Gas Generator Outlet Section for Thrust-Neutral Airbag Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag gas generator configurations require additional components and increased construction effort, and must be thrust-neutral when ignited outside a vehicle, posing challenges in design and integration within airbag modules.
Innovation Solution
A gas generator with an integral gas outlet section having two oppositely oriented outflow areas within its tubular housing, providing axial components for gas flow directionality and thrust-neutrality, eliminating the need for separate gas-guiding elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate gas-guiding components with differently oriented outflow nozzles are used, then gas can be distributed to various airbag sections, but device complexity and construction effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple outflow areas with different orientations directly into the gas generator housing, merging the functions of separate gas-guiding components into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for additional removable gas distribution elements while maintaining the capability to direct gas flows to various airbag sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas generator housing is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the combustion chamber enclosure and the gas distribution system. The housing includes multiple outflow areas that can direct gas in different directions, making the single component universal for both containment and distribution purposes.
2Speed
If gas generator produces thrust for airbag inflation, then inflation speed increases, but thrust-neutrality during transportation is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs symmetric arrangement of outflow areas with equal and opposite thrust components. The housing includes a first outflow area and a second outflow area positioned such that their thrust components in the lengthwise direction are equal and opposite, creating overall thrust neutrality while maintaining effective inflation capability when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The design uses counterbalancing thrust components from different outflow areas to offset each other. The first outflow area generates a thrust component in one direction while the second outflow area generates an equal and opposite thrust component, effectively canceling out any net thrust during transportation.
3Device complexity
If gas flows purely radially from gas generator, then distribution is simple, but gas guidance into specific airbag sections becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates different local flow characteristics at different locations on the gas generator housing. Each outflow area is positioned and oriented to provide localized gas guidance in specific directions, allowing gas to be directed into different airbag sections while maintaining overall system simplicity.
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
This design allows for efficient gas distribution to airbag sections without additional components, ensuring thrust-neutrality and simplifying integration within airbag modules, making the system more cost-effective and space-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
the gas-generating material contained therein burns
Implementation Method 2
The net thrust outflow direction of the first outflow area has a first component in the lengthwise direction of the gas generator and the net thrust outflow direction of the second outflow area has a second component in the lengthwise direction of the gas generator. The first component is oriented opposite to the second component.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas generator has an outer housing with a gas outlet section having an outer wall. The gas outlet section has a first and a second outflow area. Each outflow area has a net thrust outflow direction. The net thrust outflow direction of the first outflow area has a first component in the lengthwise direction of the gas generator and the net thrust outflow direction of the second outflow area has a second component in the lengthwise direction of the gas generator. The first component is oriented opposite to the second component. The gas generator is arranged in an airbag module in a way that gas from the first and second outflow areas is guided into different inflatable sections of a gas bag.