Diffuser for a gas generator, a gas generator including such a diffuser, and a manufacturing method for such a diffuser

Abstract

The present invention provides a diffuser (10) for a gas generator (50), in particular for a tubular gas generator of an airbag module, comprising a substantially tubular base body (11) including a longitudinal axis, a baffle cap (12) axially connected to the base body (11) at a first end (13) of the diffuser (10), and a connection device arranged at a second end (14) of the diffuser (10) opposite the first end (13), The present invention relates to a diffuser (10) in which at least one outlet opening (21, 22) is formed in the outer wall of the tubular base body (11) so that gas can flow out of the interior of the diffuser (10) in the direction of a first end (13) and a second end (14) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (16), and the baffle cap (12) has no outlet opening. The invention further relates to a gas generator comprising such a diffuser. The invention further deals with an airbag module including such a gas generator. Furthermore, the invention presents a method for manufacturing a diffuser.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a diffuser for a gas generator according to the preamble of claim 1. The present invention further relates to a gas generator equipped with such a diffuser. Furthermore, the present invention deals with an airbag module including such a gas generator. The present invention also indicates a method for manufacturing the diffuser. [Background technology]

[0002] A diffuser with the features according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP 1 544 060 A1. The known diffuser comprises a substantially tubular base body with a longitudinal axis, a baffle cap axially connected to the base body at a first end of the diffuser, and a connection device formed at a second end of the diffuser opposite the first end. The known diffuser has radial openings in its tubular base body through which gas can flow out of the interior of the diffuser substantially only radially, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular base body of the diffuser.

[0003] The diffuser has the function of introducing the gas generated in the gas generator and / or stored in the gas generator into an airbag connected to the diffuser or positioned subsequent to the diffuser. Known diffusers have the disadvantage that the airbag, which is usually relatively close to the radial opening of the diffuser, is subjected to relatively high loads, in particular in terms of temperature and / or gas flow pressure increase or gas pressure propagation, by the gas flowing out of the diffuser only in the radial direction. Thus, in this case, the thermal and / or mechanical loads of the airbag connected to the known diffuser and filled with gas are relatively high.

[0004] Furthermore, from US Patent No. 7,928,443 B1 a gas generator is known which has on the end-side baffle cap a number of radial outflow openings, including on the one hand a central gas outlet in the longitudinal direction of the gas generator and on the other hand in the form of gas guide flaps, which allow the gas to flow out at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction of the gas generator. Overall, therefore, a shearing compensation or shearing neutrality during outflow should be obtained. Furthermore, when an airbag is filled with this gas generator, the latter is subjected to heavy mechanical and / or thermal loads in the longitudinal direction of the gas generator, in particular by the central gas outlet. To prevent or reduce heavy loading of the airbag, expensive and complex airbag designs, such as, for example, a heat-resistant coating on the inside of the airbag or the use of so-called calzones, are possible. Such a calzone is a shield of heat and particle resistant fabric that is placed at the gas outlet opening of the gas generator or as an inner bag inside the airbag. Such a design is costly and complicated. Moreover, a gas flow in the longitudinal direction of the gas generator at the front end of the gas generator is often undesirable and must be avoided, as in the case with the gas generators known here, since further components such as the module housing in which the gas generator is installed are located at a short distance from it. In this case too, the undesirable thermal and / or mechanical loads due to the gas flowing axially out of the end baffle cap of the gas generator are detrimental. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a diffuser for a gas generator, which allows improved gas guidance without heavy loads on the airbag. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gas generator with a diffuser of this kind. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an airbag module, a vehicle safety system with a gas generator, and a method for manufacturing a diffuser for a gas generator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the invention, with regard to the diffuser, this object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1, with regard to the gas generator, by the subject matter of claim 12, with regard to the airbag module, by the subject matter of claim 15, with regard to the vehicle safety system, by the subject matter of claim 16 and with regard to the manufacturing method, by the subject matter of claim 17.

[0007] Thus, the diffuser according to the invention for a gas generator has a substantially tubular base body with a longitudinal axis, a baffle cap axially connected to the base body at a first end of the diffuser, and a connection device formed at a second end of the diffuser opposite the first end, characterized in that at least one outlet opening is formed in the outer wall of the tubular base body, and the baffle cap is devoid of outlet openings, so that gas can flow out of the interior of the diffuser substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis towards the first and second ends of the diffuser. With regard to the tubular base body, it should be understood that the base body has a substantially cylindrical outer contour. Furthermore, with regard to the phrase "the baffle cap is axially connected to the base", it should be understood that the baffle cap is adjacent to the base body as an additional component or is formed integrally with the base body in the axial direction, thus along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base body.

[0008] With respect to substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, it should be understood that the central flow direction of the gas extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base body of the diffuser or at an acute angle of less than 45° to the longitudinal axis.

[0009] The advantage of the invention lies on the one hand in the fact that gas cannot flow out of the area of ​​the baffle cap into the airbag or module housing located in the vicinity of the baffle cap. In particular, if the baffle cap of the diffuser constitutes the axial end side of the diffuser or of the gas generator containing such a diffuser, further components positioned in the vicinity of the baffle cap, such as the airbag or module housing, are not degraded by thermal and / or mechanical loads. On the other hand, advantageously, the gas is not guided directly against the airbag, but along the folded airbag. Due to the deflection of the main gas flow inside the diffuser by the baffle cap, the main flow is further reduced. Thus, the diffuser according to the invention can, for example, help to dispense with the use of the calzone already described above. Furthermore, the diffuser according to the invention is inexpensive, since it can be realized in a simple manner. A peripheral pipe clamp on the outside of the diffuser to deflect the flow would lead to higher manufacturing costs.

[0010] Specifically, in the diffuser according to the invention, at least one outlet opening is configured as a first outlet opening and a second outlet opening, and the baffle cap is preferably configured as a sphere segment or a universal spherical joint, in particular in a dome shape. For this purpose, the outlet opening is usefully formed such that the surface area of ​​the outlet opening has a surface normal that runs parallel to the longitudinal axis. This type of diffuser according to the invention also allows two airbags that are inflated separately from each other to be filled simultaneously via the first and second outlet openings.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the first and second outflow openings are formed by a single tab, which is formed by two parallel notches extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the outer wall of the tubular base body and by radially outwardly deforming the area between them. Such a tab may have a flat or curved surface. As a notch according to the invention, it is therefore intended that an incision or a corresponding material ablation is made along or through the entire thickness of the outer wall of the base body, for example by cutting, sawing, milling or laser ablation, to create a suitable notch extending radially along a specific area of ​​the base body. The two notches do not have to extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or parallel to each other in a geometrically exact manner, but may diverge or diverge from each other. In this case, however, a correspondingly more complex tool design or tool guidance may be required to deform the area interposed between the notches in order to create the tab by deformation.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the tab is gill-shaped, the tab comprises two half-dome shaped ridges, and in particular the connection device formed at the second end of the diffuser comprises a taper. The ridges are specifically arranged such that a first outlet opening directed towards the first end and a second outlet opening directed towards the second end are formed. The ridge at each outlet opening may have a maximum (radial) distance from the longitudinal axis. The interface of the two ridges has a minimum radial distance from the longitudinal axis, which radial distance is greater than or equal to the radius of the tubular base body. The taper at the second end of the diffuser may be created in the form of a peripheral groove or channel, for example by roller burnishing or crimping, and thus can serve as a substantially preformed connection device for the gas generator, such a connection device comprising a geometrically complementary recess at the intended connection point to the diffuser, such that both recesses, i.e. the recess of the diffuser and the recess of the gas generator, can engage with each other reliably and / or non-reliably. However, it is also conceivable that in a suitable mounting step for connecting the diffuser to the gas generator, the corresponding recess is placed in the diffuser only after the diffuser is connected to or positioned on the gas generator. Thus, in this case, the diffuser, which initially has a cylindrical outer contour at its second end, is brought to a connection position relative to the gas generator, the gas generator having a peripheral recess in its outer housing, prior to being mounted on the gas generator. The diffuser is then formed with its connection point on or in the gas generator, such as by roller burnishing or crimping, such that a suitable and complementary recess is formed in the diffuser by this mounting step.

[0013] In another embodiment, the curvature of the ridge is inclined towards the first and second outlet openings so that the radial proportion of the gas flow leaving the interior of the diffuser can be reduced by the first and second outlet openings and the flow can be substantially formed to be only axial. This means that the ridge in the area spaced apart from the first or second outlet opening shows the maximum (radial) distance from the longitudinal axis. In other words, the curvature in the axial direction provides a kind of gas directing part that slightly directs the gas flow radially inwards so that at least generally substantially only the axial direction is obtained for the gas flow, so that at least the possible radially outward directed flow part is essentially exclusively directed towards the axis at the outlet opening.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment, the first outlet opening is formed by a first tab and the second outlet opening is formed by a second tab, the first and second tabs being formed by two parallel notches extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and by radially inwardly deforming a part of the area directed from each of the notches towards the first or second end. This embodiment is the opposite of the embodiment described above, since the base body of the diffuser is deformed inwards instead of outwards. Preferably, the first and second tabs are gill-shaped, in which case each of the first and second tabs comprises a half-dome shaped recess.

[0015] In the above-described embodiments, the tab, or the first and second tabs, are usefully formed symmetrically about the longitudinal and / or transverse axes.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the first outlet opening, directed towards the first end, has a larger opening area than the second outlet opening, directed towards the second end. In particular, the opening areas of the first and second openings are designed such that the mass flow rate of gas through the first opening is equal to the mass flow rate through the second opening. The diffuser can be used in a shear-neutral manner due to the reciprocal equal mass flow rates.

[0017] In a suitable embodiment, the base body has an inwardly directed bottom curvature on a side radially opposite the first and second outlet openings, the bottom curvature optimizing the orientation of the main flow inside the diffuser relative to the outlet openings.

[0018] In another embodiment, two or more first and second outlet openings are arranged in the circumferential direction, in particular distributed in the circumferential direction. By arranging further first and second outlet openings, the gas flow is better distributed in the airbag or it is possible to fill several airbags separately from one another.

[0019] One independent aspect of the present invention relates to a gas generator, in particular a tubular gas generator, for an airbag module comprising a tubular housing and a diffuser according to the present invention arranged at a first end of the gas generator.

[0020] Suitably, the diameter of the gas generator and the diameter of the diffuser are substantially equal.

[0021] The housing of the gas generator preferably includes a taper at its first end, into which the taper of the diffuser can complementarily engage or be formed. As already explained above, the diffuser may be fixed to the housing of the gas generator by suitable pressing or peripheral roller burnishing, in which case the taper may already be introduced into the diffuser prior to mounting by fixing or only afterwards, or may be introduced into the diffuser by a corresponding mounting step.

[0022] The gas generator may be a pyrotechnic gas generator or a hybrid gas generator, which includes a compressed gas tank filled with compressed gas.

[0023] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to an airbag comprising a gas generator, an airbag that can be inflated by the gas generator, and a fixing device for mounting the airbag module to a vehicle. The gas generator can be designed as described above.

[0024] Further, within the scope of the present application, a vehicle safety system for protecting persons, particularly vehicle occupants or pedestrians, is disclosed and claimed, which includes a gas generator, an airbag inflatable by the gas generator as part of an airbag module, and an electronic control unit capable of activating the gas generator when a triggering situation is given. The gas generator is designed as described above.

[0025] Another independent aspect of the present invention is a) providing a tubular base body, the tubular base body having an outer wall and a baffle cap axially connected to the base body forming a first end of the diffuser; b) introducing two parallel notches in the outer wall of the base body, extending radially and having a first length, the notches having a depth or depth of the wall of the base body; c) plastically deforming, in particular bulging, the single tab or the first and second tabs in the area adjacent to the notch; The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a diffuser, comprising:

[0026] The method according to the invention is simple and inexpensive.

[0027] In a preferred configuration of the method, the plastic deformation is performed radially outward from the inside of the diffuser by a mandrel with one or two half-dome shaped bulges, or radially inward from the outside of the diffuser by an impressing tool with one or two half-dome shaped bulges.

[0028] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a tubular gas generator with a diffuser according to the invention in a first configuration. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the tubular gas generator according to FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cut-out of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a diffuser according to the invention in a first configuration. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the diffuser according to FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a diffuser according to the present invention in a second configuration. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a diffuser according to the present invention in a third configuration. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the diffuser according to FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a diffuser according to the present invention in a fourth configuration. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a diffuser according to the present invention in a fifth configuration. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a diffuser according to the present invention in a sixth configuration. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the diffuser according to FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] 1 to 3 show a gas generator 50 with a diffuser 10 according to the invention described in a first configuration. Figures 4 and 5 show only the diffuser 10 in the first configuration. The gas generator 50 is configured as a tubular gas generator. The gas generator has a tubular housing 51 with a longitudinal axis 56, at the second end of which an igniter housing 53 with an igniter 52 is arranged. A partition 55 can be arranged in the region of the taper of the housing 51. Another partition 54 can be arranged in the region of the first end of the housing 41. The diffuser 10 comprises a tubular base body 11 with a longitudinal axis 16 extending in the extension of the longitudinal axis 56 of the housing 51 of the gas generator 50. A baffle cap 12 is connected to the first end 13 of the diffuser 10 axially adjacent to the tubular base body 11. The tubular base body 11 of the diffuser 10 has a substantially cylindrical outer contour. Furthermore, the baffle cap 12 axially connected to the base body 11 should be understood as being either an independent component or formed integrally with the base body and adjoining the base body 11 in the axial direction, i.e. along or parallel to the longitudinal axis 16 of the base body 11. In the case of an independent component, the baffle cap 12 can be, for example, screwed, crimped, roller burnished or adhesively connected to the base body 11, for example by laser or friction welding. The housing 51 of the gas generator 50 and the tubular base body 11 of the diffuser 10 expediently have similar, in particular equal, diameters. The diffuser 10 is connected to the housing 51, for example by crimping or roller burnishing radially around.

[0031] In the region of the tubular base body 11 of the diffuser 10, a tab 20 having two ridges 23 is found. A first outlet opening 21 and a second outlet opening 22, through which gas can flow out or out of the interior of the diffuser 10 to the outer region of the diffuser 10, are arranged between the ridges 23 and the tubular base body 11. As is evident from the longitudinal section in FIG. 2, each of the surface areas of the first outlet opening 21 and the second outlet opening 22 has a surface normal parallel to the longitudinal axis of the diffuser 10. In the region of the wall of the diffuser 10 substantially opposite the tab 20, a bottom bend 24 is arranged in the wall of the diffuser 10.

[0032] The operating mode of the gas generator 50 is as follows: when the igniter 52 is ignited or activated, gas is generated and / or released inside the gas generator, which results in the generation or creation of a corresponding gas flow, which moves or is guided along the longitudinal axis 56 of the tubular housing 51 of the gas generator 50, creating a burst wave or opening the partition 55 and then the partition 54. The gas flow, or the total amount of gas contained by the gas flow, then flows into or is advanced from the diffuser 10. In the diffuser 10, a part of the gas or a part of the gas flow is deflected by the bottom curved part 24 and the baffle cap 12 and is thus guided to the second outflow opening 22, whereby a part of the gas flow or a part of the gas amount leaves the outflow opening 22 mainly parallel to the longitudinal axis 56 of the gas generator or mainly parallel to the longitudinal axis 16 of the base body 11 of the diffuser 10. Another part of the gas flow, after the gas has entered the diffuser 10, is guided directly through the ridge 23 to the first outlet opening 21 and leaves the diffuser 10 mainly parallel to the longitudinal axis 16. The gas flows leaving the diffuser 10 through the first outlet opening 21 and the second outlet opening 22 extend in substantially opposite directions, so that the shear neutrality intended for the gas generator 50 is maintained with respect to the gas outlet of the gas generator 50 when the gas generator 50 is activated.

[0033] The diffuser 10 shown in Figures 4 and 5 is manufactured from a tubular base body 11 including a baffle cap 12 integrally connected to the base body 11 by first providing the base body 11 with two parallel notches extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 16. In so doing, the base body 11 is cut continuously from the outside over its entire wall thickness along appropriate areas extending radially around. Such cutting to produce the respective notches can be performed by known material ablation methods such as sawing, cutting, milling or laser processing. Then, in the base body 11, a tab 22 with two ridges 23 is formed by a forming tool in the form of a mandrel with two half-dome shaped bulges, the mandrel being appropriately pressed or moved outwards. As an option, a complementary shaped counter-holding tool can be positioned or guided from the outside. The above-mentioned plastic forming of the tab 22 also serves to appropriately stretch, expand or work harden the material of the diffuser in or adjacent to the region of the forming. Furthermore, the diffuser 10 may be provided with a peripheral taper 15 in the region of its second end 14 and / or with a bottom curved portion 24 in the region of its first end 13, which is arranged on the side opposite the tab 20. Thus, the diffuser 10 may be attached by its peripheral taper 15 onto or to the gas generator 50 for further fixing to the gas generator, such that the taper 15 of the diffuser 10 engages and / or is fixed in a taper or recess of the gas generator 50 that is geometrically appropriately formed to be complementary in the fixing region with the diffuser 10.

[0034] However, as an alternative, the peripheral taper 15 of the diffuser 10 may be introduced into the diffuser 10 only when the diffuser 10 is mounted or fixed to the gas generator 50. Thus, prior to mounting, the diffuser 10 has a substantially cylindrically shaped second end 14 without a taper and is then positioned on the gas generator 10, which includes a corresponding complementary recess, in a suitable axially fixed position. Only then is the diffuser 10 formed on the complementary recess of the gas generator 50 in a radially inward direction at its second end 14, for example by radially peripheral roller burnishing, so that the recess 15 is formed on the diffuser 10.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the diffuser 10 according to the second configuration. In contrast to the longitudinal cross-section of the diffuser 10 according to the first configuration shown in FIG. 5, the ridge 23 comprises first and second flow directing regions 33, 34. The flow directing region 33 is formed to be inclined towards the first end 13, while the flow directing region 34 is configured to be inclined towards the second end 14. In this way, respective outwardly inclined curvatures are formed, which prevent the flow components of the gases exiting the diffuser from occurring with radial components when they exit the first and second outlet openings 21, 22. In other words, the gases exiting the diffuser, which may have a small radially directed outflow component, are in effect "forced" by the flow directing regions 33, 34 to continue to flow only in an outflow direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 16 of the diffuser.

[0036] 7 and 8 show a diffuser 10 according to a third configuration. The diffuser 10 has a tubular base body 11 with a longitudinal axis 16. The diffuser 10 includes a tab 20 in a portion of the base body 11. The tab 20 has a radial distance from the longitudinal axis 16 that is greater than the remaining portion of the base body 11, such that a first outlet opening 21 and a second outlet opening 22 are formed. In a longitudinal cross section, the wall of the tab 20 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 16. Each of the surface areas of the first outlet opening 21 and the second outlet opening 22 has a surface normal parallel to the longitudinal axis 16. The diffuser 10 may include a bottom curved portion 24, also according to a third configuration. In the region of the second end 14 of the diffuser 10, the diffuser 10 may optionally include a taper 15 for fastening to a gas generator 50.

[0037] 9 is a modification of the third configuration. In the region of the first outlet opening 21 and the second outlet opening 22, the tab 20 includes flow directing regions 33 and 34. Again, the flow directing regions 33 and 34 serve to separate radial flow components or to create a substantially exclusively parallel outflow direction of the gases leaving the interior of the diffuser 10.

[0038] In FIG. 10, the diffuser 10 according to a fifth configuration is shown. The fifth configuration is another modification of the third configuration shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In the fifth configuration, it can be seen in the longitudinal section that the tabs 20 have an inclination or an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 16. The inclination of the tabs 20 is selected such that the second outflow opening 22 has a smaller opening area than the first outflow opening 21. The smaller opening area of ​​the second outflow opening 22 can help to reduce the mass flow rate of the gas exiting from the second outflow opening 22. Thus, the mass flow rates through the first outflow opening 21 and the second outflow opening 22 can be set as required, in particular to be equal, by selecting the inclination of the tabs 20.

[0039] 11 and 12 show a diffuser 10 according to a sixth configuration. In the sixth configuration, the diffuser 10 has a tubular base body 11 with a baffle cap 12 at a first end 13 of the diffuser 10. A first tab 20a and a second tab 20b are arranged or configured on the base body 11. The first tab 20a and the second tab 20b have a smaller distance from the longitudinal axis 16 than the rest of the base body 11, i.e., they extend inwardly. Each of the first and second tabs 20a,b has a semi-dome shaped recess 25. A region of the tubular base body 11 is arranged between the ends of the first tab 20a and the second tab 20a,b. A first outlet opening 21 is arranged between the end of the first tab 20a and the region of the tubular base body 11, and a second outlet opening 22 is arranged between the end of the second tab 20b and the region of the tubular base body 11. The outflow openings 21 and 22 present a surface normal parallel to the longitudinal axis 16 .

[0040] The diffuser 10 according to the sixth configuration is manufactured by providing a tubular base body 11 with a baffle cap 12. Two parallel notches are introduced into the base body 11 at right angles to the longitudinal axis 16 of the base body 11. The areas located outside each of the introduced parallel notches are pressed radially inwards by a forming tool, so that a first tab 20a and a second tab 20b are created. The area between the two tabs 20a,b is not deformed, so that an area of ​​the base body 11 is substantially maintained or reserved as a remainder, which area, when viewed on its own, takes the shape of a circular arc or a cutout of a circular arc. The outer wall of the base body 11 in this embodiment of the diffuser, when viewed on its own or without the above-mentioned formed circular arc, simply comprises a single opening to the outside, or a single outflow opening, correspondingly slit-shaped along the periphery of the base body 11. However, when looking at the tubular base body 11 in relation to the options for different gas flow paths or gas flow directions, and therefore also in particular when looking at the formed arcs described above, a single outflow opening can be considered as a configuration of the first and second outflow openings 21, 22 described above. <Additional Notes> [Appendix 1] A diffuser (10) for a gas generator (50), in particular for a tubular gas generator of an airbag module, comprising a substantially tubular base body (11) having a longitudinal axis (16), a baffle cap (12) axially connected to the base body (11) at a first end (13) of the diffuser (10), and a connection device formed at a second end (14) of the diffuser (10) opposite the first end (13), A diffuser (10), characterized in that at least one outlet opening (21, 22) is formed in an outer wall of the tubular base body (11) so that gas can flow out of the interior of the diffuser (10) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (16) from the diffuser (10) toward the first end (13) and the second end (14), and the baffle cap (12) has no outlet opening. [Appendix 2] The diffuser (10) according to claim 1, The diffuser (10), characterized in that the at least one outlet opening (21, 22) is formed as a first outlet opening (21) and a second outlet opening (22), and in particular that the baffle cap (12) is configured as a dome-shaped, preferably as a sphere segment or a universal spherical joint. [Appendix 3] The diffuser (10) according to claim 2, A diffuser (10), characterized in that the first outlet opening (21) and the second outlet opening (22) are formed by a single tab (20), the tab (20) being formed by two parallel notches extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (16) in the outer wall of the tubular base body (11) and by deforming the area between them in a radially outward direction. [Appendix 4] The diffuser (10) according to claim 3, A diffuser (10), characterized in that the tab (20) is gill-shaped, the tab (20) has two semi-dome-shaped protuberances (23), and in particular in that the connection device configured at the second end (14) of the diffuser (10) includes a taper (15). [Appendix 5] The diffuser (10) according to claim 4, A diffuser (10), characterized in that the curvature of the ridge (23) is inclined towards the first outlet opening (21) and the second outlet opening (22) such that the radial component of the gas flow leaving the interior of the diffuser (10) can be reduced by the first outlet opening (21) and the second outlet opening (22) and such that the flow can be substantially formed as being exclusively axial. [Appendix 6] The diffuser (10) according to claim 2, Diffuser (10), characterized in that the first outlet opening (21) is formed by a first tab (20a) and the second outlet opening (22) is formed by a second tab (20b), the first tab (20a) and the second tab (20b) being formed by two parallel notches extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (16) and by each of said notches deforming in a radially inward direction a part of an area oriented towards the first or second end (13, 14). [Appendix 7] 7. The diffuser (10) according to claim 6, The diffuser (10), wherein the first and second tabs (20a, 20b) are gill-shaped, and each of the first and second tabs (20a, 20b) has a semi-dome-shaped recess (25). [Appendix 8] The diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, A diffuser (10), characterized in that the tab (20) or the first and second tabs (20a, 20b) are formed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (16) and / or the transverse axis. [Appendix 9] The diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, Diffuser (10), characterized in that the first outlet opening (21) directed towards the first end (13) has a larger opening area than the second outlet opening (22) directed towards the second end (14), in particular the opening areas of the first outlet opening (21) and the second outlet opening (22) are designed such that the mass flow rate of the gas through the first outlet opening (21) is substantially equal to the mass flow rate of the gas through the second outlet opening (22). [Appendix 10] The diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, A diffuser (10), characterized in that the base body (11) includes an inwardly directed bottom curved portion (24) on a side radially opposite the first outlet opening (21) and the second outlet opening (22). [Appendix 11] The diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, A diffuser (10), characterized in that two or more first and second outlet openings (21, 22) are arranged circumferentially and in particular distributed. [Appendix 12] A gas generator (50), in particular a tubular gas generator, for an airbag module, comprising a tubular housing (51) and a diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, arranged at a first end of the gas generator (50). [Appendix 13] In the gas generator (50) according to claim 12, A gas generator (50), characterized in that the housing (51) of the gas generator (50) includes a taper at a first end thereof, at which a taper (15) of the diffuser (10) may engage in a complementary manner or may be configured thereon. [Appendix 14] In the gas generator (50) according to appendix 12 or 13, A gas generator (50), characterized in that the diameter of the gas generator (50) and the diameter of the diffuser (10) are substantially equal, and / or the gas generator (50) is a pyrotechnic gas generator or a hybrid gas generator. [Appendix 15] An airbag module comprising a gas generator (50), an airbag inflatable by said gas generator (50), and a fixing device for mounting said airbag module to a vehicle; 15. An airbag module, characterized in that the gas generator (50) is constructed according to any one of claims 12 to 14. [Appendix 16] A vehicle safety system for protecting persons, in particular vehicle occupants or pedestrians, comprising a gas generator (50), an airbag inflatable by said gas generator (50) as part of an airbag module, and an electronic control unit capable of activating said gas generator (50) when a release condition is given, said system comprising: 15. A vehicle safety system, characterized in that the gas generator (50) is constructed according to any one of claims 12 to 14. [Appendix 17] A method for manufacturing a diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the steps of: a. providing a tubular base body (11), the tubular base body (11) including an outer wall and a baffle cap (12) axially connected to the base body (11) forming a first end (13) of the diffuser (10); b. introducing two parallel notches extending radially into the outer wall of the base body (11) and having a first length, the notches having a depth of the wall of the base body (11); c. plastically deforming, in particular bulging, the single tab (20) or the first tab (20a) and the second tab (20b) in the area adjacent to said notch; A method comprising: [Appendix 18] In the method according to claim 17, The method, characterized in that the plastic deformation is performed from the inside of the diffuser radially outward by a mandrel having one or two half-dome shaped bulges, or from the outside of the diffuser radially inward by a pressing tool having one or two half-dome shaped bulges. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10 Diffuser 11 Base body 12 Baffle cap 13 First end 14 Second end 15 Taper 16 Longitudinal axis 20 Tabs 20a First Tab 20b 2nd tab 21 First outlet opening 22 Second outlet opening 23 Ridge 24 Bottom curve 25 Recess 33 Flow Orientation Region 34 Flow Orientation Region 50 Gas Generator 51 Housing 52 Igniter 53 Igniter housing 54 Bulkhead 55 Bulkhead 56 Longitudinal axis

Claims

1. A diffuser (10) for a gas generator (50), comprising a tubular base body (11) having a longitudinal axis (16), a baffle cap (12) axially connected to the base body (11) at a first end (13) of the diffuser (10), and a connection device formed at a second end (14) of the diffuser (10) opposite the first end (13), at least one outlet opening (21, 22) is formed in an outer wall of the tubular base body (11) so that gas can flow out of the interior of the diffuser (10) parallel to the longitudinal axis (16) from the diffuser (10) towards the first end (13) and the second end (14), and the baffle cap (12) is devoid of outlet openings; said at least one outlet opening (21, 22) is formed as a first outlet opening (21) and a second outlet opening (22), said first outlet opening (21) and said second outlet opening (22) being formed by a single tab (20), said tab (20) being formed by two parallel notches extending perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis (16) in said outer wall of said tubular base body (11) and by deforming the area between them in a radially outward direction, said tab (20) comprising two semi-dome shaped protuberances (23), A diffuser (10), characterized in that the curvature of the ridge (23) is inclined towards the first outlet opening (21) and the second outlet opening (22) such that the radial component of the gas flow leaving the interior of the diffuser (10) can be reduced by the first outlet opening (21) and the second outlet opening (22) and such that the flow can be formed to be exclusively axial.

2. The diffuser (10) of claim 1, The diffuser (10), wherein the baffle cap (12) is configured as a sphere segment or a universal spherical joint so as to be dome-shaped.

3. The diffuser (10) of claim 1, The diffuser (10), characterized in that the tab (20) is gill-shaped and the connection device arranged at the second end (14) of the diffuser (10) includes a taper (15).

4. A diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A diffuser (10), characterized in that said tab (20) or said first and second tabs (20a, 20b) are formed symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis (16) and / or transverse axis.

5. A diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Diffuser (10), characterized in that the first outlet opening (21) directed towards the first end (13) has a larger opening area than the second outlet opening (22) directed towards the second end (14), and the opening areas of the first outlet opening (21) and the second outlet opening (22) are designed such that the mass flow rate of the gas through the first outlet opening (21) is equal to the mass flow rate of the gas through the second outlet opening (22).

6. A diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The diffuser (10), characterized in that the base body (11) includes an inwardly directed bottom curved portion (24) on a side radially opposite the first outlet opening (21) and the second outlet opening (22).

7. A diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A diffuser (10), characterized in that two or more first and second outlet openings (21, 22) are arranged in the circumferential direction.

8. A gas generator (50) for an airbag module, comprising a tubular housing (51) and a diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, arranged at a first end of the gas generator (50).

9. 9. The gas generator (50) of claim 8, A gas generator (50), characterized in that the tubular housing (51) of the gas generator (50) includes a taper at a first end thereof, in which a taper (15) of the diffuser (10) may engage in a complementary manner or may be configured thereon.

10. A gas generator (50) according to claim 8 or 9, A gas generator (50), characterized in that the diameter of the gas generator (50) and the diameter of the diffuser (10) are equal and / or the gas generator (50) is a pyrotechnic gas generator or a hybrid gas generator.

11. An airbag module comprising a gas generator (50), an airbag inflatable by said gas generator (50), and a fixing device for mounting said airbag module to a vehicle; An airbag module, characterized in that the gas generator (50) is constructed according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. 1. A vehicle safety system for protecting a vehicle occupant or a person, including a pedestrian, comprising a gas generator (50), an airbag inflatable by said gas generator (50) as part of an airbag module, and an electronic control unit capable of activating said gas generator (50) when a release condition is given, A vehicle safety system, characterized in that the gas generator (50) is constructed according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

13. A method for manufacturing a diffuser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps of: a. providing a tubular base body (11), said tubular base body (11) including an outer wall and a baffle cap (12) axially connected to said base body (11) forming a first end (13) of said diffuser (10); b. introducing two parallel notches extending radially into the outer wall of the base body (11) and having a first length, the notches having a depth of the outer wall of the base body (11); c. plastically deforming the single tab (20) or the first tab (20a) and the second tab (20b) in an area adjacent the notch; A method comprising:

14. 14. The method of claim 13, The method, characterized in that the plastic deformation is performed radially outward from the inside of the diffuser by a mandrel having one or two half-dome shaped bulges, or radially inward from the outside of the diffuser by a pressing tool having one or two half-dome shaped bulges.

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