Gas generator for multi-stage air bag

• US 20030137138A1
• Filed: 12/03/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited
• Inventors: Katsuda, Nobuyuki, Nakashima, Yoshihiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,055,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/741
• 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

Abstract

A multistage type gas generator for an air bag, which has a simple structure and is easily manufactured and in which combustions of a gas generating means in a plurality of combustion chambers do not influence each other, is provided.

The present invention provides the multistage type gas generator for an air bag in which a plurality of combustion chambers accommodating gas generating agents are defined separately in a housing, and a plurality of the combustion chambers are provided to be aligned in the axial direction of the cylindrical housing.

Claims

1. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharging port, an igniting means to be actuated by an actuation signal and, in a plurality of combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, a gas generating means to be ignited and burnt by the igniting means, wherein a plurality of the combustion chambers are provided to be aligned in the axial direction of the cylindrical housing.

3. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one inner cylindrical member provided on its peripheral wall with a plurality of flame-transferring holes is arranged in the cylindrical housing, and the igniting means is accommodated in an inner space of the inner cylindrical member.

4. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 3, wherein the inner cylindrical member is arranged to penetrate, in the axial direction of the cylindrical housing, either one of a plurality of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing.

5. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the inner space of the inner cylindrical member is in communication with either of a plurality of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing.

6. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein either of the inner cylindrical members arranged in the housing is arranged eccentrically in the housing, and an ejecting direction of a flame ejected from the flame-transferring holes of the inner cylindrical member arranged eccentrically is controlled by a flame-direction controlling means.

7. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a cylindrical filter means for purifying and/or cooling an operating gas generated by combustion of the gas generating means are arranged in the cylindrical housing, and the filter means are arranged radially in the operating outside of the combustion chambers separated in the cylindrical housing, respectively.

8. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 7, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, and

among a plurality of cylindrical filter means arranged radially outside the respective combustion chambers, the inner diameter of the cylindrical filter means disposed in the closure shell side is equal to or larger than that of the filter means arranged far from the closure shell.

9. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, and

the inner diameter of the combustion chamber provided nearest to the closure shell side in the cylindrical housing is equal to or larger than that of other combustion chamber.

10. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a heat insulating member and/or a heat insulating space which blocks conduction of a combustion heat of the gas generating means between the combustion chambers is provided between a plurality of the combustion chambers which are defined separately in the cylindrical housing.

11. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the igniting means are arranged on the same side inside the cylindrical housing.

12. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and the igniting means are arranged on the same plane in the cylindrical housing.

13. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the respective igniting means are arranged on the closure shell side.

14. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a plurality of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing are separated from each other by a partition wall formed in a plate shape.

15. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 14, wherein the partition wall is arranged on the combustion chamber storing the gas generating means capable of being ignited the earliest, and the partition wall abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical housing and/or an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member among the combustion chambers adjacent to each other.

16. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the partition wall is welded to the cylindrical housing and/or the inner cylindrical member arranged in the housing.

65. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 1 to 64, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, and two combustion chambers are defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and the two combustion chambers are arranged to be aligned in the axial direction of the cylindrical housing and adjacent to each other.

2. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharging port, an igniting means to be actuated by an actuation signal and, in a plurality of combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, a gas generating means to be ignited and burnt by the igniting means, wherein a plurality of the combustion chambers are provided adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the cylindrical housing.

17. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharging port, an igniting means to be actuated by an actuation signal and, in a plurality of combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, a gas generating means to be ignited and burnt by the igniting means, wherein at least one inner cylindrical member provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of flame-transferring holes is arranged in the cylindrical housing, and the igniting means is accommodated in an inner space of the inner cylindrical member.

18. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 17, wherein the inner cylindrical member is arranged in the axial direction of the cylindrical housing to penetrate either of a plurality of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing.

19. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the inner space of the inner cylindrical member is in communication with either of a plurality of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing.

20. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein either of the inner cylindrical members arranged in the housing is arranged eccentrically in the housing, and an ejecting direction of a flame ejected from the flame-transferring holes of the inner cylindrical member arranged eccentrically is controlled by a flame-direction controlling means.

21. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein a cylindrical filter means for purifying and/or cooling an operating gas generated by combustion of the gas generating means are arranged in the cylindrical housing, and the filter means are arranged radially in the corresponding outside of the combustion chambers separated in the cylindrical housing, respectively chamber.

22. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 21, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, and

among a plurality of cylindrical filter means arranged radially outside the respective combustion chambers, the inner diameter of the cylindrical filter means arranged in the closure shell side is equal to or larger than that of the cylindrical filter means arranged far from the closure shell.

23. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, and

the inner diameter of the combustion chamber provided nearest to the closure shell in the cylindrical housing is equal to or larger than that of other combustion chamber.

24. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein a heat insulating member and/or a heat insulating space which blocks conduction of a combustion heat of the gas generating means between the combustion chambers is provided between a plurality of the combustion chambers which are defined separately in the cylindrical housing.

25. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the respective igniting means are arranged on the same side in the cylindrical housing.

26. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and the respective igniting means are arranged on the same plane in the cylindrical housing.

27. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 17 to 26, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the respective igniting means are arranged in the closure shell side.

28. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein a plurality of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing are separated from each other by a partition wall formed in a plate shape.

29. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 28, wherein the partition wall is arranged near the combustion chamber, among the combustion chambers adjacent to each other, storing the gas generating means capable of being ignited the earliest, and the partition wall abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical housing and/or an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member.

30. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the partition wall is welded to the cylindrical housing and/or the inner cylindrical member arranged in the housing.

31. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharging port, an igniting means to be actuated by an actuation signal and, in a plurality of combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, a gas generating means to be ignited and burnt by the igniting means, wherein a cylindrical filter means for purifying and/or cooling an operating gas generated by combustion of the gas generating means are arranged in the cylindrical housing, and the filter means are arranged radially in the corresponding outside of the combustion chambers separated in the cylindrical housing, respectively.

32. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 31, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, and

among a plurality of cylindrical filter means arranged radially outside the respective combustion chambers, the inner diameter of the cylindrical filter means arranged in the closure shell side is equal to or larger than that of the filter means arranged far from the closure shell.

33. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, and

the inner diameter of the combustion chamber provided nearest to the closure shell in the cylindrical housing is equal to or larger than that of other combustion chamber.

34. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein a heat insulating member and/or a heat insulating space which blocks conduction of a combustion heat of the gas generating means between the combustion chamber is provided between a plurality of the combustion chambers which are defined separately in the cylindrical housing.

35. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the respective igniting means are arranged on the same side in the cylindrical housing.

36. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and the respective igniting means are arranged on the same plane in the cylindrical housing.

37. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 31 to 36, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the respective igniting means are arranged in the closure shell side.

38. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 31 to 37, wherein a plurality of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing are separated from each other by a partition wall formed in a plate shape.

39. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 38, wherein the partition wall is arranged on the combustion chamber storing the gas generating means capable of being ignited the earliest, and the partition wall abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical housing and/or an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member among the combustion chambers adjacent to each other.

40. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the partition wall is welded to the cylindrical housing and/or the inner cylindrical member arranged in the housing.

41. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharging port, an igniting means to be actuated by an actuation signal and, in a plurality of combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, a gas generating means to be ignited and burnt by the igniting means, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, and the inner diameter of the combustion chamber provided nearest to the closure shell in the cylindrical housing is equal to or larger than that of other combustion chamber.

42. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 41, wherein a heat insulating member and/or a heat insulating space which blocks conduction of a combustion heat of the gas generating means between the combustion chambers is provided between a plurality of the combustion chambers which are defined separately in the cylindrical housing.

43. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 41 or 42, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the respective igniting means are arranged on the same side in the cylindrical housing.

44. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 41 to 43, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and the respective igniting means are arranged on the same plane in the cylindrical housing.

45. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 41 to 44, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the respective igniting means are arranged in the closure shell side.

46. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 41 to 45, wherein a plurality of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing are separated from each other by a partition wall formed in a plate shape.

47. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 46, wherein the partition wall is arranged on the combustion chamber storing the gas generating means capable of being ignited the earliest, and the partition wall abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical housing and/or an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member among the combustion chambers adjacent to each other.

48. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 46 or 47, wherein the partition wall is welded to the cylindrical housing and/or the inner cylindrical member arranged in the housing.

49. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharging port, an igniting means to be actuated by an actuation signal and, in a plurality of combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, a gas generating means to be ignited and burnt by the igniting means, wherein a heat insulating member and/or a heat insulating space which blocks conduction of a combustion heat of the gas generating means between the combustion chambers is provided between a plurality of the combustion chambers which are defined separately in the cylindrical housing.

50. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 49, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the respective igniting means are arranged on the same side in the cylindrical housing.

51. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 49 or 50, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and the respective igniting means are arranged on the same plane in the cylindrical housing.

52. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 49 to 51, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the respective igniting means are arranged in the closure shell side.

53. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 49 to 52, wherein a plurality of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing are separated from each other by a partition wall formed in a plate shape.

54. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 53, wherein the partition wall is arranged on the combustion chamber storing the gas generating means capable of being ignited the earliest and the partition wall abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical housing and/or an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member among the combustion chambers adjacent to each other.

55. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 53 or 54, wherein the partition wall is welded to the cylindrical housing and/or the inner cylindrical member arranged in the housing.

56. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharging port, an igniting means to be actuated by an actuation signal and, in a plurality of combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, a gas generating means to be ignited and burnt by the igniting means, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the respective igniting means are arranged on the same side in the cylindrical housing.

59. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to any one of claims 56 to 58, wherein a plurality of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing are separated from each other by a partition wall formed in a plate shape.

60. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 59, wherein the partition wall is arranged on the combustion chamber storing the gas generating means capable of being ignited the earliest, and the partition wall abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical housing and/or an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member among the combustion chambers adjacent to each other.

61. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 59 or 60, wherein the partition wall is welded to the cylindrical housing and/or the inner cylindrical member arranged in the housing.

57. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharging port, an igniting means to be actuated by an actuation signal and, in a plurality of combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, a gas generating means to be ignited and burnt by the igniting means, wherein the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and the respective igniting means are arranged on the same plane in the cylindrical housing.

58. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharging port, an igniting means to be actuated by an actuation signal and, in a plurality of combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, a gas generating means to be ignited and burnt by the igniting means, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a cylindrical diffuser shell with a top provided on a peripheral wall with a plurality of gas discharging ports and a closure shell which closes a lower opening of the diffuser shell, and the igniting means is provided the same number as that of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, and any of the respective igniting means are arranged in the closure shell side.

62. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharging port, an igniting means to be actuated by an actuation signal and, in a plurality of combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing, a gas generating means to be ignited and burnt by the igniting means, wherein a plurality of the combustion chambers defined separately in the cylindrical housing are separated from each other by a partition wall formed in a plate shape.

63. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 62, wherein the partition wall is arranged on the combustion chamber storing the gas generating means capable of being ignited the earliest, and the partition wall abuts against an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical housing and/or an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member among the combustion chambers adjacent to each other.

64. A multistage type gas generator for an air bag according to claim 62 or 63, wherein the partition wall is welded to the cylindrical housing and/or the inner cylindrical member arranged in the housing.