Gas generator and vehicle

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of automobile airbag, in particular to a gas generator and an automobile. The gas generator comprises a shell, a filter and a gas assembly. The shell has an inner cavity. The filter is accommodated in the inner cavity and separates the inner cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is located above the second chamber. The gas assembly is accommodated in the second chamber. A plurality of exhaust ports are formed in the top of the shell to communicate the first chamber with the outside. The opening area of each exhaust port gradually decreases from the first chamber to the outside. The gas generator can adjust the internal pressure of the gas generator according to the change of temperature, thereby improving the performance of the gas generator, reducing the performance difference of the gas generator at different temperatures, and further improving the stability of the gas generator.

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] The automotive airbag system is a passive safety protection system. The gas generator is a key component of the airbag, supplying gas to the airbag to provide effective collision protection for occupants. During operation, the gas generator works by burning a propellant, producing gas that enters the airbag through an exhaust port, causing the airbag to inflate rapidly and protect the occupants. However, existing gas generators exhibit significant differences in internal pressure at different temperatures, leading to substantial performance variations and thus poor stability. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention includes, for example, providing a gas generator and an automobile capable of adjusting the internal pressure of the gas generator according to temperature changes, thereby improving the performance of the gas generator, reducing the performance difference of the gas generator at different temperatures, and thus improving the stability of the gas generator.

[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 housing, a filter element, and a gas assembly.

[0006] The housing has an inner cavity; a filter element is housed in the inner cavity and divides the inner cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber, with the first chamber located above the second chamber; a gas assembly is housed in the second chamber;

[0007] The top of the shell has multiple exhaust ports that connect the first chamber to the outside, and the opening area of ​​each exhaust port gradually decreases from the first chamber to the outside.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing; the upper housing is provided with a first opening, and the lower housing is provided with a second opening; one end of the lower housing with the second opening is accommodated in the upper housing, so that the upper housing and the lower housing communicate with each other and jointly define the inner cavity.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the inner peripheral wall of the upper housing is provided with a protrusion; the side of the filter element facing the first chamber abuts against the protrusion, and the side of the filter element facing the second chamber abuts against the end of the lower housing that is accommodated in the upper housing.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the filter element has an abutment portion on the side facing the first chamber that abuts against the top wall of the upper housing. The abutment portion is located on the outer edge of the filter element and protrudes towards the first chamber. The side of the filter element facing the second chamber abuts against the end of the lower housing that is housed within the upper housing.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the gas assembly includes an igniter, an ignition tube, an ignition agent, and a gas-generating agent;

[0012] The igniter is connected to the housing, the ignition agent is contained in the ignition tube, and the ignition tube is connected to the igniter; the ignition tube is provided with multiple transmission holes that connect the interior of the ignition tube to the second chamber; the gas-generating agent is located on the outer periphery of the ignition tube and the igniter.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, a first metal sealing foil is provided on the inner side of each exhaust port, and a second metal sealing foil is provided on the outer side of each transmission hole.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the gas generator further includes an elastic annular pad housed in a second chamber and located between the filter and the gas-generating agent.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the elastic annular pad has multiple openings.

[0016] In an optional implementation, each vent is a tapered orifice.

[0017] Secondly, the present invention provides an automobile that includes the aforementioned gas generator.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention include:

[0019] The gas generator includes a housing, a filter element, and a gas assembly. The housing has an inner cavity. The filter element is housed within the inner cavity and divides the inner cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber, with the first chamber located above the second chamber. The gas assembly is housed within the second chamber. The top of the housing has multiple exhaust ports connecting the first chamber to the outside, and the opening area of ​​each exhaust port gradually decreases from the first chamber to the outside. The gas generator can adjust its internal pressure according to temperature changes, thereby improving its performance, reducing performance differences at different temperatures, and ultimately enhancing its stability. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the gas generator in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the gas generator structure when the exhaust port is not an isosceles trapezoid in other embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the gas generator in an embodiment of the present invention at a low temperature.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the gas generator in an embodiment of the present invention at room temperature;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the gas generator in an embodiment of the present invention at a high temperature;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the gas generator structure when the filter element is provided with an abutment portion in other embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] Icons: 300-Gas generator; 310-Housing housing; 320-Filter element; 330-Gas assembly; 301-Inner cavity; 302-First chamber; 303-Second chamber; 311-Exhaust port; 312-Upper housing; 313-Lower housing; 314-Protrusion; 321-Abutment part; 331-Igniter; 332-Ignition tube; 333-Gas generating agent; 334-Transmission hole; 340-Elastic annular gasket. Detailed Implementation

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] 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.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1 This embodiment provides a gas generator 300, which includes a housing 310, a filter element 320, and a gas assembly 330;

[0035] The housing 310 has an inner cavity 301; the filter element 320 is housed in the inner cavity 301 and divides the inner cavity 301 into a first chamber 302 and a second chamber 303, the first chamber 302 being located above the second chamber 303; the gas assembly 330 is housed in the second chamber 303;

[0036] The top of the housing 310 has multiple exhaust ports 311 that connect the first chamber 302 to the outside, and the opening area of ​​each exhaust port 311 gradually decreases from the first chamber 302 to the outside.

[0037] It should be noted that, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 To ensure that the opening area of ​​each exhaust port 311 gradually decreases, each exhaust port 311 can be a conical hole (e.g., Figure 1 (as shown) or non-isosceles trapezoids (such as) Figure 2 (As shown).

[0038] Please refer to Figures 1-5 The working principle of the gas generator 300 is as follows:

[0039] The gas generator 300 includes a housing 310, a filter element 320, and a gas assembly 330. The housing 310 has an inner cavity 301. The filter element 320 is housed in the inner cavity 301 and divides the inner cavity 301 into a first chamber 302 and a second chamber 303, with the first chamber 302 located above the second chamber 303. The gas assembly 330 is housed in the second chamber 303. The gas generated by the gas assembly 330 can enter the second chamber 303 and be filtered by the filter element 320 before being introduced into the first chamber 302. Since the top of the housing 310 has multiple exhaust ports 311 that connect the first chamber 302 to the outside, the gas in the first chamber 302 can be discharged through the exhaust ports 311. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the gas discharged from the first chamber 302 through the exhaust ports 311 is used to introduce into the airbag to provide gas for the airbag, thereby providing effective collision protection for the occupants.

[0040] During the operation of the gas generator 300, the gas component 330 generates heat, and the external temperature also affects the housing 310, causing it to deform accordingly. This leads to changes in the internal pressure of the gas generator 300. In this embodiment, the top of the housing 310 can deform according to the temperature change. Specifically, the top of the housing 310 deforms away from the filter element 320 as the temperature increases. That is, the volume of the first chamber 302 gradually increases as the temperature rises. Therefore, to facilitate the explanation of the changes in the top of the housing 310 as the temperature rises, we will use low temperature, normal temperature, and high temperature as examples.

[0041] At low temperatures, the top of the casing 310 is flat. In this case, the outer diameter of the vent 311 at the top of the casing 310 is d1 (e.g., ...). Figure 3 (As shown by d1); Under normal temperature conditions, the bottom of the housing 310 undergoes slight deformation in the direction away from the filter element 320. At this time, the outer diameter of the exhaust port 311 at the top of the housing 310 is d2 (as shown by d1). Figure 4 (As shown by d2); Under high temperature conditions, the bottom of the housing 310 undergoes significant deformation in the direction away from the filter element 320. At this time, the outer diameter of the exhaust port 311 at the top of the housing 310 is d3 (as shown by d2). Figure 5 (as shown by the marker d3 in the middle);

[0042] As the temperature rises, the internal pressure in the first chamber 302 gradually increases. However, as the temperature rises, the volume of the first chamber 302 increases due to the deformation of the top of the shell 310, thereby reducing the internal pressure in the first chamber 302. This improves the stability of the pressure in the first chamber 302. Furthermore, in the above, d1 < d2 < d3, meaning that the dimensions of d1, d2, and d3 change with temperature. The larger d is, the more heat is discharged. Therefore, this arrangement allows the opening area of ​​the exhaust port 311 to change with temperature, making the internal pressure performance of the gas generator 300 similar at room temperature, high temperature, and low temperature.

[0043] Therefore, the gas generator 300 can adjust its internal pressure according to temperature changes, thereby improving the performance of the gas generator 300, reducing the performance difference of the gas generator 300 at different temperatures, and thus improving the stability of the gas generator 300.

[0044] It should be noted that, as can be seen from the above, the top of the shell 310 can deform accordingly according to temperature changes. Based on this, in this embodiment, the amount of deformation of the top of the shell 310 according to temperature changes can be adjusted by adjusting the material and thickness of the top of the shell 310.

[0045] Further, please refer to Figures 1-5 In this embodiment, the housing 310 includes an upper housing 312 and a lower housing 313, which can be sealed and fixed by laser welding. The upper housing 312 has a first opening, and the lower housing 313 has a second opening. One end of the lower housing 313 with the second opening is accommodated within the upper housing 312, so that the upper housing 312 and the lower housing 313 communicate and jointly define the inner cavity 301. Therefore, this arrangement allows the housing 310 to be manufactured in a modular fashion, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing manufacturing difficulty.

[0046] Furthermore, to position the filter element 320, a protrusion 314 is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the upper housing 312; the side of the filter element 320 facing the first chamber 302 abuts against the protrusion 314, and the side of the filter element 320 facing the second chamber 303 abuts against the end of the lower housing 313 that is housed within the upper housing 312. In other embodiments of the present invention, please refer to... Figure 6Furthermore, a contact portion 321 that abuts against the top wall of the upper housing 312 can be provided on the side of the filter element 320 facing the first chamber 302. The contact portion 321 is provided on the outer edge of the filter element 320 and protrudes in the direction of the first chamber 302. The side of the filter element 320 facing the second chamber 303 abuts against the end of the lower housing 313 that is accommodated in the upper housing 312.

[0047] Based on the above, please refer to Figures 1-5 In this embodiment, the gas assembly 330 includes an igniter 331, an ignition tube 332, an ignition agent, and a gas-generating agent 333. The igniter 331 is connected to the housing 310, the ignition agent is contained within the ignition tube 332, and the ignition tube 332 is connected to the igniter 331. The ignition tube 332 is provided with a plurality of transfer holes 334 that connect the interior of the ignition tube 332 to the second chamber 303. The gas-generating agent 333 is disposed on the outer periphery of the ignition tube 332 and the igniter 331. When the igniter 331 is installed, the igniter 331 is located at the center of the bottom of the housing 310, while the gas-generating agent 333 disposed on its outer periphery is annular.

[0048] Furthermore, a first metal sealing foil is provided on the inner side of each exhaust port 311, and a second metal sealing foil is provided on the outer side of each transmission hole 334.

[0049] Additionally, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The gas generator 300 also includes an elastic annular pad 340, which is housed in the second chamber 303 and located between the filter element 320 and the gas-generating agent 333. The elastic annular pad 340 acts as a buffer, preventing the gas-generating agent 333 from being crushed and effectively securing the gas-generating agent 333.

[0050] In order to improve the air permeability of the elastic annular pad 340, the elastic annular pad 340 can be made of breathable material, or multiple holes can be opened in the elastic annular pad 340.

[0051] Please refer to Figures 1-5 The working process of the gas generator 300 is as follows:

[0052] When the igniter 331 is activated, the ignition agent inside the ignition tube 332 is ignited and burns rapidly. The combustion gas breaks through the second metal sealing foil and enters the second chamber 303 through multiple transmission holes 334.

[0053] When the gas-generating agent 333 in the second chamber 303 is ignited and produces gas, the gas can pass through the upper permeable elastic annular pad 340 or through the holes on the elastic annular pad 340, and then pass through the filter element 320 to enter the first chamber 302. Then, the gas in the first chamber 302 is discharged through the exhaust port 311 after breaking through the first metal sealing foil.

[0054] During the process of gas being discharged through the exhaust port 311, the top of the housing 310 will deform, and the size of the exhaust port 311 will change with the deformation of the housing 310. The higher the temperature, the larger the size of d, which is more conducive to gas discharge.

[0055] Based on the above, please refer to Figures 1-6 The present invention also provides an automobile, which includes the gas generator 300 described above.

[0056] By using the aforementioned gas generator 300, the car can generate gas and quickly introduce it into the car's airbags in the event of an accident, thereby protecting the occupants through the airbags.

[0057] 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 (300) includes a housing (310), a filter (320), and a gas assembly (330). The housing (310) has an inner cavity (301); the filter (320) is housed in the inner cavity (301) and divides the inner cavity (301) into a first chamber (302) and a second chamber (303), the first chamber (302) being located above the second chamber (303); the gas assembly (330) is housed in the second chamber (303). The top of the housing (310) is provided with a plurality of exhaust ports (311) that connect the first chamber (302) to the outside. The opening area of ​​each exhaust port (311) gradually decreases from the first chamber (302) to the outside. Each exhaust port (311) is a conical hole. The housing (310) includes an upper housing (312) and a lower housing (313); the upper housing (312) is provided with a first opening, and the lower housing (313) is provided with a second opening; one end of the lower housing (313) with the second opening is accommodated in the upper housing (312) so that the upper housing (312) and the lower housing (313) communicate with each other and jointly define the inner cavity (301). The inner peripheral wall of the upper housing (312) is provided with a protrusion (314); the side of the filter element (320) facing the first chamber (302) abuts against the protrusion (314), and the side of the filter element (320) facing the second chamber (303) abuts against the end of the lower housing (313) that is accommodated in the upper housing (312); The top of the housing (310) deforms away from the filter element (320) as the temperature increases, and the outer diameter of the exhaust port (311) gradually increases. At low temperature, the top of the housing (310) is flat, and the outer diameter of the exhaust port (311) at the top of the housing (310) is d1; at normal temperature, the top of the housing (310) undergoes slight deformation in the direction away from the filter element (320), and the outer diameter of the exhaust port (311) at the top of the housing (310) is d2; at high temperature, the top of the housing (310) undergoes significant deformation in the direction away from the filter element (320), and the outer diameter of the exhaust port (311) at the top of the housing (310) is d3; d1 < d2 < d3.

2. The gas generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter element (320) has an abutment portion (321) on the side facing the first chamber (302) that abuts against the top wall of the upper housing (312). The abutment portion (321) is located on the outer edge of the filter element (320) and protrudes towards the first chamber (302). The side of the filter element (320) facing the second chamber (303) abuts against the end of the lower housing (313) that is housed in the upper housing (312).

3. The gas generator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The gas assembly (330) includes an igniter (331), an ignition tube (332), an ignition agent, and a gas-generating agent (333). The igniter (331) is connected to the housing (310), the ignition agent is contained in the ignition tube (332), and the ignition tube (332) is connected to the igniter (331); the ignition tube (332) is provided with a plurality of transmission holes (334) that connect the interior of the ignition tube (332) to the second chamber (303); the gas-generating agent (333) is disposed on the outer periphery of the ignition tube (332) and the igniter (331).

4. The gas generator according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the exhaust ports (311) has a first metal sealing foil on its inner side, and each of the transmission holes (334) has a second metal sealing foil on its outer side.

5. The gas generator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The gas generator (300) further includes an elastic annular pad (340) which is housed in the second chamber (303) and located between the filter (320) and the gas-generating agent (333).

6. The gas generator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The elastic annular pad (340) has multiple openings.

7. A car, characterized in that: The vehicle includes a gas generator (300) as described in any one of claims 1-6.

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