axial direction and the width direction.

8. An airbag provided with an operation signal output means comprising an impact sensor and a control unit, and a module case accommodating the inflator with a cap according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and an airbag in the case. apparatus.