Gas generator

Abstract

To provide a gas generator which can achieve a stable operation while reducing a manufacturing cost and weight.SOLUTION: A gas generator 1 includes a housing body 10, a holder assembly, and an igniter. The holder assembly has a metal holder part 20A, and a resin connector part 20B. The holder part 20A includes a first cylindrical trunk 21 having a first end face 22 provided with a recess 22a, the connector part 20B includes a second cylindrical trunk 24 having a second end face 25 recessed with a projection 25a, and an engagement part 26 projecting toward an inner peripheral surface of the housing body 10 provided with a step part 12. The projection 25a and the recess 22a are brought into contact with each other in an axial direction and the engagement part 26 and the step part 12 are brought into contact with each other, the projection 25a and the recess 22a are brought into contact with each other in a circumferential direction, and thereby the connector part 20B is non-movably fixed in an axial direction and a circumferential direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas generator to be incorporated in an airbag device as an occupant protection device equipped in an automobile or the like, and in particular to a so-called cylindrical gas generator having an elongated cylindrical outer shape which can be suitably incorporated in a side airbag device or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, airbag devices, which are passenger protection devices, have become widespread from the viewpoint of protecting passengers in automobiles, etc. Airbag devices are installed for the purpose of protecting passengers from impacts that occur when a vehicle or the like crashes, and the airbag instantly inflates and deploys when a vehicle or the like crashes, so that the airbag acts as a cushion to receive the body of the passenger.

[0003] The gas generator is a device incorporated into the airbag device. When a vehicle crashes, an igniter is ignited by electrical current from a control unit. The flame produced in the igniter burns a gas generating agent, instantly generating a large amount of gas, which inflates and deploys the airbag.

[0004] There are gas generators of various configurations based on the specifications of the installation position relative to the vehicle, output, etc. One of them is called a cylinder-type gas generator. The cylinder-type gas generator has a long cylindrical outer shape and is suitably incorporated into a side airbag device, a curtain airbag device, a knee airbag device, a seat cushion airbag device, etc.

[0005] Typically, in a cylinder-type gas generator, an igniter is attached to one axial end of a housing, and a gas generating agent storage chamber containing a gas generating agent is provided on the one end side, a filter chamber in which a filter is disposed is provided on the other axial end side of the housing, and a gas outlet is provided on the peripheral wall of the housing in a portion that defines the filter chamber.

[0006] In a cylinder-shaped gas generator configured in this manner, the gas generating agent burns in response to activation of the igniter, generating gas inside the housing, and the generated gas passes through the inside of the filter and is then ejected to the outside through the gas outlet.

[0007] Incidentally, examples of documents disclosing this type of cylinder-type gas generator include JP 2007-314102 A (Patent Document 1), etc. In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the housing is configured to include a substantially cylindrical housing main body and a holder inserted into an open end of the housing main body.

[0008] Here, the holder is required to have the following functions and characteristics: holding the igniter, receiving a connector connected to the igniter, strong connection with the housing body, and strength to withstand the increase in internal pressure of the combustion chamber when the gas generator is activated. This inevitably results in a complicated shape of the holder and requires high machining accuracy, resulting in a problem of high component costs for the holder. In addition, in recent years, there has been a strong demand for lighter gas generators, but the holder is a relatively large metal part, which also increases the weight of the cylinder-type gas generator.

[0009] In this regard, for example, JP 2020-517522 A discloses a cylinder-type gas generator in which the connector portion of the holder capable of receiving a connector is made of a separate resin member, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and weight of the holder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-314102 A [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2020-517522 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Generally, in a cylinder-type gas generator, a shorting clip is inserted and attached to a resin connector portion capable of receiving the connector as necessary. The shorting clip is intended to intentionally short-circuit the terminal pins of the igniter to prevent the cylinder-type gas generator from malfunctioning due to electrostatic discharge or the like during transportation of the cylinder-type gas generator, etc.

[0012] Here, the cylinder-shaped gas generator disclosed in the above Patent Document 2 employs an assembly structure in which the connector portion is fixed to the housing body by a so-called snap fit consisting of an engaging portion and a stepped portion capable of engaging the engaging portion.

[0013] However, when the above-mentioned assembly structure is used, a certain amount of rattle occurs in the connector in the axial and circumferential directions. This rattle may induce a malfunction of the cylinder-type gas generator due to an unintentional release of the short circuit of the terminal pin of the igniter caused by the shorting clip. In addition, the above-mentioned rattle may induce a current failure due to an unintentional release of electrical continuity between the core wire of the harness and the terminal pin of the igniter when the harness is inserted into the connector to energize the igniter during the stage of assembly of the cylinder-type gas generator to the airbag device.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and has an object to provide a gas generator that can achieve stable operation while reducing manufacturing costs and weight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] A gas generator according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a housing body, a holder assembly, and an igniter. The housing body is made of a cylindrical metal member including a combustion chamber in which a gas generating agent is accommodated. The holder assembly is inserted into an axial opening end of the housing body and includes a through-hole-shaped hollow opening extending along a direction parallel to the axial direction. The igniter includes an ignition section in which an ignition charge is accommodated and a terminal pin connected to the ignition section, and at least a part of the igniter is disposed inside the hollow opening with the ignition section located on the combustion chamber side and the terminal pin located on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side. The holder assembly includes a metal holder section located on the combustion chamber side and receiving and holding the igniter, and a resin connector section located on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side and capable of receiving a connector connected to the terminal pin. The holder section includes a cylindrical first body section that defines the hollow opening. The connector portion includes a cylindrical second body defining the hollow opening, and a locking portion protruding from the second body toward an inner circumferential surface of the housing main body. The first body has a first end face facing the second body at an end of the first body opposite to the combustion chamber side, and a recess is provided on the first end face. The second body has a second end face facing the first body at an end of the second body facing the combustion chamber side, and a protrusion is provided on the second end face. A step portion capable of locking the locking portion is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the housing main body. In the gas generator based on the first aspect of the present invention, the protrusion and the recess abut in the axial direction, and the locking portion and the step abut in the axial direction, whereby the connector portion is fixed so as to be immovable in the axial direction. Furthermore, in the gas generator based on the first aspect of the present invention, the protrusion and the recess abut in the circumferential direction of the housing body, thereby fixing the connector portion so as to be unmovable in the circumferential direction.

[0016] A gas generator according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a housing body, a holder assembly, and an igniter. The housing body is made of a cylindrical metal member including a combustion chamber in which a gas generating agent is accommodated. The holder assembly is inserted into an axial opening end of the housing body and includes a through-hole-like hollow opening extending along a direction parallel to the axial direction. The igniter includes an ignition section in which an ignition charge is accommodated and a terminal pin connected to the ignition section, and at least a part of the igniter is disposed inside the hollow opening with the ignition section located on the combustion chamber side and the terminal pin located on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side. The holder assembly includes a metal holder section located on the combustion chamber side and receiving and holding the igniter, and a resin connector section located on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side and capable of receiving a connector connected to the terminal pin. The holder section includes a cylindrical first body section that defines the hollow opening. The connector portion includes a cylindrical second body defining the hollow opening, and a locking portion protruding from the second body toward an inner circumferential surface of the housing main body. The first body has a first end face facing the second body at an end of the first body opposite to the combustion chamber side. The second body has a second end face facing the first body at an end of the second body facing the combustion chamber, and a protrusion is provided on the second end face. A step portion capable of locking the locking portion is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the housing main body. In the gas generator based on the second aspect of the present invention, the protrusion and the second end face abut in the axial direction in a state tilted toward the radially outward side of the housing main body, thereby fixing the connector portion immovably in the axial direction. Furthermore, in the gas generator based on the second aspect of the present invention, the protrusion abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the housing body in the radial direction with the protrusion tilted outward in the radial direction, thereby fixing the connector portion immovably in the circumferential direction of the housing body. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gas generator that can achieve stable operation while achieving reduction in manufacturing cost and weight. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a cylinder-shaped gas generator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the igniter and its surroundings shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a protrusion and a recess shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the partition member shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder portion shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector portion shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 2A to 2C are cross-sectional views showing an assembly procedure of the holder assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 2A to 2C are cross-sectional views showing an assembly procedure of the holder assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the shape of a protrusion of a connector portion according to a first modified example. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views showing an assembly procedure of the holder assembly according to the first modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the shape of a recess in a holder portion according to a second modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the shape of a protrusion of a connector portion according to a second modified example. [Figure 13] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views showing an assembly procedure of a holder assembly according to a second modified example. [Figure 14] 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an igniter of a cylinder-shaped gas generator according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the protrusion and recess shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 15 is a plan view showing a protrusion of the connector portion shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 17] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the connector portion shown in FIG. [Figure 18] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views showing an assembly procedure of the holder assembly according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiment shown below illustrates a case where the present invention is applied to a cylinder-type gas generator incorporated in a side airbag device. In the embodiment shown below, the same or common parts are given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0020] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cylinder-shaped gas generator according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the igniter shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region III including the vicinity of the projection and recess shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region IV including the vicinity of the partition member shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the holder portion and connector portion shown in Fig. 1, respectively. First, the configuration of a cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.

[0021] 1, cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 has a long, cylindrical outer shape and has a long, cylindrical housing with one axial end and the other end closed. The housing includes a housing main body 10, a holder assembly 20, and a closing member 30.

[0022] The housing, which is constituted by the housing main body 10, the holder assembly 20 and the closing member 30, contains internal components such as an igniter 40, a partition member 50, a gas generating agent 60, a coil spring 70 and a filter 80. Also, the housing contains a gas generating agent storage chamber S1, which contains the gas generating agent 60 and the coil spring 70 among the above-mentioned internal components, and a filter chamber S2, in which the filter 80 is disposed.

[0023] In the following explanation, the space inside the cylinder-shaped gas generator 1, including the space corresponding to the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 described above, and the space within the filter chamber S2 corresponding to hollow portion 81 of filter 80 described below, will be referred to as the combustion chamber.

[0024] The housing body 10 constitutes the peripheral wall of the housing and is made of a long cylindrical member with openings formed at both axial ends. The holder assembly 20 is made of a tubular member with a through-hole-like hollow opening extending parallel to the axial direction of the housing body 10, and has a holder portion 20A and a connector portion 20B, which will be described later. The blocking member 30 is made of a substantially disk-shaped member with a flange portion.

[0025] The housing body 10 may be made of a metal member such as stainless steel, iron steel, aluminum alloy, stainless alloy, etc., or may be made of a press-formed product formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a rolled steel plate such as SPCE. The housing body 10 may also be made of an electric resistance welded pipe such as STKM.

[0026] In particular, when the housing body 10 is constructed from a press-formed rolled steel plate or an electric resistance welded pipe, the housing body 10 can be formed more cheaply and easily than when metal components such as stainless steel or steel are used, and the weight can be significantly reduced.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, a hole portion penetrating in the radial direction of housing body 10 is provided at one end in the axial direction of cylindrical housing body 10 on the side to which holder assembly 20 is assembled. As a result, a step portion 12 capable of engaging with engaging portion 26 of connector portion 20B, which will be described later, is formed on the inner circumferential surface of housing body 10. The number of holes and step portions 12 formed thereby is not particularly limited, and may be one or more. In cylinder-shaped gas generator 1, the two holes and step portions 12 are arranged at positions rotationally symmetrical at 180° when viewed along the axial direction of housing body 10.

[0028] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the holder assembly 20 is fixed to the housing body 10 so as to close one open end of the housing body 10 in the axial direction. Specifically, the holder portion 20A of the holder assembly 20 is fixed by joining the holder portion 20A and the housing body 10 at or near a contact portion between them in a state where the holder portion 20A is inserted into the one open end of the housing body 10. Also, the connector portion 20B of the holder assembly 20 is fixed to the housing body 10 by a so-called snap fit in a state where the connector portion 20B is press-fitted into the one open end of the housing body 10. As a result, one end of the housing in the axial direction is constituted by the holder assembly 20. Details of the assembling procedure of the holder assembly 20 will be described later.

[0029] 1, the closing member 30 is fixed to the housing body 10 so as to close the other axial opening end of the housing body 10. Specifically, with a part of the closing member 30 inserted into the other opening end of the housing body 10, the closing member 30 is fixed by welding a flange portion of the closing member 30 to the housing body 10 at or near the contact portion between the flange portion and the housing body 10. In this way, the other axial end of the housing is formed by the closing member 30.

[0030] The blocking member 30 is made of a metal member such as stainless steel, iron steel, aluminum alloy, or stainless alloy.

[0031] A welded portion 90 extending along the circumferential direction of the housing body 10 is formed in the closing member 30 and in the housing body 10 corresponding to the portion into which the closing member 30 is inserted. Note that electron beam welding, laser welding, resistance welding, or the like can be suitably used to weld the closing member 30 and the housing body 10.

[0032] When the closing member 30 is fixed to the housing body 10 by welding in this manner, the gap between the closing member 30 and the housing body 10 is filled with the welded portion 90, thereby sealing the gap. Therefore, by configuring in this manner, it is possible to ensure airtightness in that portion.

[0033] The assembly structure of the closing member 30 to the housing main body 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned assembly structure, and other assembly structures may be adopted. Also, the housing main body 10 and the closing member 30 may not be separate bodies, but may be configured as one member having a bottomed cylindrical shape.

[0034] 1 and 2, the igniter 40 is mounted to the one end in the axial direction of the housing by being supported by the holder assembly 20. The igniter 40 is for combusting the gas generating agent 60, and is disposed so as to face the space inside the housing.

[0035] The igniter 40 is for generating a flame and is also called a squib. The igniter 40 includes a base 41, an ignition portion 42, and a pair of terminal pins 43. The base 41 is a portion that holds the ignition portion 42 and the pair of terminal pins 43, and is also a portion that is fixed to the holder assembly 20. The pair of terminal pins 43 are inserted into the base 41 to hold them.

[0036] The ignition unit 42 includes an ignition charge that ignites and burns to generate a flame when activated, and a resistor (bridge wire) for igniting the ignition charge. A pair of terminal pins 43 are connected to the ignition unit 42 to ignite the ignition charge.

[0037] More specifically, the ignition unit 42 includes a squib cup formed in a cup shape, the resistor is attached so as to connect the tips of a pair of terminal pins 43 inserted into the squib cup, and an ignition charge is loaded into the squib cup so as to surround the resistor or to be adjacent to the resistor. In addition, an ignition charge may be loaded into the ignition unit 42 as necessary.

[0038] Here, the resistor generally uses a nichrome wire or a resistance wire made of an alloy containing platinum and tungsten, and the ignition charge generally uses ZPP (zirconium potassium perchlorate), ZWPP (zirconium tungsten potassium perchlorate), lead tricinate, etc. Also, the transfer charge generally uses a composition made of a metal powder / oxidizer such as B / KNO3, B / NaNO3, Sr(NO3)2, etc., a composition made of titanium hydride / potassium perchlorate, a composition made of B / 5-aminotetrazole / potassium nitrate / molybdenum trioxide, etc.

[0039] When a collision is detected, a predetermined amount of current flows through the resistor via the terminal pin 43. When a predetermined amount of current flows through the resistor, Joule heat is generated in the resistor, and the ignition charge begins to burn. High-temperature particles generated by the combustion split open the squib cup that contains the ignition charge. The time from when the current flows through the resistor to when the igniter 40 is activated is generally 2 milliseconds or less when nichrome wire is used as the resistor.

[0040] The igniter 40 is fixed to the holder assembly 20 with its ignition part 42 positioned to protrude toward the inside of the housing and with a portion of it disposed inside the above-mentioned hollow opening of the holder assembly 20. As a result, the ignition part 42 of the igniter 40 is positioned on the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 side and the terminal pin 43 is positioned on the opposite side to the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 side. Details of the fixing structure of the igniter 40 to the holder assembly 20 will be described later.

[0041] 1 and 4, a partition member 50 is disposed at a predetermined position in the space inside the housing. The partition member 50 is a member for dividing the space inside the housing in the axial direction into a gas generating agent storage chamber S1 and a filter chamber S2.

[0042] The partition member 50 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and is made of a metal member such as stainless steel, iron steel, aluminum alloy, stainless alloy, etc. The partition member 50 has a flat partition wall portion 51 arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing main body 10, and a cylindrical plate-like annular wall portion 52 standing from the periphery of the partition wall portion 51 toward the gas generating agent storage chamber S1. The partition member 50 is arranged so that the outer main surface of the partition wall portion 51 abuts against the filter 80, and the outer peripheral surface of the annular wall portion 52 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the housing main body 10.

[0043] A score 51a is provided on the main surface of the partition portion 51 that contacts the filter 80. The score 51a is for allowing the partition portion 51 to break and form an opening in response to an increase in the internal pressure of the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 due to combustion of the gas generating agent 60, and is composed of, for example, a plurality of grooves provided radially so as to intersect with each other. The score 51a is provided in a portion of the filter 80 that faces the hollow portion 81.

[0044] The partition member 50 is fixed by being joined to the housing body 10 while being inserted into the housing body 10. More specifically, the partition member 50 is press-fitted into the housing body 10, and fixed by welding the annular wall portion 52 of the partition member 50 to the housing body 10 at or near the contact portion between them.

[0045] As a result, a welded portion 91 extending along the circumferential direction of the housing body 10 is formed in the housing body 10 and the partition member 50 corresponding to the portion into which the partition member 50 is inserted. Note that electron beam welding, laser welding, resistance welding, or the like can be suitably used to weld the partition member 50 and the housing body 10 together.

[0046] When the partition member 50 is fixed to the housing body 10 by welding in this manner, the gap between the partition member 50 and the housing body 10 is filled with the welded portion 91, thereby sealing the gap. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to ensure airtightness in that portion.

[0047] The method of fixing the partition member 50 to the housing main body 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned methods using press-fitting and welding, and other fixing methods may be used. In that case, airtightness between the partition member 50 and the housing main body 10 can be ensured by providing an O-ring, sealing tape, or the like at an appropriate position.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, within the space inside the housing, a gas generating agent 60, a coil spring 70, and an autoignition agent 100 are arranged in the space sandwiched between the holder assembly 20 and the partition member 50 (i.e., the gas generating agent storage chamber S1).

[0049] Of these, the coil spring 70 is disposed on the side where the partition member 50 is located (i.e., the other end side of the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 in the axial direction of the housing), and the gas generating agent 60 is disposed between the holder assembly 20 and the coil spring 70. In addition, the autoignition agent 100 is disposed between the partition member 50 and the coil spring 70 so as to abut against the partition member 50.

[0050] The gas generating agent 60 is an agent that generates gas by being ignited and burned by thermal particles generated by the activation of the igniter 40. As the gas generating agent 60, it is preferable to use a non-azide gas generating agent, and the gas generating agent 60 is generally configured as a molded body containing a fuel, an oxidizer, and an additive.

[0051] The fuel may be, for example, a triazole derivative, a tetrazole derivative, a guanidine derivative, an azodicarbonamide derivative, a hydrazine derivative, or a combination of these. Specifically, for example, nitroguanidine, guanidine nitrate, cyanoguanidine, 5-aminotetrazole, or the like is preferably used.

[0052] Examples of the oxidizing agent include basic metal salts such as basic copper nitrate and basic copper carbonate, perchlorates such as ammonium perchlorate and potassium perchlorate, and nitrates containing a cation selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, and ammonia. Examples of the nitrates that are preferably used include sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate.

[0053] Examples of additives include binders, slag formers, and combustion control agents. As binders, for example, organic binders such as metal salts of carboxymethylcellulose and stearates, and inorganic binders such as synthetic hydrotalcite and acid clay can be suitably used. As slag formers, silicon nitride, silica, acid clay, etc. can be suitably used. As combustion control agents, metal oxides, ferrosilicon, activated carbon, graphite, etc. can be suitably used.

[0054] The shape of the molded body of the gas generating agent 60 may be granular, pellet-like, cylindrical, or other granular, or disk-like. In addition, for cylindrical molded bodies, perforated molded bodies having through holes inside the molded body (for example, a single-hole cylindrical shape or a multi-hole cylindrical shape) may also be used. These shapes are preferably selected appropriately according to the specifications of the airbag device in which the cylindrical gas generator 1 is incorporated, and it is preferable to select an optimal shape according to the specifications, such as a shape in which the gas generation rate changes over time when the gas generating agent 60 is burned. In addition to the shape of the gas generating agent 60, it is preferable to appropriately select the size and filling amount of the molded body taking into consideration the linear burning rate and pressure exponent of the gas generating agent 60.

[0055] The coil spring 70 is provided for the purpose of preventing the gas generating agent 60, which is made of a molded body, from being crushed due to vibration or the like, and has a cylindrical portion 71 formed by bending a metal wire and a pair of pressing portions 72 located at both ends thereof.

[0056] The cylindrical portion 71 is formed of a spring-like portion in which a metal wire is wound in a spiral shape. On the other hand, one of the pair of pressing portions 72 is provided at one end of the cylindrical portion 71, and the other is provided at the other end of the cylindrical portion 71. The pair of pressing portions 72 is configured to have a substantially disk-like shape as a whole, for example, by arranging the metal wires substantially in parallel with a predetermined interval, or by arranging the metal wires in a spiral shape with a predetermined interval. One of the pair of pressing portions 72 is in contact with the gas generating agent 60, and the other is in contact with the autoignition agent 100.

[0057] Here, the coil spring 70 is in a compressed state by being sandwiched between the autoignition agent 100 and the gas generating agent 60. Therefore, the gas generating agent 60 is elastically biased by the coil spring 70 toward the holder assembly 20 side (i.e., the above-mentioned one end side of the housing), thereby preventing the gas generating agent 60 from moving inside the gas generating agent storage chamber S1. Therefore, by configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent the gas generating agent 60 made of a molded body from being crushed by vibration or the like.

[0058] In addition, when the coil spring 70 is assembled, the coil spring 70 is sandwiched between the autoignition agent 100 and the gas generating agent 60 and compressed, so that the dimensional variations of the various components housed inside the housing can be absorbed by the coil spring 70.

[0059] The autoignition agent 100 is made of pellets formed into a flattened, generally cylindrical shape. The autoignition agent 100 is disposed on the opposite side of the coil spring 70 from the side on which the gas generating agent 60 is located (i.e., on the filter 80 side), and is held by being sandwiched between the bulkhead portion 51 of the partition member 50 and the coil spring 70. As a result, the autoignition agent 100 is separated from the gas generating agent 60 by the coil spring 70.

[0060] The autoignition agent 100 is an agent that ignites automatically without the operation of the igniter 40. More specifically, the autoignition agent 100 spontaneously ignites at a temperature lower than that of the gas generating agent 60, and is intended to prevent abnormal operation of the cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 from being induced by heating from the outside in the unlikely event of a fire or the like occurring in a vehicle or the like equipped with an airbag device in which the cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 is incorporated.

[0061] 1, within the space inside the housing, a filter 80 is disposed in a space sandwiched between the blocking member 30 and the partition member 50 (i.e., filter chamber S2). The filter 80 is made of a cylindrical member having a hollow portion 81 extending along a direction parallel to the axial direction of the housing body 10, with one axial end face abutting against the blocking member 30 and the other axial end face abutting against the bulkhead portion 51 of the partition member 50.

[0062] The filter 80 functions as a cooling means for cooling the gas by removing the high temperature heat of the gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent 60 as the gas passes through the filter 80, and also functions as a removal means for removing slag (residue) and the like contained in the gas. By using the filter 80 made of a cylindrical member as described above, the flow resistance to the gas flowing through the filter chamber S2 during operation is kept low, making it possible to realize an efficient gas flow.

[0063] The filter 80 may be made of an assembly of metal wires or metal mesh materials, preferably made of stainless steel, steel, etc. Specifically, a knitted wire mesh, a plain woven wire mesh, an assembly of crimped woven metal wires, or a combination of these compressed by a press may be used.

[0064] Also, a perforated metal sheet wound around the filter 80 can be used. In this case, the perforated metal sheet can be, for example, an expanded metal sheet made by cutting a metal sheet in a zigzag pattern and expanding the cuts to form holes and process it into a mesh-like shape, or a hook metal sheet made by drilling holes in a metal sheet and flattening the metal sheet by crushing burrs that are generated around the edges of the holes.

[0065] Here, the filter 80 is disposed away from a portion of the housing body 10 that defines the filter chamber S2 so that a gap 82 of a predetermined size is formed between the filter 80 and that portion of the housing body 10. By providing this gap 82, the gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent 60 passes through almost the entire area of ​​the filter 80, and the utilization efficiency of the filter 80 can be improved.

[0066] A portion of the housing body 10 that defines the filter chamber S2 is provided with a plurality of gas outlets 11 arranged in the circumferential and axial directions. These gas outlets 11 are for directing the gas that has passed through the filter 80 to the outside of the housing.

[0067] Next, with reference to FIG. 1, an operation during operation of cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 1, when a vehicle equipped with a cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to this embodiment collides, the collision is detected by a collision detection means provided separately in the vehicle, and based on this, igniter 40 is activated by the passage of electricity from a control unit provided separately in the vehicle.

[0069] When the igniter 40 is activated, the pressure inside the ignition section 42 increases due to the combustion of the ignition charge or, in addition, the transfer charge, which causes the squib cup of the ignition section 42 to split, and thermal particles generated by the combustion of the ignition charge or, in addition, the transfer charge flow out to the outside of the ignition section 42. The thermal particles that reach the gas generating agent 60 combust the gas generating agent 60, which generates a large amount of gas inside the gas generating agent storage chamber S1.

[0070] As a result, the pressure in the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 rises, and when the internal pressure of the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 reaches a predetermined pressure, a break occurs in the portion of the partition member 50 where the score 51a is provided. As a result, an opening is formed in the partition member 50 in the portion facing the hollow portion 81 of the filter 80, and the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 and the filter chamber S2 are in communication with each other via the opening.

[0071] Accordingly, the gas generated in the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 flows into the filter chamber S2 through the opening formed in the partition member 50. The gas that has flowed into the filter chamber S2 flows in the axial direction through the hollow portion 81 of the filter 80, then changes direction toward the radial direction, and flows through the inside of the filter 80. At that time, the filter 80 removes heat to cool the gas, and the filter 80 removes slag contained in the gas.

[0072] Then, the gas after passing through filter 80 is ejected to the outside of the housing through gas ejection port 11 provided in housing main body 10. The ejected gas is introduced into an airbag provided adjacent to cylindrical gas generator 1, and inflates and deploys the airbag.

[0073] As described above, cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to the present embodiment has holder assembly 20 as part of the housing, and holder assembly 20 is attached to the open end on the above-mentioned one end side of housing body 10. Below, the configuration of holder assembly 20 and the fixing structure of igniter 40 to holder assembly 20 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 3, 5 and 6.

[0074] 1 to 3, 5 and 6, the holder assembly 20 has a metal holder section 20A located on the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 side, and a resin connector section 20B located on the opposite side to the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 side. The holder assembly 20 is configured as an integrated part by assembling the holder section 20A and the connector section 20B to each other. The holder assembly 20 is attached to the one opening end of the housing body 10.

[0075] 1 to 3 and 5, the holder portion 20A is configured of a flat, substantially disk-shaped member having a through portion extending axially in the center thereof, and includes a cylindrical first body portion 21. The first body portion 21 has a first end surface 22 at the end opposite to the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 side, the first end surface 22 facing a second body portion 24 of the connector portion 20B described later.

[0076] First end face 22 is provided with a substantially hemispherical recess 22a. Recess 22a is a portion that receives protrusion 25a of connector part 20B, which will be described later. The number of recesses 22a is not particularly limited, but preferably corresponds to the number of protrusions 25a. In cylinder-shaped gas generator 1, two recesses 22a are arranged at positions rotationally symmetrical at 180° when viewed along the axial direction of holder part 20A. The shape of recess 22a is not particularly limited to a substantially hemispherical shape, and can be changed as appropriate to match the shape of protrusion 25a.

[0077] The holder part 20A is inserted into the housing body 10 so that its axial direction is parallel to the axial direction of the housing body 10. As a result, the through-hole provided in the holder part 20A defines a part of the hollow opening of the holder assembly 20 described above.

[0078] The holder part 20A is a member for receiving and holding the igniter 40, and has a concave-shaped accommodation part 23a at its axial end on the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 side to receive the igniter 40. This accommodation part 23a communicates with a through part provided in the holder part 20A. In addition, a crimping part 23b is provided at the end on the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 side of the holder part 20A so as to surround the accommodation part 23a. The crimping part 23b is a part for crimping and fixing the igniter 40 to the holder part 20A.

[0079] The holder portion 20A is made of a metal member such as stainless steel, iron steel, aluminum alloy, or stainless alloy.

[0080] 2 and 3, the igniter 40 is fixed to the holder part 20A with its base 41 accommodated in the accommodation part 23a of the holder part 20A. Specifically, the base 41 is inserted into the accommodation part 23a of the holder part 20A and the base 41 is abutted against the bottom surface of the accommodation part 23a, and in this state, the crimping part 23b provided on the holder part 20A is bent, thereby fixing the igniter 40 to the holder part 20A. In this way, the igniter 40 is held by the holder part 20A.

[0081] Here, a seal member 27 made of an O-ring or the like is interposed between the holder part 20A and the igniter 40, and the gap between the holder part 20A and the igniter 40 is filled with the seal member 27 to seal the gap. Therefore, by configuring in this way, it is possible to ensure airtightness in the part. Note that the method of fixing the igniter 40 is not limited to the fixing method using the crimping part 23b described above, and other fixing methods may be used.

[0082] 1 to 3 and 6, connector portion 20B is configured from a substantially cylindrical member having a through portion extending axially at its center, and includes a cylindrical second body portion 24 and a hook-shaped locking portion 26 that protrudes from second body portion 24 toward the radial outside of connector portion 20B. The number of locking portions 26 is not particularly limited, and there may be one or more. In cylinder-shaped gas generator 1, two locking portions 26 are disposed at positions rotationally symmetrical at 180° when viewed along the axial direction of connector portion 20B.

[0083] The second barrel 24 has a second end surface 25 facing the first barrel 21 of the holder 20A at the end on the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 side. The second end surface 25 is provided with a substantially conical protrusion 25a.

[0084] Protrusion 25a is pressed toward recess 22a of holder part 20A to come into contact with recess 22a. More preferably, protrusion 25a is pressed toward recess 22a to come into pressure contact with recess 22a in a crushed state. The number of protrusions 25a is not particularly limited, and may be one or more. In cylinder-shaped gas generator 1, two protrusions 25a are arranged at positions rotationally symmetrical by 180° when viewed along the axial direction of connector part 20B. The shape of protrusion 25a is not particularly limited to a substantially conical shape, and can be appropriately changed to, for example, a substantially prismatic shape, a substantially truncated pyramid shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, or the like.

[0085] The connector portion 20B is inserted into the housing body 10 so that its axial direction is parallel to the axial direction of the housing body 10. As a result, the through portion provided in the connector portion 20B defines a part of the hollow opening of the holder assembly 20 described above.

[0086] Connector portion 20B is for receiving a connection connector that is connected to terminal pin 43 of igniter 40. Terminal pin 43 of igniter 40 is arranged inside this connector portion 20B. The through-hole provided in connector portion 20B described above constitutes a portion for receiving this connection connector.

[0087] More specifically, in cylinder-shaped gas generator 1, igniter 40 must be electrically connected to an externally provided control unit (not shown) of a vehicle or the like, and a harness is normally used for this electrical connection. A male connector is attached to the tip of this harness, and connector section 20B must be provided with a female connector that can be connected to this male connector. The penetration section provided in connector section 20B constitutes this female connector.

[0088] Furthermore, by inserting the male connector of the harness into the through-hole which functions as a female connector, electrical continuity is established between the core wire of the harness and terminal pin 43, thereby connecting the igniter 40 to a control unit of a vehicle, etc.

[0089] The material for the connector portion 20B is not particularly limited, but examples of suitable materials that can be used include nylon-based resins such as nylon 6, nylon 66, and those filled with glass filler, polyacetal (POM) resin, polycarbonate (PC) resin, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin, and the like.

[0090] Figures 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views showing a procedure for assembling a holder assembly in the cylinder-shaped gas generator shown in Figure 1. Next, with reference to Figures 7 and 8, a procedure for assembling holder assembly 20 in cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0091] When assembling the holder assembly 20 to the housing body 10, first, as shown in Fig. 7, the holder part 20A to which the igniter 40 is attached is prepared, and this is inserted into one open end of the housing body 10. Next, the holder part 20A and the housing body 10 are fixed by welding them to each other at or near their contact portions.

[0092] As a result, a welded portion 92 extending along the circumferential direction of the housing body 10 is formed in the housing body 10 and the holder portion 20A corresponding to the portion into which the holder portion 20A is inserted. Note that electron beam welding, laser welding, resistance welding, or the like can be suitably used to weld the holder portion 20A and the housing body 10.

[0093] When the holder part 20A is fixed to the housing main body 10 by welding in this manner, the gap between the holder part 20A and the housing main body 10 is filled with the welded part 92, thereby sealing the gap. Therefore, by configuring in this manner, it is possible to ensure airtightness in that portion.

[0094] Next, as shown in Fig. 8, the connector portion 20B is assembled to the holder portion 20A. Specifically, the connector portion 20B is press-fitted into the one open end of the housing main body 10. As a result, the protrusion 25a of the connector portion 20B is deformed and the protrusion 25a comes into contact with the recess 22a of the holder portion 20A. Furthermore, in the state where they are in contact, the locking portion 26 of the connector portion 20B is locked to the step portion 12 provided on the inner circumferential surface of the housing main body 10, thereby fixing the connector portion 20B. Here, it is preferable that the protrusion 25a is deformed so as to be crushed, so that the protrusion 25a and the recess 22a come into pressure contact with each other.

[0095] Through the above-mentioned series of steps, the connector part 20B is assembled to the holder part 20A to which the igniter 40 is assembled, and the assembly of the holder assembly 20 constituted by the holder part 20A and the connector part 20B to the housing main body 10 is completed. As a result, the open end on the above-mentioned one end side of the housing main body 10 is closed by the holder assembly 20.

[0096] By configuring as described above, it is possible to provide a cylindrical gas generator 1 capable of realizing stable operation.

[0097] That is, in cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, in a state in which projection 25a is deformed to generate an elastic restoring force, projection 25a and recess 22a abut in the axial direction of holder part 20A and connector part 20B. This restricts movement of connector part 20B toward gas generating agent storage chamber S1 in the axial direction (i.e., upward movement in Fig. 3), and causes connector part 20B to be elastically biased toward the opposite side to gas generating agent storage chamber S1 in the axial direction.

[0098] In this state, the connector part 20B is fixed by its locking part 26 being locked to the step part 12 of the housing body 10. As a result, the locking part 26 and the step part 12 come into contact with each other in the axial direction, and as a result, the connector part 20B is fixed so as not to move in the axial direction.

[0099] Furthermore, in cylinder-shaped gas generator 1, when projection 25a is deformed and an elastic restoring force is generated therein, projection 25a and recess 22a abut against each other in the circumferential direction of holder portion 20A and connector portion 20B. This fixes connector portion 20B so as to be unmovable in the circumferential direction.

[0100] In other words, in the case of a cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to this embodiment, connector portion 20B is fixed so as not to move in either the axial or circumferential direction, thereby suppressing rattling of connector portion 20B in these directions.

[0101] Therefore, short-circuiting of terminal pin 43 of igniter 40 due to a shorting clip inserted into connector portion 20B and unintentional loss of electrical conductivity between the core wire of the harness inserted into connector portion 20B and terminal pin 43 due to rattle of connector portion 20B are effectively prevented, resulting in a cylinder-type gas generator 1 that can achieve stable operation.

[0102] Furthermore, in cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to the present embodiment, the holder, which has conventionally been configured as a single metal part, is configured as holder assembly 20, which is a composite part of metal holder portion 20A and resin connector portion 20B. This allows a dramatic reduction in the amount of metal material used, resulting in a significant reduction in weight. In addition, machining with high machining accuracy, which was necessary when configuring the holder as a single metal part, becomes unnecessary, and further the configuration of the holder is greatly simplified, which also makes it possible to reduce material costs and processing costs.

[0103] Therefore, by using cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve stable operation while achieving reduced manufacturing costs and weight compared to conventional techniques.

[0104] Incidentally, in cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to the present embodiment, two protrusions 25a are provided on connector portion 20B, each of which abuts against a corresponding recess 22a of holder portion 20A. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent rattling of connector portion 20B described above, compared to the case in which only one protrusion 25a is provided.

[0105] (First Modification) Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the shape of a connector portion of a cylinder-shaped gas generator according to a first modified example based on the above-mentioned first embodiment, and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembly procedure for a holder assembly according to the first modified example. Hereinafter, cylinder-shaped gas generator 1A according to the first modified example will be described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10. The assembly procedure for the holder assembly according to the first modified example is basically the same as the assembly procedure for the holder assembly according to the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0106] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, cylinder-shaped gas generator 1A pertaining to the first modified example differs from cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 pertaining to embodiment 1 described above only in the shape of protrusion 25a1 of connector portion 20B1.

[0107] Specifically, in the connector portion 20B1 according to the first modification, the protrusion 25a1 has a generally quadrangular pyramid shape whose cross-sectional shape becomes smaller toward the gas generating agent storage chamber S1 side.

[0108] In this configuration, the protrusions 25a1 of the connector portion 20B1 and the recesses 22a of the holder portion 20A come into contact with each other at four points in the circumferential direction of the holder portion 20A and the connector portion 20B1. Therefore, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, this configuration makes it possible to more reliably prevent rattling of the connector portion 20B1 in the circumferential direction.

[0109] (Second Modification) Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views showing the shape of a recessed portion of a holder portion and a protrusion of a connector portion of a cylinder-shaped gas generator according to a second modified example based on the above-mentioned first embodiment. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembly procedure for a holder assembly according to the second modified example. Hereinafter, cylinder-shaped gas generator 1B according to the second modified example will be described with reference to these Figures 11 to 13. The assembly procedure for the holder assembly according to the second modified example is basically the same as the assembly procedure for the holder assembly according to the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0110] As shown in Figures 11 to 13, cylinder-shaped gas generator 1B of the second modified example differs from cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 of embodiment 1 described above in the shape of recess 22a2 of holder portion 20A2 and the shape of protrusion 25a2 of connector portion 20B2.

[0111] Specifically, in the holder part 20A2 according to the second modification, the recess 22a2 is defined by a V-shaped groove extending in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the holder part 20A2, and in the connector part 20B2 according to the second modification, the protrusion 25a2 has a triangular prism shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the connector part 20B2.

[0112] In this configuration, the protrusion 25a2 and the recess 22a2 come into surface contact at two points. In this configuration, the frictional resistance between the protrusion 25a2 and the recess 22a2 increases dramatically compared to when the protrusion 25a2 and the recess 22a2 come into point contact. Therefore, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, it is possible to more reliably prevent rattling of the connector part 20B2 in the circumferential direction.

[0113] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the igniter of a cylinder-shaped gas generator according to embodiment 2, and FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of region XV including the vicinity of the protrusion of the connector portion shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the protrusion of the connector portion shown in FIG. 14, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the connector portion. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembly procedure of a holder assembly according to embodiment 2. Here, cylinder-shaped gas generator 2 according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to these FIGS. 14 to 18. Here, FIG. 16 shows connector portion 20B3 in a plan view, and also shows in a schematic cross-sectional view a portion of housing body 10 that contacts protrusion 25a3 of connector portion 20B3. The assembly procedure of the holder assembly according to embodiment 2 is basically the same as the assembly procedure of the holder assembly according to embodiment 1 described above.

[0114] 14 to 16, cylinder-shaped gas generator 2 according to the present embodiment differs in the shape of projection 25a3 of connector portion 20B3 when compared with cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to embodiment 1 described above. Cylinder-shaped gas generator 2 according to the present embodiment also differs from cylinder-shaped gas generator 1 according to embodiment 1 in that holder portion 20A3 is not provided with recess 22a.

[0115] Specifically, protrusion 25a3 of connector section 20B3 according to embodiment 2 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape extending along a tangential direction of second trunk section 24 when viewed along the axial direction of connector section 20B3. Furthermore, protrusion 25a3 includes, on a side surface of a portion located on the inside in the radial direction of connector section 20B3, inclined surface 28 that inclines toward the outside in the radial direction as it approaches gas generating agent storage chamber S1. The number of protrusions 25a3 is not particularly limited, and may be one or more. In cylinder-shaped gas generator 2, two protrusions 25a3 are arranged at positions rotationally symmetrical at 180° when viewed along the axial direction of connector section 20B3.

[0116] 17 and 18, before the connector portion 20B3 is assembled to the holder portion 20A3, the protrusion 25a3 protrudes toward the first end surface 22 of the first body portion 21 of the holder portion 20A3. Meanwhile, since the protrusion 25a3 includes the inclined surface 28, when the connector portion 20B3 is press-fitted into the housing main body 10, the protrusion 25a3 inclines toward the outside in the radial direction (i.e., toward the direction of arrow F in FIG. 18) while contacting the first end surface 22.

[0117] The protrusion 25a3 in the state where an elastic restoring force is generated by being tilted in this way abuts against the first end surface 22 of the holder part 20A3 in the axial direction of the holder part 20A3 and the connector part 20B3. This fixes the connector part 20B3 so that it cannot move in the axial direction. Note that it is preferable that the protrusion 25a3 and the first end surface 22 are in pressure contact in the axial direction when an elastic restoring force is generated in the protrusion 25a3.

[0118] In addition, the protrusion 25a3 in a state where an elastic restoring force is generated by tilting and the inner peripheral surface of the housing main body 10 abut in the radial direction of the connector portion 20B3. As a result, the connector portion 20B3 is fixed so as not to move in the circumferential direction. Note that it is preferable that the protrusion 25a3 and the inner peripheral surface are in pressure contact in the radial direction when an elastic restoring force is generated in the protrusion 25a3.

[0119] Even in this configuration, the same effects as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0120] Furthermore, in cylinder-shaped gas generator 2 according to the present embodiment, protrusions 25a3 abut against the inner circumferential surface of housing main body 10 in the radial direction at two locations in the circumferential direction of connector portion 20B3, as shown in Fig. 15. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent rattling of connector portion 20B3 in the circumferential direction.

[0121] In addition, in the cylinder-shaped gas generator 2 according to the present embodiment, the description has been given by exemplifying protrusion 25a3 as having a shape having inclined surface 28 described above, but the shape of protrusion 25a3 is not particularly limited to this. That is, protrusion 25a3 only needs to be configured so that protrusion 25a3 inclines toward the outside in the radial direction while contacting first end face 22 when connector part 20B3 is press-fitted into housing body 10, and may be provided with a weakened portion by, for example, cutting out a part of the outer surface in the radial direction. Alternatively, a guide surface inclined to guide protrusion 25a3 toward the outside in the radial direction may be provided on first end face 22 of holder part 20A in a portion corresponding to protrusion 25a3.

[0122] (Additional Note) The characteristic configurations of the gas generators disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be summarized as follows.

[0123] [Appendix 1] A cylindrical metal housing body including a combustion chamber in which a gas generating agent is accommodated; a holder assembly that is inserted into an axial opening end of the housing body and includes a through-hole-like hollow opening extending along a direction parallel to the axial direction; an igniter including an ignition part containing an ignition charge and a terminal pin connected to the ignition part, the ignition part being positioned on the combustion chamber side and the terminal pin being positioned on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side, and at least a part of the igniter being disposed inside the hollow opening, the holder assembly has a metal holder portion located on the combustion chamber side and configured to receive and hold the igniter, and a resin connector portion located on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side and configured to receive a connector to be connected to the terminal pin, The holder portion includes a cylindrical first body portion that defines the hollow opening, the connector portion includes a cylindrical second body portion defining the hollow opening, and a locking portion protruding from the second body portion toward an inner circumferential surface of the housing main body, The first body portion has a first end surface facing the second body portion at an end portion of the first body portion opposite to the combustion chamber side, The first end surface is provided with a recess, The second body portion has a second end surface facing the first body portion at an end portion on the combustion chamber side of the second body portion, The second end surface is provided with a protrusion, a step portion capable of engaging the locking portion is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the housing body, the protrusion and the recess are in contact with each other in the axial direction, and the locking portion and the step portion are in contact with each other in the axial direction, thereby fixing the connector portion so as to be immovable in the axial direction, the protrusion and the recess are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction of the housing body, thereby fixing the connector portion so as to be unmovable in the circumferential direction.

[0124] [Appendix 2] 2. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a truncated pyramid shape.

[0125] [Appendix 3] the protrusion and the recess extend along a direction intersecting the circumferential direction, 2. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion fits into the recess, so that a side surface of the protrusion positioned in the circumferential direction is in surface contact with the recess.

[0126] [Appendix 4] 4. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protrusion and the recess are each provided in plurality in the circumferential direction.

[0127] [Appendix 5] A cylindrical metal housing body including a combustion chamber in which a gas generating agent is accommodated; a holder assembly that is inserted into an axial opening end of the housing body and includes a through-hole-like hollow opening extending along a direction parallel to the axial direction; an igniter including an ignition part containing an ignition charge and a terminal pin connected to the ignition part, the ignition part being positioned on the combustion chamber side and the terminal pin being positioned on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side, and at least a part of the igniter being disposed inside the hollow opening, the holder assembly has a metal holder portion located on the combustion chamber side and configured to receive and hold the igniter, and a resin connector portion located on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side and configured to receive a connector to be connected to the terminal pin, The holder portion includes a cylindrical first body portion that defines the hollow opening, the connector portion includes a cylindrical second body portion defining the hollow opening, and a locking portion protruding from the second body portion toward an inner circumferential surface of the housing main body, The first body portion has a first end surface facing the second body portion at an end portion of the first body portion opposite to the combustion chamber side, The second body portion has a second end surface facing the first body portion at an end portion on the combustion chamber side of the second body portion, The second end surface is provided with a protrusion, a step portion capable of engaging the locking portion is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the housing body, the protrusion and the second end surface are in contact with each other in the axial direction in a state in which the protrusion is inclined toward the radially outer side of the housing main body, whereby the connector portion is fixed so as not to move in the axial direction, a gas generator in which the connector portion is fixed immovably in the circumferential direction of the housing body by the protrusion being inclined radially outward and the inner circumferential surface of the housing body abutting in the radial direction with the protrusion inclined radially outward.

[0128] [Appendix 6] 6. The gas generator as described in claim 5, wherein the protrusion includes, on a side surface of a portion located on the inside in the radial direction, an inclined surface that inclines toward the combustion chamber and toward the outside in the radial direction.

[0129] [Appendix 7] 7. The gas generator according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the protrusions are provided in the circumferential direction.

[0130] (Other forms) In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the present invention has been described as being applied to a cylindrical gas generator incorporated in a side airbag device, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to cylindrical gas generators incorporated in curtain airbag devices, knee airbag devices, seat cushion airbag devices, etc., and so-called T-shaped gas generators which have an elongated outer shape like a cylindrical gas generator.

[0131] In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the number of step portions provided on the housing main body is two, but the number of step portions is not particularly limited to two, and may be one, or may be three or more. The same applies to the number of locking portions provided on the connector portion.

[0132] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention, the case where the number of protrusions provided on the connector portion is two has been described as an example, but the number of protrusions is not particularly limited to two, and may be one, or may be three or more. The same applies to the number of recesses provided on the holder portion.

[0133] As such, the above-described embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 1, 1A, 1B, 2 Cylinder-type gas generator, 10 Housing body, 11 Gas outlet, 12 Step portion, 20 Holder assembly, 20A, 20A2, 20A3 Holder portion, 20B, 20B1, 20B2, 20B3 Connector portion, 21 First body portion, 22 First end face, 22a, 22a2 Recessed portion, 23a Storage portion, 23b Crimping portion, 24 Second body portion, 25 Second end face, 25a, 25a1, 25a2, 25a3 Projection portion, 26 Locking portion, 27 Sealing member, 28 Inclined surface, 30 Blocking member, 40 Igniter, 41 Base portion, 42 Ignition portion, 43 Terminal pin, 50 Partition member, 51 Bulkhead portion, 51a Score, 52 Annular wall portion, 60 Gas generating agent, 70 coil spring, 71 cylindrical portion, 72 pressing portion, 80 filter, 81 hollow portion, 82 gap portion, 90, 91, 92 welded portions, 100 autoignition agent, S1 gas generating agent storage chamber, S2 filter chamber.

Claims

1. A cylindrical metal housing body including a combustion chamber in which a gas generating agent is accommodated; a holder assembly that is inserted into an axial opening end of the housing body and includes a through-hole-like hollow opening that extends along a direction parallel to the axial direction; an igniter including an ignition part containing an ignition charge and a terminal pin connected to the ignition part, the ignition part being positioned on the combustion chamber side and the terminal pin being positioned on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side, and at least a part of the igniter being disposed inside the hollow opening, the holder assembly has a metal holder portion located on the combustion chamber side and configured to receive and hold the igniter, and a resin connector portion located on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side and configured to receive a connector to be connected to the terminal pin, The holder portion includes a cylindrical first body portion that defines the hollow opening, the connector portion includes a cylindrical second body portion defining the hollow opening, and a locking portion protruding from the second body portion toward an inner circumferential surface of the housing body, The first body portion has a first end surface facing the second body portion at an end portion of the first body portion opposite to the combustion chamber side, The first end surface is provided with a recess. The second body portion has a second end surface facing the first body portion at an end portion of the second body portion on the combustion chamber side, The second end surface is provided with a protrusion, The housing body has an inner circumferential surface provided with a step portion capable of engaging the locking portion, the protrusion and the recess are in contact with each other in the axial direction, and the locking portion and the step portion are in contact with each other in the axial direction, thereby fixing the connector portion so as to be immovable in the axial direction, the protrusion and the recess are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction of the housing body, thereby fixing the connector portion so as to be unmovable in the circumferential direction.

2. The gas generator according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion has a truncated pyramid shape.

3. the protrusion and the recess extend along a direction intersecting the circumferential direction, 2. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the projections are fitted into the recesses, so that side surfaces of the projections positioned in the circumferential direction are in surface contact with the recesses.

4. The gas generator according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said projections and a plurality of said recesses are provided in the circumferential direction.

5. A cylindrical metal housing body including a combustion chamber in which a gas generating agent is accommodated; a holder assembly that is inserted into an axial opening end of the housing body and includes a through-hole-like hollow opening that extends along a direction parallel to the axial direction; an igniter including an ignition part containing an ignition charge and a terminal pin connected to the ignition part, the ignition part being positioned on the combustion chamber side and the terminal pin being positioned on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side, and at least a part of the igniter being disposed inside the hollow opening, the holder assembly has a metal holder portion located on the combustion chamber side and configured to receive and hold the igniter, and a resin connector portion located on the opposite side to the combustion chamber side and configured to receive a connector to be connected to the terminal pin, The holder portion includes a cylindrical first body portion that defines the hollow opening, the connector portion includes a cylindrical second body portion defining the hollow opening, and a locking portion protruding from the second body portion toward an inner circumferential surface of the housing body, The first body portion has a first end surface facing the second body portion at an end portion of the first body portion opposite to the combustion chamber side, The second body portion has a second end surface facing the first body portion at an end portion of the second body portion on the combustion chamber side, The second end surface is provided with a protrusion, The housing body has an inner circumferential surface provided with a step portion capable of engaging the locking portion, a housing body having a housing section that is inclined toward a radially outer side and a housing section that is in contact with the housing section in the axial direction; a housing body having an inner circumferential surface and a protrusion that is inclined radially outward and abuts against the protrusion in the radial direction, thereby immobilizing the connector portion in the circumferential direction of the housing body.

6. 6. The gas generator according to claim 5, wherein the protrusion includes, on a side surface of a portion located inside in the radial direction, an inclined surface that inclines toward the combustion chamber and toward the outside in the radial direction.

7. The gas generator according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a plurality of the protrusions are provided in the circumferential direction.

Images