JP4864681B2 - Gas generator and personnel restraint device using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas generator and a personnel restraint device using the same.

  It is known that when a gas generator mounted on a vehicle is operated, the output changes depending on the environmental temperature (for example, when the temperature is high, the output of the gas generator is slightly higher and the temperature is lower). In some cases, the output of the gas generator is low), and in order to suppress this, a method of controlling the internal combustion pressure inside the gas generator housing is employed.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a gas generator in which gas discharge ports 126 a and 126 b having two different diameters are formed in a housing and closed with a seal tape 27. The seal tape covering the large opening area 126a is torn at a lower pressure. In the specification, “[0034] In addition, even when there is one combustion chamber provided in the housing, the gas generator is not in operation. When the external environmental temperature is lower, only the gas outlet with a large opening area opens, and when the external environmental temperature is room temperature or high temperature, the gas outlet with a large opening area and a gas with a small opening area are opened. By making the exhaust port open, it is possible to obtain a more constant combustion internal pressure. ", And the pressure inside the housing increases during combustion such as at high temperatures. The combustion speed increases, and the increase in output is suppressed compared to that during normal temperature combustion or low temperature combustion.

  However, since the temperature of the discharged combustion gas is higher than that at normal temperature and low temperature, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of suppressing the output difference.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a mechanism for changing the output by steplessly changing the amount of filter covering the periphery of the gas discharge port. For example, the output is controlled by adjusting the temperature of the exhausted gas by changing the amount of the filter that closes the gas exhaust port with a signal from a sensor that detects the seating state of the occupant, the weight of the occupant, etc. is there.

However, in the above invention, it does not function on its own, and must be combined with a sensor (detecting the occupant's sitting state, weight, etc.) and a control system that controls it. There is room.
JP 2003-34219 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-8295

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas generator capable of reducing a difference in output due to a difference in environmental temperature during operation, and a personnel restraint device using the gas generator.

[Claim 1]
As a means for solving the problems, the present invention
A gas generator having a housing having a gas discharge port closed by a closing member from the inside, ignition means accommodated in the housing, and a gas generating agent that generates ignition gas by igniting and burning by operation of the ignition means And
The gas outlet comprises a plurality of gas outlet groups or a plurality of gas outlets, and opens at different pressures for each of the plurality of gas outlet groups or the plurality of gas outlets,
A gas generator is provided in which a gas exhaust port group or a gas exhaust port that opens at least at the highest pressure among the plurality of gas exhaust port groups or the plurality of gas exhaust ports is covered with a cooling member from the outside.

  The gas generator is mounted on a person restraining device such as an air bag device of a vehicle. In addition, the environmental temperature during operation varies greatly between the interior of the closed low latitude region in the summer and the severe winter season in the high latitude region. And if the pressure (internal pressure) in the combustion chamber during the operation of the gas generator changes due to the environmental temperature during operation, the output of the gas generator will vary, so studies have been made to suppress the internal pressure difference caused by the environmental temperature difference. Yes. However, since the gas temperature itself changes depending on the environmental temperature, it is difficult to reduce the variation in the output of the gas generator only by suppressing the internal pressure difference during operation.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the problem by reducing not only the internal pressure difference when an environmental temperature difference occurs but also the temperature difference of the generated gas.

  In the gas generator of the present invention, a large number of gas discharge ports formed in the housing are composed of a plurality of gas discharge port groups or a plurality of gas discharge ports. Opened in multiple stages for each discharge port group or gas discharge port (that is, the closing member that closes the gas discharge port from the inside is opened), and depending on the internal pressure, there is a gas discharge port that does not open. The form to be included is also included.

  A plurality of gas outlet groups means that there are a plurality of groups in which a plurality of gas outlets are arranged in a group, and a plurality of gas outlets means one gas outlet. It means that they are arranged separately.

  The means for opening in multiple stages for each gas outlet group or gas outlet is not particularly limited, and a method of changing the diameter of the gas outlet, a method of changing the strength of the closing member, and the like can be applied.

  When the combustion gas generated inside the housing passes through the gas discharge port and is discharged to the outside (airbag, etc.), the internal pressure becomes high in a high-temperature environment. In addition, a gas exhaust port group or gas exhaust port that opens at a high pressure is also opened. On the other hand, an internal pressure becomes low in a low temperature environment, so that there are gas exhaust port groups or gas exhaust ports that are not opened.

  Therefore, during high-temperature combustion, the total opening area of the gas outlet is increased and the increase in internal pressure is suppressed, and during low-temperature combustion, the total opening area of the gas outlet is reduced and the internal pressure is increased, resulting in an output difference. It is suppressed.

  In the present invention, among the plurality of gas outlet groups or the plurality of gas outlets, at least the gas outlet group or the gas outlet that opens at the highest pressure is covered with the cooling member from the outside.

  As described above, since the internal pressure becomes high in a high temperature environment during operation, a gas exhaust port group or gas exhaust port that opens at a high pressure is also opened. By cooling the passing combustion gas with a cooling member, the temperature of the gas discharged when operating in a high temperature environment can be made closer to the exhaust gas temperature when operating in a low temperature or normal temperature environment, and gas generation due to the operating environment The output difference of the device can be made smaller.

  The cooling member only needs to be capable of lowering the temperature by being in contact with the combustion gas. For example, the cooling member can be cooled by allowing the combustion gas to pass therethrough, or can be cooled by causing the combustion gas to collide with the cooling member. The coolant filter used in the gas generator for airbags, a metal plate having high thermal conductivity, and the like can be used.

  The gas generator of the present invention can be applied to a pyro type gas generator that generates gas by burning a solid gas generating agent or a hybrid type gas generator that uses a pressurized gas in combination. Further, the gas generator may be provided with one igniter (single) or may be provided with a plurality of igniters (such as dual). The gas generator may be used in addition to a gas generator for inflating an air bag in a driver seat or a passenger seat of a vehicle, or a gas generator used in a restraining device for protecting a pedestrian.

[Claim 2]
As another means for solving the problem, the present invention provides a gas exhaust port group or a gas exhaust port that opens at the highest pressure among the plurality of gas exhaust port groups or the plurality of gas exhaust ports, and is covered with a cooling member from the outside. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the gas outlet group or the gas outlet opening that opens at the lowest pressure is not covered with a cooling member from the outside.

  By doing in this way, the output difference of the gas generator by an operating environment is suppressed. In addition, when there exists a gas exhaust port group or gas exhaust port which is not covered with the cooling member from the outer side, it is desirable to arrange | position a well-known coolant filter inside a housing.

[Claim 3]
As another means for solving the problem, the present invention provides a gas exhaust port group or gas that is opened at the highest pressure, with the plurality of gas exhaust port groups or the plurality of gas exhaust ports all covered with a cooling member from the outside. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the cooling effect of the cooling member covering the discharge port is maximum, and the cooling effect of the cooling member covering the gas discharge port group or the gas discharge port that opens at the smallest pressure is minimum. To do.

  By doing in this way, the output difference of the gas generator by an operating environment is suppressed. In the case of this invention, the coolant filter disposed inside the housing may be unnecessary.

  The cooling effect of the cooling member can be adjusted by applying a method of increasing or decreasing the contact area with the gas by increasing or decreasing the bulk density, area, volume, pressure loss, or the like of the cooling member.

[Claim 4]
The present invention provides other means for solving the problems,
The gas discharge port group or gas discharge port has a different diameter for each gas discharge port group or gas discharge port, and is arranged separately in different regions for each gas discharge port group or gas discharge port having a different diameter,
All of the gas outlet groups or gas outlets are closed from the inside with the same closing member,
Among the gas outlet groups or gas outlets, the gas outlet group or gas outlet having the largest diameter has the smallest opening pressure, and the gas outlet group or gas outlet having the smallest diameter has the largest opening pressure. The gas generator in any one of Claims 1-3 is provided.

  In the present invention, a method of changing the diameter of the gas exhaust port is applied as a means for opening the gas exhaust port group or the gas exhaust port in multiple stages.

  The plurality of gas outlet groups can be divided into, for example, a minimum gas outlet group with a minimum diameter, an intermediate gas outlet group with an intermediate diameter, and a maximum gas outlet group with a maximum diameter. Are arranged separately. The plurality of gas discharge port groups are preferably arranged at equal intervals on the peripheral surface of the housing.

  The formation state of the region is not particularly limited. For example, each of the minimum gas outlet group, the intermediate gas outlet group, and the maximum gas outlet group is a separate square (or may be a rectangle, a circle, or the like). It can be located within the region.

  The plurality of gas discharge ports can be divided into, for example, a gas discharge port with a minimum diameter, an intermediate gas discharge port with an intermediate diameter, and a maximum gas discharge port with a maximum diameter. The plurality of gas discharge ports are preferably arranged at equal intervals on the peripheral surface of the housing.

[Claim 5]
The present invention provides other means for solving the problems,
The gas outlet group or the gas outlets are all gas outlets having the same diameter, and are arranged separately in a plurality of different regions,
It is closed with a closing member having different strength for each gas outlet group or gas outlet,
Among the gas discharge ports or the gas discharge ports, the gas discharge ports closed by the closing member having the minimum strength or the gas discharge ports closed by the closing member having the maximum strength and the opening pressure of the gas discharge ports being the minimum The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening pressure of the group or the gas discharge port is maximum.

  In this invention, the method of changing the intensity | strength of the obstruction | occlusion member which obstruct | occludes a gas exhaust port is applied as a means for making it open in multistage for every gas exhaust port group or gas exhaust port. For the strength of the blocking member, a method of changing the thickness of the member, a method of changing the material, a method of forming a fragile portion by scratching, etc. can be applied.

  The formation state of the region is not particularly limited. For example, each of a plurality of gas discharge port groups having the same diameter is positioned in a separate square region (or may be a rectangle, a circle, or the like). be able to.

[Claim 6]
The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an interval is provided between the gas outlet group or the gas outlet and the cooling member as another means for solving the problem. I will provide a.

  By doing in this way, since gas can be allowed to pass through to the whole cooling member, cooling efficiency is improved and damage to a cooling member is also prevented.

[Claim 7]
The present invention provides the gas generator according to claim 6, wherein the cooling member is a metal plate.

  When a space is provided between the gas outlet group and the cooling member, a metal plate made of aluminum, iron, or the like can be used, which is advantageous in terms of weight reduction, cost reduction, and assembly workability.

[Claim 8]
The present invention provides, as another means for solving the problem, the gas generator according to claim 6, wherein the cooling member is a metal plate having irregularities on a surface facing the gas discharge port group or the gas discharge port. .

  For example, by providing the corrugated irregularities on the surface of the metal plate, the contact area between the metal plate and the gas is improved, so that the cooling effect is enhanced.

[Claim 9]
As a means for solving another problem, the present invention is a personnel restraint device in which the gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is accommodated in a module case, and a personnel restraint in which a cooling member is attached to the module case. Providing equipment.

  The operation of attaching the cooling member to the module case is easier than the case of attaching the cooling member to the gas generator, and the operation of attaching the gas generator to the module case becomes easier.

[Claim 10]
As a means for solving another problem, the present invention provides a personnel restraint device according to claim 9, wherein a cooling member is attached to attachment means for fixing a gas generator to the module case.

  Since the cooling member is attached to the original attachment means, the overall structure becomes simpler, which is advantageous from the viewpoint of reduction in size and weight.

  When the gas generator of the present invention is used in a vehicle airbag device, even when the environmental temperature changes depending on the environment in which the vehicle is used, variations in the internal pressure of the gas generator during operation are suppressed, and the temperature difference between the generated gases is further reduced. By reducing the value, variation in the output of the gas generator is reduced and the output is further stabilized. For this reason, the difference in occupant restraint performance due to the air bag device can be reduced due to environmental temperature changes, the load on the air bag when gas is discharged from the gas generator can be reduced, and the strength required of the bag is also reduced It will be possible to reduce costs.

(1) Gas generator of FIGS. 1 and 2 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a gas generator of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. In FIG. 2, a gas discharge port group including a plurality of gas discharge ports is simplified and displayed as a single opening. The gas generator of FIGS. 1 and 2 is suitable as a gas generator for a passenger seat.

  The gas generator 10 has an outer shell formed by a housing 13 in which a diffuser shell 11 and a closure shell 12 are joined and integrated.

  On the peripheral surface of the diffuser shell 11, a maximum diameter gas discharge port group 21 including a plurality (9 in FIG. 1) of gas discharge ports 21a having the largest diameter and a plurality (12 in FIG. 1) having the smallest diameter. And a minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 including gas discharge ports 22a. Both the maximum diameter gas discharge port group 21 and the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 are closed from the inside by seal tapes 23 and 24 (see FIG. 2) made of aluminum and having a thickness of about 50 μm. The seal tapes 23 and 24 may be separate or may be a single unit.

  Although not shown, one or two of the maximum diameter gas discharge port group 21 and the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 may be further formed. When two maximum diameter gas discharge port groups 21 are formed, they are formed so as to be positioned opposite to each other, and when three are formed, they are formed so as to be evenly spaced. The same applies to the case where two or three minimum diameter gas discharge port groups 22 are formed.

  The maximum diameter gas discharge port group 21 opens at a pressure smaller than that of the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 during operation, and the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 is larger than the maximum diameter gas discharge port group 21. It opens with pressure.

  In the maximum diameter gas discharge port group 21 and the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22, a plurality of gas discharge ports 21a and 22a are disposed in a region surrounded by a rectangle, and the respective regions are separated.

  The minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 is covered with a cooling filter 31 from the outside so that all the gas discharge ports 22a are completely covered. The maximum diameter gas discharge port group 21 is not covered with a cooling filter from the outside. In FIG. 1, in order to confirm the position of the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22, the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 that is not actually visible by the cooling filter 31 is shown in a state where it can be seen.

The cooling filter 31 is formed by deforming a stainless steel wire mesh into a corrugated shape and pressing it into a mold for compression molding. The wire diameter of the wire is 0.3 to 0.5 mm, and the bulk density is ³ to 5 g / cm ³ . The cooling filter 31 is fixed to the outer surface of the diffuser shell 11 by welding.

  Instead of the cooling filter 31 described above, a metal plate (for example, an aluminum plate) having high thermal conductivity can be used as the cooling member. In this case, an interval is provided between the cooling member made of a metal plate and the gas outlet group so that the combustion gas can move. Furthermore, the surface of the metal plate (the surface facing the gas discharge port group) can be provided with irregularities such as corrugations so that the contact area with the combustion gas can be increased.

  The internal structure of the gas generator 10 is publicly known. In addition to the structure shown in FIG. 2, the structure shown in FIGS. 15 and 19 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-97175 and FIG. 32 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-225711 is shown. You may have.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an inner cylinder member 40 is disposed in the housing 13, and an inner side of the inner cylinder member 40 is an ignition means accommodation chamber 41 and an outer side is a combustion chamber 50.

  In the ignition means accommodating chamber 41, an electric igniter 42 that operates by receiving an operation signal, and a charge transfer 43 that ignites and burns by the operation of the igniter 42 are arranged. A gas generating agent 51 is filled in the combustion chamber 50. A plurality of fire transfer holes 44 are formed on the peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member 40. The heat transfer hole 44 is closed with a seal tape 45 from the outside.

  A coolant filter 52 that cools and purifies the combustion gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent 51 is disposed outside the combustion chamber 50 in the radial direction. A porous cylindrical outer layer 53 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the coolant / filter 52.

  Next, an operation when the gas generator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is incorporated in an air bag apparatus of a vehicle will be described.

  When the vehicle collides, a command is received from the impact sensor or the control unit, the igniter 42 is activated, and the charge transfer 43 is ignited. Due to the flame and the high temperature gas, the gas generating agent 51 in the combustion chamber 50 starts to burn and generates a high temperature gas. The hot gas passes through the coolant / filter 52 and reaches the gas outlet groups 21 and 22.

  When the environmental temperature in which the vehicle is placed is normal temperature (about 20 ° C.), the internal pressure when the gas generating agent 51 burns (pressure in the combustion chamber 50) is not so high. Only the sealing tape 23 that closes from the inside bursts. And combustion gas is discharged | emitted only from the largest diameter gas discharge port group 21, and an airbag is expanded. At this time, since the seal tape 24 that covers the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 from the inside does not rupture, the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 is not opened. Therefore, since the total opening area is small, a decrease in internal pressure is suppressed, and a decrease in the combustion rate of the gas generating agent 51 is prevented.

  If the environment where the vehicle is placed is hot (for example, if the car is closed in the summer (about 80 ° C) and there is an accident immediately after leaving the car for a long time), the temperature inside the car is still high. Since the internal pressure during operation of the gas generator 10 is higher than at normal temperature, both the seal tapes 23 and 24 are ruptured, and the maximum diameter gas discharge port group 21 and the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 are opened.

  At this time, since the maximum diameter gas discharge port group 21 and the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 are opened, an increase in the housing internal pressure is suppressed, and an increase in the combustion rate of the gas generating agent 51 is also suppressed. The temperature of the generated combustion gas itself is higher than that at room temperature. However, since the combustion gas passing through the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 is cooled by passing through the cooling filter 31 and then flows into the airbag, the temperature rise of the entire combustion gas is suppressed, and the output difference The variation of is suppressed.

(2) Gas generator shown in FIG. 3 FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a gas generator according to another embodiment of the present invention, and the internal structure is the same as that shown in FIG. The gas generator of FIG. 3 is suitable as a gas generator for the passenger seat.

  On the peripheral surface of the diffuser shell 11, a maximum diameter gas discharge port group 121 including a plurality (three in FIG. 1) of gas discharge ports 121a having the largest diameter and a plurality (six in FIG. 3) of intermediate diameters are provided. An intermediate-diameter gas outlet group 122 composed of the exhaust ports 122a and a minimum-diameter gas outlet group 123 composed of a plurality of gas outlets 123a having the smallest diameter (12 in FIG. 3) are provided. Similarly, one or two of the maximum diameter gas discharge port group 121, the intermediate diameter gas discharge port group 122, and the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 123 may be formed on the back surface not shown. .

  The maximum diameter gas discharge port group 121, the intermediate diameter gas discharge port group 122, and the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 123 are all closed from the inside with a sealing tape made of the same aluminum and having a thickness of about 50 μm.

  The maximum diameter gas discharge port group 121 opens at a pressure smaller than that of the intermediate diameter gas discharge port group 122 during operation. The intermediate-diameter gas outlet group 122 opens at a pressure smaller than that of the minimum-diameter gas outlet group 123 during operation.

  In the maximum diameter gas discharge port group 121, the intermediate diameter gas discharge port group 122, and the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 123, a plurality of gas discharge ports 121a, 122a, 123a are arranged in a region surrounded by a rectangle. Each region is separated.

  The intermediate diameter gas discharge port group 122 is covered with a first cooling filter 131 from the outside so that all the gas discharge ports 122a are completely covered. The minimum diameter gas discharge port group 123 is covered with a second cooling filter 132 from the outside so that all the gas discharge ports 123a are completely covered. The maximum diameter gas discharge port group 121 is not covered with a cooling filter from the outside.

  The first cooling filter 131 and the second cooling filter 132 are the same as the cooling filter 31 shown in FIG. 1, but the bulk density of the second cooling filter 132 is the same as that of the first cooling filter 131. Since it is larger than the density, the cooling effect of the second cooling filter 132 is higher than the cooling effect of the first cooling filter 131.

  Next, an operation when the gas generator shown in FIG. 3 is incorporated in an air bag apparatus of a vehicle will be described.

  When the environmental temperature in which the vehicle is placed is low (for example, in winter in a high latitude region (about −20 ° C.)), the internal pressure when the gas generating agent burns is low. Only the sealing tape that closes will burst. And combustion gas is discharged | emitted only from the largest diameter gas discharge port group 121, and an airbag is expanded. At this time, since the seal tape that closes the intermediate diameter gas discharge port group 122 and the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 123 from the inside does not rupture, the gas discharge port groups are not opened. Therefore, since the total opening area is small, a decrease in the internal pressure is suppressed, and a decrease in the combustion rate of the gas generating agent is prevented.

  When the ambient temperature in which the vehicle is placed is normal temperature (about 20 ° C.), the internal pressure of the housing becomes higher, and the seal tape that closes the maximum diameter gas outlet group 121 and the intermediate diameter gas outlet group 122 from the inside bursts. . Since only the gas passing through the intermediate diameter gas discharge port group 122 is cooled by the first cooling filter 131, a part of the exhaust gas is cooled along with a decrease in internal pressure accompanying an increase in the total opening area. Thus, the difference in operating output from the low temperature can be suppressed.

  If the environment where the vehicle is placed is hot (for example, if the car is closed in the summer (about 80 ° C) and there is an accident immediately after leaving the car for a long time), the maximum diameter gas outlets 121, all the sealing tapes closing the intermediate diameter gas outlet group 122 and the minimum diameter gas outlet group 123 are ruptured, and all the gas outlet groups are opened. At this time, the gas passing through the intermediate diameter gas discharge port group 122 is cooled by the first cooling filter 131, and the gas passing through the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 123 is cooled by the second cooling filter 132. Compared to the time, the total opening area is larger and the degree of cooling of the combustion gas is higher, so that the difference in operating output from the normal temperature can be suppressed.

(3) Personnel restraint device in FIG. 4 FIG. 4 is an assembly of a person restraint device (airbag device) using the gas generator 10 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (however, the cooling filter 31 is not provided). It is explanatory drawing and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the personnel restraint apparatus 100 after an assembly. In addition, the display of the airbag accommodated in a case in combination with a gas generator is abbreviate | omitted. A combination of a module case, an air bag, and a gas generator is known per se, and is described, for example, in FIG. 6 of JP-A-10-95302.

  The gas generator fixing member 80 includes a base 81 (upper surface 81 a and lower surface 81 b) and a peripheral wall portion 82, and the base 81 has a central hole 83. The base 81 has a total of four holes 81c at four corners.

  The gas generator 10 is fitted in the central hole 83 of the base 81, and a total of four holes 14 provided in the flange portion of the housing 13 are fixed by the four bolts 95 in the four holes 81 c of the base 81. The fixing member 80 is attached.

  The cooling member 90 is attached to the fixing member 80 together with the gas generator 10 using the holes of the fixing member 80. The cooling member 90 is made of iron having a thickness of 1 mm.

  The cooling member 90 includes two attachment portions 91 that are in contact with the base 81, two cooling plates 92 that are suspended from the two attachment portions 91, and a support that spans the two cooling plates 92. Plate 93.

  The two cooling plates 92 are directly opposed to the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 in the two regions of the gas generator 10. In FIG. 5, the cooling plate 92 is in a state where the front-side minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 is hidden. The inner side surfaces of the two cooling plates 92 face the smallest diameter gas discharge port group 22 with a space therebetween, and the inner side surfaces have corrugated irregularities 94 so that the contact area with the combustion gas is increased. Is formed.

  When the combustion gas is discharged from the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22, the combustion gas collides with the cooling plate 92 and is cooled, and then flows into the airbag. The cooling plate 92 has the same function as the cooling filter 31 shown in FIG. Accordingly, the same operation as in FIGS. 1 and 2 is performed, and the output difference of the gas generator due to the environmental temperature difference can be suppressed, and an excessive load is prevented from being applied to the airbag.

(4) Personnel Restraint Device in FIG. 6 FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a 200 person restraint device (airbag device) using the gas generator 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (however, the cooling filter 31 is not provided). FIG. In addition, the display of the airbag accommodated in a case in combination with a gas generator is abbreviate | omitted.

  The two cooling members 150 are attached with a cooling filter 155 to a fixing member 151 having an attachment portion 152 and a support portion 153 (divided into support portions 153 a and 153 b) suspended from the attachment portion 152. Further, the cooling filter 155 is sandwiched by the metal mesh members 156 and 157 serving as auxiliary members for fixing from both sides. The cooling filter 155 is the same as the cooling filter 31 shown in FIG.

  The attachment portion 152 has a hole 152a, and is fixed integrally with the gas generator 10 to the fixing member 80 using the hole 152a.

  The two cooling members 150 are arranged to face the minimum diameter gas outlet group 22 in two regions of the gas generator 10, but may be arranged to face all the minimum diameter gas outlet groups 22. . In FIG. 6, the cooling member 150 is in a state where the front-side minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 is hidden. Note that an interval may be formed between the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22 and the cooling filter 155 by adjusting the mounting position of the fixing member 151.

  When the combustion gas is discharged from the minimum diameter gas discharge port group 22, the combustion gas collides with the cooling member 150 and is cooled, and then flows into the airbag. The cooling member 150 has the same function as the cooling filter 31 shown in FIG. Accordingly, the same operation as in FIGS. 1 and 2 is performed, and the output difference of the gas generator due to the environmental temperature difference can be suppressed, and an excessive load is prevented from being applied to the airbag.

  The gas generator of the present invention has gas outlet groups with different diameters, and also makes the gas outlet diameters of the gas outlet groups the same, and changes the thickness, material, etc. of the seal tape at different pressures. The gas discharge port group may be opened.

(5) Gas generator shown in FIG. 7 FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a gas generator according to another embodiment of the present invention. The gas generator shown in FIG. 7 is suitable as a gas generator for a driver's seat, so the height is lower than that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, but the structure is shown in FIG. Is the same.

  The peripheral surface of the diffuser shell 11 has a plurality of large-diameter gas discharge ports 221 and a plurality of smaller-diameter gas discharge ports 222. These are arranged alternately and at equal intervals on the peripheral surface of the diffuser shell 11.

  Both the large-diameter gas outlet 221 and the small-diameter gas outlet 222 are closed with the same aluminum seal tape having a thickness of about 50 μm.

  The large-diameter gas outlet 221 opens at a lower pressure than the small-diameter gas outlet 222 during operation. The gas outlet 222 having a small diameter opens at a pressure larger than that of the gas outlet 221 having a large diameter during operation.

  A first cooling filter 231 is placed on the gas discharge port 222 having a small diameter from the outside. The large-diameter gas discharge port 221 is not covered with a cooling filter from the outside.

  Next, an operation when the gas generator shown in FIG. 7 is incorporated in an air bag apparatus of a vehicle will be described.

  When the environmental temperature in which the vehicle is placed is normal temperature (about 20 ° C.), the internal pressure (pressure in the combustion chamber 50) when the gas generating agent 51 burns is not so high. Only the sealing tape that closes from the inside bursts. And combustion gas is discharged | emitted only from the large diameter gas exhaust port 221, and an airbag is expanded. At this time, since the sealing tape that covers the small-diameter gas discharge port 222 from the inside does not rupture, the small-diameter gas discharge port 222 is not opened. Therefore, since the total opening area is small, a decrease in internal pressure is suppressed, and a decrease in the combustion rate of the gas generating agent 51 is prevented.

  If the environment where the vehicle is placed is hot (for example, if the car is closed in the summer (about 80 ° C) and there is an accident immediately after leaving the car for a long time), the temperature inside the car is still high. Since the internal pressure at the time of operation of the gas generator 10 is higher than that at normal temperature, all the seal tapes are ruptured, and the large-diameter gas outlet 221 and the small-diameter gas outlet 222 are opened.

  As described above, since the large-diameter gas discharge port 221 and the small-diameter gas discharge port 222 are opened, an increase in the housing internal pressure is suppressed, and an increase in the combustion rate of the gas generating agent 51 is also suppressed. The temperature of the generated combustion gas itself is higher than that at room temperature. However, since the combustion gas passing through the gas outlet 222 having a small diameter is cooled by passing through the cooling filter 231 and then flows into the airbag, the temperature rise of the entire combustion gas is suppressed, and the output difference is suppressed. The variation of is suppressed.

  The gas generator of the present invention has gas outlets with different diameters, and the gas outlets are opened at different pressures by changing the thickness, material, etc. of the sealing tape with the same gas outlet diameter. You may make it do.

(6) Personnel restraint device shown in FIG. 8 FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a person restraint device (airbag device) 300 using the gas generator 10 shown in FIG. 7 (however, the cooling filter 231 is not provided). It is. In addition, the display of the airbag accommodated in a case in combination with a gas generator is abbreviate | omitted.

  A first cooling member 250 and a second cooling member 260 are attached to the fixing member 80. Both the first cooling member 250 and the second cooling member 260 are made of iron having a thickness of 1 mm.

  The first cooling member 250 was bridged between two mounting portions 251 in contact with the base 81, two cooling plates 252 suspended from the two mounting portions 251, and two cooling plates 252. And a support plate 253.

  The second cooling member 260 was bridged between two mounting portions 261 in contact with the base 81, two cooling plates 262 suspended from the two mounting portions 261, and two cooling plates 262. And a support plate 263.

  The first cooling member 250 and the second cooling member 260 are attached such that the respective support plates 263 are orthogonal to each other.

  The two cooling plates 252 of the first cooling member 250 and the two cooling plates 262 of the second cooling member 260 are opposed to the four small diameter gas discharge ports 222 of the gas generator 10. Waveform irregularities 94 as shown in FIG. 4 may be formed on the surfaces of the cooling plate 252 and the cooling plate 262 that face the gas outlet 222 having a small diameter.

  When the combustion gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 222 having a small diameter, the combustion gas collides with the cooling plate 252 and the cooling plate 262 and is cooled, and then flows into the airbag. The cooling plate 252 and the cooling plate 262 operate in the same manner as the cooling filter 31 shown in FIG. Accordingly, the same operation as in FIGS. 1 and 2 is performed, and the output difference of the gas generator due to the environmental temperature difference can be suppressed, and an excessive load is prevented from being applied to the airbag.

It is a perspective view of the gas generator of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the gas generator of FIG. It is a perspective view of the gas generator of another embodiment of the present invention. It is assembly explanatory drawing of the personnel restraint apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view of the personnel restraint apparatus of this invention. (A) is a perspective view of the personnel restraint apparatus of other embodiment of this invention, (b) is the fragmentary figure of (a). It is a perspective view of the gas generator of another embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the personnel restraint apparatus of another embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Gas generator 11 Diffuser shell 12 Closure shell 13 Housing 21 Maximum gas exhaust port group 21a Gas exhaust port 22 Minimum gas exhaust port group 22a Gas exhaust port 31 Cooling filter

Claims (7)

A gas generator having a housing having a gas discharge port closed by a closing member from the inside, ignition means accommodated in the housing, and a gas generating agent that generates ignition gas by igniting and burning by operation of the ignition means And
The gas outlet comprises a plurality of gas outlet groups or a plurality of gas outlets, and opens at different pressures for each of the plurality of gas outlet groups or the plurality of gas outlets,
Among the plurality of gas outlet groups or the plurality of gas outlets, at least a gas outlet group or gas outlet opening at the highest pressure is covered with a cooling member from the outside, and the gas outlet opening at the lowest pressure is provided. A gas generator in which an outlet group or a gas discharge port is not covered with a cooling member from the outside . The gas discharge port group or gas discharge port has a different diameter for each gas discharge port group or gas discharge port, and is arranged separately in different regions for each gas discharge port group or gas discharge port having a different diameter,
All of the gas outlet groups or gas outlets are closed from the inside with the same closing member,
Among the gas outlet groups or gas outlets, the gas outlet group or gas outlet having the largest diameter has the smallest opening pressure, and the gas outlet group or gas outlet having the smallest diameter has the largest opening pressure. The gas generator according to claim 1. The gas outlet group or the gas outlets are all gas outlets having the same diameter, and are arranged separately in a plurality of different regions,
It is closed with a closing member having different strength for each gas outlet group or gas outlet,
Among the gas discharge ports or the gas discharge ports, the gas discharge ports closed by the closing member having the minimum strength or the gas discharge ports closed by the closing member having the maximum strength and the opening pressure of the gas discharge ports being the minimum The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the opening pressure of the group or gas outlet is maximum. The gas discharge port group or gas outlet and is provided with spacing between the cooling member, the cooling member is a metal plate, a gas generator according to any one of claims 1-3. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cooling member is a metal plate having irregularities on a surface facing the gas discharge port group or the gas discharge port. A personnel restraint device in which the gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is housed in a module case, and a cooling member is attached to the module case. The personnel restraint apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein a cooling member is attached to an attachment means for fixing the gas generator to the module case.

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