Airbag Gas Generator Deflectors for Delayed Reagent Mixing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas generators with two chambers of reagent gases, such as hydrogen and oxygen, mechanically stress the airbag during deployment due to immediate mixing and combustion, which is inefficient for proper airbag pressurization.

Innovation Solution

A gas generator with distinct discharge directions for reagent gases using deflectors to limit initial mixing and combustion, allowing gases to react fully after deployment, reducing mechanical stress and enhancing pressurization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If reagent gases are released and mix in the diffusion zone, then combustion reaction occurs to inflate the airbag, but mechanical stress is exerted on the airbag at the beginning of deployment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion reaction capacityVSAvoidmechanical stress on airbag

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gas generator is divided into separate chambers (first chamber with first reagent gas, second chamber with second reagent gas) that discharge gases in different radial directions. This segmentation prevents immediate mixing and combustion in the diffusion zone, thereby reducing mechanical stress on the airbag during deployment while still enabling combustion reaction to occur later for effective inflation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If combustion reaction occurs in the diffusion zone, then energy is released to deploy the airbag, but heat loss occurs and pressurization is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy releaseVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The deflectors are pre-positioned to impose different radial discharge directions on gases from the first and second chambers. This preliminary action ensures that gases mix and combust primarily within the airbag rather than in the diffusion zone, directing energy release where it is most effective for pressurization while minimizing heat loss to the generator structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces mechanical stress on the airbag during deployment by limiting initial combustion, ensuring complete gas reaction post-deployment for effective pressurization and minimizing heat loss.

Implementation Method 1

at least one deflector arranged to impose on the first pressurized gases a first radial discharge direction in the separate diffusion zone of a second radial discharge direction of the second pressurized gases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control:

Implementation Method 2

the first pressurized gases and the second pressurized gases are arranged to react together once they are mixed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion reaction: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS12606120B2Gas generator comprising reagent gases

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 AUTOLIV DEV AB

AI summary

Gas generator comprising:a first chamber having first pressurized gases and a first outlet port,a second chamber with second pressurized gases and a second outlet port,a diffusion zone, arranged to receive and diffuse towards an airbag the first pressurized gases and the second pressurized gases,wherein the first pressurized gases and the second pressurized gases are arranged to react together once they are mixed,characterized in that the gas generator comprises at least one deflector arranged to impose on the first pressurized gases a first discharge trajectory in the separate diffusion zone of a second discharge trajectory of the second pressurized gases.