Multifunctional Filter for Gas Generator Propellant Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generic gas generators in motor vehicle safety devices face issues with propellant pellets causing rattling noises and potential abrasion, affecting ignition and combustion behavior, due to their movement and lack of a unified component for retaining combustion products and acting as a heat sink.
Innovation Solution
An integrally formed filter with a peripheral and radial portion, where the radial portion is more compressible and serves as a filling body to hold propellant pellets in place, also acting as a heat sink and distance element to improve the sealing and positioning of components within the gas generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate filling body and filter components are used, then propellant pellets are held in place and combustion products are retained, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filling body and filter into a single integrated component. The filter element is configured with a support structure that simultaneously retains combustion products and stabilizes propellant pellets, eliminating the need for separate filling body and filter components while maintaining both functions effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated filter component performs multiple functions: it filters combustion products, acts as a heat sink, and serves as a filling body to hold propellant pellets in place. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed in the gas generator system
2Reliability
If knitted mesh filter is used, then combustion products are retained, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to integral formation
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into distinct functional portions: a peripheral portion for combustion product retention and a radial portion for propellant stabilization. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining integral formation, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements
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 multifunctional filter reduces noise, enhances ignition stability, and simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for separate components, leading to a cost-effective and efficient gas generator design.
Implementation Method 1
The radial portion of the filter pre-stresses the pellets of the propellant in the axial direction to inhibit movement thereof
Implementation Method 2
the filter prevents the aforesaid discharge through the outflow openings and simultaneously serves as heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a gas generator (10) for use in a safety device for motor vehicles comprising a housing and a propellant (4) contained in a combustion chamber (25) of the housing for generating a pressurized gas, the housing comprising a first housing part (40) and a second housing part (30) at least partly surrounded by the first housing part (40) and at least one igniter (6) for igniting the propellant (4), and an annular filter (50) surrounding the combustion chamber (25) in which the propellant (4) is located. The filter (50) comprises a peripheral portion (52) and a radial portion (51), the radial portion (51) serving as filling body for the propellant (4) in the combustion chamber (25).