Powder chamber, hybrid gas generator and airbag

Abstract

The present application relates to a powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator comprising a tube body (60) and a first (1) and a second (2) partition element. The first partition element has a through hole (5) forming an ignition channel for an ignition system (10). Between the two partition elements a first chamber (6) for accommodating a powder (4) is formed. The second partition element has a peripheral portion (11) and a central portion (12) connected to the peripheral portion extending at least partially tapered in axial direction of the tube body towards the first partition element. The central portion has a wall around the longitudinal axis of the tube body enclosing a second chamber (7), in which wall a plurality of exhaust holes (13) is provided configured such that reaction gas mixes with compressed gas stored in the tube body through the exhaust holes. The present application also relates to a hybrid gas generator and to a safety airbag.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a powder chamber for a hybrid inflator, to a hybrid inflator and to a safety airbag. BACKGROUND

[0002] Safety airbags are widely used in vehicles, especially in land vehicles, particularly in motor vehicles, as a safety protection device for the occupants. A safety airbag can comprise a folded airbag and an inflator. Upon a predetermined operating condition of the vehicle, for example in a collision event of the motor vehicle, the inflator can be activated to rapidly generate gas, which fills into the airbag so that the folded airbag is inflated and deployed to provide a cushion for the occupant to prevent the occupant's head or other body parts from colliding with a hard or sharp object. The inflator can also be referred to as an airbag inflator. The safety airbag can be, for example, a driver airbag installed in a steering wheel, a front passenger airbag installed in an instrument panel, a curtain airbag, etc.

[0003] In vehicle technology, inflatable restraint systems, such as safety airbags, are developed to supplement the conventional seatbelt restraint system. Typically, upon activation of the safety airbag, the occupant in the vehicle is protected by absorbing the physical impact due to the vehicle collision using the elasticity of the inflated airbag, wherein in a collision event, the airbag is deployed into the space between the occupant and the interior objects or surfaces in the vehicle, the deployed airbag provides a cushion for the occupant to reduce the likelihood of injury to the occupant due to the occupant's undesired contact with the interior objects or surfaces in the vehicle.

[0004] The safety airbag can be part of a safety protection system in the vehicle comprising a plurality of structural components. Typically, these structural components can involve the airbag, the inflator, sensors and an electronic control unit. The sensors can acquire data related to the emergency state of the vehicle. The electronic control unit can process these data and thereby can determine whether a collision is imminent or is occurring. By inputting a trigger signal to the inflator, the inflator can be energized and activated, thus the inflator can supply or generate gas.

[0005] In practice, compressed inflators, which can also be referred to as hybrid inflators, are known. Such an inflator comprises a pressure vessel in which a pressure chamber for containing compressed gas is defined. Upon activation of an ignition tube of the inflator, the ignition tube can ignite a charge in a powder chamber, whereupon a high-temperature and high-pressure gas is generated instantaneously, which mixes with the cooler compressed gas, so that the compressed gas is warmed up and pressurized, and the mixed gas is delivered from the inflator to the airbag through a diffuser.

[0006] The inventors of the present application have found in the research and development of products that in the prior art, a hybrid gas generator can be subject to the following problems: during vehicle travel, an abnormal noise can be generated due to the shaking of the powder; the ignition energy of the ignition system can not be properly transmitted to the powder in the powder chamber; during the assembly of the gas generator, a spark or heat generated by welding can accidentally ignite the powder, and thus cause a potential safety risk in the manufacturing process; the output performance of the mixed gas of the reaction gas and the compressed gas has room for improvement. SUMMARY

[0007] It is an object of the present application to propose a powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator which can at least partially eliminate at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks. It is a further object of the present application to propose a hybrid gas generator and a safety airbag.

[0008] A first aspect of the present application relates to a powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator, the powder chamber comprising a tube body and first and second partition elements disposed in the tube body opposite to each other, the first partition element having a through hole forming an ignition passage for an ignition system, a first chamber for accommodating a powder being formed in the tube body between the first and second partition elements, the powder being configured to generate a reaction gas in the first chamber upon ignition by the ignition system, the second partition element having a peripheral portion abutting against an inner wall of the tube body and a central portion connected with the peripheral portion and extending at least partially tapering towards the first partition element in an axial direction of the tube body, the central portion having a wall body surrounding a longitudinal axis of the tube body, the wall body enclosing a second chamber, a plurality of exhaust holes being provided in the wall body, the plurality of exhaust holes being configured such that the reaction gas mixes with a compressed gas stored in the tube body through the plurality of exhaust holes.

[0009] In some embodiments, the peripheral portion of the second partition element can be cylindrically configured.

[0010] In some embodiments, the peripheral portion of the second partition element can extend non-linearly in a longitudinal cross section, for example, can have a circular arc shape or a wave shape in the longitudinal cross section.

[0011] In some embodiments, the peripheral portion of the second partition element can have a first axial end side towards the first partition element and a second axial end side opposite to the first axial end side.

[0012] In some embodiments, with reference to the longitudinal axis of the tube body, the central portion of the second partition element can be connected with the peripheral portion at an axial position spaced apart from the first axial end side of the peripheral portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the central portion of the second partition element can be connected to the peripheral portion at an axial position in the middle between the first and second axial end sides of the peripheral portion, with reference to the longitudinal tube axis.

[0014] In some embodiments, the central portion of the second partition element can be connected to the peripheral portion at an axial position on the second axial end side, with reference to the longitudinal tube axis.

[0015] In some embodiments, the central portion of the second partition element can be directly connected to the second axial end side of the peripheral portion, or the central portion of the second partition element can be connected to the second axial end side of the peripheral portion via an annular base. Preferably, the annular base can be non-porous. Preferably, the annular base can extend in a radial plane perpendicular to the longitudinal tube axis.

[0016] In some embodiments, the second partition element can be integrally manufactured, in particular by sheet metal deep drawing.

[0017] In some embodiments, the second partition element can be multi-part, for example two-part.

[0018] In some embodiments, the central portion can comprise a first section without exhaust openings towards the first partition element and a second section with exhaust openings next to the first section.

[0019] In some embodiments, the central portion can comprise a closed top or a top with a central opening.

[0020] In some embodiments, a projection of the through-hole of the first partition element in a radial plane perpendicular to the longitudinal tube axis along the longitudinal tube axis can fall within a projection of the first section.

[0021] In some embodiments, a ratio a of a diameter of a circular projection of the first section to a diameter of a circular projection of the through-hole can satisfy: 1≤a≤1.1.

[0022] In some embodiments, a ratio a1 of an area of a projection, in particular a circular projection, of the first section to an area of a projection, in particular a circular projection, of the through-hole can satisfy: 1≤a1≤1.21.

[0023] In some embodiments, the central portion can have a central opening in its top and the central portion comprises a first section with at least one first exhaust opening towards the first partition element and a second section with at least one second exhaust opening next to the first section.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first exhaust hole can be provided with a gas guiding portion configured for guiding a portion of the central gas flow from the central opening into the second chamber through the first exhaust hole into an annular region between the wall of the central portion and the inner wall of the tube, the second exhaust hole being configured for guiding the reaction gas in the annular region into the second chamber.

[0025] In some embodiments, a plurality of first exhaust holes can be provided in the first section distributed in the circumferential direction, and / or a plurality of second exhaust holes can be provided in the second section distributed in the circumferential direction.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first exhaust hole and the second exhaust hole can be staggered in the circumferential direction with respect to each other.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first exhaust hole and the second exhaust hole can have the same or different number and / or shape and / or size and / or layout.

[0028] In some embodiments, the plurality of exhaust holes can have the same or different shape and / or size and / or layout.

[0029] In some embodiments, the gas guiding portion can be formed from material punched out from the wall of the central portion, and the first exhaust hole can be formed by punching out the gas guiding portion from the wall of the central portion.

[0030] In some embodiments, the plurality of exhaust holes can include at least one circular hole and / or at least one elongated hole and / or at least one square hole and / or at least one triangular hole and / or at least one hole of other suitable shape.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first exhaust hole can be an elongated hole, the gas guiding portion can be a tongue extending within the second chamber, the tongue being configured for guiding the portion of the central gas flow towards the first exhaust hole.

[0032] In some embodiments, the second exhaust hole can be an elongated hole.

[0033] In some embodiments, the elongated hole can extend in an axial plane containing the longitudinal axis of the tube.

[0034] In some embodiments, the elongated hole can extend linearly or curvedly.

[0035] In some embodiments, the central portion can include a linearly tapering section and / or an incrementally tapering section and / or a decrementally tapering section.

[0036] In some embodiments, the central portion can comprise only a tapered section.

[0037] In some embodiments, the central portion can comprise, in addition to the tapered section, a cylindrical section.

[0038] In some embodiments, the central portion can be conical or hemispherical.

[0039] In some embodiments, the conical central portion can protrude beyond the peripheral portion in the axial direction of the tube towards the first partition element.

[0040] In some embodiments, the hemispherical central portion can not protrude beyond the peripheral portion in the axial direction of the tube towards the first partition element.

[0041] In some embodiments, the second partition element can be a revolution body.

[0042] In some embodiments, the second partition element can be press-fitted into the tube.

[0043] In some embodiments, the pre-tightening force of the press-fitting of the second partition element into the tube can be configured such that the second partition element is controlled to slide in the tube when the hybrid gas generator is activated.

[0044] In some embodiments, the peripheral portion can have a length L along the longitudinal axis of the tube, which length L satisfies:

[0045] 0.25 x π x Di x L x Pmax > ΔP x π x (Di 2 / 4 - Qh x Dh 2 / 4),

[0046] where Di is the internal diameter of the tube, Pmax is the maximum internal pressure present in the tube when the hybrid generator is activated, ΔP is the pressure difference between the maximum internal pressure and the pressure of the compressed gas, Dh is the diameter of the exhaust holes, and Qh is the number of exhaust holes on the second section.

[0047] When the exhaust holes are non-circular holes, an equivalent diameter can be used, where the area calculated by the equivalent diameter is equal to the area of the non-circular hole. In the relations herein involving the total area of the exhaust holes, it is assumed that each exhaust hole is identical to a circular hole. When each exhaust hole has a different shape, the sum of the areas of each exhaust hole can be used in place of the area of a single exhaust hole multiplied by the number of exhaust holes.

[0048] In some embodiments, the length L can further satisfy:

[0049] 0.25 x π x Di x L x Pmax < 1.1 x ΔP x π x (Di 2 / 4-Qh x Dh 2 / 4).

[0050] In some embodiments, the first partition element can be a cylindrical element, the peripheral surface of which can be in abutment against the inner wall of the tube, the through hole being configured to receive a closed protrusion of the ignition system, which can be opened upon activation of the ignition system. Preferably, the protrusion extends into the through hole to a depth less than or equal to the axial thickness of the first partition element. Preferably, the first partition element is press-fitted into the tube.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first partition element can be a plastic part, for example made of a thermoplastic or thermoset plastic, for example reinforced with glass or carbon fibers, for example made of polyurethane. The first partition element can be made of a thermally insulating and / or fire-retardant plastic.

[0052] In some embodiments, the second partition element can be a metal part, for example a sheet metal formed part. Preferably, the second partition element can be made of spring steel.

[0053] A second aspect of the application relates to a hybrid gas generator comprising a tube defining a pressure chamber for containing compressed gas, an ignition system and a propellant chamber mounted at a first axial end of the tube, the propellant chamber being contiguous on one side with the ignition system and on the other side with the pressure chamber for containing compressed gas, the propellant chamber being according to any one of the embodiments of the application.

[0054] In some embodiments, the tube can be provided at a second axial end, opposite the first axial end, with a throat closed by a rupture membrane. Preferably, the ratio b of the sum of the areas of the plurality of exhaust orifices to the area of the throat satisfies: b > 1.1, preferably 1.2 < b < 1.4.

[0055] A third aspect of the application relates to an airbag comprising a gas bag and a hybrid gas generator according to any one of the embodiments of the application in flow communication with the gas bag.

[0056] A fourth aspect of the application relates to a means of transport, in particular a motor vehicle, for example a passenger car or a lorry, comprising an airbag according to the third aspect of the application. The means of transport can generally comprise a land, water and / or air means of transport.

[0057] The technical features mentioned above, the technical features to be mentioned below, and the technical features shown in the drawings alone can be arbitrarily combined with each other, provided that the technical features to be combined are not contradictory to each other. All of the feasible combinations of features are explicitly described as the technical content herein. Any one of the multiple sub-features included in the same sentence can be applied independently, and does not have to be applied together with the other sub-features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0058] The present application will be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings briefly described below:

[0059] Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a hybrid gas generator according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0060] Figure 2 is a partial enlarged view of Figure 1

[0061] Figure 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a longitudinal sectional view of a first partitioning member of a powder chamber.

[0062] Figure 4A and 4B are a perspective view and a longitudinal sectional view of a second partitioning member of the powder chamber shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2

[0063] Figure 5A and 5B are a perspective view and a longitudinal sectional view of a second partitioning member according to a second embodiment.

[0064] Figure 6A and 6B are a perspective view and a longitudinal sectional view of a second partitioning member according to a third embodiment.

[0065] Figure 7 show pressure-time curves of a hybrid gas generator known from the prior art and a hybrid gas generator according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same components or functionally identical components. For components shown in any one of the drawings, which are not described in detail in the explanation for that drawing, reference can be made to the explanation related to that component for other drawings.

[0067] Figure 1 ​​This is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a gas mixing generator 100 according to a first embodiment of this application. The gas mixing generator 100 has a tube body 60. The tube body has a longitudinal axis and defines a pressure chamber 30 for containing compressed gas. The compressed gas may be an inert gas. An ignition system 10 and a propellant chamber 20 are mounted at a first axial end of the tube body 60. Referring to the longitudinal axis of the tube body, the propellant chamber 20 is adjacent to the ignition system 10 on one side and to the pressure chamber 30 on the other side. The tube body 60 has a diffuser 40 at a second axial end opposite the first axial end, the diffuser 40 having a throat as a gas inlet, which can be closed by a ruptured membrane 50. The gas mixing generator 100 can be connected via the diffuser 40 as an interface to a folded airbag (not shown) to form a safety airbag.

[0068] As a structural unit, the ignition system 10 may include an ignition tube or a detonator. When the ignition system 10 is energized, the reactive substances contained in the ignition system 10 can rapidly undergo a chemical reaction, generating a shock wave that opens the top of the closed protrusion 3 of the ignition system 10, transferring ignition energy to the propellant chamber and igniting the gunpowder 4 in the propellant chamber. By igniting the gunpowder 4, reactive gases can be generated. The gunpowder 4 can be in block, flake, spherical, or other suitable form. The reactive gases from the propellant chamber 20 are mixed with compressed gases stored in the pressure chamber 30, the compressed gases are heated and pressurized, and the mixed gases are then output to the gas bag through the ruptured membrane 50 and diffuser 40.

[0069] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of the image. Figure 2 The gunpowder chamber 20 according to the first embodiment and the ignition system 10 associated with the gunpowder chamber can be observed more clearly. The gunpowder chamber 20 includes a tube 60 (more precisely, an axial section of the tube 60) and a first partition element 1 and a second partition element 2 disposed opposite to each other in the tube 60.

[0070] like Figure 2 and Figure 3A , 3BAs shown, the first separating element 1 can be configured as a flat column with an axial thickness of H. The first separating element 1 can be made of a heat-insulating and flame-retardant plastic, such as polyurethane. The circumferential surface of the first separating element 1 abuts against the inner wall of the tube 60. For example, by press fitting, the first separating element 1 can be tightly abutted against the inner wall of the tube 60 with its circumferential surface. The first separating element 1 has a central through-hole 5, which forms an ignition channel for the ignition system 10. A protrusion 3 of the ignition system 10 extends into the through-hole 5. The depth to which the protrusion 3 extends into the through-hole 5 can be less than or equal to the axial thickness H of the first separating element 1. The first separating element 1 separates the ignition system 10 from the gunpowder 4, but the first separating element 1 does not prevent the ignition system 10 from transmitting shock waves to the gunpowder 4 through the through-hole 5 when activated.

[0071] The through-hole 5 can have a shape that matches the protrusion 3. Typically, the through-hole 5 can be a cylindrical through-hole with a diameter D. Advantageously, the first separating element 1 can be press-fitted to the protrusion 3 of the ignition system 10. Further advantageously, to facilitate the press-fitting of the first separating element 1 to the ignition system 10, a chamfer can be provided on the side of the through-hole 5 near the ignition system 10. In an exemplary assembly process, the first separating element 1 can first be press-fitted to the ignition system 10 such that the ignition system 10 rests against the end face of the first separating element 1, and the protrusion 3 extends into the through-hole 5. The protrusion 3 of the ignition system 10 here has a hemispherical top and a cylindrical portion adjacent to the top, the diameter of which can be substantially equal to the diameter D of the through-hole 5.

[0072] The length of the protrusion 3 along the axial direction can be less than or equal to the axial thickness H of the first separating element 1, so the protrusion 3 will not abut against the gunpowder 4 in the gunpowder chamber 20. After the ignition system 10 and the first separating element 1 are press-fitted together, the ignition system 10 and the first separating element 1 can be pushed into the tube body 60 as a whole, for example, press-fitted into the tube body 60. Then, the ignition system 10 can be hermetically fixed to the inner wall of the tube body 60 by welding.

[0073] In an exemplary embodiment, the first separating element 1 may have at least one of the following advantages:

[0074] 1) The through hole 5 of the first separating element 1 can provide a reliable ignition channel for the ignition system 10, so as to improve the working reliability of the ignition system 10 when igniting the gunpowder 4.

[0075] 2) When welding the ignition system 10 to the tube body 60, the first separating element 1 can prevent welding heat or sparks from accidentally igniting the gunpowder 4, eliminating potential safety risks in the manufacture of the mixed gas generator 100.

[0076] 3) The first separating element 1 prevents the gunpowder 4 from entering the ignition system 10, which may cause the working performance of the mixing generator to be unstable.

[0077] 4) The protrusion 3 of the ignition system 10 does not directly abut against the gunpowder 4, which can prevent the gunpowder 4 from being "crushed" and thus facilitate the ignition of the gunpowder 4.

[0078] 5) The first separating element 1 and the second separating element 2 work together to keep the gunpowder 4 tightly in the gunpowder chamber 20, ensuring that the gunpowder has a predetermined filling density, preventing noise caused by the shaking of the gunpowder, and establishing a stable pressure when the mixed gas generator 100 is activated.

[0079] Figure 4A and 4B These are perspective and longitudinal sectional views of the second partition element 2 according to the first embodiment of this application. The second partition element 2 can be applied to, for example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the mixed gas generator 100 shown, the second separating element 2 can be integrally formed from a metal sheet by stamping. The second separating element 2 separates the gunpowder 4 from the pressure chamber 30 of the mixed gas generator 100 that contains compressed gas. The second separating element 2 can be configured as a rotating body. The second separating element 2 has a peripheral portion 11 that abuts against the inner wall of the tube body 60 and a central portion 12 that is connected to the peripheral portion 11 and extends linearly and gradually toward the first separating element 1 in the axial direction of the tube body 60.

[0080] In a first embodiment of the second separating element 2, the outer portion 11 may also be referred to as a rolled edge or a folded section. The outer portion 11 may be cylindrically shaped and have a first axial end side facing the first separating element 1 and a second axial end side opposite to the first axial end side.

[0081] The central portion 12 is conical. The central portion 12 extends beyond the peripheral portion 11 towards the first dividing element 1 in the axial direction of the tube body 60. The central portion 12 has a wall surrounding the longitudinal axis of the tube body, the wall enclosing and defining a second chamber 7, which is separated from the first chamber 6 for containing gunpowder 4 by the second dividing element 2. A plurality of circular vent holes 13 are provided in the wall, arranged in successive rows in the longitudinal direction. The central portion 12 is directly connected to the second axial end of the peripheral portion 11. The central portion 12 includes a first section 21 without vent holes facing the first dividing element 1 and a second section 22 with vent holes 13 immediately following the first section 21. The top 14 of the central portion 12 is closed.

[0082] Advantageously, in a radial plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube body, the projection of the through hole 5 of the first separating element 1 may fall within the projection of the first section 21. Advantageously, the ratio a of the diameter of the circular projection of the first section 21 to the diameter of the circular projection of the through hole 5 may satisfy: 1 ≤ a ≤ 1.1. In this case, when the propellant 4 is ignited by the ignition system 10, the high-temperature and high-pressure reaction gas does not directly enter the downstream pressure chamber 30 from the first section 21 of the central part 12. The reaction gas enters the downstream pressure chamber 30 in a turbulent form through the exhaust holes 13 provided only in the second section of the second separating element 2. The reaction gas from the propellant chamber 20 can be mixed particularly well and rapidly with the compressed gas stored in the pressure chamber 30. The compressed gas can be rapidly heated and pressurized. Advantageously, the ratio b of the total area of the exhaust holes 13 to the area of the throat closed by the rupture membrane 50 may satisfy: b > 1, for example, b > 1.1. Preferably, b < 2, for example, b < 1.5. Particularly preferably, 1.2 < b < 1.4, for example, approximately 1.3. Thereby, when the hybrid gas generator 100 is activated, particularly good and stable pressure establishment can be achieved.

[0083] The second separating element 2 can be press-fitted into the tube body 60. Advantageously, the preloading force of the press-fitting of the second separating element 2 in the tube body 60 can be configured such that the second separating element 2 slides controllably in the tube body 60 when the hybrid gas generator 100 is activated. The peripheral part 11 has a length L along the longitudinal axis of the tube body. The length L may satisfy:

[0084] 0.25 × π × Di × L × Pmax > ΔP × π × (Di 2 / 4 - Qh × Dh 2 / 4),

[0085] where Di is the inner diameter of the tube body, Pmax is the maximum internal pressure existing in the tube body when the hybrid generator operates, ΔP is the pressure difference between the maximum internal pressure and the pressure of the compressed gas, Dh is the diameter of the exhaust hole, and Qh is the number of exhaust holes in the second section.

[0086] Further advantageously, the length L may further satisfy:

[0087] 0.25 × π × Di × L × Pmax < 1.1 × ΔP × π × (Di 2 / 4 - Qh × Dh 2 / 4).

[0088] By designing the length L of the outer portion 11 in this way, a particularly well-controlled sliding of the outer portion 11 on the inner wall of the tube body 60 can be achieved when the gas mixing generator 100 is activated. The appropriate selection of the length L is in conjunction with the working deformation of the second dividing element 2 when the gas mixing generator 100 is activated, especially when the second dividing element 2 is integrally formed from a spring steel sheet.

[0089] Figure 5A and Figure 5B These are perspective and longitudinal sectional views of the second partition element 2 according to the second embodiment of this application. The second partition element 2 according to the second embodiment can replace, as shown in... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The second separating element according to the first embodiment is shown in the diagram. The modified gas generator 100 can be a gas generator according to the second embodiment of this application, wherein, apart from the second separating element 2, other components of the modified gas generator 100 can be combined with those shown in the diagram. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The mixing gas generator shown in the first embodiment is the same as or similar to that of the one described above.

[0090] like Figure 5A and 5B As shown, the main difference between the second partition element 2 according to the second embodiment and the second partition element according to the first embodiment lies in the arrangement of the opening in the central portion 12. The differences between these two embodiments will be mainly explained below, and reference can be made to the description of the second partition element according to the first embodiment in other aspects.

[0091] The central portion 12 has a central opening 15 at its top 14. The vent 13 of the central portion 12 includes not only a first vent 131 but also a second vent 132. The central portion 11 includes a first section 21 facing the first dividing element 1, provided with a plurality of first vents 131, and a second section 22 immediately following the first section 21, provided with a plurality of second vents 132. The first vent 131 is provided with a gas guide 16 configured to guide a portion of the central airflow entering the second chamber 7 from the central opening 15 through the first vent 131 into an annular region 8 of the first chamber 6 between the wall of the central portion 12 and the inner wall of the tube 60. The second vent 132 is configured to guide the reactant gas in the annular region into the second chamber 7. The first vent 131 and the second vent 132 may be offset from each other in the circumferential direction. Particularly advantageously, the gas guide 16 can be formed from material punched from the wall of the central portion 12, and the first exhaust port 131 is formed by punching the gas guide 16 from the wall of the central portion 12. The first exhaust port 131 and the second exhaust port 132 can each be an elongated hole. Each elongated hole can extend in an axial plane including the longitudinal axis of the tube. The gas guide 16 can be a tongue extending within the second chamber 7, the tongue being configured to guide a portion of the central airflow toward the first exhaust port 131.

[0092] In a variant not shown, instead of an elongated hole, the second vent 132 can also be configured as a circular hole, a square hole, or a triangular hole.

[0093] In the case of the second partition element 2 according to the second embodiment, a portion of the hot central gas flow of the reaction gas can be directly discharged into the pressure chamber 30, and another portion can be returned to the first chamber 6 through the first exhaust port 132, which promotes the ignition and combustion process of the gunpowder 4 and promotes the formation of turbulence of the reaction gas.

[0094] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is the second separating element 2 according to the third embodiment of this application. The second separating element 2 according to the third embodiment can replace, as in... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The second separating element according to the first embodiment is shown in the diagram. The modified gas generator 100 can be a gas generator according to the third embodiment of this application, wherein, apart from the second separating element 2, the other components of the modified gas generator 100 can be combined with those shown in the diagram. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The mixing gas generator shown in the first embodiment is the same as or similar to that of the one described above.

[0095] In the second dividing element 2 according to the third embodiment, the outer portion 11 is also cylindrical, but the central portion 12 is hemispherical. The central portion 12 is connected to the second axial end of the outer portion 11 via an annular bottom 9. The central portion 12 does not extend beyond the outer portion 11 in the axial direction of the tube body 60 toward the first dividing element 1. The top of the central portion 12 and the first section including the top have no openings, and the second section immediately following the first section has multiple rows of circular exhaust holes 13.

[0096] Figure 7 The diagram illustrates pressure-time curves of a prior art gas generator and a gas generator 100 according to the present application. The solid line represents a first pressure-time curve of the prior art gas generator, while the dashed line represents a portion of a second pressure-time curve of the gas generator 100 according to the present application, which differs significantly from the corresponding portion of the first pressure-time curve of the prior art. Figure 7 As can be seen intuitively, the mixed gas generator 100 according to this application can achieve better pressure build-up and more quickly fill the airbag.

[0097] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. The singular forms “a” and “the one” as used herein should include the plural forms unless the context explicitly states otherwise. It is understood that the terms “comprising” and “including,” and other similar terms, when used in the application documents, specifically describe the presence of the stated operation, element, and / or component, without excluding the presence or addition of one or more other operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The term “and / or” as used herein includes all arbitrary combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals always denote similar elements.

[0098] The thickness of the elements in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated for clarity. It is also understood that if an element is described as being on, coupled to, or connected to another element, then the element may be directly formed on, coupled to, or connected to the other element, or there may be one or more intermediate elements between them. Conversely, if the expressions "directly on," "directly coupled to," and "directly connected to" are used herein, it indicates that there is no intermediate element. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly, such as "between" and "directly between," "attached" and "directly attached," "adjacent" and "directly adjacent," etc.

[0099] Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “over,” “under,” etc., are used to describe the relationship of one element, layer, or region relative to another element, layer, or region, as shown in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that these terms should also encompass other orientations of the device in addition to those described in the accompanying drawings.

[0100] It is understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. Therefore, a first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the teachings of this application.

[0101] It can also be considered that all the exemplary embodiments in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other. Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to understand this application and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. For those skilled in the art, modifications can be made based on the above embodiments, and these modifications do not depart from the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator, characterized by, The powder chamber comprises a tube body (60) and a first partition element (1) and a second partition element (2) arranged opposite to each other in the tube body, the first partition element having a through hole (5) forming a firing channel for a firing system (10), a first chamber (6) for accommodating a powder (4) being formed in the tube body between the first partition element and the second partition element, the powder being configured to generate a reaction gas in the first chamber upon ignition by the firing system, the second partition element having a peripheral portion (11) abutting against an inner wall of the tube body and a central portion (12) connected with the peripheral portion and extending at least partially tapering in an axial direction of the tube body towards the first partition element, the central portion having a wall around a longitudinal axis of the tube body, the wall enclosing a second chamber (7) separated from the first chamber (6) by the second partition element (2), a plurality of gas outlet openings (13) being arranged in the wall, the plurality of gas outlet openings being configured such that the reaction gas mixes with a compressed gas stored in the tube body through the plurality of gas outlet openings, wherein the central portion has a central opening (15) at a top portion (14) thereof and comprises a first section (21) provided with at least one first gas outlet opening (131) towards the first partition element and a second section (22) provided with at least one second gas outlet opening (132) next to the first section, the first gas outlet opening being provided with a gas guiding portion (16) configured for guiding a portion of a central gas flow entering from the central opening into the second chamber through the first gas outlet opening into an annular area (8) between the wall of the central portion and the inner wall of the tube body, the second gas outlet opening being configured for guiding the reaction gas in the annular area into the second chamber.

2. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to claim 1, characterized by, The peripheral portion of the second partition element is cylindrical and has a first axial end side towards the first partition element and a second axial end side opposite to the first axial end side.

3. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to claim 2, characterized by, With reference to the longitudinal axis of the tube body, the central portion of the second partition element is connected with the peripheral portion at an axial position spaced apart from the first axial end side of the peripheral portion.

4. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to claim 3, characterized by The central portion of the second partition element is directly connected with the second axial end side of the peripheral portion or the central portion of the second partition element is connected with the second axial end side of the peripheral portion by means of an annular base portion (9), the peripheral portion forming a bead.

5. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, A plurality of first gas outlet openings distributed in a circumferential direction is provided in the first section and / or a plurality of second gas outlet openings distributed in a circumferential direction is provided in the second section.

6. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, A plurality of first gas outlet openings distributed in a circumferential direction is provided in the first section and a plurality of second gas outlet openings distributed in a circumferential direction is provided in the second section, the first gas outlet openings and the second gas outlet openings being circumferentially offset from each other.

7. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, The gas guiding portion is formed from material punched out of the wall of the central portion and the first gas outlet opening is formed by punching out the gas guiding portion from the wall of the central portion.

8. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to claim 7, characterized by The first exhaust hole is an elongated hole and the gas guiding portion is a tongue which extends within the second chamber and is configured to direct the portion of the central gas flow towards the first exhaust hole.

9. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, The plurality of exhaust holes comprises circular holes and / or elongated holes.

10. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to claim 9, characterized by The elongated holes extend in an axial plane containing the longitudinal axis of the tube body.

11. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, The central portion is conical or hemispherical.

12. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to claim 11, characterized by The conical central portion exceeds the peripheral portion in the axial direction of the tube body towards the first partition element, or the hemispherical central portion does not exceed the peripheral portion in the axial direction of the tube body towards the first partition element.

13. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, The second partition element is configured as a revolution body.

14. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, The second partition element is press-fitted into the tube body.

15. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to claim 14, characterized by The pre-tightening force with which the second partition element is press-fitted in the tube body is configured such that the second partition element slides in the tube body in a controlled manner when the hybrid gas generator is activated.

16. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, The peripheral portion has a length L along the longitudinal axis of the tube body which length L fulfils: where Di is the internal diameter of the tube body, Pmax is the maximum internal pressure present in the tube body when the hybrid generator is activated, ΔP is the pressure difference between the maximum internal pressure and the pressure of the compressed gas, Dh is the diameter of the exhaust holes, and Qh is the number of exhaust holes on the second section.

17. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to claim 16, characterized by The length L further fulfils:

18. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, The first partition element is configured as a cylinder, the peripheral surface of the first partition element abutting against the inner wall of the tube body, the through hole being configured to receive a closed protrusion (3) of the ignition system which can be opened when the ignition system is activated, wherein the protrusion extends into the through hole to a depth which is less than or equal to the axial thickness of the first partition element.

19. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, The first partition element is a plastic component and / or the second partition element is a sheet metal formed component.

20. The powder chamber for a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, The first partition element is made of polyurethane and the second partition element is made of spring steel.

21. A hybrid gas generator comprising a tubular body (60) defining a pressure chamber (30) for containing compressed gas, an ignition system (10) and a propellant chamber (20) mounted at a first axial end of the tubular body, the propellant chamber being contiguous on one side with the ignition system and on the other side with the pressure chamber for containing compressed gas, with reference to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body, characterized in that, The powder chamber is a powder chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. The hybrid gas generator of claim 21, wherein The tube body is provided at a second axial end opposite the first axial end with a throat closed by a rupture membrane (50), the ratio b of the sum of the areas of the plurality of exhaust holes to the area of the throat fulfils: b > 1.

1.

23. The hybrid gas generator of claim 22, wherein 1.2<b<1.4。 24. An airbag comprising a gas bag and a gas generator fluidly connected with the gas bag, characterized by, The gas generator is a hybrid gas generator according to any one of claims 21 to 23.

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