Gas generator unit

• US 7,654,566 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Huber, Joachim, Wittmann, Ernst
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): BECK, KAREN JANE AMORES
• Application Number:
  US11/948,601
• Publication Number:
  US 20080131631A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 280/727, 280/728.1, 280/732, 280/736, 280/737, 280/741, 280/742, 428/34.1
• US Class Current: 280/736
• 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 to form an inflow area, the deflector element forms vent holes which are sealed by at least one blocking element made of a meltable or combustible material, the vent 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 vent holes during a deployment of the gas generator to inflate an associated airbag, wherein the deflector element is a hollow cylinder and that an annular gap is configured between the lateral surface and the deflector element defining the inflow area.

2. A gas generator unit according to claim 1, wherein the deflector element comprises metal.

3. A gas generator unit according to claim 1, wherein the blocking element comprises plastic.

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

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

6. 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.

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

C. for a time period more than an activation period of the gas generator for deployment of the associated airbag.