Gas generator

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a device for expanding and deploying an airbag of an automobile, and more particularly to a gas generator capable of controlling the deployment form of the airbag.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In order to protect the driver of the automobile from the impact generated at the time of a collision of the automobile, a gas generator that rapidly expands and deploys the airbag is incorporated in the airbag module mounted in the steering wheel. This gas generator instantly generates a large amount of high-temperature gas by a collision detection signal from a collision sensor at the time of a collision.

【0003】

An example of a gas generator that expands and deploys an airbag is shown in FIG. The gas generator includes a housing 100 formed of a double cylindrical upper container 101 having a lid and a lower container 102. The housing 100 has a structure in which an annular closed space S is formed inside by friction-welding the inner cylinders of the upper container 101 and the lower container 102 and the outer cylinders against each other. In the closed space S of the housing 100, the gas generating agent 103 and the cylindrical filter member 104 are sequentially stored from the inner cylinder to the outer cylinder. Further, in the inner cylinder, an igniter 105 ignited by a collision detection signal from a collision sensor and a igniter 106 ignited by the ignition of the igniter 105 are arranged.

【0004】

Then, the gas generator ignites the igniter 105 by the collision detection signal from the collision sensor to ignite the igniter 106. The flame of the ignition agent 106 is ejected into the closed space S through the ignition hole 107 of the inner cylinder, and the gas generating agent 103 is ignited and burned to instantly generate a large amount of high-temperature gas. This large amount of high-temperature gas flows into the filter member 104, where it is slag-collected and cooled, and then discharged into the airbag from the plurality of gas discharge holes 101a of the upper container 101. The airbag is rapidly expanded and deployed by a large amount of clean gas released from each outgassing hole 101a.

【0005】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

In a conventional gas generator, the igniter is ignited by a collision detection signal from a collision sensor, and a large amount of clean gas is instantly generated to generate air, regardless of the form of the vehicle collision or the sitting posture of the driver. The bag is rapidly expanding and expanding. Therefore, when the driver sits near the steering wheel or when the vehicle collides at a low speed, the rapidly expanding airbag may cause the driver to be impacted, and the airbag protects the driver. There is a problem that the original function cannot be exhibited.

【0006】

The present invention provides the original function of an airbag by slowly expanding and deploying the airbag in the initial stage of deployment and then rapidly expanding and deploying the airbag, or by enabling clean gas to be evenly released around the housing. The purpose is to provide a gas generator that can demonstrate the above.

【0007】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problem, the gas generator (claim 1) of the first invention is one or two or more in which a gas generator is loaded in the combustion chamber of the housing and the gas generator in the combustion chamber is ignited and burned in the housing. It is for arranging the igniter. Further, in this gas generator, one or more of each igniter is arranged eccentrically from the axis of the housing, and the high temperature gas generated in the combustion chamber by the combustion of the gas generator by the eccentric igniter. The passage performance of the part that is adjacent to the igniter at the shortest is less than that of the other parts. When the gas generating agent is ignited and burned by the eccentric igniter in this way, local combustion occurs in the combustion chamber. Therefore, in the gas generator of the first invention, by making the passing performance of the high temperature gas different, even if local combustion occurs in the combustion chamber, the gas is distributed throughout the combustion chamber to clean the gas. Can be evenly released around the housing.

【0008】

The gas generator (claim 2) of the second invention is one or two or more in which a gas generator and a filter member are loaded and arranged in a plurality of combustion chambers, and the gas generator in each combustion chamber is ignited and burned in a housing. It is for arranging the igniter. Further, in this gas generator, one or more of each igniter is arranged eccentrically from the axis of the housing, and the high temperature gas generated in the combustion chamber by the combustion of the gas generator by the eccentric igniter. The passage performance of the part that is adjacent to the igniter at the shortest is less than that of the other parts. When the gas generating agent is ignited and burned by the eccentric igniter in this way, local combustion occurs in each combustion chamber. Therefore, in the gas generator of the second invention, by making the passing performance of the high temperature gas different, even if local combustion occurs in each combustion chamber, the gas is distributed and cleaned throughout each combustion chamber. Gas can be evenly released around the housing. Further, in the gas generator of the second invention, by operating each igniter with a minute time difference, at the initial stage of airbag deployment, a small amount of gas generated in only one combustion chamber gently expands and deploys, and then. In addition, multi-stage control that rapidly expands and expands by adding gas generated in other combustion chambers can be performed.

【0009】

In the gas generator (claims 3 to 6) according to the second invention, the configuration of the gas passage hole of the inner cylinder material and the configuration of the gas discharge hole of the housing are configured to evenly discharge the gas from the periphery of the housing. , And one or more of the structures of the filter members are adopted. All of them have a simple structure and can surely discharge clean gas from the outgassing holes evenly around the housing.

【0010】

The gas generator (claim 7) of the third invention is one in which a gas generator is loaded in the combustion chamber of the housing, and one or more igniters for igniting and burning the gas generator in the combustion chamber are arranged in the housing. Is. Further, in this gas generator, one or more of each igniter is arranged eccentrically from the axis of the housing, and the ignition flame of the eccentric igniter is controlled to be ejected toward the axis of the housing. It is a thing. This allows the gas generator of the third invention to start combustion against an eccentric igniter and a wide range of gas generators around the axis of the housing away from the igniter, instantly transitioning to overall combustion. it can. Therefore, the high temperature gas produced by the eccentric igniter can be uniformly generated around the axis of the housing, and the clean gas can be uniformly discharged around the housing.

【0011】

The gas generator (claim 8) of the fourth invention is one or two or more in which a gas generator and a filter member are loaded and arranged in a plurality of combustion chambers, and the gas generator in each combustion chamber is ignited and burned in a housing. It is for arranging the igniter. Further, in this gas generator, one or more of each igniter is arranged eccentrically from the axis of the housing, and the ignition flame of the eccentric igniter is controlled to be ejected toward the axis of the housing. It is a thing. As a result, the gas generator of the fourth invention can start combustion for a wide range of gas generators around the eccentric igniter and the axis of the housing away from the igniter, and instantly shift to overall combustion. it can. Therefore, the high temperature gas produced by the eccentric igniter can be uniformly generated around the axis of the housing, and the clean gas can be uniformly discharged around the housing. Further, in the gas generator of the fourth invention, by operating each igniter with a minute time difference, at the initial stage of airbag deployment, a small amount of gas generated in only one combustion chamber gently expands and deploys, and then. In addition, multi-stage control that rapidly expands and expands by adding gas generated in other combustion chambers can be performed.

【0012】

In the gas generator (claims 9 to 11) according to the fourth invention, a plurality of ignition holes of the igniter are configured to control the ignition flame of the eccentric igniter to be ejected in the axial direction of the housing. , The ignition hole of the ignition lid covering the igniter, or a plurality of ignition holes of the igniter opened by the ignition flame is adopted. Both have a simple structure and can reliably eject the eccentric ignition flame of the igniter toward the axis of the housing.

【0013】

The gas generator (claim 12) of the fifth invention is one in which a gas generator is loaded in the combustion chamber of the housing, and one or more igniters for igniting and burning the gas generator in the combustion chamber are arranged in the housing. Is. Further, in this gas generator, one or more of each igniter is arranged eccentrically from the axis of the housing, and the high temperature gas generated in the combustion chamber by the combustion of the gas generator by the eccentric igniter. The passage performance of the part that is adjacent to the igniter at the shortest is less than that of the other parts. Further, the gas generator controls the ignition flame of the eccentric igniter to be ejected toward the axis of the housing. When the gas generating agent is ignited and burned by the eccentric igniter in this way, local combustion occurs in the combustion chamber. Therefore, in the gas generator of the fifth invention, by making the passing performance of the high temperature gas different, even if local combustion occurs in the combustion chamber, the gas is distributed throughout the combustion chamber to clean the gas. Can be evenly released around the housing. Further, in the gas generator of the fifth invention, combustion can be started for a wide range of gas generators around the eccentric igniter and the axis of the housing away from the igniter, and the combustion can be instantaneously shifted to the overall combustion. .. Therefore, the high temperature gas produced by the eccentric igniter can be uniformly generated around the axis of the housing, and the clean gas can be uniformly discharged around the housing.

【0014】

The gas generator (claim 13) of the sixth invention is one or two or more in which a gas generator and a filter member are loaded and arranged in a plurality of combustion chambers, and the gas generator in each combustion chamber is ignited and burned in a housing. It is for arranging the igniter. Further, in this gas generator, one or more of each igniter is arranged eccentrically from the axis of the housing, and the high temperature gas generated in the combustion chamber by the combustion of the gas generator by the eccentric igniter. The passage performance of the part that is adjacent to the igniter at the shortest is less than that of the other parts. Further, the gas generator controls the ignition flame of the eccentric igniter to be ejected toward the axis of the housing. When the gas generating agent is ignited and burned by the eccentric igniter in this way, local combustion occurs in each combustion chamber. Therefore, in the gas generator of the sixth invention, by making the passing performance of the high temperature gas different, even if local combustion occurs in each combustion chamber, the gas is distributed and cleaned throughout each combustion chamber. Gas can be evenly released around the housing. Further, in the gas generator of the sixth invention, combustion can be started for a wide range of gas generators around the eccentric igniter and the axis of the housing away from the igniter, and the combustion can be instantaneously shifted to the overall combustion. .. Therefore, the high temperature gas produced by the eccentric igniter can be uniformly generated around the axis of the housing, and the clean gas can be uniformly discharged around the housing. Further, in the gas generator of the sixth invention, by operating each igniter with a minute time difference, the airbag is gradually expanded and expanded by a small amount of gas generated in only one combustion chamber at the initial stage of airbag deployment, and then expanded. In addition, multi-stage control that rapidly expands and expands by adding gas generated in other combustion chambers can be performed.

【0015】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The gas generator according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gas generator of the present invention is mainly used for expanding and deploying an airbag for the driver's seat. In the gas generator of the present invention, the inside of the housing is defined as a plurality of combustion chambers, and the gas generator in each combustion chamber is burned by a plurality of igniters to control the deployment form of the airbag. is there. Further, the gas generator of the present invention adopts a configuration in which one or more of each igniter is arranged eccentrically from the axis of the housing, and clean gas generated by combustion in the eccentric igniter is discharged into each gas discharge hole. It can be released evenly from.

【0016】

Hereinafter, the gas generator used for the airbag for the driver's seat will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 24.

【0017】

The gas generator X1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 makes it possible to control the deployment form of the airbag, and due to the structure of the inner cylinder material 2, clean gas is evenly discharged from each outgassing hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15. It is possible. The gas generator X1 has a short cylindrical housing 1, an inner cylinder member 2 charged in the housing 1, and a partition member 5 that defines the inside of the inner cylinder material 2 into two upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4. Two igniters 8 and 9 that independently burn the gas generator 6 and the filter member 7 loaded and arranged in the combustion chambers 3 and 4 and the gas generator 6 in the combustion chambers 3 and 4 respectively. And have.

【0018】

The housing 1 has a double cylindrical structure in which an upper container 10 and a lower container 11 form an annular closed space S inside. The upper container 10 is composed of a disc-shaped upper lid 12, an outer cylinder protrusion 13 protruding from the outer peripheral edge of the upper lid 12, and an inner cylinder protrusion 14 protruding from the central portion of the upper lid 12 into the outer cylinder protrusion 13. Is integrally molded with aluminum alloy or the like. The lower container 11 has a short cylindrical outer cylinder 15, a disk-shaped lower lid 16 that closes the lower end of the outer cylinder 15, and a long cylindrical cylinder that extends from the center of the lower lid 16 into the outer cylinder 15. It consists of an inner cylinder 17, which is integrally formed of an aluminum alloy or the like.

【0019】

A plurality of gas discharge holes 15a that open in the closed space S are formed on the upper end side of the outer cylinder 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the gas discharge holes 15a are arranged at predetermined intervals when viewed in the circumferential direction of the housing 1. Further, each gas discharge hole 15a is closed by a burst plate 21 attached to the inner circumference of the outer cylinder 15. The burst plate 21 is formed of, for example, a metal foil such as aluminum, and plays a role of preventing moisture in the housing 1 and adjusting the internal pressure at the time of combustion. A plurality of fire guide holes 17a that open into the closed space S are formed on the upper end side of the long inner cylinder 17. Each of these fire guide holes 17a is arranged at predetermined intervals when viewed in the circumferential direction of the housing 1.

【0020】

Further, the lower lid 16 is integrally formed with a short inner cylinder 18 that is eccentric outward from the axis a of the housing 1. The short inner cylinder 18 projects into the housing 1 from between the outer cylinder 15 and the long inner cylinder 17. Further, the short inner cylinder 18 protrudes by a length less than the outer cylinder 15 as compared with the long inner cylinder 17 extending by the same length as the outer cylinder 15. A flange cylinder portion 19 extending along the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 15 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the lower lid 16. The upper end portion of the flange cylinder portion 19 has a side flange 20 that bends horizontally outside the diameter of the outer cylinder 15. The side flange 20 is attached to the retainer of the airbag module.

【0021】

In the housing 1, the lower end of the outer cylinder protrusion 13 of the upper container 10 is abutted against the upper end of the outer cylinder 15, and the lower end of the inner cylinder protrusion 14 is abutted against the upper end of the long inner cylinder 17, and the housing 1 is welded (for example, by friction welding). By joining, it has a double cylindrical structure in which the upper and lower ends of the outer cylinder 15 and the long inner cylinder 17 are closed by the lids 12 and 16, respectively. With this, the inside of the housing 1 is the annular sealed space S between the outer cylinder protrusion 13, the outer cylinder 15, the inner cylinder protrusion 14, and the long inner cylinder 17, and the inside of the inner cylinder protrusion 14 and the long inner cylinder 17. It is defined in the storage space S1 of.

【0022】

The closed space S in the housing 1 is defined by the inner cylinder member 2 and the partition member 5 into two upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4 in the axial direction of the housing 1.

【0023】

The inner cylinder member 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is concentrically charged with the inner cylinder protrusion 14 and the long inner cylinder 17 between the outer cylinder 15 and the short inner cylinder 18. Further, the inner cylinder member 2 extends from the lower lid 16 to the vicinity of the upper lid 12. The upper end of the inner cylinder member 2 is closed by a lid member 22 press-fitted to the outer circumference of the long inner cylinder 17. With this, the inner cylinder material 2 defines the closed space S in the housing 1 into an annular gas passage space S2 between the outer cylinder 15 and an annular combustion space S3 between the long inner cylinder 17. doing. A plurality of gas passage holes 2a that communicate the gas passage space S2 and the combustion space S3 are formed in the inner cylinder material 2. As shown in FIG. 2, each gas passage hole 2a is arranged in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder member 2. The number of gas passage holes 2a formed is such that the peripheral portion δ of the inner cylinder material 2 adjacent to the short inner cylinder 18 at the shortest is smaller than the peripheral portion ε of the inner cylinder material 2 away from the short inner cylinder 18. There is. As a result, the inner cylinder material 2 has a structure in which the gas passage performance in the peripheral portion δ adjacent to the short inner cylinder 18 on the lower combustion chamber 4 side is made smaller than that in the other peripheral portion ε.

【0024】

As shown in FIG. 3, the inner tubular material 2 is a perforated thin steel plate (punching metal) formed so that the number of gas passage holes 2a formed in the peripheral portion δ of the inner tubular material 2 is smaller than that of the other peripheral portion ε. Etc.) are used. The inner cylinder material 2 is manufactured by forming a perforated steel plate into a cylindrical shape and joining the ends by a joining method such as spot welding.

【0025】

The partition member 5 is charged in the inner cylinder member 2 between the upper lid 12 and the lower lid 15 substantially in parallel with these, and the combustion space S3 of the inner cylinder material 2 is vertically 2 up and down in the axial direction of the housing 1. It is defined in three combustion chambers 3 and 4. Further, the partition member 5 is positioned so as to face the short inner cylinder 18 by fitting the through hole 24 formed in the center thereof into the outer circumference of the long inner cylinder 17. As a result, the long inner cylinder 17 is arranged so as to penetrate the lower combustion chamber 4 and the partition member 5 and project into the upper combustion chamber 3. Further, the short inner cylinder 18 is arranged so as to project into the lower combustion chamber 4. A gas generating agent 6 is loaded in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4, and a filter member 7 is arranged so as to surround the gas generating agent 6.

【0026】

The filter member 7 of each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4 has a cylindrical shape that can be charged into the inner cylinder member 2. The filter member 7 of the upper combustion chamber 3 is charged in the inner cylinder member 2 and extends from the partition member 5 until it comes into contact with the lid member 22. Further, the filter member 7 of the lower combustion chamber 4 is embedded in the inner cylinder member 2 and extends from the lower lid 16 until it comes into contact with the partition member 5. As the filter member 7, the knitted wire mesh shown in FIG. 4 (a) or the aggregate of the crimp-woven metal wire shown in FIG. 4 (b) is press-molded into a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 4 (c) at low cost. It is preferable to manufacture it.

【0027】

Further, a cushion member 25 that comes into contact with the partition member 5 is arranged between the gas generating agent 6 and the partition member 5 in the lower combustion chamber 4. The cushion member 25 also has a function as a heat insulating material that prevents pulverization due to vibration of the gas generating agent 6 and suppresses heat transfer between the combustion chambers 3 and 4. Therefore, as the cushion member 25, it is preferable to use an elastic material having a heat insulating function such as ceramic fibers. Further, a cushion member 26 that comes into contact with the lid material 22 is arranged between the gas generating agent 6 and the lid material 22 in the upper combustion chamber 3. The cushion member 26 has a function of preventing pulverization due to vibration of the gas generating agent 6, and it is preferable to use an elastic material such as silicon rubber or silicon foam. The cushion member 26 may have a heat insulating function such as ceramic fibers.

【0028】

The igniters 8 and 9 are independently mounted in the storage space S1 and in the short inner cylinder 18. Each of the igniters 8 and 9 is airtightly abutted with a sealing member interposed in a tapered step portion 27 formed in each of the inner cylinders 17 and 18. Each of these igniters 8 and 9 is crimped and fixed by bending the crimped portion 28 at the tip of each of the inner cylinders 17 and 18 inward. Further, the igniter 8 faces the fire-transmitting agent 29 in the storage space S1. The fire extinguishing agent 29 is located on the upper lid 12 side of the upper container 11 and is stored so as to close each fire guide hole 17a. Each of these igniters 8 and 9 ignites based on a collision detection signal from a collision sensor.

【0029】

Now, the igniter 8 in the long inner cylinder 17 is located at the axis a of the housing 1 and ignites the ignition agent 29 by ignition, and the ignition flame of the ignition agent 29 is passed through each ignition hole 17a. It is ejected into the upper combustion chamber 3. Further, the igniter 9 in the short inner cylinder 18 projects into the lower combustion chamber 4 at a position eccentric from the axis a of the housing 1 and is adjacent to the peripheral portion δ of the inner cylinder member 2.

【0030】

Next, the operation of the gas generator X1 will be described.

【0031】

When the collision sensor detects the collision of the automobile, the ignition agent 29 is ignited by operating only the igniter 8. The ignition flame of the ignition agent 29 is ejected radially into the upper combustion chamber 3 from each ignition hole 17a in the circumferential direction of the housing 1, and the gas generating agent 6 is uniformly burned by this flame to generate a high temperature gas. To generate. At this time, the heat transfer generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 is suppressed (blunted) by the heat insulating function of the cushion member 25, and the gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 is prevented from being ignited at the same time. ing.

【0032】

The high-temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 flows into the filter member 7 over the circumferential direction of the housing 1, where it passes through slag collection and cooling, and then a gas passage space from each gas passage hole 2a of the inner cylinder material 2. It leaks to S2. Then, when the combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3 proceeds and the inside of the housing 1 reaches a predetermined pressure, the burst plate 21 bursts, and the clean gas made uniform in the gas passage space S2 is discharged from each gas discharge hole 15a. It is released into the airbag. With this, the airbag starts to expand and expand slowly by a small amount of clean gas generated only in the upper combustion chamber 3.

【0033】

Subsequently, when the igniter 9 is operated with a slight time difference after the start of combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3, the gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 is forcibly ignited to start combustion and generate high temperature gas. Combustion in the combustion chamber 4 is started by locally burning the gas generating agent 6 around the igniter 9, and moves in the direction of one circumference of the housing over time to shift to overall combustion. .. Therefore, in the initial stage of combustion in the lower combustion chamber 4, the high-temperature gas generated around the igniter 9 flows into the filter member 7 from the portion adjacent to the igniter 9. The amount of high-temperature gas flowing into the filter member 7 is regulated by the peripheral portion δ of the inner cylinder member 2 and the amount of gas flowing out into the gas passage space S2 is regulated, and most of the inflowing gas flows in the circumferential direction of the filter member 7. It becomes. This is because the number of gas passage holes 2a formed in the peripheral portion δ of the inner cylinder material 2 is small, so that most of the high-temperature gas flowing into the filter member 7 collides with the inner circumference of the inner cylinder material 2 and causes the flow. Due to being changed. As a result, in the initial stage of combustion, even if the combustion is localized around the igniter 9, the high temperature gas is distributed in the circumferential direction of the filter member 2 and the clean gas is evenly discharged into the gas passage space S2. It becomes possible.

【0034】

Then, the clean gas generated in the lower combustion chamber 4 and flowing out into the gas passage space S2 is evenly discharged from each gas discharge hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15. As a result, the airbag shifts to rapid expansion and deployment by the large amount of clean gas released from both combustion chambers 3 and 4. As a result, the airbag gradually expands and expands due to the small amount of gas generated only in the upper combustion chamber 3 at the initial stage of deployment, and after a minute time, the airbag generates a large amount of gas generated in both combustion chambers 3 and 4. Will expand and expand more rapidly. Further, the airbag expands and expands smoothly without being biased by the clean gas evenly discharged from each gas discharge hole 15a around the outer cylinder 15.

【0035】

When combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3 is started, a part of the high temperature gas flows into the lower combustion chamber 4 through the gas passage space S2 and the like. In the initial stage when combustion is started, the inflowing high-temperature gas is cooled while passing from the gas passage space S2 through the inner cylinder 2 and the filter member 7 on the lower combustion chamber 4 side, so that the lower combustion It does not reach the point where the gas generating agent 6 in the chamber 4 spontaneously ignites. However, when the combustion of the upper combustion chamber 3 progresses and the temperature of the filter member 7 of the lower combustion chamber 4 rises, the gas generating agent 6 of the lower combustion chamber 4 is finally spontaneously ignited. Therefore, in order to forcibly ignite the gas generating agent 6 in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4 with a minute time difference by each of the igniters 8 and 9, the lower combustion chamber depends on the amount of heat of the high temperature gas flowing into the lower combustion chamber 4. It is necessary to delay the timing until the gas generating agent 6 of 4 spontaneously ignites by a minute time difference.

【0036】

Further, the operation of each of the igniters 8 and 9 does not necessarily have to be performed with a minute time difference, and the operation of each of the igniters 8 and 9 is appropriately selected depending on the collision mode of the automobile or the like. For example, in a high-risk collision such as a high-speed head-on collision or an oblique forward collision, the igniters 8 and 9 are operated at the same time, and the airbag is rapidly driven by a large amount of gas generated in both combustion chambers 3 and 4. Expands and expands. In a collision of medium risk, the igniters 8 and 9 are operated with a minute time difference, and the airbag is slowly expanded and expanded with a small amount of gas in the initial stage of deployment, and after a minute time, a large amount of gas causes the airbag to expand and expand. It expands and expands rapidly. Further, in a collision with a low degree of risk, the gas generating agent 6 in the upper combustion chamber 3 is forcibly ignited by operating only one igniter 8. This causes the airbag to slowly expand and deploy with a small amount of gas over a relatively long period of time.

【0037】

In this way, according to the gas generator X1, by operating the igniters 8 and 9 with a minute time difference, the igniters 8 and 9 are gradually expanded and expanded by a small amount of gas generated only in the upper combustion chamber 3 at the initial stage of airbag deployment. After that, expansion control can be performed by rapidly expanding and deploying with a large amount of gas generated from both combustion chambers 3 and 4 (the amount of gas released to the airbag can be controlled in two steps).

【0038】

Further, in the gas generator X1, the gas discharged from each gas discharge hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15 can be equalized. Therefore, in order to control the deployment of the airbag, the igniters 8 and 9 are used. Even if the airbag is arranged eccentrically from the axis a of the housing 1, it can be smoothly expanded and deployed without causing the airbag to be biased.

【0039】

Therefore, even if the occupant in the driver's seat is seated near the steering wheel, the airbag can be safely installed without being impacted by the sudden expansion and deployment of the airbag at the initial stage of deployment or the biased expansion and deployment of the airbag. The function of is demonstrated.

【0040】

In the gas generator X1, the gas is evenly discharged from each gas discharge hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15 by adjusting the number of gas passage holes 2a formed in the inner cylinder material 2. It can also be done by adjusting the opening area of the gas passage hole 2a. Further, if the number of formed gas passage holes 2a formed in the peripheral portion ε of the inner cylinder member 2 is increased as the distance from the igniter 9 increases and the opening area is increased, the initial combustion is surely carried out over the circumferential direction of the housing 1. It is possible to sort out the gas and the like.

【0041】

Next, the gas generator X2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described.

【0042】

The gas generator X2 of FIGS. 5 and 6 makes it possible to control the deployment form of the airbag, and the structure of each outgassing hole 15 of the outer cylinder 15 allows clean gas to be discharged from each outgassing hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15. It can be released evenly. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the same members as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

【0043】

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the number of formed gas discharge holes 15a is such that the peripheral portion α of the outer cylinder 15 adjacent to the igniter 9 of the short inner cylinder 18 at the shortest is the circumference of the outer cylinder 15 away from the igniter 9. It is formed as a number smaller than the partial β. Further, in the peripheral portion β of the outer cylinder 15, the number of gas discharge holes 15a formed is increased as the distance from the igniter 9 increases, and the long inner cylinder 17 is sandwiched between the short inner cylinder 18 and the short inner cylinder 18. Most formed in the part. As a result, each gas discharge hole 15a of the outer cylinder 15 has a structure in which the gas passage performance in the peripheral portion α adjacent to the igniter 9 of the short inner cylinder 18 is made smaller than that of the other peripheral portion β. Further, as the inner cylinder material 2, a material in which gas passage holes 2a are uniformly formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction and the circumferential direction is used.

【0044】

Next, the operation of the gas generator X2 will be described.

【0045】

When the collision sensor detects the collision of the automobile and only the igniter 8 is activated, the high temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 is slag-collected and cooled by the filter member 7 as in FIG. After being homogenized in the gas passage space S2, the emission into the airbag is started. Then, the airbag slowly begins to expand and expand due to a small amount of clean gas generated only in the upper combustion chamber 3.

【0046】

Subsequently, after the combustion of the upper combustion chamber 3 starts, when the igniter 9 is operated with a slight time difference, the gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 starts to burn, and the airbag becomes similar to FIG. , A large amount of clean gas released from both combustion chambers 3 and 4 shifts to rapid expansion and development.

【0047】

At this time, the high-temperature gas generated around the igniter 9 in the lower combustion chamber 4 passes through the filter member 7 and the inner cylinder member 2 from the portion adjacent to the igniter 9, where slag collection and cooling are performed. After that, it is discharged into the gas passage space S2. The clean gas flowing out into the gas passage space S2 once collides with the inner circumference of the outer cylinder 15, and the flow direction is changed to the axial direction or the circumferential direction of the gas passage space S2, and each gas of the outer cylinder 15 is released. It will flow toward the hole 15a. Since the number of gas discharge holes 15a formed in the peripheral portion α of the outer cylinder 15 is reduced, the amount of gas discharged from the peripheral portion α into the airbag is regulated, and the circumference of the gas passage space S2 is regulated. It will be sorted in the direction. As a result, in the initial stage of combustion in the lower combustion chamber 4, even if there is local combustion around the igniter 9, each gas discharge hole depends on the number of gas discharge holes 15a formed in the outer cylinder 15. It is possible to equalize the gas released from 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15.

【0048】

In the gas generator X2, in the same manner as the gas generator X1 in FIG. 1, the airbag is expanded and deployed according to the collision mode of the automobile by appropriately selecting a minute time difference for operating each of the igniters 8 and 9. It is something that makes you. Further, the gas passage performance in the peripheral portion α may be made smaller than that in the other peripheral portion β by adjusting the opening area thereof regardless of the number of formed gas discharge holes 15a.

【0049】

In this way, according to the gas generator X2, as in FIG. 1, the deployment control of the airbag can be easily performed, and the airbag can be expanded and deployed smoothly without bias, so that the original airbag can be safely deployed. Can exert its function.

【0050】

Next, the gas generator X3 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described.

【0051】

The gas generator X3 of FIGS. 7 and 8 can control the deployment form of the airbag, and the structure of the filter member 7 enables clean gas to be evenly discharged from each outgassing hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15. It was done. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the same members as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

【0052】

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the filter member 7 of the lower combustion chamber 4 has different gas passing performances in the circumferential direction of the housing 1, and is installed next to the igniter 9 of the short inner cylinder 18 at the shortest. The peripheral portion φ has a structure that makes it more difficult for gas to pass through than the peripheral portion σ away from the igniter 9. Further, the peripheral portion σ of the filter member 7 has a structure that allows gas to easily pass through as the distance from the igniter 9 increases, and the portion facing the short inner cylinder 18 with the long inner cylinder 17 sandwiched allows the gas to pass through most. It has an easy structure.

【0053】

As the structure of the filter member 7, the ratio of voids formed by knitted wire mesh or crimp-woven metal wire (see FIG. 4) is the same (hereinafter referred to as void ratio), and the peripheral portion φ is larger than σ. To increase the thickness in the direction and reduce the inner diameter, increase the number of layers of wire mesh or metal wire, or make the thickness of the filter member 7 in the radial direction the same so that the peripheral portion φ is smaller than the void ratio of σ. , Wire mesh or a tightly assembled metal wire is used. As a result, the filter member 7 has a structure in which the gas passing performance in the peripheral portion φ adjacent to the igniter 9 of the short inner cylinder 18 on the lower combustion chamber 4 side is more difficult to pass than the other peripheral portion σ.

【0054】

The housing 1 is formed by integrally molding the outer cylinder 15 on the upper lid 12 of the upper container 10 so as to be concentric with the inner cylinder protrusion 14, and the upper end of the outer cylinder 15 of the upper container 10 is formed on the outer cylinder protrusion 13 of the lower lid 17. The upper and lower ends of the outer cylinder 15 and the long inner cylinder 17 are joined by welding (for example, friction welding) by abutting the upper end and the lower end of the inner cylinder protrusion 14 against the upper end of the long inner cylinder. It has a double cylindrical structure that is closed by lids 12 and 16. Further, as the inner cylinder material 2, a material in which gas passage holes 2a are uniformly formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction and the circumferential direction is used.

【0055】

Next, the operation of the gas generator X3 will be described.

【0056】

When the collision sensor detects the collision of the automobile and only the igniter 8 is activated, the high temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 is slag-collected and cooled by the filter member 7 as in FIG. After being homogenized in the gas passage space S2, the emission into the airbag is started. Then, the airbag slowly begins to expand and expand due to a small amount of clean gas generated only in the upper combustion chamber 3.

【0057】

Subsequently, after the combustion of the upper combustion chamber 3 starts, when the igniter 9 is operated with a slight time difference, the gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 starts to burn, and the airbag becomes similar to FIG. , A large amount of clean gas released from both combustion chambers 3 and 4 shifts to rapid expansion and development.

【0058】

At this time, the high-temperature gas generated around the igniter 9 in the lower combustion chamber 4 flows into the filter member 7 from the peripheral portion φ adjacent to the igniter 9, but the peripheral portion φ is changed from σ. Since the structure is such that gas is difficult to pass through, most of the high-temperature gas that cannot completely flow in from the peripheral portion φ of the filter member 7 flows in the circumferential direction away from the igniter 9. Then, the high-temperature gas sequentially flows from the peripheral portion σ of the filter member 7 while flowing to the side away from the igniter 9, and the high-temperature gas that cannot flow in here flows further from the peripheral portion σ away from the igniter 9. .. As a result, even if there is local combustion around the igniter 9 at the initial stage of combustion in the lower combustion chamber 4, the structure of the filter member 7 allows the high temperature gas to be distributed in the circumferential direction of the housing 1. It is possible to equalize the gas released from each gas discharge hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15 through the gas passage space S2.

【0059】

In the gas generator X3, in the same manner as the gas generator X1 in FIG. 1, the airbag is expanded and deployed according to the collision mode of the automobile by appropriately selecting a minute time difference for operating each of the igniters 8 and 9. It is something that makes you.

【0060】

In this way, according to the gas generator X3, as in FIG. 1, the deployment control of the airbag can be easily performed, and the airbag can be expanded and deployed smoothly without bias, so that the original airbag can be safely deployed. Can exert its function.

【0061】

Further, in the gas generator X3 of FIGS. 7 and 8, a filter member 7 is arranged in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4, but as shown in FIG. 9, each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4 is arranged. The filter member 7 of the above may be integrally molded.

【0062】

In FIG. 9, the filter member 7 extends from the lower lid 16 to the lid material 21 and is charged in the inner cylinder material 2, and projects inward in diameter on the igniter 9 on the peripheral portion φ side. It has a step 7a. As a result, the filter member 7 and the inner cylinder member 2 define the closed space S as the gas passage space S2 and the combustion space S3. Further, the combustion space S3 is defined in two upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4 by the partition member 5 charged in the filter member 7. The partition member 5 is positioned so as to face the igniter 9 of the short inner cylinder 18 by bringing its outer peripheral edge into contact with the step 7a of the filter member 7. The gas generating agent 6 is loaded in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4.

【0063】

In this way, when the filter member 7 of each combustion chamber 3 and 4 is integrally molded, the number of parts is reduced and the manufacturing cost is reduced as compared with the case where the filter member 7 is arranged in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4. Can be planned. Further, even if there is local combustion around the igniter 9 at the initial stage of combustion in the lower combustion chamber 4, the structure of the filter member 7 makes it possible to distribute high-temperature gas in the circumferential direction of the housing 1 and gas. It is possible to equalize the gas discharged from each gas discharge hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15 through the passage space S2.

【0064】

Next, the gas generator X4 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 will be described.

【0065】

In the gas generation X4 of FIGS. 10 and 11, the housing 1 has a single cylindrical structure, and each of the igniters 8 and 9 is eccentric from the axis a of the housing 1. Further, the gas generator X4 makes it possible to control the deployment form of the airbag, and the structure of the filter member 7 makes it possible to evenly discharge clean gas from each gas discharge hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15. .. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the same members as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

【0066】

In FIGS. 10 and 11, the housing 1 has a single cylindrical structure in which the upper container 10 and the lower container 11 form a closed space S inside. The upper container 10 is composed of an outer cylinder 15 and an upper lid 12 that closes the upper end portion of the outer cylinder 15, and these are integrally molded with an aluminum alloy or the like. The lower container 11 is composed of a lower lid 16, an outer cylinder protrusion 13 protruding from the outer peripheral side of the lower lid 16, and a flange cylinder portion 19 extending from around the outer peripheral edge of the lower lid 16 along the outer diameter of the outer cylinder protrusion 13. These are integrally molded with aluminum alloy or the like.

【0067】

Further, the lower lid 16 is integrally formed with a long inner cylinder 17 and a short inner cylinder 18 that are eccentric from the axis a of the housing 1 outward in diameter and project inward of the outer cylinder 15. The inner cylinders 17 and 18 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis a of the housing 1. The long inner cylinder 17 protrudes slightly shorter depending on the length of the outer cylinder 15. Further, the short inner cylinder 18 projects so as to be shorter than the long inner cylinder 17.

【0068】

In the housing 1, the lower end of the outer cylinder 15 of the upper container 10 is abutted against the upper end of the outer cylinder protrusion 13 and joined by welding (for example, friction welding), so that the upper and lower ends of the outer cylinder 15 are joined by lids 12, 16 respectively. It has a single-cylindrical structure that is closed with. As a result, a closed space S is formed in the housing 1.

【0069】

The sealed space S in the housing 1 is an annular gas between the outer circumference of the inner cylinder material 2 and the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 15 by the inner cylinder material 2 charged between each inner cylinder 17 and the outer cylinder 15. It is defined in the passage space S2 and the combustion space S3 inside the inner cylinder material 2. Further, the inner cylinder member 2 extends from the lower lid 16 to the vicinity of the upper lid 12, and the upper end portion thereof is closed by the lid member 30. The combustion space S3 in the inner cylinder member 2 is defined by the partition member 5 into two upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4. The partition member 5 is inserted between the upper lid 12 and the lower lid 16 in the inner cylinder member 2 substantially in parallel with the partition member 5. Further, the partition member 5 is positioned so as to face the short inner cylinder 18 by fitting a through hole 31 formed eccentrically from the central portion thereof on the outer circumference of the long inner cylinder 17. As a result, the long inner cylinder 17 is arranged so as to penetrate the lower combustion chamber 4 and the partition member 5 and project into the upper combustion chamber 3. Further, the short inner cylinder 18 is arranged so as to project into the lower combustion chamber 4. A gas generating agent 6 is loaded in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4, and a filter member 7 is arranged so as to surround the gas generating agent 6.

【0070】

Further, each filter member 7 has different gas passing performances in the circumferential direction of the housing 1, and the peripheral portion φ adjacent to each inner cylinder 17 and 18 at the shortest is changed from each inner cylinder 17 and 18. The structure is such that it is more difficult for gas to pass through than the σ of the surrounding peripheral part. Further, the peripheral portion σ of each filter member 7 has a structure in which gas easily passes as the distance from the inner cylinders 17 and 18 increases. The structure of the filter member 7 is such that the peripheral portion φ is increased in thickness in the radial direction from σ to reduce the inner diameter, or the peripheral portion φ is increased from the void ratio of σ. Adopt a wire mesh or a densely assembled metal wire so as to make it smaller. As a result, each filter member 7 has a structure in which the gas passing performance in the peripheral portion φ adjacent to the inner cylinders 17 and 18 in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4 is more difficult to pass than the other peripheral portion σ.

【0071】

The igniters 8 and 9 are independently mounted and caulked in the inner cylinders 17 and 18, respectively. As a result, the igniter 8 of the long inner cylinder 17 projects into the upper combustion chamber 3 and is adjacent to the peripheral portion φ of the filter member 7. Further, the igniter 9 of the short inner cylinder 19 projects into the lower combustion chamber 4 and abuts on the cushion member 25, and is adjacent to the peripheral portion φ of the filter member 7.

【0072】

Next, the operation of the gas generator X4 will be described.

【0073】

When the collision sensor detects the collision of the automobile and only the igniter 8 is activated, the high temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 is slag-collected and cooled by the filter member 7 as in FIG. After being homogenized in the gas passage space S2, the emission into the airbag is started. Then, the airbag slowly begins to expand and expand due to a small amount of clean gas generated only in the upper combustion chamber 3.

【0074】

At this time, the combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3 is started by locally burning the gas generating agent 6 around the igniter 8, and moves in the direction of one circumference of the housing with the passage of time, and the entire combustion is performed. Move to. Therefore, the high-temperature gas generated around the igniter 8 at the initial stage of combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3 flows into the filter member 7 from the peripheral portion φ adjacent to the igniter 8, but the peripheral portion φ is used. Since the structure is more difficult for gas to pass through than σ, most of the high-temperature gas that cannot completely flow in from the peripheral portion φ of the filter member 7 flows in the circumferential direction away from the igniter 8. Then, the high-temperature gas sequentially flows from the peripheral portion σ of the filter member 7 while flowing to the side away from the igniter 8, and the high-temperature gas that cannot flow in here flows further from the peripheral portion σ away from the igniter 8. .. As a result, even if there is local combustion around the igniter 8 at the initial stage of combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3, it is distributed in the circumferential direction of the housing 1 by the structure of the filter member 7, so that the gas passage space S2 can be created. It is possible to equalize the gas that has passed through and is discharged from each gas discharge hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15.

【0075】

Subsequently, when the igniter 9 is operated with a slight time difference after the combustion of the upper combustion chamber 3 starts, the combustion of the gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 starts, and the airbag becomes similar to FIG. , A large amount of clean gas released from both combustion chambers 3 and 4 shifts to rapid expansion and development.

【0076】

At this time, the high-temperature gas generated around the igniter 9 in the lower combustion chamber 4 is distributed in the circumferential direction of the housing 1 by the structure of the filter member 7 and flows into the filter member 7 as in the upper combustion chamber 3. Will be done. As a result, even if there is local combustion around the igniter 9 in the initial stage of combustion in the lower combustion chamber 4, the gas released from each gas discharge hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15 through the gas passage space S2. Can be made even.

【0077】

In the gas generator X4, in the same manner as the gas generator X1 in FIG. 1, the airbag is expanded and deployed according to the collision mode of the automobile by appropriately selecting a minute time difference for operating each of the igniters 8 and 9. It is something that makes you.

【0078】

In this way, according to the gas generator X4, as in FIG. 1, the deployment control of the airbag can be easily performed, and the airbag can be expanded and deployed smoothly without bias, so that the original airbag can be safely deployed. Can exert its function.

【0079】

Further, in the gas generator X4, a stainless steel housing 1 can be adopted. The housing 1 has a single-cylindrical structure including an upper container 10 and a lower container 11 which are press-molded from a stainless steel plate. The upper container 10 is formed by integrally molding the upper lid 12 and the outer cylinder 15 with a stainless steel plate. Further, the lower container 11 is formed by integrally forming a lower lid 16 and a flange cylinder portion 19 with a stainless steel plate. As a result, the housing 1 can have a structure having excellent heat resistance and pressure resistance as compared with molding with an aluminum alloy or the like. The inner cylinders 17 and 18 are separately provided on the lower lid 16 so as to protrude into the combustion chambers 3 and 4. In this way, the stainless steel Howing 1 is excellent in heat resistance and pressure resistance, and it is possible to use a non-azigating gas generating agent instead of the conventionally used agglutinating gas generating agent. Become. The non-azidating gas generating agent has a property of easily generating a high-temperature and high-pressure gas as compared with the agitating-based gas generating agent. Therefore, the gas generator is required to have excellent heat resistance and pressure resistance of the housing 1 in order to cope with the non-agging gas generator, but it is easy to use the housing 1 having a single cylindrical structure made of stainless steel plate or the like. Can be dealt with.

【0080】

Next, the gas generator X5 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 will be described.

【0081】

The gas generator X5 of FIGS. 12 and 13 makes it possible to control the deployment form of the airbag, and by controlling the ignition flame of the eccentric igniter 9, clean gas is evenly discharged from each outgassing hole 15a. It is possible. Further, the gas generator X5 includes a housing 1 having a double cylindrical structure similar to those in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the same members as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicate description will be omitted.

【0082】

In FIGS. 12 and 13, the eccentric igniter 9 is mounted in the short inner cylinder 18 with its protruding side 9a protruding into the lower combustion chamber 4. The protruding side 9a of the igniter 9 has an igniting agent that is ignited by a collision detection signal (electrical energy) from the collision sensor, and is covered with a cup-shaped ignition lid 38 that controls the ejection direction of the ignition flame. There is.

【0083】

As shown in FIG. 14, the ignition lid 38 is fitted into the short inner cylinder 15 while forming a flame space S5 with the protruding side 9a of the igniter 9, and lowers the ignition flame of the igniter 9. It has two ignition holes 38a to be ejected into the side combustion chamber 4. Each ignition hole 38a is opened in the flame space S5 on the protruding side 9a of the igniter 9, and the ignition flame or the like colliding with the cup bottom 38b of the ignition lid 38 is ejected from the flame space S5 into the lower combustion chamber 4. [See Fig. 14]. Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, each ignition hole 38a faces the long inner cylinder 17 with a straight line connecting the axes a and b of the inner cylinders 17 and 18 as a boundary (housing 1). It is formed in two places L and M on the a side of the axis of. That is, the ignition holes 38a at each location L and M are opened with angles θ1 and θ2 on both sides from the straight line c with reference to the axis b of the short inner cylinder 18, and the ignition flame is inside the long length. It is possible to inject around the long inner cylinder 17 (the axis a of the housing 1) that is separated from the igniter 9 between the cylinder 17 and the filter member 7. The angles θ1 and θ2 are preferably equal because the ignition flame of the igniter 9 is uniformly ejected around the long inner cylinder 17 (the axis a of the housing 1), but the gas generating agent 6 is used. It is adjustable so that it burns as a whole without bias.

【0084】

With this, the igniter 9 concentrates its ignition flame around the axis a of the housing 1 so as to be separated from the igniter 9 by each ignition hole 38a of the ignition lid 38, and gas is generated in the lower combustion chamber 4. Ignite and burn agent 6. As the inner cylinder material 2, a material in which gas passage holes 2a are formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction and the circumferential direction is used.

【0085】

Next, the operation of the gas generator X5 will be described.

【0086】

When the collision sensor detects the collision of the automobile and only the igniter 8 is activated, the high temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 is slag-collected and cooled by the filter member 7 as in FIG. After being homogenized in the gas passage space S2, the emission into the airbag is started. Then, the airbag slowly begins to expand and expand due to a small amount of clean gas generated only in the upper combustion chamber 3.

【0087】

Subsequently, when the igniter 9 is operated with a slight time difference after the start of combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3, the ignition flame is concentrated around the long inner cylinder 17 away from the igniter 9 through each ignition hole 38a. Then, the gas generating agent 6 is burned by this ignition flame to generate a high temperature gas. At this time, combustion in the combustion chamber 4 is started for a wide range of gas generating agents 6 in the vicinity of the igniter 9 and around the long inner cylinder 17 away from the igniter 9, and instantly moves in the circumferential direction of the housing 1. And move on to overall combustion. Therefore, since the local combustion biased to the vicinity of the igniter 9 can be eliminated and the overall combustion can be instantly performed, the high temperature gas in the combustion chamber 4 is uniformly generated around the axis a of the housing 1. It becomes possible.

【0088】

Then, the high-temperature gas generated in the lower combustion chamber 4 flows into the filter member 7 in the circumferential direction of the housing 1, where it passes through slag collection and cooling, and each gas passage hole of the inner cylinder member 2. It flows out uniformly from 2a into the gas passage space S2. Since the clean gas flowing out into the gas passage space S2 is uniformly discharged into the airbag from each gas discharge hole 15a of the outer cylinder 15, a large amount of the airbag is discharged from both combustion chambers 3 and 4. Clean gas shifts to rapid expansion and deployment.

【0089】

In the gas generator X5, in the same manner as the gas generator X1 in FIG. 1, the airbag is expanded and deployed according to the collision mode of the automobile by appropriately selecting a minute time difference for operating each of the igniters 8 and 9. It is something that makes you.

【0090】

As described above, according to the gas generator X5, the deployment control of the airbag can be easily performed as in FIG.

【0091】

Further, in the gas generator X5, the ignition flame of the eccentric igniter 9 is controlled to instantly shift to the overall combustion around the axis a of the housing 1, and the outgassing holes 15a are transferred to the airbag. The released clean gas can be made uniform. Therefore, the airbag can be expanded and deployed smoothly without bias. Further, in the gas generator X5, the one that forms two ignition holes 38a in the ignition lid 38 has been described, but three or more ignition holes 38a may be formed. Each ignition hole 38a is arranged so as to burn the gas generating agent 6 as a whole without bias.

【0092】

In the gas generator X5, the inside of the inner cylinder member 2 is defined by the partition member 5 into two upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4, and the gas generator 6 and the filter member 7 are arranged in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4. Although the configuration is shown, the configuration shown in FIG. 16 can also be adopted. The gas generator X5 of FIG. 16 is obtained by integrally molding the filter members 7 of the combustion chambers 3 and 4 and charging them into the inner cylinder member 2. The combustion space S3 in the filter member 7 is a partition member 5. It is defined in the upper and lower two combustion chambers 3 and 4. Then, the gas generating agent 6 is loaded into each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4. In this way, when the filter member 7 of each combustion chamber 3 and 4 is integrally molded, the number of parts is reduced and the manufacturing cost is reduced as compared with the case where the filter member 7 is arranged in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4. Can be planned.

【0093】

Next, the gas generator X6 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 will be described.

【0094】

The gas generator X6 of FIGS. 17 and 18 enables control of the deployed form of the airbag, and controls the ignition flame of each of the eccentric igniters 8 and 9 to discharge clean gas to each outgassing hole 15a. It can be released evenly from. This gas generator X6 includes a housing 1 having a single cylindrical structure similar to that in FIGS. 10 and 11, and the same members as those in FIGS. 10 and 11 are designated by the same reference numerals. Further, in the gas generator X6, the same structure as that of FIGS. 12 and 13 is adopted as the structure of the igniter 9.

【0095】

In FIGS. 17 and 18, the eccentric igniter 8 is mounted in the long inner cylinder 17 with the protruding side 8a protruding into the combustion chamber 3. The protruding side 8a of the igniter 8 has an igniting agent that is ignited by a collision detection signal (electrical energy) from the collision sensor, and is covered with a cup-shaped ignition lid 48 that controls the ejection direction of the ignition flame. There is. The ignition lid 38 is fitted into the long inner cylinder 17 while forming a flame space S5 with the protruding side 8a of the igniter 8 as in FIG. 14, and the ignition flame of the igniter 8 is placed in the upper combustion chamber. It has two ignition holes 48a to eject to 3. Each ignition hole 48a opens in the flame space S5 on the protruding side 8a of the igniter 8, and a flame or the like colliding with the cup bottom 48b of the ignition lid 48 is ejected from the flame space S5 into the upper combustion chamber 3 [ See Figure 14]. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, each ignition hole 48a faces the axis a side of the housing 1 with a straight line e connecting the axis a of the housing 1 and the axis d of the long inner cylinder 17 as a boundary. It is formed in two places N and P. That is, each of the locations N and P are opened with angles θ3 and θ4 on both sides from the straight line c with reference to the axis d of the long inner cylinder 17, and the ignition flame is spread between the filter members 7. It is possible to eject around the axis a of the housing 1 away from the igniter 8. The angles θ3 and θ4 are preferably equal because the ignition flame of the igniter 8 is uniformly ejected around the axis of the housing 1, but the gas generating agent 6 is burned as a whole without bias. It is adjustable. The igniter 8 is now positioned eccentrically from the axis a of the housing 1 and around the axis a of the housing 1 so that its ignition flame is separated from the igniter 8 through each ignition hole 38a of the ignition lid 38. The gas generating agent 6 in the upper combustion chamber 3 is ignited and burned.

【0096】

Further, the protruding side 9a of the igniter 9 is covered with the ignition lid 38 in the same manner as in FIGS. 12 and 13. The igniter 9 is now positioned eccentrically from the axis a of the housing 1 and around the axis a of the housing 1 so that its ignition flame is separated from the igniter 9 through each ignition hole 38a of the ignition lid 38. The gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 is ignited and burned.

【0097】

Next, the operation of the gas generator X6 will be described.

【0098】

When the collision sensor detects a car collision, it activates only the igniter 8. The ignition flame of the igniter 8 is concentrated and ejected around the axis a of the housing 1 away from the igniter 8 through each ignition hole 38a, and the gas generator 6 is burned by this ignition flame to generate a high temperature gas. .. At this time, combustion in the combustion chamber 3 is started for a wide range of gas generating agents 6 in the vicinity of the igniter 8 and around the axis a of the housing 1 away from the igniter 8, and instantly in the circumferential direction of the housing 1. Go to and move on to overall combustion. Therefore, since the local combustion biased to the vicinity of the igniter 8 can be eliminated and the overall combustion can be instantly performed, the high temperature gas in the combustion chamber 3 is uniformly generated around the axis a of the housing 1. It becomes possible.

【0099】

The high-temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 flows into the filter member 7 over the circumferential direction of the housing 1, where it passes through slag collection and cooling, and then a gas passage space from each gas passage hole 2a of the inner cylinder material 2. It leaks into S2. Then, when the combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3 proceeds and the inside of the housing 1 reaches a predetermined pressure, the burst plate 21 bursts and the clean gas uniformly flowing out into the gas passage space S2 is discharged into each gas discharge hole 15a. Is released into the airbag. As a result, the airbag is slowly expanded and expanded by a small amount of clean gas generated only in the upper combustion chamber 3 and uniformly discharged from each gas discharge hole 15a.

【0100】

Subsequently, when the igniter 9 is operated with a slight time difference after the start of combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3, the ignition flame is concentrated around the axis a of the housing 1 away from the igniter 9 through each ignition hole 28a. It is ejected and the gas generating agent 6 is burned by this ignition flame to generate high temperature gas. At this time, the combustion in the combustion chamber 4 also instantly shifts to the overall combustion in the same manner as in the upper combustion chamber 3, so that the high temperature gas in the combustion chamber 4 is uniform around the axis a of the housing 1. Can be generated in.

【0101】

Then, the high-temperature gas generated in the combustion chamber 4 flows into the filter member 7 in the circumferential direction of the housing 1, where it passes through slag collection and cooling, and uniformly flows out into the gas passage space S2. Since the clean gas flowing out into the gas passage space S2 is uniformly discharged into the airbag from each gas discharge hole 15a of the outer cylinder 15, a large amount of the airbag is discharged from both combustion chambers 3 and 4. Clean gas shifts to rapid expansion and deployment.

【0102】

In this way, according to the gas generator X6, as in FIGS. 12 and 13, the deployment control of the airbag can be easily performed, and the airbag can be expanded and deployed smoothly without bias, so that the airbag can be safely expanded. The original function of the bag can be demonstrated. In the gas generator X6 as well, in the same manner as the gas generator X1 in FIGS. 1 and 2, by appropriately selecting a minute time difference for operating the igniters 8 and 9, the air can be adjusted according to the collision mode of the automobile. It expands and deploys the bag.

【0103】

In the gas generators X6 and X7 of the gas generator, it was explained that the ignition flame is controlled by attaching the ignition lids 38 and 48 to the eccentric igniters 8 and 9, which are shown in FIG. It may be configured. In FIG. 19, the protruding side 9a (8a) of the eccentric igniter 9 (8) is provided with a cup-shaped ignition lid 58 in which two ignition holes 58a are formed, and is molded or formed on the inner circumference of the ignition lid 58. Each ignition hole 58a is closed by the resin seal 59. The inside of the resin seal 59 is loaded with an ignition agent that ignites by a collision detection signal (electrical energy) from a collision sensor. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, each ignition hole 58a is opened at various points L and M (N, P) of the igniter 9 (8) with angles θ1 and θ2 (θ3, θ4). The resin seal 59 is broken by the ignition flame in the ignition lid 58 and opens to the combustion chamber 4 (3) so that the ignition flame can be ejected around the axis a of the housing 1. The ignition holes 58a are not limited to two, and may be three or more.

【0104】

Further, as the structure of the igniter 9 (8), the protruding side 9a (8a) of the igniter 9 (8) is composed of a covering body loaded with an igniting agent, and a plurality of pieces are formed from the inside (or outside) of the covering body. Ignition groove may be formed. Each of these ignition grooves is formed in each part L, M (N, P) of the igniter 9 (8) so as to be thinner than the other parts, and the combustion chamber is formed by the ignition flame in the igniter 9 (8). It is opened as an ignition hole in 4 (3). With this, the ignition flame of the igniter 9 (8) can be controlled to be ejected around the axis a of the housing 1.

【0105】

Next, the gas generator X7 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 will be described.

【0106】

The gas generator X7 of FIGS. 21 and 22 enables control of the deployed form of the airbag, and controls the structure of the filter member 7 and the ignition flame of the eccentric igniter 9, thereby producing clean gas. It can be evenly discharged from the gas discharge hole 15a. This gas generator X7 includes a housing 1 having a double cylindrical structure similar to the gas generator X3 of FIGS. 7 and 8, and a filter member 7, and the same members as those of FIGS. 7 and 8 are designated by the same reference numerals. There is. Further, in the gas generator X7, the same structure as that of FIGS. 12 and 13 is adopted as the structure of the igniter 9.

【0107】

In FIGS. 21 and 22, in the same manner as in FIGS. 7 and 8, the filter material 7 in the lower combustion chamber 4 has the peripheral portion φ adjacent to the igniter 9 of the short cylinder 18 at the shortest. The structure is such that it is more difficult for gas to pass through than the surrounding part σ away from. Further, the protruding side 9a of the igniter 9 is covered with the ignition lid 38 in the same manner as in FIGS. 12 and 13. The igniter 9 is now positioned eccentrically from the axis a of the housing 1 and around the axis a of the housing 1 so that its ignition flame is separated from the igniter 9 through each ignition hole 38a of the ignition lid 38. The gas generating agent 6 in the lower combustion chamber 4 is ignited and burned.

【0108】

Next, the operation of the gas generator X7 will be described.

【0109】

When the collision sensor detects the collision of the automobile and only the igniter 8 is activated, the high temperature gas generated in the upper combustion chamber 3 is slag-collected and cooled by the filter member 7 as in FIG. After being homogenized in the gas passage space S2, the emission into the airbag is started. Then, the airbag 3 slowly begins to expand and expand due to a small amount of clean gas generated only in the upper combustion chamber 3.

【0110】

Subsequently, when the igniter 9 is operated with a slight time difference after the start of combustion in the upper combustion chamber 3, the ignition flame is separated from the igniter 9 through each ignition hole 38a of the igniter 9 around the axis a of the housing 1. The gas generator 6 is burned by this ignition flame to generate high temperature gas. Since the combustion in the combustion chamber 4 instantly shifts to the overall combustion in the same manner as in FIG. 12, the high temperature gas in the combustion chamber 4 can be uniformly generated around the axis a of the housing 1. It will be possible.

【0111】

Further, the high temperature gas generated in the lower combustion chamber 4 flows into the filter member 7 from the peripheral portion φ adjacent to the igniter 9. The high-temperature gas flowing into the filter member 7 is distributed in the circumferential direction of the housing 1 in the same manner as in FIG. 7, and is evenly discharged from each gas discharge hole 15a to the periphery of the outer cylinder 15 through the gas passage space S2.

【0112】

In the gas generator X7, in the same manner as the gas generator X1 in FIG. 1, the airbag is expanded and deployed according to the collision mode of the automobile by appropriately selecting a minute time difference for operating each of the igniters 8 and 9. It is something that makes you.

【0113】

As described above, according to the gas generator X7, the deployment control of the airbag can be easily performed. Further, in the gas generator X7, by controlling the ignition flame of the igniter 9, the gas generator 6 is regarded as the overall combustion, and the high temperature gas is distributed in the circumferential direction of the housing 1 by the structure of the filter member 7. Therefore, clean gas can be reliably and evenly discharged from each gas discharge hole 15a.

【0114】

In the gas generators X1 to X6 of the present invention, among the control of the ignition flame of the gas passage hole 2a of the inner cylinder material 2, the gas discharge hole 15a of the housing 1, the filter member 7, or the eccentric igniters 8 and 9. Either structure is adopted, but by combining these structures, clean gas can be evenly discharged from each gas discharge hole 15a around the outer cylinder 15.

【0115】

Further, in the gas generators X1 to X7, the inner cylinder material 2 and the partition member 5 are defined in the upper and lower two combustion chambers 3 and 4, but each combustion is performed without charging the inner cylinder material 2. The filter member 7 is arranged in the chambers 3 and 4, and the inside of the filter member 7 can be defined by the partition member 5 into two upper and lower combustion chambers 3 and 4.

【0116】

Further, the gas generators X1 to X7 have a structure in which the combustion chambers 3 and 4 are communicated with each other through the gas passage space S2 and the like. It may be applied to combustion chambers 3 and 4.

【0117】

Further, in the gas generators X1 to X7, the airbag deployment can be controlled in multiple stages by defining the gas generators X1 to X7 in a plurality of combustion chambers by a plurality of partition members 5 and arranging an igniter in each combustion chamber.

【0118】

Furthermore, although the gas generators X1 to X7 having two or more combustion chambers 3,4 and two or more igniters 8,9 have been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following configurations are also adopted. it can. First, the inside of the housing is made into one combustion chamber, and the gas generating agent in the combustion chamber is burned by one igniter, and the igniter is arranged eccentrically from the axis of the housing. Further, the inside of the housing is regarded as one combustion chamber, and the gas generating agent in the combustion chamber is burned by a plurality of igniters, and one or two or more of the igniters are arranged eccentrically from the axis of the housing. .. Even in such a gas generator, by adopting the structures described in FIGS. 1 to 20, it is possible to evenly discharge clean gas from each gas discharge hole.

【0119】

Further, in the gas generators X1 to X7, the one that expands and deploys the airbag for the driver's seat has been described, but the gas generator for expanding and deploying the airbag for the passenger seat or the side collision can also be applied. The gas generator that inflates and deploys the passenger seat or side collision airbag has a long cylindrical housing.

【0120】

Further, the gas generators X2 to X7 can be manufactured by using the expanded metal shown in FIG. 23 as the inner cylinder material 2. As shown in FIG. 23 (a), the expanded metal is formed by uniformly pulling the base metal 63 in which a large number of slits 63a are formed at predetermined intervals, thereby forming a plurality of expanded metals as shown in FIG. 23 (b). The gas passage hole 2a is opened. Then, as shown in FIG. 23 (c), the inner cylinder material 2 is manufactured by forming an expanded metal having a predetermined length and width into a cylindrical shape and fixing the ends to each other by a joining method such as spot welding. .. As the base material 63, a thin stainless steel plate having excellent heat resistance and pressure resistance, a thin steel plate of stainless steel or less, or the like is used.

【0121】

In this way, when the inner cylinder material 2 is manufactured from the expanded metal, the portion of each slit 63a is a flat portion of the base material 63 as shown in FIG. 24 when the tensioning process is performed in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 23 (a). The shape is curved from K to the inner and outer circumferences by the height h. Therefore, the inner cylinder member 2 is formed with a plurality of gas passage holes 2a protruding in the circumferential direction and extending in the axial direction so as to protrude by the height h at each slit 63a on the outer periphery thereof, and each gas passage hole 2a is formed therein. The structure is such that they communicate with each other in the circumferential direction.

【0122】

Then, when the inner cylinder material 2 made of expanded metal is charged into the housing 1, the height h even if it is expanded or deformed by the high-pressure high-temperature gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent 6 in each of the combustion chambers 3 and 4. It is possible to allow gas to pass toward each gas discharge hole 15a from a plurality of gas passage holes 2a protruding toward the inner and outer circumferences. Therefore, when the inner cylinder material 2 is made of expanded metal, a continuous annular space is formed on the inner peripheral side of the outer cylinder 15 even if the inner cylinder material 2 is arranged so as to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 15. This makes it possible to use this annular space as the gas passage space S2.

【0123】

[Effect of the invention]

According to the gas generator of the first invention (claim 1), the eccentric igniter can evenly release clean gas around the housing even if local combustion occurs in the combustion chamber. It will be possible. Therefore, even if the occupant in the driver's seat is seated near the steering wheel, the original function of the airbag can be safely exhibited without being impacted by the uneven expansion and deployment of the airbag.

【0124】

According to the gas generator of the second invention (claim 2), the eccentric igniter can evenly release clean gas around the housing even if local combustion occurs in the combustion chamber. It will be possible. In addition, by operating multiple igniters with a slight time difference, the airbag was slowly expanded and expanded by a small amount of gas generated in only one combustion chamber at the initial stage of airbag deployment, and then generated in other combustion chambers. The addition of gas enables multi-stage deployment control that rapidly expands and deploys. Therefore, even if the occupant in the driver's seat is seated near the steering wheel, the airbag can be safely and safely without being impacted by the rapid expansion and deployment of the airbag at the initial stage of deployment or the uneven expansion and deployment of the airbag. The original function can be exhibited.

【0125】

According to the gas generator of the third invention (claim 7), combustion can be started for a wide range of gas generators near the igniter and around the axis of the housing away from the igniter, and the whole can be instantaneously started. Can shift to combustion. As a result, the high temperature gas produced by the eccentric igniter can be uniformly generated around the axis of the housing, and the clean gas can be evenly discharged around the housing. Therefore, even if the occupant in the driver's seat is seated near the steering wheel, the original function of the airbag can be safely exhibited without being impacted by the uneven expansion and deployment of the airbag.

【0126】

According to the gas generator of the fourth invention (claim 8), combustion can be started for a wide range of gas generators near the igniter and around the axis of the housing away from the igniter, and the whole can be instantaneously started. Can shift to combustion. As a result, the high temperature gas produced by the eccentric igniter can be uniformly generated around the axis of the housing, and the clean gas can be evenly discharged around the housing. In addition, by operating multiple igniters with a slight time difference, the airbag was slowly expanded and expanded by a small amount of gas generated in only one combustion chamber at the initial stage of airbag deployment, and then generated in other combustion chambers. The addition of gas enables multi-stage deployment control that rapidly expands and deploys. Therefore, even if the occupant in the driver's seat is seated near the steering wheel, the airbag can be safely and safely without being impacted by the rapid expansion and deployment of the airbag at the initial stage of deployment or the uneven expansion and deployment of the airbag. The original function can be exhibited.

【0127】

According to the gas generator of the fifth invention (claim 12), the eccentric igniter can evenly release clean gas around the housing even if local combustion occurs in the combustion chamber. It will be possible. In addition, combustion can be started for a wide range of gas generating agents in the vicinity of the igniter and around the axis of the housing away from the igniter, and the entire combustion can be instantaneously started. As a result, the high temperature gas produced by the eccentric igniter can be uniformly generated around the axis of the housing, and the clean gas can be uniformly discharged around the housing. Therefore, even if the occupant in the driver's seat is seated near the steering wheel, the original function of the airbag can be safely exhibited without being impacted by the uneven expansion and deployment of the airbag.

【0128】

According to the gas generator of the sixth invention (claim 13), the eccentric igniter can evenly release clean gas around the housing even if local combustion occurs in the combustion chamber. It will be possible. In addition, combustion can be started for a wide range of gas generating agents in the vicinity of the igniter and around the axis of the housing away from the igniter, and the combustion can be instantaneously shifted to the overall combustion. As a result, the high temperature gas produced by the eccentric igniter can be uniformly generated around the axis of the housing, and the clean gas can be evenly discharged around the housing. Furthermore, by operating multiple igniters with a slight time difference, the airbag was slowly expanded and expanded by a small amount of gas generated in only one combustion chamber at the initial stage of airbag deployment, and then generated in other combustion chambers. The addition of gas enables multi-stage deployment control that rapidly expands and deploys. Therefore, even if the occupant in the driver's seat is seated near the steering wheel, the airbag can be safely and safely without being impacted by the rapid expansion and deployment of the airbag at the initial stage of deployment or the uneven expansion and deployment of the airbag. The original function can be exhibited.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is sectional drawing which shows the gas generator used for the airbag for the driver's seat which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

[Figure 2]

It is a cross-sectional view of AA of FIG.

[Fig. 3]

It is an enlarged perspective view which shows the structure of the inner cylinder material.

[Fig. 4]

It is a figure which shows the knitted wire mesh which forms a filter member, and the crimp woven metal wire rod.

[Fig. 5]

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a gas generator used for an airbag for a driver's seat in a first modification according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 6]

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[Fig. 7]

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a gas generator used for an airbag for a driver's seat in a second modification according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 8]

It is CC sectional view of FIG.

[Fig. 9]

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a gas generator used for an airbag for a driver's seat in a third modification according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 10]

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a gas generator used for an airbag for a driver's seat in a fourth modification according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 11]

It is a DD sectional view of FIG.

[Fig. 12]

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a gas generator used for an airbag for a driver's seat in a fifth modification according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 13]

It is EE sectional view of FIG.

[Fig. 14]

It is an enlarged cross-sectional view which shows the structure of an eccentric igniter.

[Fig. 15]

It is an enlarged perspective view which shows the igniter of FIG.

[Fig. 16]

6 is a sectional view showing a gas generator used for an airbag for a driver's seat in a sixth modification according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 17]

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a gas generator used for an airbag for a driver's seat in a seventh modification according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 18]

It is FF sectional view of FIG.

[Fig. 19]

It is an enlarged cross-sectional view which shows the structure of an eccentric igniter.

[Fig. 20]

It is an enlarged perspective view which shows the igniter of FIG.

[Fig. 21]

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a gas generator used for an airbag for a driver's seat in an eighth modification according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 22]

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG.

[Fig. 23]

It is a figure which shows the expanded metal which forms the inner cylinder material.

[Fig. 24]

It is a figure which shows the tension state of the expanded metal of FIG.

[Fig. 25]

It is sectional drawing which shows the gas generator used for the conventional airbag for a driver's seat.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 housing 2 Inner cylinder material 2a gas passage hole 3, 4 Combustion chamber 5 Partition member 6 Gas generator 7 Filter member 8, 9 igniter 15a Outgassing hole 38, 48 Ignition lid 38a, 48a Ignition holes S enclosed space