Burst device for a hybrid gas generator
The bursting device for hybrid gas generators uses a support sleeve to reduce the bursting pressure and material thickness, addressing high-pressure challenges and ensuring efficient, cost-effective operation and safety.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2014-07-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing hybrid gas generators require extremely high burst pressures to open sealing diaphragms or rupture caps due to high internal pressures, leading to material deformation and potential adverse effects on components, necessitating robust and thick materials that increase costs.
A bursting device comprising a bursting element with a separate support sleeve that is movably arranged, allowing the bursting element to have a reduced wall thickness and be supported by the sleeve, with an inclined collar forming an angle less than 90°, reducing the required bursting pressure and minimizing material stress.
The solution enables the bursting device to operate at lower bursting pressures, reducing material thickness and costs while preventing adverse pressure effects on igniter components, ensuring reliable operation and safety.
Smart Images

Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a bursting device for a hybrid gas generator, comprising a bursting element that, at least partially, delimits an igniter chamber on its inner side, wherein the bursting element, in its resting state, can be pressurized on its outer side and, in the event of operation, the bursting element can be destroyed by a bursting pressure on the igniter chamber side, with a support sleeve arranged in the igniter chamber having an opening formed at an axial end of the support sleeve, wherein the support sleeve includes a collar that delimits the opening, wherein, when pressurized externally, the bursting element is supported at least partially against the collar of the support sleeve, and wherein the support sleeve has a second opening at its second axial end through which an igniter can be positioned in the igniter chamber. The invention further relates to a hybrid gas generator, a gas bag module, and a vehicle safety system.
[0002] Occupant restraint systems for motor vehicles typically include airbag modules containing a gas bag that inflates upon impact to reduce the likelihood of a vehicle occupant's body parts colliding with a vehicle component. To inflate the gas bag in the event of an impact, hybrid gas generators are used, for example. These consist of a pressurized gas cylinder containing a pre-compressed gas or fluid and a pyrotechnic assembly. The pyrotechnic assembly serves to trigger and / or heat the initially pre-compressed gas, which then flows out upon activation. The pressurized gas of such a hybrid gas generator can be sealed pressure-tight from the pyrotechnic assembly by a rupture diaphragm or a rupture cap, which, in its resting state, is thus exposed to the pressurized gas stored in the gas cylinder on its outer circumference.The term "in standby" means that the hybrid gas generator has not yet been activated, or in other words, that the bursting cap is in a resting position in which there is no activation signal that would cause the bursting cap to open or burst.
[0003] The publication WO 01 / 13484 A2, in particular the information contained therein Fig. Figure 8 shows a rupture cap installed in a hybrid gas generator. The cup-shaped rupture cap has a base which, at its edge, transitions into a sleeve-like side wall by means of a radius, or is integrally connected to it. The base and the sleeve-like side wall define an igniter chamber containing an igniter. In its resting state, the rupture cap is pressurized by a pressurized gas on its outer circumference. When operational, the rupture cap is destroyed by a burst pressure on the igniter chamber side, which activates the igniter. The depicted rupture cap has a consistently uniform material thickness.
[0004] Such a hybrid gas generator therefore comprises a pressurized gas cylinder, which, for example, can be filled at room temperature with a gas or gas mixture at a predetermined pressure, such as 580 bar, for instance, during the manufacture of the hybrid gas generator. This pressure, or filling pressure, can increase to a maximum filling pressure of approximately 800 bar when the hybrid gas generator is at rest, in the so-called high-temperature case, due to the heating of a vehicle interior, for example, to 90°C by solar radiation. When the airbag is deployed, the pyrotechnic assembly opens the rupture membrane or rupture cap sealing the pressurized gas cylinder, so that the pre-compressed gas in the cylinder inflates the airbag. The pre-compressed gas can be nitrogen, argon, helium, hydrogen, methane, or oxygen, or a mixture of two or more of these gases.
[0005] In the event that the rupture cap is to be opened by activating an igniter, this igniter must generate a burst pressure on the igniter chamber side that is far higher than the prevailing fill pressure in the pressurized gas cylinder. The igniter must not only generate the pressure that would be necessary to destroy the rupture cap on its own, but it must also counteract the fill pressure in the pressurized gas cylinder, thus overcoming this back pressure, in order to destroy the rupture cap when it is installed in such a hybrid gas generator.
[0006] Since the pressure in such a pressurized gas container, as described above, can rise to approximately 800 bar, extremely high burst pressures are currently required to open sealing diaphragms or a rupture cap. Consequently, both a rupture cap sealing the gas container and any diaphragm that may be used are subject to high pressure within the pressurized gas container when at rest. This means that a rupture cap, for example, is exposed to extreme bending or deformation and may, potentially with adverse effects, bear against or rest on other components of the hybrid gas generator or gas module. Furthermore, the rupture cap must be very robust, with a correspondingly high material thickness, to withstand the maximum filling pressure described above when at rest.
[0007] The publication DE 199 017 877 A1, in particular the text therein Fig. 2, discloses a bursting device for a hybrid gas generator, comprising a bursting element which, at least partially, delimits an igniter chamber on its inner side, wherein the bursting element can be subjected to a pressurized gas on its outer side in the rest state, and in the operating case the bursting element can be destroyed by a bursting pressure on the igniter chamber side, with a support sleeve arranged in the igniter chamber having an opening formed at an axial end of the support sleeve, wherein the support sleeve comprises a collar which delimits the opening, wherein the bursting element, when subjected to external pressure, is supported at least partially on the collar of the support sleeve.
[0008] Publication JP 2009-225 758 A discloses a bursting device for a hybrid gas generator, comprising a bursting element which, at least partially, delimits an igniter chamber on its inner side, wherein the bursting element can be subjected to a pressurized gas on its outer side in the rest state, and in the operating case the bursting element can be destroyed by a bursting pressure on the igniter chamber side with a support sleeve arranged in the igniter chamber having an opening formed at an axial end of the support sleeve.
[0009] The publication DE 200 23 934 U1, in particular the text therein Fig. 3, discloses a bursting device for a hybrid gas generator, comprising a bursting element which, at least partially, delimits an igniter chamber on its inner side, wherein the bursting element can be pressurized on its outer side in the rest state, and in the operating case the bursting element can be destroyed by a bursting pressure on the igniter chamber side, with a support sleeve arranged in the igniter chamber having an opening formed at an axial end of the support sleeve, wherein the support sleeve includes a collar which delimits the opening, wherein the bursting element, when pressurized externally, is supported at least partially on the collar of the support sleeve, and wherein the support sleeve has a second opening at its second axial end through which an igniter can be positioned in the igniter chamber.
[0010] One disadvantage is that when external pressure is applied, a very high mechanical stress is locally introduced from the bursting element into the support sleeve, especially in the area of the collar.
[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved bursting device in order to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, a bursting device is to be provided that can be opened at a lower bursting pressure from the igniter. Furthermore, the object is to further develop a hybrid gas generator in such a way that the bursting or opening pressure of a bursting element or a bursting device can be reduced.
[0012] Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a gas bag module and a vehicle safety system with an advanced bursting device and an advanced hybrid gas generator.
[0013] According to the invention, this problem is solved with regard to the bursting device by the subject matter of claim 1, with regard to the hybrid gas generator by the subject matter of claim 5, with regard to the gas bag module by the subject matter of claim 10 and with regard to the vehicle safety system by the subject matter of claim 11.
[0014] Advantageous and appropriate embodiments of the bursting device or the hybrid gas generator according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.
[0015] The invention is based on the idea of providing a bursting device, in particular for a hybrid gas generator, comprising a bursting element which at least partially delimits an igniter chamber on its inside, wherein the bursting element can be acted upon by a pressurized gas on its outside in the rest state, and in the case of operation the bursting element can be destroyed by a bursting pressure on the igniter chamber side.
[0016] According to the invention, the bursting element is a bursting cap, wherein this completely encloses the support sleeve, and the bursting element is completely pressed against an outer surface of the support sleeve when external pressure is applied, wherein the support sleeve is movably arranged in relation to the bursting element, and wherein the collar is inclined at least partially inwards towards a sleeve-like side wall of the support sleeve, wherein an angle is formed between the collar and the sleeve-like side wall which has a value of less than 90°.
[0017] The bursting device therefore comprises at least two elements: a bursting element and a support sleeve. The support sleeve serves to support the bursting element and is to be provided as a separate component, thus eliminating the need for the bursting element to be supported by other, highly functionally relevant components, such as an igniter. The bursting element can therefore rest on the support sleeve in its resting state, thus preventing it from resting on or touching an igniter or its housing.
[0018] Since the bursting element does not need to be self-supporting and the support function is fully or almost fully assumed by the support sleeve located in the igniter chamber, it is possible to design the wall thickness of the bursting element to be less than that of the support sleeve. The wall thickness of the bursting element is preferably constant throughout and relatively thin compared to previously known bursting elements. Preferably, the bursting element has a wall thickness that corresponds to half the wall thickness of the support sleeve, in particular 1 / 3, in particular 1 / 4, or in particular 1 / 5 of the wall thickness of the support sleeve. This results in an extremely cost-effective component. Furthermore, the strength of the support sleeve can be higher than that of the bursting element.
[0019] The support sleeve has two axial openings positioned opposite each other. A second axial opening is preferably associated with an igniter carrier, whereas the first axial opening is, for example, associated with a bursting area of a bursting element. The first axial opening is bounded by a circumferential collar of the support sleeve. The collar is located at an axial end of the sleeve-like side wall. The first and / or the second axial opening is preferably circular. Through such an opening, the bursting element can be subjected to a bursting pressure in the event of operation, contrary to the filling pressure of the pressurized gas container. The collar can also be referred to as the annular base element of the support sleeve.
[0020] The collar or the annular base section of the support sleeve must be inclined, at least partially, inwards towards the sleeve-like side wall of the support sleeve. In other words, the collar or the annular base section forms an angle with the sleeve-like side wall that is less than 90°. Due to this inward inclination or inward orientation of the collar or the circular base section of the support sleeve, the bursting element can be optimally supported, and the bursting element can, particularly when subjected to pressure acting on its outer surface, conform optimally to the collar or the support sleeve in the area of the collar or the first axial opening of the support sleeve.Surprisingly, it has been shown that in a range of the aforementioned angle from 10° to 80° the material stress, in particular the local material deflection of the bursting element in the area of the supporting collar, is low or optimally designed with regard to a service life of many years of the bursting device, during which certain pressure fluctuations and thus changing pressure exposure of the bursting element may occur.
[0021] When externally pressurized, the bursting element is fully pressed against an outer surface of the support sleeve. In other words, the outer surface of the support sleeve, in its resting state (i.e., when the bursting element is under external pressure), is fitted with a pressed-on bursting element. The support sleeve may have an opening at one axial end. It also has a second opening at its other axial end, through which an igniter can be positioned in the igniter chamber.
[0022] The bursting element of the bursting device can advantageously be formed in one piece, particularly through forming processes such as deep drawing, bending, extrusion, and / or stamping. Such a one-piece design saves costs compared to a multi-piece bursting element, where, for example, a base would have to be connected to a side wall, e.g., by welding. Furthermore, material costs can be saved due to the potential reduction in material thickness of the bursting element. This reduction in wall thickness is attributable to the additional provision of a separate support sleeve.
[0023] The bursting element, in particular a bursting cap, can have a base element, a sleeve-like side wall and a radially projecting collar, whereby, for example, a connection with a detonator carrier is made possible by means of a radially projecting collar or with the help of a ring-shaped projecting bursting cap section.
[0024] The bursting device according to the invention provides that the bursting element and the support sleeve arranged in the igniter chamber are not arranged together. In other words, the support sleeve is movably arranged relative to the bursting element. The hybrid gas generator according to the invention comprises a bursting device which includes a bursting element that, at least partially, delimits an igniter chamber on its inner side. In its resting state, the bursting element is pressurized on its outer side by a pressurized gas at a pressure that reaches its maximum pressure at the hybrid gas generator's maximum operating temperature. In operation, the bursting element can be destroyed by a bursting pressure on the igniter chamber side.
[0025] According to the invention, the bursting device of the hybrid gas generator has a support sleeve with an opening arranged in the igniter chamber, wherein the support sleeve comprises a collar that limits the opening, and wherein the bursting element, when subjected to external pressure, is supported at least partially against the collar of the support sleeve.
[0026] The bursting device therefore comprises two elements: a bursting element and a support sleeve. The outer surface of the bursting element, when at rest, is pressurized by a gas, preferably contained in a pressurized gas cylinder. The functional case describes the triggering scenario, i.e., the case in which the pressurized gas in the cylinder is intended to inflate, or is inflating, an airbag, and the bursting device must therefore be destroyed by a bursting pressure from the igniter chamber.
[0027] The thickness of the bursting element material is preferably designed such that the bursting pressure on the igniter chamber side necessary to destroy the bursting cap is less than the sum of the maximum filling pressure and the filling pressure.
[0028] Furthermore, the hybrid gas generator according to the invention can be designed such that the bursting device, in particular the bursting element, is connected to an igniter carrier, in particular welded, such that an igniter, preferably pyrotechnic, projects into the igniter chamber of the bursting device and the bursting device projects into an interior space of a pressurized gas container. For connecting or welding the bursting device, in particular the bursting element, to an igniter carrier, the bursting element can have a radially projecting collar, the collar preferably being formed at the end of the side wall facing away from the base of the bursting element or the bursting cap, in particular at the vertical end.
[0029] In operation, i.e., when the hybrid gas generator is ignited, the igniter chamber is fluidly connected to the interior of the pressurized gas container. Due to the destruction or bursting of the rupture element, the pressurized gas or pre-compressed gas in the pressurized gas container can flow into the airbag. This occurs, for example, when a shock wave, triggered by the destruction of the rupture element, travels through the pressurized gas container to open another rupture membrane that seals the pressurized gas container, thus inflating the airbag.
[0030] The support sleeve of the bursting device is preferably arranged between the igniter or igniter housing and the bursting element. Since the bursting element is designed as a bursting cap, the support sleeve can be located within the interior formed by the bursting cap. This is achieved, for example, by means of stacked cups or caps. This prevents the bursting element or bursting cap from being supported by the igniter or igniter housing, thus avoiding any potentially adverse pressure effects on the igniter.
[0031] The bursting element, for example, has a bursting zone, which is defined as the area of the bursting element that is destroyed or bursts first when subjected to a bursting pressure. In the case of a bursting cap, the bursting zone is preferably the bursting base.
[0032] Preferably, the bursting element and the support sleeve are arranged relative to each other in such a way that the axial opening, in particular the first axial opening of the support sleeve, is arranged in axial extension to the bursting area of the bursting element.
[0033] The bursting zone of the bursting element preferably has a distance from the igniter such that, under maximum external pressure, the maximally deflected bursting zone is spaced away from the igniter. The bursting zone is laterally supported by the collar of the support sleeve, with the central portion of the bursting zone deflecting towards the igniter. In other words, the distance of the bursting zone to the igniter must be selected to provide a safety margin, preventing the bursting cap from bearing down on the igniter, igniter housing, or igniter cap under maximum filling pressure or maximum external pressure.
[0034] Furthermore, the bursting zone of the bursting element can be positioned at such a distance from the igniter that a minimal expansion space for the igniter's pressurized gas is created, allowing the igniter to generate the maximum possible burst pressure on the bursting zone during operation. In other words, the safety distance between the bursting zone and the igniter, igniter housing, or igniter cap should be as small as possible, so that the expansion space for the igniter's pressurized gas is minimized and the igniter can exert the maximum possible effect on the area of the bursting cap that needs to be opened.
[0035] Preferably, a ring, in particular an O-ring, is arranged between the igniter and the support sleeve, or between the igniter cap and the support sleeve, or between the igniter housing and the support sleeve. The arrangement of the ring or O-ring in the hybrid gas generator is such that the forces acting on the electrical connection elements of the igniter are minimized when external pressure is applied. A ring or O-ring thus serves to dampen the insertion forces of a connector on the two igniter pins and / or to compensate for component tolerances.
[0036] With regard to a gasbag module, the problem is solved by the features of claim 10. Such a gasbag module according to the invention can comprise a hybrid gas generator according to the invention.
[0037] With regard to a vehicle safety system, the problem is solved by the features of claim 11. Accordingly, a vehicle safety system comprises a hybrid gas generator or a gas bag module according to the invention. Similar advantages arise as those already explained in connection with the bursting device and / or the hybrid gas generator according to the invention.
[0038] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying schematic figures. These show: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a bursting device according to the invention without pressurization of the bursting element according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 a sectional view of a bursting device according to the invention in the embodiment according to Fig. 1. with pressurization of the bursting element; and Fig. 3 a sectional view of an igniter-side section of a hybrid gas generator according to the invention with a bursting device according to the invention without pressurization of the bursting element.
[0039] In the following, the same reference numbers are used for identical and identically functioning parts.
[0040] Fig. Figure 1 represents a bursting device 10 according to the invention, in particular for a hybrid gas generator. The bursting device 10 comprises a bursting element 20, which at least partially delimits an igniter chamber 25 on its inner surface 21. In its resting state, the bursting element 20 can be pressurized on its outer surface 22. In operation, the bursting element 20 can be destroyed by a bursting pressure on the igniter chamber side. A support sleeve 30 is arranged in the igniter chamber 25, the support sleeve having a sleeve-like side wall 31 and a first axial opening 33 as well as a second axial opening 32. The support sleeve 30 further comprises a collar 34, which delimits the first axial opening 33. The bursting element 20 is supported against the support sleeve 30 when pressurized externally.In the example shown, there is no external pressure applied to the bursting element 20 yet, as a gap can still be seen between the bursting element 20 and the support sleeve 30.
[0041] In the example shown, the bursting element 20 is a bursting cap. The bursting cap comprises a base 26 and a sleeve-like side wall 27. Furthermore, the bursting cap 20 includes an outwardly radially projecting collar 28, which, for example, is used to attach the bursting element 20 to components of a hybrid gas generator (see Fig. 3) serves. In the illustrated example, the collar 28 is essentially perpendicular to the sleeve-like side wall 27, with the collar pointing outwards, i.e., away from the igniter chamber 25. The wall thickness d0 of the bursting element 20 is less than the wall thickness d1 of the support sleeve 30. The wall thickness d0 of the bursting element 20 corresponds to approximately 1 / 4 of the wall thickness d1 of the support sleeve 30. In general, the support sleeve 30 should be stiffer than the bursting element 20, so it is also conceivable to reduce the aforementioned difference between wall thickness d0 and wall thickness d1, for example, by a ratio of 1 / 3 or 1 / 2, or to make the two wall thicknesses d0 and d1 equal; the strength of the support sleeve 30 can then alternatively or additionally be higher than the strength of the bursting element 20.
[0042] With regard to the depicted bursting element 20 in the form of a bursting cap, a bursting zone 29 is defined. This bursting zone 29 is located at the base 26 of the cap. The bursting zone 29 is defined centrally at the base 26. The bursting zone 29 is the section or area of the bursting cap or bursting element 20 that is destroyed or bursts first when subjected to a bursting pressure from the igniter chamber. In other words, the bursting zone 29 is formed in the region of the longitudinal axis L of the bursting element 20 and in the radially closest vicinity to the longitudinal axis L in the base 26 of the bursting cap. Since the support sleeve 30 has a first axial opening 33, a bursting pressure originating from the igniter chamber 25 can act unhindered on the bursting zone 29.
[0043] Since the material thickness of the bursting element 20 has been reduced compared to material thicknesses known from the prior art, a lower bursting pressure is required to destroy the bursting zone 29. In the illustrated bursting element 20, the wall thickness d0 is consistently less than the wall thickness d1 of the support sleeve 30. Because the bursting element 20 has a preferably consistently constant and small material thickness, it is an extremely cost-effective component. The wall thickness d0 of the bursting element 20 can be significantly minimized according to the invention because the bursting element is pressed against the support sleeve 30 when pressurized from the outside.
[0044] In the example shown, no pressurized gas acts on the bursting element 20. This means that the pressurized gas container (not shown) is unpressurized; that is, there is no pre-compressed gas in the pressurized gas container. This is sometimes the case in Fig. 1. This can be seen from the gap between the bursting element 20 and the support sleeve 30. Furthermore, the base 26, or bursting area 29, is perpendicular to the sleeve-like side wall 27 of the bursting element 20. Under pressure, the base 26, or bursting area 29, should deflect.
[0045] In Fig. 2 is, as in Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a bursting device 10 according to the invention, wherein the bursting element 20 is pressurized with a pressurized gas on its outer side 22, i.e., on the side of an interior of a pressurized gas container. In other words, the Fig. 2 the in Fig. Figure 1 shows a bursting device 10, but with pressurization in the pressure gas container, as is the case with a fully assembled hybrid gas generator according to the invention. Regarding identical reference numerals and their meaning, reference is made to the explanations concerning the embodiment according to Figure 1. Fig. 1 referred.
[0046] As already described, in Fig. 2. The base 26 is clearly convex, caused by the pressurization in a pressurized gas container. The bursting element 20, or the bursting cap shown, is, in the pressurized state, essentially completely pressed against the outer surface 35 of the support sleeve 30. The base 26 is also essentially completely pressed against the collar 34. In addition, the bursting area 29 is convex in the direction of the second axial opening 32 of the support sleeve 30. In the illustrated example, the collar 34 is inclined inwards towards the sleeve-like side wall 31. In other words, the collar 34 is inclined inwards relative to the sleeve-like side wall 31, i.e., obliquely into the igniter chamber 25. The collar 34 forms an angle α with the sleeve-like side wall 31 that is less than 90°. In the illustrated example, the value of the angle α is approximately 50°. Due to the inward orThe inclined design of the collar 34 in the ignition chamber 25 towards the sleeve-like side wall 31 ensures optimal support of the bursting element 20 on the ground 26.
[0047] Both the first axial opening 33 and the second axial opening 32 are preferably circular in shape, wherein, in the case of operation, the burst cap or burst element 20, in particular the base 26 and in particular the bursting area 29, is deformed against a filling pressure through the first, preferably circular, axial opening 33 and is finally torn open.
[0048] In Fig. Figure 3 shows an igniter-side section of a hybrid gas generator 40 according to the invention with a bursting device 10. Regarding identical reference numerals and their meaning, reference is made to the explanations concerning the embodiment according to [reference to relevant figure]. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 referred.
[0049] The hybrid gas generator 40 has a pressure gas container 41 with an interior 42. For the sake of clarity, a complete representation of the pressure gas container 41, i.e., a pressure-tight seal at the top of the pressure gas container 41, has been omitted.
[0050] In the Fig. 3. The interior space 42 is unpressurized, meaning there is no pre-compressed gas in the interior space 42 and only atmospheric pressure is acting upon it. This is in Fig. 3. This can sometimes be recognized by the fact that a gap or crack is visible between the bursting element 20 and the support sleeve 30. In addition, the bursting area 29 or the base 26 is very slightly prestressed or preformed.
[0051] If the pressure vessel 41 is filled with a pressurized gas, the bursting area 29 is clearly bulged towards the igniter. The pressurized gas to be filled into the pressure vessel 41 can be a pre-compressed gas such as nitrogen, argon, helium, hydrogen, methane, or oxygen, or a mixture of two or more of these gases. The pressure vessel 41 can be pressurized to 580 bar at room temperature, whereby this pressure can increase to approximately 800 bar in high-temperature conditions, i.e., in a vehicle interior heated by the sun, from up to 90°C. At this maximum operating temperature of 90°C of the hybrid gas generator, a maximum filling pressure of 800 bar is reached when the hybrid gas generator is at rest.
[0052] The igniter chamber 25 shown in the example is also still without pressure, or rather, it is only under atmospheric pressure, since the igniter 44 is not yet activated or ignited in its resting state.
[0053] In Fig. Figure 3 further shows an igniter carrier 43 and the igniter 44. The bursting element 20 is firmly connected to the igniter carrier 13, in particular by welding, to ensure a tight seal for the pressurized gas to be filled into the interior 42 of the pressure gas container 41. The welding or connection of the bursting element 20 to the igniter 43 is preferably carried out by welding the collar 28 of the bursting element 20 to the igniter carrier 43.
[0054] The support sleeve 30 is positioned between the igniter 44, or rather its igniter cap, and the bursting element 20. This prevents the bursting element 20 from contacting the igniter 44. Supporting the bursting element 20 against the igniter 44 could potentially have adverse effects. In operation, the igniter chamber 25 is fluidly connected to the interior 42 of the pressurized gas container 41. An O-ring 15 is positioned between the igniter 44 and the support sleeve 30. The primary function of the O-ring 44 is to dampen the insertion forces of a connector on the two igniter pins 16.
[0055] The bursting zone 29 of the bursting element 20 should have a distance A from the igniter 44, in particular from the base 45 of the igniter cap, such that, under maximum external pressure (i.e., pressure applied to the interior 42 of the pressure vessel 41) acting on the bursting element 20, the maximally deflected bursting zone 29 is spaced apart from the igniter 44, in particular from the base 45 of the igniter cap. Accordingly, a sufficiently large safety distance A should be chosen to reliably prevent the bursting element, in particular the bursting zone 29, from bearing down on the igniter 44 under maximum external pressure.
[0056] Secondly, the distance A should be as small as possible. In other words, the bursting area 29 of the bursting element 20 should have such a distance A to the igniter 44, in particular to the base 45 of the igniter cap, that a minimal expansion space for an igniter pressure gas is formed, such that the igniter 44 can generate a maximum possible burst pressure on the bursting area 29 when functioning, i.e., when the hybrid gas generator 40 is activated.
[0057] In the event of operation, i.e., when a signal to activate the hybrid gas generator is present, the igniter 44 generates a burst pressure to open the bursting element 20 from the outside. As already mentioned, "outside" refers to the igniter side or the igniter chamber 25. When the hybrid gas generator is ignited, the burst pressure flows from the igniter 44 through the first axial opening 33 of the support sleeve 30 to the bursting zone 29. By destroying or bursting the bursting zone 29, the pressurized gas or pre-compressed gas contained in the pressure gas container 41 can flow into the airbag. This occurs, for example, when a shock wave, triggered by the destruction of the bursting element 20, travels through the pressure gas container to open another bursting membrane or element (not shown) that seals the pressure gas container, thus inflating the airbag.
[0058] In the illustrated example, the collar 34 of the support sleeve 30 is formed perpendicular to the sleeve-like side wall 31. In other words, a vertical, annular bottom section 34 adjoins the sleeve-like side wall 31.
[0059] In order to direct the burst pressure to the bursting area 29 in the best possible way, the igniter 44, the support sleeve 30 and the bursting element 20 are preferably arranged concentrically or symmetrically around the longitudinal axis L shown. Reference symbol list 10 Bursting device 15 O-ring 16 lighter pins 20 Burst element 21 Inside 22 Outside 25 Ignition chamber 26 Floor 27 sleeve-like side wall 28 collars 29 Burst area 30 Support sleeve 31 sleeve-like side wall 32 (second axial) opening 33 (first axial) opening 34 collars 35 outer surface 40 Hybrid gas generator 41 pressurized gas containers 42 Interior 43 lighter carriers 44 lighters 45 Ground Lighter Cap d0 wall thickness bursting element d1 wall thickness support sleeve α Angle between collar and sleeve-like side wall A distance from the bursting area to the igniter L Longitudinal axis
Claims
[1] Burst device (10) for a hybrid gas generator (40), comprising a bursting element (20) which, at least partially, delimits an igniter chamber (25) on its inner side (21), wherein the bursting element (20) can be pressurized on its outer side (22) in the rest state, and in the operating state the bursting element (20) can be destroyed by a bursting pressure on the igniter chamber side, with a support sleeve (30) arranged in the igniter chamber (25) having an opening (33) formed at an axial end of the support sleeve (30), wherein the support sleeve (30) comprises a collar (34) which delimits the opening (33), wherein the bursting element (20) is supported at least partially on the collar (34) of the support sleeve (30) when pressurized externally, and wherein the support sleeve (30) has a second opening (32) at its second axial end through which an igniter (44) can be positioned in the ignition chamber (25), characterized by, that the bursting element (20) is a bursting cap, wherein this completely encloses the support sleeve (30), and the bursting element (20) is completely pressed against an outer surface (35) of the support sleeve (30) when external pressure is applied, wherein the support sleeve (30) is movably arranged in relation to the bursting element (20), and wherein the collar (34) is inclined at least partially inwards towards a sleeve-like side wall (31) of the support sleeve (30), wherein an angle (α) is formed between the collar (34) and the sleeve-like side wall (31) which has a value of 10° to 80°. [2] Bursting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the wall thickness of the bursting element (d0) is less than the wall thickness of the support sleeve (d1). [3] Bursting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the strength of the support sleeve (30) is higher than the strength of the bursting element (20). [4] Bursting device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the bursting element (20) is formed in one piece by forming. [5] Hybrid gas generator (40) with a bursting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4. [6] Hybrid gas generator (40) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the bursting device (10) is connected to an igniter carrier (43) such that an igniter (44) projects into the igniter chamber (25) of the bursting device (10) and the bursting device (10) projects into an interior (42) of a pressure gas container (41), wherein the support sleeve (30) is arranged between the igniter (44) and the bursting element (20). [7] Hybrid gas generator (40) according to claim 6, characterized by, that a bursting area (29) of the bursting element (20) has such a distance (A) to the igniter (44) that, with maximum external pressure applied to the bursting element (20), the maximally bent bursting area (29) is spaced away from the igniter (44). [8] Hybrid gas generator (40) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the bursting area (29) of the bursting element (20) has such a distance (A) to the igniter (44) that a minimum expansion space for an igniter pressure gas is formed, such that the igniter (44) can generate a maximum possible bursting pressure on the bursting area (29) in the event of operation. [9] Hybrid gas generator (40) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by , that the igniter chamber (25) is fluidly connected to the interior (42) of the pressure gas container (41) in the operating case, wherein a ring is arranged between the igniter (44) and the support sleeve (30). [10] Gasbag module with a hybrid gas generator (40) according to any of the preceding claims. [11] Vehicle safety system comprising a hybrid gas generator (40) or a gas bag module according to any of the preceding claims.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Farm implement
JP2009225758A
inflator with stamped end cup
DE102005015777A1
Device to inflate inflatable car passenger protection device
DE19917877A1
inflator
DE20023934U1
Gas generator for occupant restraint device
JP2009255758A