Gas Generator Resilient Element Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas generators for vehicle occupant restraint systems face challenges in maintaining constant combustion chamber pressure, which affects generator performance and gas yield, due to fixed outflow cross-sections influencing deflagration behavior.
Innovation Solution
A gas generator with a rigid outer housing, a chamber, an immovable component, and a resilient element that elastically deforms to increase the outflow cross-section with pressure, allowing variable gas flow and maintaining constant internal pressure, while ensuring the resilient element reduces the flow cross-section upon pressure relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a fixed outflow cross-section is used, then the device structure is simple, but the combustion chamber pressure cannot be maintained at a constant level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by using a resilient element that can change its position and the outflow cross-section dynamically in response to pressure changes. The resilient element moves from a closed position to an open position as pressure increases, automatically adjusting the outflow to maintain constant combustion chamber pressure without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element serves itself by using the combustion chamber pressure directly to open the outflow passage. The pressure differential across the resilient element automatically controls its position, eliminating the need for external actuators or control mechanisms. The system self-regulates based on the pressure it is designed to maintain.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a variable outflow cross-section is implemented, then the combustion chamber pressure can be maintained constant, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resilient element that functions as a flexible component to control the outflow cross-section. This flexible element can deform and change position under pressure, providing variable outflow control while maintaining a relatively simple structure compared to rigid valve mechanisms or complex actuating systems.
3Quantity of substance
If the outflow cross-section is increased, then the gas yield improves, but the combustion chamber pressure decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element creates a feedback mechanism where the combustion chamber pressure directly controls the outflow cross-section. When pressure increases, the resilient element opens further, increasing gas yield while simultaneously reducing pressure back to the set point. This automatic feedback loop maintains pressure stability while allowing gas yield to respond to demand.
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 ensures consistent gas generation and improved deflagration behavior by adjusting the minimum pressure required for flow cross-section opening and closing, enhancing the performance of both pyrotechnical and hybrid gas generators.
Implementation Method 1
the resilient element is deformed elastically under the influence of compressed gas, whereby it clears a flow cross-section whose size is increasing with increasing pressure
Implementation Method 2
the gas generator includes a combustion chamber with a pyrotechnical propellant, upon deflagration of which compressed gas is generated
Data Source
AI summary
A gas generator for a vehicle occupant restraint system a rigid outer housing (12), a chamber (14) formed in the outer housing (12), in which a compressed gas is present at least upon activation of the gas generator (10), a component immovable (20; 34; 62) relative to the outer housing (12), at least one outflow opening (22) formed in the immovable component (20; 34; 62), and a least one resilient element (26), which is clamped inside the outer housing (12) and rests against the immovable component (20; 34; 62) at least in its normal position. In its normal position, the resilient element (26) closes a flow path between the chamber (14) and external surroundings of the gas generator (10) and is deformed elastically under the influence of compressed gas, whereby it clears a flow cross-section (30) whose size is increasing with increasing pressure.