专利摘要:
A gas generating device 10 is provided having an igniter subassembly 14 comprising an igniter 50 and a gas generating device body 70 of a polymer material and a lid 34 of a polymer material. The gas generating device body and the cover of polymer material define a hermetically sealed combustion chamber 46 for receiving the gas generating agent 48. The igniter receives current to ignite the gas generating agent. The gas produced can be used in vehicle occupant safety devices, including seat belt pretensioners, air bags, compressed gas container openers, and other devices requiring rapid pulses of high pressure gas.
公开号:KR20030096306A
申请号:KR10-2003-7013234
申请日:2001-11-01
公开日:2003-12-24
发明作者:호지에드워드오티스;램케이쓰힝;캔터베리제이비
申请人:브리드 오토모티브 테크놀로지 인코포레이티드;
IPC主号:
专利说明:

Gas generating device {GAS GENERATOR}
[2] Gas generating devices are used to inflate airbags. They can also be used to open containers containing compressed gas and to fasten seat belts. More specifically, the small "gas generating device" is utilized in the seat belt pretensioner and as a means for opening a container containing compressed gas. In a vehicle occupant restraint system, the current initiated by the collision sensor activates the gas generating device. In general, when current is applied to an igniter housed inside the gas generating device, continuous ignition is initiated to cause ignition of the gas generant. Combustion of the gas generating agent produces hot gases at elevated pressures.
[3] When the gas generating agent used in the seat belt pretensioner is activated, the hot gas produced by the combustion of the gas generating agent and the resulting high pressure causes the cabled piston or similar device to lower the tube to eliminate excessive loosening of the seat belt. Forced. Other pretensioners use a gas generating device that drives a ratchet or reel to eliminate excessive looseness of the seat belt. Removing the looseness of the seat belt is necessary to properly position the vehicle occupant during the crash by securing the vehicle occupant to the seat.
[4] In compressed gas container openers, the gas exiting the gas generating device can be used to drive an object or to apply thermal or mechanical stress on a burst disk or diaphragm, in the latter case of the diaphragm or burst plate. It causes rupture or general destruction. If the diaphragm / burst plate ruptures or breaks, compressed gas may be ejected.
[5] The gas generating device includes an igniter, which typically has a glass-to-metal airtight seal or a plastic airtight seal that protects the ignition charge material from moisture. The igniter body may have an overmold comprising a polymeric material. Overmolding allows the igniter to form a seal against the gas generating device as disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,167,808.
[6] The present invention relates to a gas generating device having a housing or a body made entirely of a polymeric material. The gas generating device body of polymer material must withstand the high temperatures and high pressures encountered during ignition and combustion of the gas generating agent contained in the producing device body. Another problem is related to the brisance properties of gas generating agents. Breesang is a measure of the degree of breaking of matter. In gas or gas generating devices made of plastic or polymer, the gas generating agent must have soft ignition and combustion characteristics as the "low brie" type. Gas generators of this type are described in US Pat. No. 6,071,364, which works well in plastic gas generators. U. S. Patent No. 6,073, 963 discloses an injection molded detonator with an injection molded insert member, and teaches the need for an insert member. The present invention does not use such a member. Instead, the entire body and the end cap of polymer material include injection molded plastics, forming a combustion chamber of polymer material containing the gas generating device. Plastic gas generators of the present invention are inexpensive, easy to assemble, light in weight, and manufactured by injection molding or similar techniques.
[7] Summary of the Invention
[8] A gas generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a polymer end cap and an igniter subassembly, which includes an igniter and a polymer gas generating device body. The gas generating device body and the end cap define a gas tightly sealed gas chamber for containing the gas generating agent. The igniter receives current to ignite the gas generating agent. The gas generating device may be attached, mounted, or maintained by changing or changing the external shape to cover various designs.
[1] The present invention relates to a gas generating device for use in a vehicle occupant safety device including but not limited to a seat belt pretensioner, an air bag, a compressed gas container opener, and other devices requiring rapid pulses of high pressure gas. will be.
[9] 1 shows an end of a gas generating device according to the invention,
[10] 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[11] 3 shows an end of a gas generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[12] 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
[13] 5 shows an end portion of a gas generating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
[14] 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[15] 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a gas generating device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[16] 8 and 8a are partial cutaway side views of a gas generating device according to the invention used as an opener for a compressed gas container,
[17] 9 to 11 are perspective views of an igniter that can be used in the gas generating device according to the present invention,
[18] 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the igniter shown in FIG. 4 after it has been used to produce gas.
[19] The illustrated embodiment is intended for use in seat belt pretensioners, but may be used in other devices including, but not limited to, inflators for airbags or openers for compressed gas receiving containers. Openers for compressed gas containment vessels may be used in, but are not limited to, passenger side or side impact airbag devices. The gas generating device according to the invention can also be used for devices such as explosive bolts, detonators used for mining or blasting operations, military devices, perforation devices, pullers, recoil thrusters, valves, cutters and underwater devices. It must have utility.
[20] 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a gas generating device 10 suitable for use in a vehicle occupant restraint device such as a seat belt pretensioner. The gas generating device according to the invention, which is used for pretensioners or of a size suitable for opening a compressed gas containing vessel, is relatively small and only contains up to about 5 grams of gas generating material. 1 is a view showing the end of the gas generating device, Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. The gas generating device has a longitudinal axis 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the gas generating device. The igniter subassembly 14 includes an igniter 50 molded into a gas generating device body 70 made of polymer material. That is, a commercially available igniter 50 having a three-dimensional shape shown in FIG. 9 is placed in a mold, and a gas generating device main body 70 made of a suitable polymer is molded around the igniter to form the igniter subassembly 14. By forming, the gas generating device according to this embodiment is partially manufactured.
[21] In use herein, “igniter” is understood to be any device that will initiate the initial firing of chain combustion. The igniter includes, for example, an electrical device 50 having two pins or electrodes 66, 68 which are mutually insulated and connected by a heating element 59, an example of which is an electrode 66. And a semiconductor bridge or bridge wire attached to the header 42 on the side of the header 42 opposite to 68. The tubular sidewall 44 extends from the header. Seal 40 cooperates with the header and sidewall to define a charge cavity 58, which receives the primary ignition material 60. The seal 40 isolates the primary ignition material from the gas generating agent 48. The heating element 59 is embedded in the primary ignition material 60, ie the ignition charge. The primary ignition material is designed to provide ignition with heat of sufficient strength to rupture the seal 40 and ignite the gas generating agent 48 when electricity is supplied to the heating element 59.
[22] While the structure of a particular igniter is shown and described, it is understood that any suitable igniter may be used in the practice of the present invention.
[23] 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a gas generating device 10A suitable for use in a vehicle occupant restraint device. 3 is a view showing the end of the gas generating device, Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. By placing a commercially available igniter 50A having a three-dimensional shape shown in FIG. 10 in the mold, and forming a igniter subassembly 14 by forming a suitable polymer gas generating device body 70 around the igniter. The gas generating device according to this embodiment is partially manufactured. The difference between the igniters 50 and 50A used in the gas generating apparatuses 10 and 10A of these first two embodiments is that the igniter 50A used in the second embodiment has an overmolded portion 52 of plastic material. This plastic overmolded portion 52 is provided by the igniter manufacturer to facilitate assembly of the igniter with a metal gas generator body. The gas generating apparatuses of the first and second embodiments are substantially the same except for some minor differences which will be pointed out below. Therefore, these two embodiments will be described in detail at the same time by indicating the same parts by the same reference numerals.
[24] The gas generators 10, 10A have a shorting clip 91 to ground the gas generators until the igniters 50, 50A are connected to the vehicle's electrical circuit. The shorting clip prevents misfire of the gas generating device. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shorting clip 91 is secured in a separate housing 90, which is inserted into a recess in the gas generating device body 70 of polymer material, The position is determined by the tab 92 disposed in the slot 76 in the polymer generating body of the polymer. Such shorting clip assemblies are commercially available. Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the shorting clip 91 may be insert molded into the gas generating device body 70 of polymeric material. As best shown in FIG. 12, when an electrical connector 93 for connecting the igniter to the vehicle's electrical system by suitable wiring 94 is plugged onto the igniter pins, the shorting clip 91 causes the igniter pins 66. Pushed out of contact.
[25] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the gas generating device body 70 of polymeric material has a tubular combustion chamber wall 16. The combustion chamber wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The combustion chamber 46 is defined by the igniters 50, 50A, the gas generating device body 70 of polymer material and the cover 34 of polymer material.
[26] To prevent cracking of the igniter subassembly 14 during combustion of the gas generating agent 46, a gas generating agent as disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,071,364 should be used. More specifically, the gas generating agent should be of low brie phase or non-explosive type. The igniter subassembly 14 must be able to withstand pressure up to about 700 kgf / cm 2 without breakage.
[27] The polymeric cover 34 forms a hermetic seal with the igniter subassembly 14 to prevent the gas generating agent 48 located in the combustion chamber 46 from being exposed to water vapor or other contaminants. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the polymeric cover 34 is an end cap having a “U” shaped cross section with a closed end 38 and an open end 36. The gas generating device 10 shown in FIG. 2 has an end cap located inside the tubular combustion chamber chamber wall 16, wherein the open end of the polymeric material end cap allows the igniter to increase the volume of the chamber as needed. Face to face. The gas generating device 10A shown in FIG. 4 has an end cap 34 located inside the tubular combustion chamber chamber wall 16, where the closed end 38 of the polymeric material end cap 34 is a combustion chamber ( 46) Face igniter 50A so that no unnecessary residues are left inside. It will be appreciated that all structures of the lid 34 described in all exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be used in other embodiments disclosed herein.
[28] With continued reference to FIGS. 2-4, the igniter subassembly 14 further includes an inner annular portion 22 of polymeric material molded adjacent to the igniters 50, 50A. 1 and 2, the inner annular portion 22 of the polymeric material and the combustion chamber wall 16 are spaced apart to form an annular recess 24 that is part of the combustion chamber 46. There is no such recess in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The presence or absence of such annular recesses 22 is optional and the need for such recesses is determined by the amount of gas produced according to good engineering practice.
[29] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the igniter subassembly 14 further includes a flange 26 made of polymer material, the flange 26 of polymer material having a gas generating device body 70 made of polymer material. It is formed integrally and extends radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis 12 of the gas generating device. The polymer flange 26 adds stability and strength to the gas generating device 10 because the flange absorbs energy during combustion. Polymeric flanges may be used to seat the gas generating device in a vehicle occupant protection device, such as a pretensioner (not shown). Positioning members 78 extending from the flange are further shown in FIGS. 1-4 to assist in properly determining the position of the gas generating device within the vehicle occupant safety device.
[30] A ledge 31 may be used to secure the gas generating device 10 to a safety device such as a seat belt pretensioner, which is bent around the protrusion 31 to hold the gas generating device in place. Fixing means such as metal strips are used.
[31] 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the present invention in which the igniter 50B is integrally formed with the igniter subassembly 14. FIG. 5 is a view showing the end of the gas generating device 10B, and FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. A commercially available igniter header assembly 50B having a three-dimensional shape shown in FIG. 11 is placed in a mold, and a suitable polymer gas generating device body 70 is molded around the igniter to form the igniter subassembly 14. By forming, the gas generating device according to this embodiment is partially manufactured. More specifically, the igniter header assembly 50B has first and second conductor pins 66, 68 and a header 42, which opposes the side from which the pins 66, 68 extend. On the side of the header has a heating element 59 assembled with the header. Unlike the igniters 50 and 50A described above, the header assembly is not provided with tubular sidewalls 44 extending from the header. The polymeric annular 22 of the igniter subassembly 14 described above serves as a tubular sidewall as a structural member to help define the charge cavity 58 of the igniter 50. After the igniter subassembly 14 is molded, the primary ignition material 60 is filled into the charge cavity 58, the seal 40 is disposed over the opening in the inner annulus 22 of the polymeric material and the header And a charge cavity 58 for receiving the primary ignition material 60 by cooperating with the inner annular portion of the polymeric material. The seal 40 isolates the primary ignition material 60 from the gas generating agent 48. In all other respects the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 are similar in structure and operation to the embodiments already described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
[32] 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a gas generating device 10C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which an end cap 34 of a polymer material is mated over the igniter subassembly 14, thereby providing a polymer end cap 34. A hermetic seal is formed between the inner surface 36 of and the outer surface 20 of the combustion chamber wall 16. The igniter used in this embodiment includes a metal cup 61, first of which primary ignition material 60 is placed into the cup, and then a header assembly is inserted and fixed to the open end of the cup. The header 42 and the heating element 59 cooperate with the cup 61 to form the charge cavity 58. In all other respects the embodiment of FIG. 7 is similar in structure and operation to the embodiment already described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
[33] The technique as described above can be used to make an opener for the compressed gas container 100 such as shown in FIG. 8. 8 is a partial cutaway side view showing a gas generating device according to the present invention used as an opener for a compressed gas container. The gas generating device according to all the previous embodiments can be used to open the compressed gas container in the manner described now. Preferably, the gas generating device body of polymeric material has a bottleneck 17 closed by a polymeric cover 34 as described above. Activation of the igniter 50A and combustion of the gas generating agent 48 take place as described above. When the cover of the polymer material is ruptured as the gas pressure rises in the combustion chamber, the hot combustion gas jet flows out of the opener and impinges on the bursting plate 82. The fire plate 82 holds the compressed gas into the compressed gas container chamber 88. When a jet of hot gas strikes the blower plate 82, breakage occurs due to thermal stress, melting, or the force of the gas colliding with the blower plate. If the bursting plate is broken, compressed gas may be ejected through the outlet 86 to inflate the airbag or other safety device or otherwise appropriately used.
[34] FIG. 8A is a partial cutaway side view of another gas generating device used as an opener for the compressed gas container 100 in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 8. The gas generating device used in this embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 8 except that the tubular combustion chamber wall 116 of the igniter subassembly 102 is shorter than in the other embodiments disclosed herein. However, the polymeric cover 101 is larger than in the other embodiments disclosed herein. The gas generating agent 48 is disposed in the cup-like polymeric cover 101, and then the igniter subassembly 102 is placed in the polymeric cover with the tubular combustion chamber wall 116 positioned inside the polymeric cover. It is assembled with 101. Thus, as in other embodiments, a combustion chamber containing a gas generating agent is defined by a gas generating device body made of a polymer material, an igniter and a covering of a polymer material.
[35] Operation of the gas generating device according to all embodiments of the present invention can be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 12. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the igniter shown in FIG. 4 after being used to generate gas. Once the gas generating device 10A is mounted in a suitable vehicle occupant safety device, it remains inactive until an activation signal is received from the vehicle's electrical circuitry. When a predetermined deceleration limit is exceeded or a vehicle crashes, a sensor (not shown) sends current to igniter 50A via wire 94 and electrical connector 93. Electrical connection pins 66 and 68 receive current. Current flows through the fins and the heating element 59. The current heats the heating element, which then ignites primary ignition material 60. The igniter charge 60 ignites and ruptures the seal 40 of the charge cavity 54 of the igniter 50A. Subsequently, the gas generating agent 48 disposed in the combustion chamber 46 is ignited by the high temperature of the combusted primary ignition material. As the gas generating agent burns, the pressure in the chamber is increased by the hot gas. This elevated pressure causes the polymer cover 34 to rupture or break away from the igniter subassembly 14. Thus, the gas is ejected to move the associated piston of the seat belt pretensioner system or other safety device or to open the gas receiving vessel.
[36] Plastic injection molding processes are utilized to produce the gas generating device according to the invention, which is a technique known in the art. A mold (not shown) is installed in the injection molding apparatus (not shown). The igniter 50, 50A, 50C or header assembly 50B is positioned in the mold using the positioning mechanism 80. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the positioning mechanism 80 is a recess disposed between and below the first and second electrical pins 66, 68. The positioning mechanism 80 properly orients the electrical contact pins in the mold before the polymer is injected into the mold to form the igniter subassembly 14. After these components are in place, the mold is closed. The molten flowable polymer material is then injected into the mold. The polymeric material flows around the igniter 50, 50A, 50C or header assembly 50B to form the igniter subassembly. After the polymer material is sufficiently cooled, the igniter subassembly is released from the mold. Subsequently, the combustion chamber 46 is filled with the gas generating agent 48. After the combustion chamber is properly filled, the lid 34 of polymer material is hermetically sealed to the combustion chamber wall 16. Shorting clip 76 is attached to the gas generating device if it is not injection molded into the igniter subassembly to prevent premature ignition of the gas generating device. After the gas generating device has been transferred to the mounting target point, the necessary electrical circuits are connected to the first and second pins 66, 68 of the igniter of the gas generating device.
[37] In the shape provided by the present invention, no gas accelerator is required to ignite the gas generating agent. When the igniter charge ignites, enough thermal energy is produced to ignite the gas generating agent disposed in the chamber. Of course, a gas generating agent may be utilized together with the gas generating agent, but this is not absolutely necessary.
[38] As described above, a gas generating device made of a polymer material has not been developed because combustion of the gas generating agent exerts severe stress on the structure. The gas generating device according to the invention is produced using glass fiber reinforced nylon 6/6 as the polymer material. One of the problems that may arise with the polymeric material is that it may have some moisture permeability, which can be harmful to some gas generating materials. Other polymeric materials useful in the practice of the present invention include acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS), polyethamides (registered trademark Ultem), polyphenyline oxide (registered trademark Norel) and Polyarylamide is mentioned. Of course, other suitable polymeric materials having high temperature properties that do not break down in combustion may also be used. When the collision sensor signals the gas generating device 10, the pressure therein rises from zero to about 422 kgf / cm 2 in approximately 6 to 14 milliseconds.
权利要求:
Claims (8)
[1" claim-type="Currently amended] In the gas generating device 10,
An igniter subassembly 14 comprising an igniter 50 for receiving an electric current and igniting the gas generator 48 insert-molded into a gas-generating body main body 70 having a combustion chamber wall 16;
A cover 34 made of a polymer material attached to the gas generating device main body 70 made of the polymer material,
A combustion chamber 46 for receiving a gas generating agent 48, defined by the igniter 50, the lid 34 of the polymer material and the combustion chamber wall of the polymer material,
A gas generating agent (48) disposed in the combustion chamber (46).
Gas generating device.
[2" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1,
The igniter subassembly 14 is formed integrally with the gas generating device body 70 of the polymer material and extends radially therefrom, and a polymer extending into the combustion chamber 46. And an inner annular portion 46 of the material, wherein the annular portion of the polymer material forms an annular recess 24 together with the inner wall of the combustion chamber wall 16, the annular recess forming part of the combustion chamber. doing
Gas generating device.
[3" claim-type="Currently amended] The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The combustion chamber 46 is hermetically sealed
Gas generating device.
[4" claim-type="Currently amended] The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The polymer cover 34 is hermetically sealed to the outside of the combustion chamber wall 16.
Gas generating device.
[5" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1,
The polymer cover 34 and the polymer gas generator body 70 include nylon 6/6.
Gas generating device.
[6" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 2,
The igniter 50 receives the charge cavity 58 defined by the annular portion 22 of the polymer material, and receives the current to transmit the current to the charge cavity to ignite the primary ignition material. An electrical connector 93 in communication with the charge cavity
Gas generating device.
[7" claim-type="Currently amended] The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The polymer gas generating device main body 70 and the polymer cover 34 are made of glass fiber reinforced nylon 6/6, acryllo nitrile butadyene, polyetheramides, and polyphenylene oxide. at least one substance selected from the group consisting essentially of (polyphenyline oxide) and polyarylamide
Gas generating device.
[8" claim-type="Currently amended] The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The combustion chamber 46 has a volume to receive a gas generating agent 48 of less than about 5 grams.
Gas generating device.
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同族专利:
公开号 | 公开日
AT383276T|2008-01-15|
US6553914B2|2003-04-29|
EP1383664A2|2004-01-28|
AU2002220058A1|2002-10-28|
KR100548886B1|2006-02-02|
DE60132371D1|2008-02-21|
EP1383664B1|2008-01-09|
US20020145275A1|2002-10-10|
WO2002083458A3|2003-08-21|
DE60132371T2|2008-12-24|
WO2002083458A2|2002-10-24|
EP1383664A4|2006-03-29|
引用文献:
公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
法律状态:
2001-04-10|Priority to US09/829,686
2001-04-10|Priority to US09/829,686
2001-11-01|Application filed by 브리드 오토모티브 테크놀로지 인코포레이티드
2001-11-01|Priority to PCT/US2001/045412
2003-12-24|Publication of KR20030096306A
2006-02-02|Application granted
2006-02-02|Publication of KR100548886B1
2008-10-09|First worldwide family litigation filed
优先权:
申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
US09/829,686|2001-04-10|
US09/829,686|US6553914B2|2001-04-10|2001-04-10|Gas generator|
PCT/US2001/045412|WO2002083458A2|2001-04-10|2001-11-01|Gas generator|
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