Gas generant

• US 6,136,224 A
• Filed: 08/28/1996
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited (Daicel Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited (Daicel Corporation)
• Inventors: Wu, Jianzhou, Hirata, Norimasa, Yokoyama, Takushi
• Primary Examiner(s): ANTHONY, JOSEPH DAVID
• Application Number:
  US08/700,422
• Time in Patent Office: 1,518 Days
• Field of Search: 252/187.31, 149/17, 149/19.2, 149/23, 149/33, 149/34, 149/36, 149/38, 149/42, 149/43, 556/118, 556/57, 556/170, 556/146, 556/181, 556/45, 556/138, 564/34, 280/741, 280/736
• US Class Current: 252/187.31
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/06 by reaction of two or more solids

Abstract

A gas generant for an air, which is improved in the defects of gas generants using sodium azide in a practical use and has stable combustion capability. And a molecular compound comprising (a) a gas generant component, (b) an oxidant component and (c) a reaction accelerator component, preferably represented by the composition formula (I).

M.mX.nY                                                    (I)

[wherein, M is Al Mg, Ca, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, Ni and another metal components; X is a nitrogen-containing compound having 0 or 1 carbon atom; Y is an anion such as NO₃ and ClO; m is a number of 1 to 3; and n is a number 2 to 3].

Claims

1. A method for inflating an air bag which comprises the steps of:

generating gas by combusting a gas generant complex comprising a molecular compound comprising (a) gas generator component;

(b) oxidant component; and

(c) reaction accelerator component, wherein the molecular compound is the compound represented by the composition formula (I);

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">M.mX.nY (I)

wherein M is the reaction accelerator (c) representing Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, Ni or another metal capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I);

X is the gas generator component (a) representing a carbodihydrazide;

Y is the oxidant component (b) representing NO₃, ClO₄, Cl, I or another anion capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I); and

m and n are numbers fixed by combinations of components (a), (b) and (c), wherein m is a number of 1 to 3 and n is a number of 2 to 3; and

inflating said air bag using said gas.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein M represents Cu, Co, Ni, Mn or Zn.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein M represents Cu, Co, Ni, Mn or Zn;

Y represents NO₃, Cl or I;

X represents a carbodihydrazide (CDH);

n is 2; and

m is a number of 1 to 3.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the molecular compound is selected from the group consisting of:

Zn.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mn.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mg.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mn.2(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Ca.2(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃), and

Sr.1(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃).

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein X represents a carbodihydrazide (CDH).

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Y represents NO₃, ClO₄ or another anion of oxygen acid salt.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising a bonding agent.

18. The method according to claim 1, 8, or 13, further comprising a bonding agent.

19. The method according to claim 1, 8, or 13, further comprising a catalyst component.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the catalyst component is CuO, MnO₂ or MoO₃.

8. A method for inflating an air bag which comprises the steps of:

generating gas by combusting a gas generant composition comprising a gas generant complex comprising a molecular compound comprising (a) gas generator component;

(b) oxidant component; and

(c) reaction accelerator component, wherein the molecular compound is the compound represented by the composition formula (I);

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">M.mX.nY (I)

wherein M is the reaction accelerator (c) representing Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, Ni or another metal capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I);

X is the gas generator component (a) representing a carbodihydrazide;

Y is the oxidant component (b) representing NO₃, ClO₄, Cl, I or another anion capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I); and

m and n are numbers fixed by combinations of components (a), (b) and (c), wherein m is a number of 1 to 3 and n is a number of 2 to 3, and a co-oxidant as a physical mixing component; and

inflating said air bag using said gas.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein M represents Cu, Co, Ni, Mn or Zn.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein M represents Cu, Co, Ni, Mn or Zn;

Y represents NO₃, Cl or I;

X represents a carbodihydrazide (CDH);

n is 2; and

m is a number of 1 to 3.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the molecular compound is selected from the group consisting of:

Zn.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mn.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mg.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mn.2(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Ca.2(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃), and

Sr.1(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃).

12. The method according to claim 8, which comprises a molecular compound selected from the group consisting of:

Zn.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mn.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mg.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mn.2(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Ca.2(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃), and

Sr.1(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃);

and a nitrate as a co-oxidant.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the co-oxidant is an ammonium nitrate, a metal peroxide, or an oxygen acid salt which comprises a cation which is an alkaline metal or an alkaline earth metal, and the anion is free of hydrogen atoms.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the oxygen acid salt is a nitrate, a nitrite, a chlorate or perchlorate.

15. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein X represents a carbodihydrazide (CDH).

16. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein Y represents NO₃, ClO₄ or another anion of oxygen acid salt.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a bonding agent.

21. A method for inflating an air bag which comprises the steps of:

generating gas by combusting a gas generant composition comprising a gas generant complex comprising a molecular compound comprising (a) gas generator component;

(b) oxidant component; and

(c) reaction accelerator component, wherein the molecular compound is the compound represented by the composition formula (I);

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">M.mX.nY (I)

wherein M is the reaction accelerator (c) representing Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, Ni or another metal capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I);

X is the gas generator component (a) representing a carbodihydrazide;

Y is the oxidant component (b) representing NO₃, ClO₄, Cl, I or another anion capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I); and

m and n are numbers fixed by combinations of components (a), (b) and (c), wherein m is a number of 1 to 3 and n is a number of 2 to 3, and a bonding agent; and

inflating said air bag using said gas.

22. A method for inflating an air bag which comprises the steps of:

generating gas by combusting a gas generant composition comprising a gas generant complex comprising a molecular compound comprising (a) gas generator component;

(b) oxidant component; and

(c) reaction accelerator component, wherein the molecular compound is the compound represented by the composition formula (I);

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">M.mX.nY (I)

wherein M is the reaction accelerator (c) representing Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, Ni or another metal capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I);

X is the gas generator component (a) representing a carbodihydrazide;

Y is the oxidant component (b) representing NO₃, ClO₄, Cl, I or another anion capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I); and

m and n are numbers fixed by combinations of components (a), (b) and (c), wherein m is a number of 1 to 3 and n is a number of 2 to 3, and a catalyst component; and

inflating said aid bag using said gas.

23. A gas generant composition comprising a gas generant complex comprising a molecular compound comprising (a) gas generator component;

(b) oxidant component; and

(c) reaction accelerator component, wherein the molecular compound is the compound represented by the composition formula (I);

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">M.mX.nY (I)

wherein M is the reaction accelerator (c) representing Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, Ni or another metal capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I);

X is the gas generator component (a) representing a carbodihydrazide;

Y is the oxidant component (b) representing NO₃, ClO₄, Cl, I or another anion capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I); and

m and n are numbers fixed by combinations of components (a), (b) and (c), wherein m is a number of 1 to 3 and n is a number of 2 to 3, and a co-oxidant as a physical mixing component.

24. The gas generant composition according to claim 23, wherein M represents Cu, Co, Ni, Mn or Zn;

Y represents NO₃, Cl or I;

X represents a carbodihydrazide (CDH);

n is 2; and

m is a number of 1 to 3.

25. The gas generant composition according to claim 23, wherein the molecular compound is selected from the group consisting of:

Zn.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mn.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mg.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mn.2(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Ca.2(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃), and

Sr.1(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃).

26. The composition according to claim 23, which comprises a molecular compound selected from the group consisting of

Zn.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mn.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mg.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Mn.2(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃),

Ca.2(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃), and

Sr.1(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃);

and a nitrate as a co-oxidant.

27. The composition according to claim 23, wherein the co-oxidant is an ammonium nitrate, a metal peroxide, or an oxygen acid salt which comprises a cation which is an alkaline metal or an alkaline earth metal, and the anion is free of hydrogen atoms.

28. The composition according to claim 27, wherein the oxygen acid salt is a nitrate, a nitrite, a chlorate or perchlorate.

29. The composition according to claim 23 or 27, further comprising a bonding agent.

30. The composition according to claim 23 or 27, further comprising a catalyst component.

31. The composition according to claim 30, wherein the catalyst component is CuO, MnO₂ or MoO₃.

32. The gas generant composition according to claim 23, wherein M represents Cu, Co, Ni, Mn or Zn.

33. The gas generant composition according to claim 23 or 32, wherein X represents a carbodihydrazide (CDH).

34. The gas generant composition according to claim 23 or 32, wherein Y represents NO₃, ClO₄ or another anion of oxygen acid salt.

35. The composition according to claim 33, further comprising a bonding agent.

36. A gas generant composition comprising a gas generant complex comprising a molecular compound comprising (a) gas generator component;

(b) oxidant component; and

(c) reaction accelerator component, wherein the molecular compound is the compound represented by the composition formula (I);

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">M.mX.nY (I)

wherein M is the reaction accelerator (c) representing Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, Ni or another metal capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I);

X is the gas generator component (a) representing a carbodihydrazide;

Y is the oxidant component (b) representing NO₃, ClO₄, Cl, I or another anion capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I); and

m and n are numbers fixed by combinations of components (a), (b) and (c), wherein m is a number of 1 to 3 and n is a number of 2 to 3, and a bonding agent.

37. A gas generant composition comprising a gas generant complex comprising a molecular compound comprising (a) gas generator component;

(b) oxidant component; and

(c) reaction accelerator component, wherein the molecular compound is the compound represented by the composition formula (I);

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">M.mX.nY (I)

wherein M is the reaction accelerator (c) representing Al, Mg, Ca, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Sr, Ni or another metal capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I);

X is the gas generator component (a) representing a carbodihydrazide;

Y is the oxidant component (b) representing NO₃, ClO₄, Cl, I or another anion capable of forming the molecular compound of the composition formula (I); and

m and n are numbers fixed by combinations of components (a), (b) and (c), wherein m is a number of 1 to 3 and n is a number of 2 to 3, and a catalyst component.

38. A gas generant complex comprising a molecular compound comprising (a) gas generator component;

(b) oxidant component; and

(c) reaction accelerator component, wherein the molecular compound is selected from group consisting of;

Mg.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃), Ca.2(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃), Sr.1(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃), Al.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).3(NO₃), Cr.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).3(NO₃), and Fe.3(H₃ N₂ CON₂ H₃).2(NO₃).