Automobile safety airbag and gas generator and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gas generator, an automobile safety airbag having the gas generator, and a method for manufacturing the gas generator. The gas generator comprises: a tubular housing (1); an igniter assembly (2), which is arranged in a first end region (11) of the tubular housing; an exhaust component (3), which is arranged in a second end region (12) of the tubular housing; and a gas-permeable filter (4), wherein the entire filter is an integral component, and has an integral first part (13) and a second part (14), wherein the first part is arranged in the second end region, the second part is configured as an elongated body, the second part extends from the first part toward the first end region, the second part forms a gas passage, a charge chamber (5) for filling a gas generating agent (6) is defined by the tubular housing and the filter, and the igniter assembly closes the charge chamber in the first end region. The gas generator has reliable operation, a simple structure, a small number of parts, and is easy to assemble.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a gas generator, a vehicle airbag comprising such a gas generator and a method for producing a gas generator. Background Art

[0002] Modern cars are widely equipped with airbags, which include a gas generator and an expandable airbag. In an emergency situation of the car, such as when a collision or rollover is about to occur, the gas generator can be instantly ignited and generate a large amount of gas, which is filled into the airbag, so that the airbag can be inflated from a folded state hidden in the car in a very short time, thereby protecting the occupants from or preventing them from being injured. Since the gas generator is the core component of the car airbag, as the popularity of the car airbag continues to increase, the requirements for the performance, reliability and cost of the gas generator are also getting higher and higher.

[0003] Different airbags can be installed at different locations in the car to achieve different protection purposes. The types of gas generators in these airbags may also be different. For example, for the driver airbag and the passenger airbag, a pancake-shaped gas generator may be used, while for the airbag used to prevent the occupant from a side collision with the vehicle and the window airbag, a slender tubular gas generator may be used.

[0004] Patent document JP2008149837A discloses a tubular gas generator, which includes a tubular housing and an ignition assembly, a plate-shaped partition component, a charge chamber, a filter and an exhaust component arranged in sequence in the tubular housing, wherein a spring element is arranged between the plate-shaped partition component and the filter and is connected to them respectively.

[0005] Patent document CN102421642B discloses a tubular gas generator, which includes a tubular outer shell and an ignition tool assembly, an internal tubular element, a charge chamber, a cup-shaped element and an exhaust component arranged in sequence in the tubular outer shell, wherein a charge chamber is formed in the internal tubular element, and a gas channel is formed in the tubular gap between the tubular outer shell and the internal tubular element. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to propose a gas generator, a vehicle airbag comprising such a gas generator and a method for manufacturing a gas generator, in which the risk of airflow blockage when ignited can be reduced, and at the same time the gas generator has a small number of parts and is easy to assemble.

[0007] The inventor of the present invention has found that in the aforementioned prior art, in order to reduce the risk of airflow blockage when the gas generator is ignited, it is necessary to provide additional parts in the gas generator, such as a coil spring and additional components required for installing the coil spring, or, for example, an internal tubular element. Additional parts mean additional costs and assembly steps. The installation of the coil spring is complicated and makes it difficult to ensure the working reliability of the gas generator. The internal tubular element itself needs to occupy a certain structural space, which increases the overall size of the tubular gas generator; in addition, in order to ensure the smooth flow of the gas channel, complex additional structural measures need to be provided.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention proposes a gas generator comprising:

[0009] a tubular housing having a first end region and a second end region opposite each other;

[0010] an igniter assembly disposed in a first end region of the tubular housing; and

[0011] an exhaust component disposed in the second end region of the tubular housing, the exhaust component having at least one exhaust opening;

[0012] It is characterized in that

[0013] The gas generator includes a breathable filter, the entire filter is an integral component, the filter has a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part are formed as a whole, the first part is arranged in the second end area of ​​the tubular shell, the second part is configured as an elongated body, the second part extends from the first part toward the first end area of ​​the tubular shell, the second part forms a gas passage, a charge chamber is defined by the tubular shell and the first part and the second part of the filter, a gas generating agent is filled in the charge chamber, the ignition tool assembly closes the charge chamber in the first end area of ​​the tubular shell, wherein the gas generated when the gas generating agent burns can be filtered through the filter and the filtered gas can be discharged through the at least one exhaust opening.

[0014] The gas generator of the present invention can not only work reliably, but also has a simple structure, a small number of parts, is easy to assemble, and is cost-effective. In addition, it can be beneficial to the miniaturization and lightness of the gas generator.

[0015] Compared with the aforementioned prior art, a separate coil spring or an internal tubular element is omitted, so that the volume in the tubular housing is more fully utilized, while the assembly of the gas generator becomes simpler and the reliability of the gas passage is guaranteed.

[0016] The gas generator according to the present invention can be generally used in vehicles or recreational facilities, such as air vehicles, water vehicles or land vehicles, but is most widely used in automobiles. The gas generator can be used, for example, with an airbag of an airbag, or can be used to drive a steel ball or piston element of a seat belt pretensioner.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first portion may be configured to be cylindrical, and the first portion may occupy the entire inner cross-section of the tubular housing.

[0018] In some embodiments, the elongated body may extend linearly or curvilinearly, for example helically.The elongated body may have a constant cross section or a varying cross section.

[0019] In some embodiments, the second portion may be configured as a rod-shaped body extending linearly.

[0020] In some embodiments, the second portion can have a circular, oval, rectangular, kidney-shaped, or other shaped cross-section.

[0021] In some embodiments, the number of the second parts can be 1, 2, 3, 4 or more.

[0022] In some embodiments, the filter may include a central second portion and / or at least one edge second portion.

[0023] In some embodiments, the second portion of the edge may be planarly disposed against the inner circumference of the tubular housing.

[0024] In some embodiments, the axial extension dimension of the second portion may be greater than 1 / 4, preferably greater than 1 / 3, for example greater than 1 / 2, of the axial extension dimension of the charge chamber.

[0025] In some embodiments, the axial extension of the second portion may be less than 4 / 5, preferably less than 3 / 4, for example less than 2 / 3 of the axial extension of the charge chamber.

[0026] In some embodiments, the volume of the second portion may be less than 1 / 2, preferably less than 1 / 3, in particular less than 1 / 4, for example less than 1 / 5, 1 / 6, 1 / 7, 1 / 8, 1 / 9 or 1 / 10 of the volume of the tubular housing in the axial extension dimension of the second portion.

[0027] In some embodiments, the axial extension of the second portion may be more than 1 times, preferably more than 2 times, particularly more than 3 times, for example more than 4 times, the axial extension of the first portion.

[0028] In some embodiments, the filter may be a wire-formed filter.

[0029] In some embodiments, the filter may be solid, or may have a cavity.

[0030] In some embodiments, the filter may be a sintered porous component.

[0031] In some embodiments, the exhaust component may be an integral component with the tubular housing, or the exhaust component may be a separate component from the tubular housing, for example, the two may be threadedly connected and / or welded.

[0032] In some embodiments, the filter and the exhaust component may be disposed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the tubular housing.

[0033] In some embodiments, in the longitudinal direction of the tubular housing, the filter and the exhaust component may be arranged to at least partially overlap, or to be nested with each other.

[0034] In some embodiments, the tubular housing and / or the exhaust component may form an annular shoulder, and the filter may abut against the annular shoulder in the longitudinal direction of the tubular housing.

[0035] In some embodiments, a sealing sheet may be provided on the shoulder, the sealing sheet separating the filter from the exhaust component in an airtight manner. The sealing sheet may rupture, for example, under the action of pressure, when the gas generator is ignited. The sealing sheet may be, for example, a metal foil.

[0036] In some embodiments, the ignition tool assembly can be fixed in the first end region of the tubular housing by a clamping connection structure. Additionally or alternatively, the ignition tool assembly can be bonded and / or screwed to the tubular housing.

[0037] In some embodiments, the igniter assembly may directly define the powder chamber in the first end region of the tubular housing, or the igniter assembly may support a gland that defines the powder chamber in the first end region of the tubular housing.

[0038] A second aspect of the invention proposes a motor vehicle airbag comprising a gas generator according to the invention and an inflatable airbag connected to the gas generator in a flow-conducting manner.

[0039] The automobile safety airbag has the beneficial technical effects brought about by the gas generator of the present invention.

[0040] A third aspect of the present invention proposes a method for manufacturing a gas generator, comprising the steps of:

[0041] Providing a tubular housing;

[0042] Setting the sealing sheet on the ring shoulder;

[0043] Installing the filter into the tubular housing so that the first portion of the filter abuts against the shoulder;

[0044] filling a gas generating charge in a charge chamber defined by the tubular housing and the filter;

[0045] The ignition tool assembly is inserted into the first end region of the tubular housing and then the first end region of the tubular housing is clamped so that a clamping connection is produced by deformation of the first end region of the tubular housing for fixing the ignition tool assembly in the first end region of the tubular housing.

[0046] It should be noted that the various technical features mentioned above, the technical features to be mentioned below, and the technical features shown in the drawings can be combined with each other arbitrarily, as long as the combined technical features are not contradictory. All technically feasible feature combinations are technical contents clearly recorded in this application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and by means of specific embodiments. The schematic drawings are briefly described as follows:

[0048] Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas generator according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0050] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a vehicle airbag according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Figure 1 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tubular gas generator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gas generator 10 comprises a tubular housing 1, the tubular housing having a first end region 11 and a second end region 12 opposite to each other, an ignition tool assembly 2 is arranged in the first end region 11 of the tubular housing 1, and an exhaust component 3 is arranged in the second end region 12 of the tubular housing 1. The exhaust component 3 has an exhaust opening 15. Figure 1As shown, a plurality of circular exhaust openings 15 are distributed in the circumferential direction. It is also possible that each exhaust opening 15 is configured as an axially extending slot. The tubular housing 1 can extend in a straight line or in an arc. The tubular housing 1 can have a cross section of a circular, oval, square or other shape.

[0052] The gas generator 10 includes a gas-permeable filter 4, the filter having an integral first portion 13 and a second portion 14, the first portion 13 being arranged in the second end region 12 of the tubular housing 1, the second portion 14 extending from the first portion 13 toward the first end region 11 of the tubular housing 1, and the second portion 14 forming a gas passage. A charge chamber 5 for charging gas generating charge 6 is defined by the tubular housing 1 and the filter 4, and the igniter assembly 2 closes the charge chamber 5 in the first end region 11 of the tubular housing 1.

[0053] The first portion 13 may be cylindrical. The first portion 13 may occupy the entire inner cross section of the tubular housing 1. The second portion 14 may be an elongated body, for example Figure 1 In the embodiment, the rod-shaped body is formed to extend linearly. Figure 1 In the figure, two second parts 14 facing each other can be seen, which are flatly placed on the inner circumference of the tubular housing, their axial extension is about 3 / 5 of the axial extension of the charge chamber 5, their total volume is about 1 / 10 of the volume of the tubular housing 1 in the axial extension of the second part 14, and their axial extension is about 3 times the axial extension of the first part 13. As an alternative, it is also possible to provide a continuous annular The second portion 14 extending circumferentially, or three portions spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction are provided. The second part 14. In the case of a plurality of second parts 14, they can be constructed identically or differently, for example, they can have different cross-sections and / or different axial extensions.

[0054] exist Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, the first part 13 and the second part 14 are respectively solid bodies. The solid body can be formed by winding, for example, a metal wire or a metal mesh, and has a large number of fine gaps in the solid body, so that the gas can pass through the first part 13 and the second part 14 of the filter 4 from the charge chamber 5 to the exhaust opening 15 of the exhaust component 3. It is also possible that the filter 4 is a shape-stable hollow body having a cavity.

[0055] exist Figure 1In the embodiment shown, the exhaust component 3 is an integral component with the tubular housing 1, and the filter 4 is arranged adjacent to the exhaust component 3 in the longitudinal direction of the tubular housing 1. The tubular housing 1 has an annular shoulder 18, on which a sealing sheet 9 is adhered, the sealing sheet separates the filter 4 from the exhaust component 3 in an airtight manner, and the filter 4 abuts against the annular shoulder 18 to which the sealing sheet 9 is adhered in the longitudinal direction of the tubular housing 1.

[0056] The ignition tool assembly 2 can be fixed in the first end region 11 of the tubular housing 1 by means of a clamping connection structure. To this end, the ignition tool assembly 2 is first inserted into the first end region 11 of the tubular housing 1, and then the first end region 11 of the tubular housing 1 can be clamped with a clamp (not shown) so that the first end region 11 is at least partially squeezed and deformed, thereby clamping and fixing the ignition tool assembly 2 in the first end region of the tubular housing 1. Figure 1 In the figure, two radial constrictions 7, 8 produced by extrusion deformation can be seen. In addition, for better sealing, O-rings 16, 17 can be provided for the ignition assembly 2, which further ensure the gas-tight sealing of the charge chamber 5 in the first end region 11 of the tubular housing relative to the external environment. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the ignition tool assembly 2 directly defines the charge chamber 5. Alternatively, a not shown gland may be provided for the charge chamber 5, wherein the ignition tool assembly 2 supports the gland, which defines the charge chamber 5 in the first end region 11 of the tubular housing 1.

[0057] When the ignition tool assembly 2 ignites the nearby gas generating agent 6, the combustion gas of the gas generating agent successively ignites the unburned gas generating agent in front, and a part of the gas can reach the first part 13 of the filter 4 through the gas passage formed by the second part 14 of the filter 4, and then reach the exhaust component 3, and be discharged from the gas generator 10 through the exhaust opening 15 of the exhaust component 3. Here, through the gas passage formed by the second part 14 of the filter 4, on the one hand, a part of the combustion gas can be discharged through the gas passage in advance, and on the other hand, the compaction of the combustion gas on the unburned gas generating agent can be reduced, which may cause airflow blockage.

[0058] like Figure 1 The gas generator shown can be easily assembled, wherein the assembly may include the following steps:

[0059] Providing a tubular housing 1;

[0060] The sealing sheet 9 is arranged on the annular shoulder 18;

[0061] Insert the filter 4 into the tubular housing 1 so that the first portion 13 of the filter abuts against the shoulder;

[0062] A gas generating agent 6 is filled in a charge chamber 5 defined by the tubular housing 1 and the filter 4;

[0063] The ignition tool assembly 2 is inserted into the first end region 11 of the tubular housing 1, and then the first end region 11 of the tubular housing 1 is clamped so that a clamping connection structure for fixing the ignition tool assembly 2 in the first end region 11 of the tubular housing 1 is generated by deformation of the first end region 11 of the tubular housing 1.

[0064] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas generator 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 Implementation and implementation of Figure 1 The embodiment of the present invention differs in that the filter 4 is designed differently, wherein the filter 4 has a single central second part 14. For other aspects of the gas generator 10, reference can be made to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 Description of the implementation method.

[0065] Figure 3 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle airbag is configured as a seat airbag and a window airbag for preventing a passenger from a side collision with a vehicle, and comprises a gas generator 10 according to the present invention and an inflatable airbag 20 connected to the gas generator 10 in a fluid-conducting manner.

[0066] Finally, it should be pointed out that the above specific implementation is only used to understand the present invention, and does not limit the protection scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, various modifications can be made based on the specific implementation, and these modifications do not depart from the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gas generator, comprising: A tubular housing (1) having a first end region (11) and a second end region (12) opposite to each other; an igniter assembly (2), the igniter assembly being arranged in the first end region of the tubular housing; and an exhaust component (3), which is arranged in the second end region of the tubular housing and has at least one exhaust opening (15); It is characterized in that The gas generator comprises a gas-permeable filter (4), the entire filter being an integral component, the filter comprising a first portion (13) and a second portion (14), the first portion and the second portion being formed as one piece, the first portion being arranged in the second end region (12) of the tubular housing, the second portion (14) being configured as an elongated body, the second portion extending from the first portion toward the first end region (11) of the tubular housing, the second portion forming a gas passage, a charge chamber (5) being defined by the first portion and the second portion of the tubular housing (1) and the filter (4), a gas generating agent (6) being filled in the charge chamber (5), the ignition tool assembly (2) closing the charge chamber (5) in the first end region (11) of the tubular housing, wherein the gas generated when the gas generating agent burns can be filtered through the filter (4) and the filtered gas can be discharged through the at least one exhaust opening (15).

2. The gas generator according to claim 1, characterized in that The first part (13) is cylindrical and occupies the entire inner cross section of the tubular housing.

3. The gas generator according to claim 1, characterized in that The second portion (14) is configured as a rod-shaped body extending in a straight line.

4. The gas generator according to claim 1, characterized in that The filter comprises a central second portion and / or at least one peripheral second portion.

5. The gas generator according to claim 4, characterized in that A second part of the edge bears flatly against the inner circumference of the tubular outer shell.

6. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The axial extension dimension of the second part (14) is more than 1 / 3 of the axial extension dimension of the charge chamber (5).

7. The gas generator according to claim 6, characterized in that The axial extension dimension of the second portion is greater than 1 / 2 of the axial extension dimension of the powder chamber.

8. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The axial extension dimension of the second part (14) is less than 3 / 4 of the axial extension dimension of the charge chamber (5).

9. The gas generator according to claim 8, characterized in that The axial extension dimension of the second portion is less than 2 / 3 of the axial extension dimension of the powder chamber.

10. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The volume of the second portion (14) is less than 1 / 2 of the volume of the tubular housing (1) in the axial extension dimension of the second portion.

11. The gas generator according to claim 10, characterized in that The volume of the second portion is less than 1 / 4 of the volume of the tubular housing in the axial extension of the second portion.

12. The gas generator according to claim 11, characterized in that The volume of the second portion is less than 1 / 9 of the volume of the tubular housing in the axial extension of the second portion.

13. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The axial extension dimension of the second part (14) is more than 1 times the axial extension dimension of the first part (13).

14. The gas generator according to claim 13, characterized in that An axial extension dimension of the second portion is more than twice an axial extension dimension of the first portion.

15. The gas generator according to claim 13, characterized in that An axial extension dimension of the second portion is more than three times an axial extension dimension of the first portion.

16. The gas generator according to claim 13, characterized in that An axial extension of the second portion is more than four times an axial extension of the first portion.

17. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The filter (4) is a metal wire shaped filter screen.

18. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The exhaust component (3) is an integral component with the tubular housing (1), or the exhaust component (3) is a component separate from the tubular housing (1).

19. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: In the longitudinal direction of the tubular housing (1), the filter (4) is arranged adjacent to the exhaust component (3).

20. The gas generator according to claim 19, characterized in that The tubular housing (1) and / or the exhaust component (3) form an annular shoulder (18), and the filter (4) abuts against the annular shoulder in the longitudinal direction of the tubular housing (1).

21. The gas generator according to claim 20, characterized in that A sealing sheet (9) is arranged on the annular shoulder (18), wherein the sealing sheet separates the filter (4) from the exhaust component (3) in an airtight manner.

22. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The igniter assembly (2) is fixed in a first end region (11) of the tubular housing (1) by means of a clamping connection structure.

23. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The igniter assembly (2) directly defines the charge chamber (5) in the first end region of the tubular housing (1), or the igniter assembly (2) supports a gland that defines the charge chamber (5) in the first end region of the tubular housing (1).

24. An automobile safety airbag, comprising a gas generator (10) and an expandable airbag (20) connected to the gas generator in a fluid-conducting manner, characterized in that: The gas generator is the gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. A method for manufacturing a gas generator according to claim 21, comprising the steps of: Providing a tubular housing (1); The sealing sheet (9) is arranged on the annular shoulder (18); Installing the filter (4) into the tubular housing (1) so that the first portion (13) of the filter abuts against the shoulder; A gas generating agent (6) is loaded into a charge chamber (5) defined by a tubular housing (1) and a filter (4); An ignition tool assembly (2) is inserted into a first end region (11) of a tubular housing (1), and the first end region of the tubular housing is subsequently clamped so that a clamping connection structure for fixing the ignition tool assembly (2) in the first end region of the tubular housing is generated by deformation of the first end region of the tubular housing.

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