Gas generators and automobiles

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of automotive airbag technology, specifically to a gas generator and an automobile. The gas generator includes a main body, an elastomer, a gas-generating unit, and an annular filter unit. The main body has an inner cavity; the elastomer is housed within the inner cavity and divides the inner cavity into a filter chamber and a combustion chamber, with the filter chamber located above the combustion chamber; the gas-generating unit is housed within the combustion chamber; the annular filter unit is housed within the filter chamber, and the annular center of the filter unit communicates with the combustion chamber. An opening is provided on the side wall of the main body opposite the outer periphery of the annular filter unit. This gas generator has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, simplifies assembly steps, improves assembly efficiency, thereby improving assembly quality and preventing abnormal noises.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive airbag technology, and more specifically, to a gas generator and an automobile. Background Technology

[0002] With China's per capita GDP steadily increasing year by year, cars have become commonplace in households, and driving safety has received increasing attention. As a result, more cars are now equipped with airbags to enhance passive safety. The airbag inflator, a core component of the airbag system, rapidly generates gas to inflate the airbag upon receiving a collision signal, thus protecting the driver and passengers. However, existing inflators suffer from complex structures, cumbersome assembly processes, and issues such as unusual noises. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The objectives of this invention include, for example, providing a gas generator and an automobile that have a simple structure, are easy to assemble, simplify assembly steps, improve assembly efficiency, thereby improving assembly quality and avoiding abnormal noises.

[0004] The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a gas generator, which includes a main body, an elastomer, a gas generating unit, and an annular filter unit.

[0006] The main body has an inner cavity; the elastic body is housed in the inner cavity and divides the inner cavity into a filter cavity and a combustion cavity, with the filter cavity located above the combustion cavity;

[0007] The gas production unit is housed in the combustion chamber; the annular filter unit is housed in the filter chamber, and the annular middle part of the annular filter unit is connected to the combustion chamber, with an opening on the side wall of the main body facing the outer periphery of the annular filter unit.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the gas generator further includes a support unit for limiting the displacement of the annular filter unit within the filter chamber.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the support unit includes a first support member and a first protrusion disposed on the first support member;

[0010] The end of the annular filter unit facing away from the elastic body abuts against the inner top wall of the main body; the end of the annular filter unit facing the elastic body abuts against the first support member, and the first protrusion abuts against the inner or outer circumferential surface of the annular filter unit.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, a first air guide hole is provided in the middle of the first support member, and the first air guide hole is directly opposite the annular middle of the annular filter unit.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the support unit includes a second support member and a second protrusion disposed on the inner top wall of the main body;

[0013] The end of the annular filter unit facing away from the elastic body abuts against the inner top wall of the main body, and the second protrusion abuts against the inner or outer circumferential surface of the annular filter unit; the end of the annular filter unit facing the elastic body abuts against the second support member.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, a second air guide hole is provided in the middle of the second support member, and the second air guide hole is directly opposite the annular middle of the annular filter unit.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the main body includes a base and a diffuser, which are sealed together by laser welding.

[0016] The elastomer is located at the connection between the base and the diffuser, the gas generation unit is housed in the base, the annular filter unit is housed in the diffuser, and the orifice is opened on the side wall of the diffuser.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, the gas generating unit includes a pyrotechnic agent and an igniter; the igniter is connected to the center of the bottom of the combustion chamber and is used to ignite the pyrotechnic agent.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, the elastomer is made of a breathable material, or the elastomer has multiple breathable holes.

[0019] Secondly, the present invention provides an automobile that includes the aforementioned gas generator.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention include:

[0021] The gas generator includes a main body, an elastomer, a gas-generating unit, and an annular filter unit. The main body has an inner cavity. The elastomer is housed within the inner cavity and divides the inner cavity into a filter chamber and a combustion chamber, with the filter chamber located above the combustion chamber. The gas-generating unit is housed within the combustion chamber. The annular filter unit is housed within the filter chamber, with its annular center communicating with the combustion chamber. The main body is positioned directly opposite the annular filter unit.

[0022] The outer perimeter of the unit has openings on its sidewalls. This gas generator has a simple structure and is easy to assemble, simplifying assembly steps, improving assembly efficiency, thereby improving assembly quality and avoiding defects.

[0023] An unusual noise was detected. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will describe the requirements of the embodiments.

[0025] The accompanying drawings used will be briefly described. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and should not be considered as limiting the scope. For those skilled in the art,

[0026] Without requiring any creative effort, other related figures can be obtained from these figures.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gas generator when the first protrusion is located inside the annular filter unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram at point A in the middle;

[0029] 5 Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gas generator when the first protrusion is located outside the annular filter unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial schematic diagram at point B in the middle;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gas generator when the second protrusion is located inside the annular filter unit in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gas generator in another embodiment of the present invention when the second protrusion is located outside the annular filter unit.

[0033] Icons: 100-Gas generator; 110-Main body; 120-Elastomer; 130-Gas production unit; 140-Annular filter unit; 101-Inner cavity; 102-Filter cavity; 103-Combustion cavity; 111-Orifice; 150-Support unit; 151-First support member; 152-First protrusion; 153-First air guide hole; 154-Second support member; 155-Second protrusion; 156-Second air guide hole; 112-Base; 113-Diffuser; 131-Pyrotechnic agent; 132-Igniter. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0035] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0036] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," or "outer" are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of this invention is usually placed, they are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0038] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0039] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 1 This embodiment provides a gas generator 100, which includes a main body 110, an elastomer 120, a gas generating unit 130, and an annular filter unit 140.

[0041] The main body 110 is provided with an inner cavity 101; the elastomer 120 is housed in the inner cavity 101 and divides the inner cavity 101 into a filter cavity 102 and a combustion cavity 103, with the filter cavity 102 located above the combustion cavity 103.

[0042] The gas production unit 130 is housed in the combustion chamber 103; the annular filter unit 140 is housed in the filter chamber 102, and the annular middle part of the annular filter unit 140 is connected to the combustion chamber 103; the main body 110 has an opening 111 on the side wall opposite the outer periphery of the annular filter unit 140.

[0043] It should be noted that, in order to ensure that the annular center of the annular filter unit 140 is connected to the combustion chamber 103, the elastomer 120 is made of a breathable material, or the elastomer 120 has multiple vent holes. This ensures that gas can pass through the elastomer 120;

[0044] Outside, the inside of the orifice 111 is sealed with a metal sealing foil, and in the gas generating unit 130, the gas can break through the metal sealing foil.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 1 The working principle of the gas generator 100 is as follows:

[0046] The gas generator 100 includes a main body 110, an elastomer 120, a gas production unit 130, and an annular filter unit 140; the main body 110 is provided with an inner cavity 101; the elastomer 120 is housed in the inner cavity 101, and

[0047] The inner cavity 101 is divided into a filter cavity 102 and a combustion cavity 103, with the filter cavity 102 located above the combustion cavity 1030. A gas-generating unit 130 is housed in the combustion cavity 103, and an annular filter unit 140 is housed in the filter cavity 102, with the annular center of the annular filter unit 140 communicating with the combustion cavity 103. The gas-generating unit 130 generates gas, which passes through the elastomer 120 and enters the filter cavity 102. The gas introduced from the combustion cavity 103 into the filter cavity 102 is collected in the annular filter.

[0048] The material is discharged from the annular center of unit 140, and after being filtered by the annular filter unit 140, it exits through the orifice 111 on the side wall of the main body 110 opposite to the outer periphery of the annular filter unit 140, so that...

[0049] The airbags inflate to protect the occupants;

[0050] In summary, the gas generator 100 has a simple structure. During assembly, the inner cavity 101 can be divided into a filter chamber 102 and a combustion chamber 103 by the elastomer 120, thereby enabling the filtration and combustion of gases.

[0051] The burning process is separated, and this method simplifies the assembly steps, improves assembly efficiency, and thus improves assembly quality; at the same time, the elasticity of the elastic element can improve the filtration...

[0052] Applying a corresponding elastic force to the structure within the filter chamber 102 and the combustion chamber 103 can maintain the stability of the structure, thereby preventing vibration of the structure within the filter chamber 102 and the combustion chamber 103 during use, thus preventing abnormal noise from the gas generator 100.

[0053] Further, please refer to Figures 1-6 In this embodiment, the gas generator 100 also includes

[0054] Support unit 150 is used to limit the displacement of the annular filter unit 140 within the filter chamber 102.

[0055] Please refer to Figures 1-4 In this embodiment, when setting the support unit 150, the support unit 150 may include a first support member 151 and a first protrusion 152 disposed on the first support member 151.

[0056] Among them, the end of the annular filter unit 140 facing away from the elastomer 120 abuts against the inner top wall of the main body 110;

[0057] One end of the annular filter unit 140 facing the elastic body 120 abuts against the first support member 151, and the first protrusion 152 abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the annular filter unit 140 (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 2 (as shown) or outer peripheral surface

[0058] Arrival (e.g.) Figure 3 and Figure 4 (As shown).

[0059] Furthermore, in order to connect the annular center of the annular filter unit 140 with the combustion chamber 103, a first air guide hole 153 is provided in the center of the first support member 151, and the first air guide hole 153 is directly opposite the annular center of the annular filter unit 140.

[0060] 5. Thus, by providing the first support member 151 and the first protrusion 152 as described above, it is possible to limit

[0061] The displacement of the annular filter unit 140 within the filter chamber 102 is controlled; specifically, by abutting the end of the annular filter unit 140 away from the elastic body 120 against the inner top wall of the main body 110, and by abutting the end of the annular filter unit 140 facing the elastic body 120 against the first support member 151, the displacement of the annular filter unit 140 can be controlled.

[0062] The displacement of the ring filter unit 140 along the axial direction is restricted; and by the first protrusion 0 part 152 abutting against the inner or outer circumferential surface of the ring filter unit 140, the displacement of the ring filter unit 140 along the radial direction is restricted, thereby completing the positioning of the ring filter unit 140 in the filter cavity 102.

[0063] In other embodiments of the present invention, please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The support unit 150 may further include a second support member 154 and a second protrusion 155 disposed on the inner top wall of the main body 110; one end of the annular filter unit 140 away from the elastic body 120 abuts against the inner top wall of the main body 110, and the second protrusion 155 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the annular filter unit 140 (e.g., Figure 5 (as shown) or outer peripheral surface (e.g. Figure 6(As shown) abuts; the end of the annular filter unit 140 facing the elastomer 120 abuts against the second support member 154.

[0064] Furthermore, in order to connect the annular center of the annular filter unit 140 with the combustion chamber 103, a second air guide hole 156 is provided in the center of the second support member 154, and the second air guide hole 156 is directly opposite the annular center of the annular filter unit 140.

[0065] Therefore, by providing the second support member 154 and the second protrusion 155, the displacement of the annular filter unit 140 within the filter cavity 102 can be restricted. Specifically, by having the end of the annular filter unit 140 facing away from the elastic body 120 abut against the inner top wall of the main body 110, and the end of the annular filter unit 140 facing the elastic body 120 abut against the second support member 154, the displacement of the annular filter unit 140 along the axial direction can be restricted. And by having the second protrusion 155 abut against the inner or outer circumferential surface of the annular filter unit 140, the displacement of the annular filter unit 140 along the radial direction can be restricted, thereby completing the positioning of the annular filter unit 140 within the filter cavity 102.

[0066] Further, please refer to Figures 1-6 In this embodiment, to simplify the manufacturing process, the main body 110 includes a base 112 and a diffuser 113, which are sealed together by laser welding. The elastomer 120 is located at the connection between the base 112 and the diffuser 113, the gas generating unit 130 is housed in the base 112, the annular filter unit 140 is housed in the diffuser 113, and the orifice 111 is opened on the side wall of the diffuser 113.

[0067] In this embodiment, when the gas generating unit 130 is provided, the gas generating unit 130 includes a pyrotechnic agent 131 and an igniter 132; the igniter 132 is connected to the middle of the bottom of the combustion chamber 103, and the igniter 132 is used to ignite the pyrotechnic agent 131. It should be noted that the gas generating unit 130 may include one or more pyrotechnic agents 131.

[0068] In summary, please refer to the following: Figures 1-6 The gas generator 100 has at least the following advantages:

[0069] The assembly process is simple, requiring only one laser welding point, namely laser welding of diffuser 113 and base 112, to seal and fix the gas generator 100 as a whole.

[0070] The generator has high strength, and the overall structural strength of laser welding is higher than that of processes such as riveting or extrusion.

[0071] The gas is fully filtered. The support structure ensures the structural stability of the annular filter unit 140. The first air guide hole 153 or the second air guide hole 156 can ensure that the annular middle part of the annular filter unit 140 is connected to the combustion chamber 103, so as not to block the filter chamber and the annular filter unit 140.

[0072] To reduce vibration and noise, the elastic body 120 can effectively fix structures such as the pyrotechnic agent 131, thereby reducing the noise of the gas generator 100 during use.

[0073] Based on the above, please refer to Figures 1-6 The present invention provides an automobile that includes the gas generator 100 described above. By employing the gas generator 100, the automobile can generate gas and rapidly introduce it into the airbags in the event of an accident, thereby protecting the occupants through the airbags.

[0074] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A gas generator, characterized in that: the gas generator (100) comprises a main body (110), an elastic body (120), a gas generating unit (130) and an annular filtering unit (140); the main body (110) is provided with an inner cavity (101); the elastic body (120) is accommodated in the inner cavity (101) and divides the inner cavity (101) into a filtering cavity (102) and a combustion cavity (103), and the filtering cavity (102) is located above the combustion cavity (103); the gas generating unit (130) is accommodated in the combustion cavity (103); the annular filtering unit (140) is accommodated in the filtering cavity (102), and the annular middle part of the annular filtering unit (140) is in communication with the combustion cavity (103), and the main body (110) is provided with an aperture (111) on the side wall opposite to the outer periphery of the annular filtering unit (140); the gas generator (100) further comprises a supporting unit (150) for limiting the displacement of the annular filtering unit (140) in the filtering cavity (102); the main body (110) comprises a base (112) and a diffuser (113), and the base (112) and the diffuser (113) are sealingly connected by laser welding; wherein the elastic body (120) is located at the connection between the base (112) and the diffuser (113), the gas generating unit (130) is accommodated in the base (112), the annular filtering unit (140) is accommodated in the diffuser (113), and the aperture (111) is provided on the side wall of the diffuser (113).

2. The gas generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: the supporting unit (150) comprises a first supporting piece (151) and a first protruding part (152) provided on the first supporting piece (151); one end of the annular filtering unit (140) away from the elastic body (120) abuts against the inner top wall of the main body (110); one end of the annular filtering unit (140) towards the elastic body (120) abuts against the first supporting piece (151), and the first protruding part (152) abuts against the inner circumferential surface or the outer circumferential surface of the annular filtering unit (140).

3. The gas generator according to claim 2, characterized in that: a first gas guiding hole (153) is provided in the middle part of the first supporting piece (151), and the first gas guiding hole (153) is opposite to the annular middle part of the annular filtering unit (140).

4. The gas generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: the supporting unit (150) comprises a second supporting piece (154) and a second protruding part (155) provided on the inner top wall of the main body (110). An end of the annular filter unit (140) away from the elastic body (120) is in abutment with an inner top wall of the main body (110), and the second protruding part (155) is in abutment with an inner circumferential surface or an outer circumferential surface of the annular filter unit (140); an end of the annular filter unit (140) toward the elastic body (120) is in abutment with the second support (154).

5. The gas generator according to claim 4, characterized in that: A middle part of the second support (154) is provided with a second gas guiding hole (156), and the second gas guiding hole (156) is opposite to a middle part of the annular filter unit (140).

6. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The gas generating unit (130) comprises a pyrotechnic agent (131) and an igniter (132); the igniter (132) is connected to a middle part of a cavity bottom of the combustion cavity (103), and the igniter (132) is used to ignite the pyrotechnic agent (131).

7. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The elastic body (120) is made of a gas permeable material, or the elastic body (120) is provided with a plurality of gas permeable holes.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises the gas generator (100) according to any one of claims 1-7.

Images