Gas Generating Composition Copper Powder Combustion Residue Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas generating agents in airbag systems produce ultrafine combustion residues and mist, which can damage the airbag and pose a burn risk to occupants, and the use of fine-mesh filters to mitigate this increases the mass and size of the inflator.

Innovation Solution

A gas generating composition incorporating a copper powder with specific particle size and surface area ranges is used to decrease combustion temperature, reducing the amount of combustion residues and mist, and including fuels, oxidizing agents, binders, and additives to enhance gas purification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a fine-mesh metallic filter is disposed inside the inflator to purify gas, then gas purification is improved, but the mass and size of the inflator increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion residues and mistVSAvoidinflator mass
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful combustion residues and mist are extracted and removed from the gas generating composition through the filter, separating the purified gas from the harmful byproducts. This allows the system to maintain gas generation functionality while eliminating the harmful factors that would otherwise contaminate the airbag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A fine-mesh metallic filter with porous structure is used to physically block and trap ultrafine combustion residues and mist particles while allowing the generated gas to pass through. The porous structure provides large surface area for filtration, effectively capturing harmful particles without completely blocking gas flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a fine-mesh metallic filter is disposed inside the inflator to protect occupants, then safety is improved, but the size of the inflator increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupant burn riskVSAvoidinflator size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter extracts and removes hot combustion residues and mist that would otherwise be released into the airbag and potentially burn occupants. By separating these harmful hot particles from the gas stream, the system protects occupants while maintaining compact inflator design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fine-mesh porous filter provides thermal protection by trapping hot combustion particles while allowing gas flow, preventing direct contact between hot residues and occupants without requiring excessive inflator size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Temperature

If copper powder is added to the gas generating composition, then combustion temperature is decreased and gas purification is improved, but the composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion temperatureVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Copper powder is added as a combustion modifier that changes the combustion parameters, specifically lowering the combustion temperature. This temperature reduction decreases the formation of harmful combustion residues and mist, improving gas purification while maintaining the functional integrity of the gas generating composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The copper powder composition lowers combustion temperature, minimizing combustion residues and hazardous gases like carbon monoxide and ammonia, while maintaining effective gas purification and reducing the size and mass of the inflator filter.

Implementation Method 1

the copper powder decreases the combustion temperature of the gas generating composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the copper powder decreases the combustion temperature of the gas generating composition and acts to decrease the amount of NH3 and carbon monoxide and the like generated after combustion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS7887650B2Gas generating composition
Publication Date: 2011.02.15 DAICEL CORP

AI summary

The present invention provides a gas generating composition comprising a fuel and an oxidizing agent and further a copper powder.