Gas Generator Retainer Segmentation for Flangeless Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas generators with flangeless housings face challenges in maintaining effective retention and preventing axial movement during actuation, as the current retaining structures lack sufficient strength to counteract expansion forces.
Innovation Solution
A retainer system comprising a combination of first and second retainers with annular circumferential walls, flanges, inward protruding portions, and folded portions that abut against the housing to enhance retention and prevent deformation, with the first retainer fitted from the top plate and the second from the bottom plate, and vice versa, to increase the retaining force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flangeless housing is used for the gas generator, then adjustment of the threaded hole structure is made easier, but the retaining force and prevention of axial movement during actuation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is divided into a first retainer and a second retainer that are fitted from opposite sides of the housing. Each retainer has annular circumferential walls that abut against different portions of the housing circumferential wall, distributing the retention force and preventing axial movement during actuation while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer structure extends in the axial dimension by using two separate retainers fitted from opposite sides of the housing. This dimensional approach allows the retainers to work together to provide sufficient retaining force without requiring complex modifications to the housing threaded hole structure.
2Device complexity
If a single retainer structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the retaining force is insufficient to counteract expansion forces during actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer system is segmented into two separate retainers fitted from opposite sides of the housing. Each retainer has annular circumferential walls that abut against different portions of the housing, allowing the retention force to be distributed and doubled compared to a single retainer, effectively counteracting expansion forces during actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second retainers are positioned on opposite sides of the housing, acting as counterbalancing structures. During actuation, when the housing expands in one direction, the retainers on both sides provide opposing retention forces that counteract the expansion forces and prevent axial movement.
3Reliability
If the retainer abuts against the housing circumferential wall, then the housing is retained securely, but the housing may deform under axial loads
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer system uses two separate retainers with annular circumferential walls that abut against different portions of the housing circumferential wall. This segmentation distributes the retention force across multiple contact points, securing the housing while minimizing localized stress concentrations that could cause deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each retainer is designed with specific local features including annular circumferential walls for abutting against the housing, inward protruding portions for additional contact, and folded portions for reinforcement. These localized structural qualities provide secure retention while distributing loads to prevent housing deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a retainer for retaining, from outside, a housing of a gas generator including a circumferential wall provided with no flange, the retainer including a combination of a first retainer and a second retainer,the first retainer having a first annular circumferential wall, a first flange, a first inward protruding portion and a first folded portion,the second retainer having a second annular circumferential wall and a second flange, andthe first retainer being fitted from the side of the top plate or the side of the bottom plate of the housing of the gas generator such that the first annular circumferential wall abuts against a part of the circumferential wall of the housing of the gas generator, the second retainer being fitted from the side of the bottom plate or the side of the top plate of the housing of the gas generator such that the second annular circumferential wall abuts against a remaining part of the circumferential wall of the housing of the gas generator, andthe first flange and the second flange being abutted against each other, so as to retain the housing of the gas generator.