Gas generator fitted with pressure regulator means, and a safety device fitted therewith

• US 7,845,679 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2005
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Abaziou, Xavier
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming; Faye M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Freedman; Laura
• Application Number:
  US11/665,527
• Publication Number:
  US 20080111359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,875 Days
• Field of Search: 280/736, 280/737, 280740-742, 280/806
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4628 characterised by fluid actuators, e.g. pyrotechnic gas generators actuating a cable B60R22/4619

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gas generator for a motor vehicle safety device, the generator comprising:. a first chamber (C) for combustion containing a pyrotechnic initiator (2) and a pyrotechnic charge (3) whose combustion is triggered by said initiator; and. a second chamber (D) for diffusion into which the gas that results from combustion of said charge (3) is transferred prior to being exhausted to the outside; these two chambers (C, D) being separated from each other by a “nozzle” partition (12) presenting at least one communication orifice (13). According to the invention, said diffusion chamber (D) is provided with a piston (5) suitable for closing or not closing said orifice (13) as a function of the gas pressure in the combustion chamber (C), said piston (5) being urged to its position for closing the orifice (13) by a mass (6) of elastically deformable material, said mass (6) presenting stiffness that varies as a function of temperature, said stiffness decreasing with increasing temperature.

Claims

1. A gas generator for a motor vehicle safety device, the generator comprising:

a first chamber for combustion containing a pyrotechnic initiator and a pyrotechnic charge to be triggered by the initiator; and

a second chamber for diffusion into which a gas that results from combustion of the charge is transferred prior to being exhausted from the gas generator, the first and second chambers being separated from each other by a nozzle partition having at least one communication orifice, the second chamber having a piston for closing and opening the orifice as a function of the gas pressure in the combustion chamber, the piston being urged to a position for closing the orifice by a mass of elastically deformable material, the mass having a stiffness that decreases with increasing temperature so that a clearance is created between the piston and the orifice that increases if the pressure within the first chamber rises and decreases if the pressure within the first chamber decreases;

wherein the mass is non-metallic.

2. The generator of claim 1, wherein the mass of elastically deformable material is made of elastomer.

3. The generator of claim 1, wherein the mass includes a cylindrical pad.

4. The generator of claim 1, wherein the generator has a substantially cylindrical shape along a longitudinal axis and wherein the orifice and the piston extend on the longitudinal axis.

5. The generator of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the piston is frustoconical.

6. The generator of claim 1, in combination with the safety device.

7. The generator of claim 6, wherein the safety device is an airbag trigger.

8. The generator of claim 1, wherein the mass is a solid mass.

9. A gas generator for a motor vehicle safety device, the generator comprising:

a first chamber for combustion including a pyrotechnic charge;

a second chamber into which a gas that results from combustion of the pyrotechnic charge is transferred prior to being exhausted from the gas generator, the first and second chambers being separated from each other by a nozzle partition having at least one communication orifice;

a piston movable between a closed state abutting the nozzle partition and an open state spaced apart from the nozzle partition by a predetermined distance; and

a mass of elastically deformable material biasing the piston into the closed state and movable from a relaxed state to a deformed state in response to pressure from the gas from the first chamber passing through the communication orifice, the mass dynamically varying the predetermined distance in response to ambient temperature conditions and expanding radially in the deformed state.

10. The generator of claim 9, wherein the generator has a substantially cylindrical shape along a longitudinal axis and wherein the orifice and the piston extend on the longitudinal axis.

11. The generator of claim 9, wherein a proximal end of the piston is frustoconical.

12. The generator of claim 9, wherein the mass contracts axially in the deformed state.

13. A gas generator for a motor vehicle safety device, the generator comprising:

a first chamber for combustion including a pyrotechnic charge;

a second chamber into which a gas that results from combustion of the pyrotechnic charge is transferred prior to being exhausted from the gas generator, the first and second chambers being separated from each other by a nozzle partition having at least one communication orifice;

a piston movable along a longitudinal axis in a first direction and a second direction and between a closed state abutting the nozzle partition and an open state spaced apart from the nozzle partition; and

a solid mass of elastically deformable material urging the piston in said second direction and into the closed state and deformable in response to pressure from said gas from the first chamber passing through the communication orifice to allow the piston to move in the first direction and into the open state, the mass causing the piston to move in both the first and second directions when in the open state to dynamically vary a volume of gas passing through the communication orifice;

wherein the mass is non-metallic.

14. The generator of claim 13, wherein the mass simultaneously contracts axially and expands radially when in the open state.

15. The generator of claim 13, wherein the generator has a substantially cylindrical shape along the longitudinal axis and wherein the orifice and the piston extend on the longitudinal axis.

16. A gas generator for a motor vehicle safety device, the generator comprising:

a first chamber for combustion containing a pyrotechnic initiator and a pyrotechnic charge to be triggered by the initiator; and

a second chamber for diffusion into which a gas that results from combustion of the charge is transferred prior to being exhausted from the gas generator, the first and second chambers being separated from each other by a nozzle partition having at least one communication orifice, the second chamber having a piston for closing and opening the orifice as a function of the gas pressure in the combustion chamber, the piston being urged to a position for closing the orifice by a mass of elastically deformable material, the mass having a stiffness that decreases with increasing temperature so that a clearance is created between the piston and the orifice that increases if the pressure within the first chamber rises and decreases if the pressure within the first chamber decreases;

wherein the mass of elastically deformable material is made of elastomer.

17. A gas generator for a motor vehicle safety device, the generator comprising:

a first chamber for combustion including a pyrotechnic charge;

a second chamber into which a gas that results from combustion of the pyrotechnic charge is transferred prior to being exhausted from the gas generator, the first and second chambers being separated from each other by a nozzle partition having at least one communication orifice;

a piston movable along a longitudinal axis in a first direction and a second direction and between a closed state abutting the nozzle partition and an open state spaced apart from the nozzle partition; and

a mass of elastically deformable material urging the piston in said second direction and into the closed state and deformable in response to pressure from said gas from the first chamber passing through the communication orifice to allow the piston to move in the first direction and into the open state, the mass causing the piston to move in both the first and second directions when in the open state to dynamically vary a volume of gas passing through the communication orifice;

wherein the mass simultaneously contracts axially and expands radially when in the open state.