Air bag module inflating device

Abstract

The utility model provides an air bag module inflating device. An air bag module inflating device comprises a shell and an air generator, the shell is provided with an inner cavity with an opening in the top, the inner cavity is used for being communicated with a safety air bag body, the air generator is arranged at the bottom of the inner cavity and used for spraying air into the safety air bag body, at least one air suction inlet is formed in the bottom of the shell, and the air suction inlet is communicated with the inner cavity. Each air suction inlet is provided with a one-way valve, and the one-way valves are configured to be opened in the initial inflation stage so as to allow external environment air to enter the inner cavity and can be closed in the later inflation stage so as to prevent air leakage of the inner cavity. According to the utility model, the air bag can be quickly inflated, and meanwhile, the negative pressure stage influence at the initial inflation stage of the air bag can be quickly responded and relieved, so that the air bag can be stably and efficiently unfolded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an airbag inflation system, in particular to an airbag module inflation device, belonging to the technical field of vehicle safety components. Background Art

[0002] As an important part of modern vehicle passive safety devices, the airbag module plays a crucial role in protecting the safety of occupants. The inflation process of the airbag in the airbag module is a key link to ensure its effective protection of occupants, and the pressure change characteristics during the inflation process directly affect the output requirements of the gas generator and the deployment speed of the airbag.

[0003] The inflation process of the airbag in the traditional airbag module can be roughly divided into three stages: the initial inflation stage, the negative pressure stage, and the continuous inflation stage. In the initial stage of inflation, in the initial inflation stage, after the gas generator is triggered, high-temperature and high-pressure gas is quickly released and enters the airbag bag body. In this stage, the pressure in the bag body rises rapidly with time, pushing the airbag to start deploying. However, as the inflation progresses, there is a brief imbalance between the rapid expansion of the airbag bag body and the supply of inflation gas. When the airbag bag body expands rapidly, the rate of increase in its volume will temporarily exceed the rate of gas supply from the inflation device, which results in a local gas shortage in the area near the air inlet of the bag body. At this time, the pressure in the bag body will briefly drop below the level of the external atmospheric pressure, forming a negative pressure state. As the gas generator continues to supply gas, the airbag enters the continuous inflation stage in the later stage of inflation. In this stage, the pressure in the bag body rises again and continues to increase until it reaches the designed working pressure. This stage ensures that the airbag can be fully deployed and maintain sufficient internal pressure to provide the necessary buffering and protection.

[0004] Although the negative pressure stage lasts for a short time, its impact cannot be ignored. The negative pressure state will cause a brief reduction or stagnation in the deployment speed of the airbag in this stage, which may have an adverse impact on the airbag reaching the predetermined position in time to protect the occupants.

[0005] The existing airbag module inflation devices have limitations in dealing with the negative pressure problem. In the prior art, the main focus is on how to quickly provide enough gas to fill the airbag, while ignoring the pressure fluctuation problem during the inflation process. Therefore, in the prior art, this problem is usually solved by increasing the output power of the gas generator, but this solution increases the system energy consumption and component costs.

[0006] Therefore, it is of great significance to the field to research and develop a new type of airbag module inflation device that can effectively avoid or reduce the negative pressure impact in the initial stage of airbag inflation, while maintaining the system simple, reliable, and with moderate cost. Summary of the Utility Model

[0007] Based on the above background, the purpose of the present utility model is to provide an airbag module inflation device, which can quickly respond to and alleviate the influence of the negative pressure stage in the initial stage of airbag inflation while ensuring the rapid inflation of the airbag, so that the airbag can be deployed smoothly and efficiently.

[0008] In order to achieve the above utility model purpose, the present utility model provides the following technical solutions:

[0009] An airbag module inflation device includes a housing and a gas generator. The housing has an inner cavity with an open top, and the inner cavity is used to communicate with the airbag bag body. The gas generator is arranged at the bottom of the inner cavity, and the gas generator is used to spray gas into the airbag bag body. At least one air intake is provided at the bottom of the housing, and each air intake is provided with a one-way valve. The one-way valve is configured to be able to open in the initial stage of inflation to allow external ambient air to enter the inner cavity, and be able to close in the later stage of inflation to prevent the gas in the inner cavity from leaking.

[0010] Preferably, the one-way valve includes a valve body and a valve flap arranged in the valve body. The valve body is cylindrical, and a plurality of air outlet holes communicating with the inner cavity are provided on the upper side wall of the valve body. An air inlet hole capable of communicating with the air outlet holes is provided at the bottom of the valve body. The valve flap is spherical, and the valve flap is arranged between the air outlet holes and the air inlet hole, and the valve flap can move relative to the valve body.

[0011] Preferably, the number of the air outlet holes is four, and the air outlet holes are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the upper side wall of the valve body.

[0012] Preferably, the inner diameter of the upper part of the valve body is larger than the inner diameter of the lower part of the valve body, and a step part is formed at the joint of the inner wall of the upper part of the valve body and the inner wall of the lower part of the valve body, and the lower part of the valve flap can abut against the step part.

[0013] Preferably, at least two of the air intakes are arranged oppositely and are respectively located on both sides of the gas generator.

[0014] Preferably, the gas generator includes a base, a cap and an ignition unit. The base is fixedly connected to the bottom of the housing, the cap covers the base, and the base and the cap enclose an ignition chamber isolated from the inner cavity. The ignition unit is arranged in the ignition chamber and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the base.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present utility model has the following advantages:

[0016] An airbag module inflation device of the present utility model can automatically suck in ambient air at the initial stage of inflation by providing an air intake with a one-way valve at the bottom of the housing, effectively alleviating or even eliminating the negative pressure stage during the inflation of the airbag, ensuring that the airbag maintains a positive pressure or a state close to atmospheric pressure throughout the inflation process, and avoiding problems such as the stagnation or uneven deployment of the airbag caused by negative pressure in the traditional airbag inflation system;

[0017] The present utility model introduces ambient air into the airbag, which not only helps to relieve the negative pressure but also can reduce the temperature inside the airbag to a certain extent. This is because the temperature of the ambient air entering is usually about 30°C, while the temperature of the high-temperature gas generated by the gas generator can reach 900°C, and the gas mixture helps to reduce the overall temperature;

[0018] The one-way valve of the present utility model has a simple and efficient structure, is easy to assemble with the housing. By allowing ambient air to enter the airbag at the initial stage of inflation, it reduces the dependence on the gas generator, does not require additional increase in the output power of the gas generator, and may also allow the use of a smaller and lighter gas generator, thereby avoiding damage to the surrounding components of the airbag module such as the steering wheel and instrument panel when a larger-power gas generator is triggered, and also being beneficial to reducing the space occupied by the gas generator and reducing the module volume. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only the embodiments of the present utility model. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on the provided drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an airbag module inflation device of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 is a top-view structural schematic diagram of an airbag module inflation device of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 2 the structural schematic diagram of the A-A cross-section in

[0023] Figure 4 is an exploded structural schematic diagram of the one-way valve in the present utility model;

[0024] In the figure: 1. housing; 2. gas generator; 3. check valve; 101. inner cavity; 102. air intake; 201. base; 202. cap; 203. ignition unit; 204. ignition chamber; 301. valve body; 302. valve flap; 3011. air outlet hole; 3012. air inlet hole; 3013. step portion. Detailed implementation manners

[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be further specifically described below through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the implementation of the present utility model is not limited to the following embodiments, and any form of modification and / or change made to the present utility model will fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0026] In the present utility model, unless otherwise specified, all parts and percentages are in weight units, and the equipment and raw materials used can be purchased from the market or are commonly used in the art. The methods in the following embodiments are all conventional methods in the art unless otherwise specified. The components or equipment in the following embodiments are all general standard components or components known to those skilled in the art, and their structures and principles can all be known by those skilled in the art through technical manuals or obtained through conventional experimental methods.

[0027] The following will make a detailed description of the embodiments of the present utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, for the sake of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present utility model. However, one or more embodiments can also be implemented by those skilled in the art without these specific details.

[0028] As Figures 1-3 shown, an embodiment of the present utility model discloses an airbag module inflation device, which includes a housing 1 and a gas generator 2.

[0029] The housing 1 has an inner cavity 101 with an open top, and the inner cavity 101 is used to communicate with the airbag body. The gas generator 2 is arranged at the bottom of the inner cavity 101, and the gas generator 2 is used to spray gas into the airbag body.

[0030] Two air inlets 102 are provided at the bottom of the housing 1, and each air inlet 102 is provided with a check valve 3. The check valve 3 is configured to be able to open at the initial stage of inflation to allow external ambient air to enter the inner cavity 101, and be able to close at the later stage of inflation to prevent the gas in the inner cavity 101 from leaking.

[0031] Certainly, in other embodiments, the number of the air inlets 102 can be adjusted according to actual needs, and the number of the check valves 3 is adjusted synchronously accordingly.

[0032] Specifically, as Figure 4As shown in the figure, the one-way valve 3 includes a valve body 301 and a valve flap 302 disposed within the valve body 301.

[0033] The valve body 301 is cylindrical. Four air outlet holes 3011 communicating with the inner cavity 101 are provided on the upper side wall of the valve body 301, and an air inlet hole 3012 capable of communicating with the air outlet holes 3011 is provided at the bottom of the valve body 301.

[0034] The air outlet holes 3011 are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the upper side wall of the valve body 301.

[0035] The inner diameter of the upper part of the valve body 301 is greater than the inner diameter of the lower part of the valve body 301. A step portion 3013 is formed at the joint of the inner wall of the upper part of the valve body 301 and the inner wall of the lower part of the valve body 301, and the lower part of the valve flap 302 can abut against the step portion 3013.

[0036] The valve flap 302 is spherical. The valve flap 302 is disposed between the air outlet holes 3011 and the air inlet hole 3012, and the valve flap 302 can move relative to the valve body 301.

[0037] Specifically, the two suction inlets 102 are oppositely arranged and are respectively located on both sides of the gas generator 2.

[0038] Specifically, the gas generator 2 includes a base 201, a cap 202 and an ignition unit 203. The base 201 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the housing 1. The cap 202 covers the base 201. The cap 202 and the base 201 enclose an ignition chamber 204 isolated from the inner cavity 101, and the ignition unit 203 is disposed within the ignition chamber 204 and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the base 201.

[0039] The working principle of this airbag module inflator is as follows:

[0040] In the initial state where the airbag is not triggered, this airbag module inflator is in a stationary state. The inner cavity 101 is in communication with the airbag body, but the internal pressure is equal to the external environmental pressure. The one-way valve 3 is in a closed state. The spherical valve flap 302 is stationary between the air outlet holes 3011 and the air inlet hole 3012 of the valve body 301 under the action of gravity, and blocks the communication between the external environment and the inner cavity 101 of the housing 1.

[0041] When the airbag is triggered, the gas generator 2 is activated and starts to release high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and these gases quickly enter the airbag body through the inner cavity 101.

[0042] As the airbag inflates rapidly, the rate of increase in its volume temporarily exceeds the gas supply rate of the gas generator 2, resulting in the gas in the inner cavity 101 and the airbag being diluted to form a negative pressure state relative to the external environment. At this time, the one-way valve 3 synchronously comes into play. The atmospheric pressure of the external environment is greater than the pressure difference generated by the pressure in the inner cavity 101, acting on the spherical valve flap 302 of the one-way valve 3, forming an upward thrust. This thrust is greater than the gravity of the spherical valve flap 302, causing the valve flap 302 to move upward. During the upward movement of the valve flap 302, the intake hole 3012 and the outlet hole 3011 are gradually connected to form a gas flow path, and the air from the external environment enters the inner cavity 101 and the airbag through this gas flow path. With the gas injection from the gas generator 2 and the continuous entry of external air, the pressure in the inner cavity 101 and the airbag gradually increases until it approaches equilibrium with the external pressure, and then the internal and external pressure difference reverses. Under the action of the reversed pressure difference and its own gravity, the spherical valve flap 302 descends and returns to its original position, blocking the connection between the outlet hole 3011 and the intake hole 3012 again to prevent the gas in the inner cavity 101 from leaking.

[0043] When the airbag inflation is completed, a relatively high positive pressure is maintained in the inner cavity 101 and the airbag, keeping the one-way valve 3 in a closed state to ensure that the gas does not leak from the air intake 102.

[0044] This airbag module inflation device utilizes the pressure change during the inflation process and realizes air pressure regulation through the one-way valve 3 with a spherical valve flap 302. The design of the spherical valve flap 302 enables it to respond quickly to a tiny pressure difference, ensuring that it can be opened in time at the moment when the negative pressure is formed and can be quickly closed when the positive pressure is formed.

[0045] By introducing ambient air into the airbag, it not only helps to relieve the negative pressure but also can reduce the temperature inside the airbag to a certain extent. This is because the temperature of the ambient air entering is usually about 30°C, while the temperature of the high-temperature gas generated by the gas generator 2 can reach 900°C, and the gas mixture helps to reduce the overall temperature.

[0046] The structure of the above one-way valve 3 is simple and efficient, and it is easy to assemble with the housing 1. By allowing ambient air to enter the airbag at the initial stage of inflation, it reduces the dependence on the gas generator 2, does not require additional increase in the output power of the gas generator 2, and may also allow the use of a smaller and lighter gas generator 2, thus avoiding damage to the surrounding components of the airbag module such as the steering wheel and instrument panel when the larger-power gas generator 2 is triggered, and also being beneficial to reducing the space occupied by the gas generator 2 and decreasing the module volume.

[0047] In this article, specific examples are used to elaborate on the principles and implementation modes of the present utility model. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only used to help understand the method and its core idea of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principles of the present utility model, several improvements and modifications can still be made to the present utility model, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An airbag module inflator, characterized in that: The airbag module inflator includes a housing (1) and a gas generator (2). The housing (1) has an inner cavity (101) with an open top, and the inner cavity (101) is used to communicate with the airbag body. The gas generator (2) is disposed at the bottom of the inner cavity (101), and the gas generator (2) is used to spray gas into the airbag body. At least one air intake (102) is provided at the bottom of the housing (1), and each air intake (102) is provided with a one-way valve (3). The one-way valve (3) is configured to be able to open at the initial stage of inflation to allow external ambient air to enter the inner cavity (101), and be able to close at the later stage of inflation to prevent the gas in the inner cavity (101) from leaking.

2. The inflating device for an airbag module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The one-way valve (3) includes a valve body (301) and a valve flap (302) disposed in the valve body (301). The valve body (301) is cylindrical, and a plurality of air outlet holes (3011) communicating with the inner cavity (101) are provided on the upper side wall of the valve body (301). An air inlet hole (3012) capable of communicating with the air outlet holes (3011) is provided at the bottom of the valve body (301). The valve flap (302) is spherical and is disposed between the air outlet holes (3011) and the air inlet hole (3012), and the valve flap (302) can move relative to the valve body (301).

3. An airbag module inflation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The number of the air outlet holes (3011) is four, and the air outlet holes (3011) are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the upper side wall of the valve body (301).

4. The inflating device for an airbag module according to claim 2, wherein: The inner diameter of the upper part of the valve body (301) is larger than the inner diameter of the lower part of the valve body (301), and a step portion (3013) is formed at the joint between the inner wall of the upper part of the valve body (301) and the inner wall of the lower part of the valve body (301). The lower part of the valve flap (302) can abut against the step portion (3013).

5. The inflating device for an airbag module according to claim 1, wherein: At least two of the air intakes (102) are oppositely arranged and are respectively located on both sides of the gas generator (2).

6. The inflating device for an airbag module according to claim 1, wherein: The gas generator (2) includes a base (201), a cap (202) and an ignition unit (203). The base (201) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the housing (1), the cap (202) covers the base (201), and the cap (202) and the base (201) enclose an ignition chamber (204) isolated from the inner cavity (101). The ignition unit (203) is disposed in the ignition chamber (204) and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the base (201).

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