Gas generator

• US 20030030259A1
• Filed: 09/13/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Company Limited
• Inventors: Tanaka, Koji, Saso, Takashi, Tanabe, Fujio
• Granted Patent: US 6,899,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26029 Ignitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26047 of film shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2648 comprising a plurality of combustion chambers or sub-chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

The present invention provides a gas generator for expanding and inflating a driver'"'"'s seat airbag. The gas generator comprises two ignitor device 8, 9 for burning gas generants 7 packed in combustion chambers 3, 4, and enhancer device 10, 11 for allowing the flames from the ignitor device 8, 9 to be propagated circumferentially and radially of a housing 1.

Claims

1. A gas generator, comprising:

a cylindrical housing;

gas generants packed in the housing to generate gas by combustion;

a plurality of ignitor devices for spouting flames into the housing to burn the gas generants packed in the housing, at least one of the ignitor devices is eccentrically disposed with respect to an axis of the housing; and

the enhancer devices for allowing the flame of the ignitor device disposed on the eccentric position to be propagated circumferentially and radially of the housing.

6. The gas generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein;

the enhancer device comprises enhancer agent containing auto-ignition explosive composition.

2. A gas generator, comprising:

a cylindrical housing;

gas generants packed in a plurality of combustion chambers partitioned in the housing to generate gas by combustion;

a plurality of ignitor devices for spouting flames into the plurality of combustion chambers respectively to burn the gas generants packed in the plurality of combustion chambers respectively, at least one of the ignitor devices is eccentrically disposed with respect to an axis of the housing; and

the enhancer devices for allowing the flame of the ignitor device disposed on the eccentric position to be propagated circumferentially and radially of the housing.

3. The gas generator according to claim 2, wherein;

the enhancer devices are respectively provided in the plurality of combustion chambers so as to extend circumferentially and radially of the housing,

the enhancer devices are respectively in direct or indirect contact with the gas generants in the combustion chambers and,

the enhancer devices are disposed so as to be respectively ignited by the flames spouted from the ignitor devices.

4. The gas generator according to claim 3, wherein;

the enhancer device comprises an enhancing space opening in the combustion chamber and extending circumferentially and radially of the housing, the flames from the ignitor device to be spouted thereinto.

5. The gas generator according to claim 4, wherein;

the enhancing space is closed by a cushioning member; and

the cushioning member has a plurality of enhancing holes.

7. A gas generator, comprising;

a cylindrical housing;

gas generants packed in the housing to generate gas by combustion;

an ignitor device for spouting flames into the housing to burn the gas generants packed in the housing; and

enhancer devices for allowing the flames from the ignitor device to be propagated circumferentially and radially of the housing.

9. The gas generator according to claim 7 or 8, wherein;

the ignitor device is eccentrically disposed with respect to an axis of the housing.

10. The gas generator according to claim 7 or 8, wherein;

the enhancer device comprises enhancer agent containing auto-ignition explosive composition.

8. A gas generator, comprising;

a cylindrical housing;

gas generants packed in combustion chambers partitioned in the housing to generate gas by combustion;

an ignitor device for spouting flames into the combustion chambers to burn the gas generants packed in the combustion chambers; and

enhancer devices for allowing the flames from the ignitor devices to be propagated circumferentially and radially of the combustion chambers.