GAS GENERATOR UNIT

• US 20080131631A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wittmann, Ernst, Huber, Joachim
• Granted Patent: US 7,654,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/34.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]

Abstract

Described is a gas generator unit comprising of a cylindrical gas generator (10), the lateral surface (10a) of which demonstrates emission holes (12) arranged in a thrust-neutral manner within a ring-shaped area (10b), and a deflector element (20), which is rigidly connected to the gas generator (10) and is made of a heat resistant material and at least surrounds the ring-shaped area (10b) at least partially. To make the gas generator harmless in the event of a fire, the deflector element (20) demonstrates, in an inflow area (20a) opposite the ring-shaped area (10b), borings (22), which are sealed by at least one blocking element (24, 32) made of a meltable or combustible material, the borings being arranged in such a manner that the gas generator unit is thrust-neutral in the absence of the blocking element (24).

Claims

1. A gas generator unit for an airbag restraint system comprising a cylindrical gas generator having a lateral surface which forms a plurality of emission holes arranged in a thrust-neutral manner within a ring-shaped area of the gas generator, and a deflector element, which is rigidly connected to the gas generator and is made of a heat resistant material and at least partially surrounds the ring-shaped area in an inflow area opposite the ring-shaped area, the deflector element forms holes which are sealed by at least one blocking element made of a meltable or combustible material, the holes being arranged in such a manner that the gas generator unit is thrust-neutral upon the melting or combustion of the blocking element, the blocking element maintaining a sealing of the holes during a deployment of the gas generator to inflate an associated airbag.

2. A gas generator unit according to claim 1, wherein the deflector element is a hollow cylinder and that an annular gap is configured between the lateral surface and deflector element.

3. A gas generator unit according to claim 1, wherein the deflector element has a U-shaped or semicircular cross section.

4. A gas generator unit according to claim 1, wherein the deflector element consists of metal.

5. A gas generator unit according to claim 1, wherein the blocking element consists of plastic.

6. A gas generator unit according to claim 1, wherein the blocking element is configured as one-piece integral construction and inserted into the deflector element.

7. A gas generator unit according to claim 1, wherein the deflector element forms the holes exclusively in the inflow area.

8. A gas generator unit according to claim 1, wherein the deflector element is connected directly to the lateral surface of the gas generator at least in sections thereof.

9. A gas generator unit according to claim 1, wherein the melting or combustion of the blocking elements occurs when the blocking elements are exposed to a temperature of 200°

C. for more than several minutes.