JP2021079950A - Gas generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the size and weight of a gas generator in which a plurality of gas outlets including those having different opening areas are provided in a housing while ensuring pressure resistance performance. A gas generator 1A includes a housing formed by joining a plurality of shell members, and one of the plurality of shell members has a cylindrical portion 22 and a flange portion 23. The tubular portion 22 is provided with a plurality of gas outlets 24a, 24b, 24c including those having different opening areas, and the flange portion 23 is formed from the axis O of the tubular portion 22 to the flange portion 23. It is configured so that the distance to the outer edge is non-uniform. When a perpendicular line PL is drawn with respect to the axis line O from the maximum external position A, which is the position farthest from the axis line O, among the outer edges of the flange portion 23, the flange portion 23 is arranged at the position closest to the perpendicular line PL so as to sandwich the perpendicular line PL. The pair of gas outlets is other than the one having the largest opening area among the plurality of gas outlets. [Selection diagram] FIG. 9

Description

The present invention relates to a gas generator incorporated in an occupant protection device that protects an occupant in the event of a collision with a vehicle or the like, and more particularly to a gas generator incorporated in an airbag device installed in an automobile or the like.

Conventionally, from the viewpoint of protecting occupants of automobiles and the like, airbag devices, which are occupant protection devices, have become widespread. The airbag device is equipped for the purpose of protecting the occupant from the impact generated in the event of a vehicle collision. By instantly inflating and deploying the airbag in the event of a vehicle collision, the airbag acts as a cushion for the occupant. It catches the body.

The gas generator is incorporated in this airbag device, and when a vehicle collides, the igniter is ignited by energization from the control unit, and the flame generated in the igniter burns the gas generator to instantly generate a large amount of gas. , A device that inflates and deploys the airbag.

There are various types of gas generators, but as a gas generator that can be suitably used for an airbag device on the driver's seat side, an airbag device on the passenger's seat, etc., a short, substantially cylindrical shape having a relatively large outer diameter. As a gas generator that can be suitably used for side airbag devices, curtain airbag devices, knee airbag devices, etc., there is a long, substantially cylindrical cylinder-type gas generator with a relatively small outer diameter. There is a vessel.

Of these, the disc-type gas generator has a short cylindrical housing in which both ends in the axial direction are closed, a plurality of gas outlets are provided on the peripheral wall of the housing, and ignition is assembled to the housing. The inside of the housing is filled with a gas generator so as to surround the circumference of the vessel, and the filter is housed inside the housing so as to surround the circumference of the gas generator.

Here, in a disk-type gas generator, a housing is often configured by combining a pair of shell members having a bottomed substantially cylindrical shape. One of the shell members is provided with a flange portion which is a portion for fixing the disc type gas generator to an external member (for example, a retainer provided in an airbag device).

Generally, in a gas generator, it is important to burn the gas generator stably and continuously during operation. In order to burn the gas generator stably and continuously, it is necessary to place the gas generator in a predetermined high-pressure environment. Therefore, in the gas generator, a plurality of gas outlets provided in the housing are provided. It is designed so that the pressure in the space inside the housing increases to a considerable extent during operation by reducing the size of the gas to a desired size.

However, the output characteristics of the gas generator are affected by the surrounding environment in which the gas generator is placed, and in particular, the output characteristics are strengthened in a high temperature environment and weakened in a low temperature environment, depending on the environmental temperature. There is a tendency. That is, in a high temperature environment, the gas will be ejected faster and stronger, and in a low temperature environment, the gas will be ejected slower and weaker. Therefore, especially in a low temperature environment, the opening of the gas outlet tends to cause a large drop in the pressure inside the housing, which hinders the continuous combustion of the gas generating agent and causes a shortage of gas output. It may occur.

For the purpose of reducing the performance difference of gas output due to this environmental temperature, for example, in International Publication No. 2015/163290 (Patent Document 1), the opening pressure is set as a plurality of gas outlets provided in the housing. Gas generators configured to include different ones are disclosed.

In the gas generator configured in this way, a plurality of gas outlets are opened stepwise as the pressure in the space inside the housing rises. Therefore, compared to a gas generator configured so that all gas outlets are opened all at once as the pressure in the space inside the housing rises, the pressure inside the housing drops significantly, especially in a low temperature environment. Can be prevented from occurring.

Therefore, by using a gas generator having this configuration, it is possible to continuously burn the gas generator in any temperature environment from a high temperature environment to a low temperature environment, and as a result, it is caused by the environmental temperature. It is possible to reduce the performance difference of the gas output.

In addition, in FIGS. 10 to 12 of Patent Document 1, by providing a plurality of gas outlets in which the opening pressure is set in three stages on the peripheral wall portion of the housing, the space inside the housing during operation is provided. A disk-type gas generator configured so that a plurality of gas outlets are opened in three stages as the pressure rises is disclosed. Here, when considering the general specifications required for the disc-type gas generator, it is preferable that the plurality of gas outlets are set to be opened in three stages in this way.

International Publication No. 2015/163290

On the other hand, in recent years, there has been a strong demand for smaller and lighter gas generators. In order to reduce the size and weight of the gas generator, it is effective to reduce the thickness of the housing, which is a pressure-resistant container. However, if the thickness of the housing is simply reduced, the pressure-resistant performance of the housing is sufficiently reduced. It will not be possible to secure it.

In particular, gas generation is provided in which a plurality of gas outlets including those having different opening areas are provided in the housing so that the plurality of gas outlets are opened stepwise during operation. In the vessel, how to reduce the size and weight while ensuring the withstand voltage performance is an important issue.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and in a gas generator in which a plurality of gas outlets including those having different opening areas are provided in the housing, the pressure resistance performance is improved. The purpose is to reduce the size and weight while ensuring it.

The gas generator according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a housing, a gas generator, and an igniter. The housing has a peripheral wall portion, a top plate portion, and a bottom plate portion, and both ends of the peripheral wall portion in the axial direction are closed by the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion. The gas generating agent is arranged inside the housing and generates gas by burning. The igniter is attached to the housing and is for burning the gas generating agent. The housing is formed by combining and joining a plurality of shell members, and one of the plurality of shell members includes a tubular portion forming at least a part of the peripheral wall portion and the tubular portion. It has at least a flange portion that extends continuously outward in the radial direction from one end in the axial direction of the tubular portion. The tubular portion is provided with a plurality of gas outlets including those having different opening areas, and the flange portion is a distance from the axis of the tubular portion to the outer edge of the flange portion. Is configured to be non-uniform. In the gas generator based on the first aspect of the present invention, from the maximum external position, which is the position farthest from the axis of the tubular portion of the outer edge of the flange portion, to the axis of the tubular portion. On the other hand, when a perpendicular line is drawn, none of the plurality of gas outlets is arranged at a position on a plane including the perpendicular line and the axis of the tubular portion, and the perpendicular line is sandwiched. As described above, the pair of gas outlets arranged at the positions closest to the perpendicular line all satisfy the condition that they are other than the one having the largest opening area among the plurality of gas outlets. Here, a plurality of the maximum external positions exist along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion, and the above conditions are satisfied in each of the portions corresponding to the plurality of maximum external positions.

The gas generator according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a housing, a gas generator, and an igniter. The housing has a peripheral wall portion, a top plate portion, and a bottom plate portion, and both ends of the peripheral wall portion in the axial direction are closed by the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion. The gas generating agent is arranged inside the housing and generates gas by burning. The igniter is attached to the housing and is for burning the gas generating agent. The housing is formed by combining and joining a plurality of shell members, and one of the plurality of shell members includes a tubular portion forming at least a part of the peripheral wall portion and the tubular portion. It has at least a flange portion that extends continuously outward in the radial direction from one end in the axial direction of the tubular portion. The tubular portion is provided with a plurality of gas outlets including those having different opening areas, and the flange portion is a distance from the axis of the tubular portion to the outer edge of the flange portion. Is configured to be non-uniform. In the gas generator based on the second aspect of the present invention, from the maximum outer position, which is the position farthest from the axis of the tubular portion of the outer edge of the flange portion, to the axis of the tubular portion. On the other hand, when a perpendicular line is drawn, a gas outlet other than the one having the largest opening area is arranged on the perpendicular line.

In the gas generator based on the first and second aspects of the present invention, the flange portion is provided with a through hole for fixing the gas generator to an external member. Preferably, in that case, the distance from the axis of the tubular portion to the outer edge of the flange portion is such that the through hole of the flange portion is not provided in the portion of the flange portion where the through hole is provided. It is preferably configured to be larger than the portion.

In the gas generator based on the first and second aspects of the present invention, the plurality of gas outlets are arranged side by side in a row along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion. preferable.

In the gas generator based on the first and second aspects of the present invention, the housing constitutes the top plate portion and the peripheral wall portion near the top plate portion as the plurality of shell members. It is preferable to include a bottom tubular upper shell and a bottomed tubular lower shell constituting the bottom plate portion and the peripheral wall portion near the bottom plate portion. In that case, the tubular portion provided with the plurality of gas outlets is defined by the upper shell of the portion constituting the peripheral wall portion near the top plate portion, and the flange. The portion extends from the end portion of the upper shell portion on the bottom plate portion side of the portion constituting the peripheral wall portion near the top plate portion. Further, in that case, the lower shell of the portion constituting the peripheral wall portion near the bottom plate portion is inserted into the upper shell side shell of the portion constituting the peripheral wall portion near the top plate portion. , It is preferable that the upper shell and the lower shell are combined. Further, in that case, it is preferable that the igniter is assembled to the lower shell of the portion constituting the bottom plate portion.

In the gas generator based on the first and second aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of gas outlets are composed of a plurality of sets of gas outlet groups. In that case, the plurality of sets of gas outlet groups are uniform along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion so as to have rotational symmetry at an angle of 120 [°] or less about the axis of the tubular portion. One set or two or more sets of first gas spouts composed of a plurality of first gas spouts having the same first open pressure and 120 [°] centered on the axis of the tubular portion. ] A set or 2 composed of a plurality of second gas outlets having the same second opening pressure, which are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion so as to have rotational symmetry with the following angles. The second gas outlet group of the set or more and the second gas outlet group are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion so as to have rotational symmetry at an angle of 120 [°] or less about the axis of the tubular portion. It is preferable to have only one set or two or more sets of third gas outlet groups composed of a plurality of third gas outlets having the same third opening pressure. In that case, it is preferable that the second opening pressure is higher than the first opening pressure and the third opening pressure is higher than the second opening pressure. Further, in that case, it is preferable that the plurality of gas outlets are arranged so as not to overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion.

Here, when determining the gas outlet group described above, it is determined so that a set of gas outlet groups is composed of as many gas outlets as possible. That is, for example, when four gas outlets having the same opening pressure along the circumferential direction are provided on the peripheral wall portion of the housing, these are arranged with rotational symmetry of 180 [°] 2 A total of two gas outlet groups, a gas outlet group consisting of one gas outlet and a gas outlet group consisting of two gas outlets arranged with rotational symmetry of 180 [°]. Although it can be regarded as being configured, it is not regarded as such, and in this case, it consists of four gas outlets arranged with rotational symmetry of 90 [°]. It is considered to be composed of one set of gas outlets.

In the gas generator based on the first and second aspects of the present invention, the plurality of first gas outlets, the plurality of second gas outlets, and the plurality of third gas outlets. When at least one of them has the opening area of one gas outlet as S [mm ² ] and the peripheral length of the one gas outlet is C [mm], these S and C are , It is preferable that the shape satisfies the condition of S / C ≦ 0.27 × S ^0.5.

In the gas generator based on the first and second aspects of the present invention, the plurality of first gas outlets, the plurality of second gas outlets, and the plurality of third gas outlets. It is preferable that at least one of the above has an elongated hole shape in which the opening width along the axial direction of the tubular portion is larger than the opening width along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion.

According to the present invention, in a gas generator in which a plurality of gas outlets including those having different opening areas are provided in a housing, it is possible to reduce the size and weight while ensuring the pressure resistance performance. Become.

It is a front view of the disk type gas generator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic sectional drawing of the disk type gas generator shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the upper side shell along the line III-III shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is an enlarged view of the 1st to 3rd gas outlets shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. It is a figure which represented typically the mode that the gas outlet is opened stepwise at the time of operation of the disk type gas generator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which schematically shows the difference in the degree of deformation of the main part of the housing at the time of operation between the disc type gas generator which concerns on a comparative example, and the disk type gas generator which in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which schematically represented the state in the vicinity of a gas outlet at the time of operation of the disk type gas generator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a front view of the disk type gas generator in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the upper side shell along the IX-IX line shown in FIG. It is a figure which schematically represented the degree of deformation of the main part of a housing at the time of operation of the disk type gas generator in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the upper side shell of the disk type gas generator in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the 1st to 3rd gas outlets shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the upper side shell of the disk type gas generator in Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the 1st to 3rd gas outlets shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are applications of the present invention to a disc-type gas generator that is suitably incorporated into an airbag device mounted on a steering wheel or the like of an automobile. In the embodiments shown below, the same or common parts are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a front view of the disc-type gas generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the disc-type gas generator shown in FIG. First, the configuration of the disk-type gas generator 1A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the disc type gas generator 1A in the present embodiment has a short substantially cylindrical housing in which one end and the other end in the axial direction are closed, and this housing. A holding portion 30, an igniter 40, a cup-shaped member 50, a gunpowder 56, a gas generating agent 61, a lower support member 70, an upper support member 80, and a cushion in the accommodation space provided inside the above. It is configured by accommodating a material 85, a filter 90, and the like. Further, in the accommodation space provided inside the housing, a combustion chamber 60 in which the gas generating agent 61 among the above-mentioned internal components is mainly accommodated is located.

The housing includes a lower shell 10 and an upper shell 20 as shell members. Each of the lower shell 10 and the upper shell 20 is made of a press-formed product formed by, for example, pressing a rolled metal plate-like member. As the metal plate-like member constituting the lower shell 10 and the upper shell 20, for example, a metal plate made of stainless steel, steel, an aluminum alloy, a stainless alloy, or the like is used, and preferably 440 [MPa] or more and 780. A so-called high-tensile steel plate that does not break or break even when a tensile stress of [MPa] or less is applied is used.

The lower shell 10 and the upper shell 20 are each formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the housing is formed by combining and joining these opening surfaces so as to face each other. The lower shell 10 has a bottom plate portion 11 and a tubular portion 12, and the upper shell 20 has a top plate portion 21, a tubular portion 22, and a flange portion 23.

The upper end of the tubular portion 12 of the lower shell 10 is press-fitted by being inserted into the lower end of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. Further, the tubular portion 12 of the lower shell 10 and the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 are joined to each other at or near their abutting portions, so that the lower shell 10 and the upper shell 20 are joined to each other. It is fixed. Here, electron beam welding, laser welding, friction welding and the like can be preferably used for joining the lower shell 10 and the upper shell 20.

As a result, the portion of the peripheral wall portion of the housing near the bottom plate portion 11 is composed of the tubular portion 12 of the lower shell 10, and the portion of the peripheral wall portion of the housing near the top plate portion 21 is the upper portion. It is composed of a tubular portion 22 of the side shell 20. Further, one end and the other end in the axial direction of the housing are closed by the bottom plate portion 11 of the lower shell 10 and the top plate portion 21 of the upper shell 20, respectively.

The flange portion 23 provided on the upper shell 20 is continuous from the end on the bottom plate portion 11 side of the lower shell 10, which is one end in the axial direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20, toward the outside in the radial direction. It is provided so as to extend. As a result, the flange portion 23 is positioned so as to project outward in the radial direction from an intermediate position in the axial direction of the peripheral wall portion of the housing.

The flange portion 23 is a portion for fixing the disk-type gas generator 1A to an external member (for example, a retainer provided in an airbag device). A through hole 25 (see FIG. 3 and the like) is provided at a predetermined position of the flange portion 23 so as to penetrate along a direction parallel to the axial direction of the tubular portion 22. A fastening member such as a bolt (not shown) is inserted into the through hole 25, whereby the disk-type gas generator 1A is fixed to the external member.

As shown in FIG. 2, a protruding tubular portion 13 projecting toward the top plate portion 21 is provided at the center of the bottom plate portion 11 of the lower shell 10, whereby the bottom plate of the lower shell 10 is provided. A recessed portion 14 is formed in the central portion of the portion 11. The protruding tubular portion 13 is a portion where the igniter 40 is fixed via the holding portion 30, and the recessed portion 14 is a portion serving as a space for providing the female connector portion 34 in the holding portion 30.

The projecting tubular portion 13 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the axial end portion located on the top plate portion 21 side has a non-point symmetrical shape (for example, a D-shape, a barrel) in a plan view. An opening 15 (mold shape, oval shape, etc.) is provided. The opening 15 is a portion through which a pair of terminal pins 42 of the igniter 40 are inserted.

The igniter 40 is for generating a flame, and includes an ignition unit 41 and the pair of terminal pins 42 described above. The ignition unit 41 includes an igniting agent that ignites and burns during operation to generate a flame, and a resistor for igniting the igniting agent. The pair of terminal pins 42 are connected to the ignition unit 41 to ignite the ignition charge.

More specifically, the ignition portion 41 includes a squib cup formed in a cup shape and a base portion for closing the open end of the squib cup and inserting and holding a pair of terminal pins 42. A resistor (bridge wire) is attached so as to connect the tips of a pair of terminal pins 42 inserted in the squib cup, and a point is formed in the squib cup so as to surround or approach the resistor. It has a configuration loaded with gunpowder.

Here, a nichrome wire or the like is generally used as the resistor, and ZPP (zirconium / potassium perchlorate), ZWPP (zirconium / tungsten / potassium perchlorate), lead styphnate or the like is generally used as the ignition agent. The squib cup and the base described above are generally made of metal or plastic.

When a collision is detected, a predetermined amount of current flows through the resistor via the terminal pin 42. When a predetermined amount of electric current flows through the resistor, Joule heat is generated in the resistor and the igniter starts combustion. The hot flame generated by the combustion bursts the squib cup containing the igniter. The time from when a current flows through the resistor until the igniter 40 operates is generally 2 [ms] or less when a nichrome wire is used for the resistor.

The igniter 40 is attached to the bottom plate portion 11 in a state of being inserted from the inside of the lower shell 10 so that the terminal pin 42 is inserted into the opening 15 provided in the protruding tubular portion 13. Specifically, a holding portion 30 made of a resin molded portion is provided around the protruding tubular portion 13 provided on the bottom plate portion 11, and the igniter 40 is held by the holding portion 30. Is fixed to the bottom plate portion 11.

The holding portion 30 is formed by injection molding using a mold (more specifically, insert molding), and the bottom plate portion 11 passes through an opening 15 provided in the bottom plate portion 11 of the lower shell 10. It is formed by adhering an insulating fluid resin material to the bottom plate portion 11 so as to reach from a part of the inner surface to a part of the outer surface and solidifying the bottom plate portion 11.

The igniter 40 is in a state of being inserted from the inside of the lower shell 10 so that the terminal pin 42 is inserted into the opening 15 when the holding portion 30 is formed. In this state, the igniter 40 and the lower shell are inserted. By pouring the above-mentioned fluid resin material so as to fill the space between the 10 and 10, the fluid resin material is fixed to the bottom plate portion 11 via the holding portion 30.

As the raw material of the holding portion 30 formed by injection molding, a resin material having excellent heat resistance, durability, corrosion resistance and the like after curing is preferably selected and used. In that case, it is not limited to the thermosetting resin represented by epoxy resin and the like, but is represented by polybutylene terephthalate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polyamide resin (for example, nylon 6 and nylon 66), polypropylene sulfide resin, polypropylene oxide resin and the like. It is also possible to use a thermoplastic resin. When these thermoplastic resins are selected as raw materials, it is preferable to include glass fibers or the like as a filler in these resin materials in order to secure the mechanical strength of the holding portion 30 after molding. However, if sufficient mechanical strength can be ensured only with the thermoplastic resin, it is not necessary to add the filler as described above.

The holding portion 30 includes an inner covering portion 31 that covers a part of the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 11 of the lower shell 10, an outer covering portion 32 that covers a part of the outer surface of the bottom plate portion 11 of the lower shell 10, and a lower portion. It is located in the opening 15 provided in the bottom plate portion 11 of the side shell 10, and has a connecting portion 33 which is continuous with the inner covering portion 31 and the outer covering portion 32, respectively.

The holding portion 30 is fixed to the bottom plate portion 11 on the surface of each of the inner covering portion 31, the outer covering portion 32, and the connecting portion 33 on the bottom plate portion 11 side. Further, the holding portion 30 is fixed to the side surface and the lower surface of the portion near the lower end of the ignition portion 41 of the igniter 40 and the surface of the portion near the upper end of the terminal pin 42 of the igniter 40, respectively.

As a result, the opening 15 is completely embedded by the terminal pin 42 and the holding portion 30, and the sealing property in the portion is ensured, so that the airtightness of the space inside the housing is ensured. Since the opening 15 is formed in a non-point symmetrical shape in a plan view as described above, by embedding the opening 15 in the connecting portion 33, the opening 15 and the connecting portion 33 can be made into a holding portion 30. Also functions as a detent mechanism to prevent the bottom plate portion 11 from rotating.

A female connector portion 34 is formed in a portion of the holding portion 30 facing the outside of the outer covering portion 32. The female connector portion 34 is a portion for receiving a male connector (not shown) of a harness for connecting the igniter 40 and a control unit (not shown), and is a bottom plate portion 11 of the lower shell 10. It is located in the recessed portion 14 provided in.

In the female connector portion 34, a portion near the lower end of the terminal pin 42 of the igniter 40 is exposed and arranged. A male connector is inserted into the female connector portion 34, whereby electrical continuity between the core wire of the harness and the terminal pin 42 is realized.

Further, the injection molding described above may be performed using the lower shell 10 in which the adhesive layer is previously provided at a predetermined position on the surface of the bottom plate portion 11 of the portion to be covered by the holding portion 30. The adhesive layer can be formed by applying an adhesive to a predetermined position of the bottom plate portion 11 in advance and curing the adhesive layer.

In this way, the cured adhesive layer is located between the bottom plate portion 11 and the holding portion 30, so that the holding portion 30 made of the resin molded portion can be more firmly fixed to the bottom plate portion 11. It will be possible. Therefore, if the adhesive layer is provided in an annular shape along the circumferential direction so as to surround the opening 15 provided in the bottom plate portion 11, it is possible to secure higher sealing performance in the portion.

Here, as the adhesive to be applied to the bottom plate portion 11 in advance, an adhesive containing a resin material having excellent heat resistance, durability, corrosion resistance and the like as a raw material after curing is preferably used, for example, a cyanoacrylate-based adhesive. Those containing a resin or a silicone-based resin as a raw material are particularly preferably used. In addition to the above-mentioned resin materials, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, melamine resin, urea resin, polyester resin, alkyd resin, polyurethane resin, polyimide resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, etc. Polyvinyl chloride resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polytetrafluoroethylene resin, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin, acrylonitrile styrene resin, acrylic resin, polyamide resin, polyacetal resin, polycarbonate resin, Polyphenylene ether-based resin, polybutylene terephthalate-based resin, polyethylene terephthalate-based resin, polyolefin-based resin, polyphenylene sulfide-based resin, polysulfone-based resin, polyether sulfone-based resin, polyarylate-based resin, polyether ether ketone-based resin , Polyamidoimide-based resins, liquid crystal polymers, styrene-based rubbers, olefin-based rubbers and the like as raw materials can be used as the above-mentioned adhesives.

Here, a configuration example in which the igniter 40 can be fixed to the lower shell 10 by injection molding the holding portion 30 made of a resin molded portion has been illustrated, but the igniter 40 to the lower shell 10 has been illustrated. It is also possible to use other alternatives to fix the.

A cup-shaped member 50 is assembled to the bottom plate portion 11 so as to cover the protruding tubular portion 13, the holding portion 30, and the igniter 40. The cup-shaped member 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom having an open end on the bottom plate portion 11 side, and includes a fire transmission room 55 in which the explosive agent 56 is housed. The cup-shaped member 50 projects toward the inside of the combustion chamber 60 containing the gas generating agent 61 so that the fire transmission chamber 55 provided inside the cup-shaped member 50 faces the ignition portion 41 of the igniter 40. Arranged to be located.

The cup-shaped member 50 includes a top wall portion 51 and a side wall portion 52 that define the above-mentioned fire transmission room 55, and an extension portion 53 extending radially outward from a portion of the side wall portion 52 on the opening end side. have. The extension portion 53 is formed so as to extend along the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 11 of the lower shell 10. Specifically, the extension portion 53 has a shape curved so as to follow the shape of the inner bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 11 in the portion where the protruding tubular portion 13 is provided and in the vicinity thereof, and the diameter thereof. A tip portion 54 extending in a flange shape is included in a portion on the outer side in the direction.

The tip portion 54 of the extension portion 53 is arranged between the bottom plate portion 11 and the lower side support member 70 along the axial direction of the housing, whereby the bottom plate portion 11 and the lower side side along the axial direction of the housing. It is sandwiched between the support member 70 and the support member 70. Here, the lower side support member 70 is in a state of being pressed toward the bottom plate portion 11 side by the gas generating agent 61, the cushion material 85, the upper side support member 80, and the top plate portion 21 arranged above the gas generating agent 61. The cup-shaped member 50 is in a state in which the tip end portion 54 of the extending portion 53 is pressed toward the bottom plate portion 11 side by the lower side support member 70, and is fixed to the bottom plate portion 11. As a result, the cup-shaped member 50 is prevented from falling off from the bottom plate portion 11 without using caulking fixing or press-fitting fixing for fixing the cup-shaped member 50.

The cup-shaped member 50 does not have an opening in either the top wall portion 51 or the side wall portion 52, and surrounds a fire transmission room 55 provided inside the cup-shaped member 50. The cup-shaped member 50 bursts or melts when the ignition charge 56 is ignited by the operation of the igniter 40 as the pressure rises in the fire transmission room 55 and the generated heat is conducted. Those with relatively low mechanical strength are used.

Therefore, the cup-shaped member 50 includes a metal member such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a thermosetting resin typified by an epoxy resin, a polybutylene terephthalate resin, a polyethylene terephthalate resin, or a polyamide resin (for example, nylon 6 or nylon). 66 etc.), those made of resin members such as thermoplastic resins typified by polypropylene sulfide resin, polypropylene oxide resin and the like are preferably used.

In addition to such a cup-shaped member 50, the cup-shaped member 50 is made of a metal member having high mechanical strength such as iron or copper, and has an opening in the side wall portion 52 thereof. It is also possible to use a material to which a sealing tape is attached so as to close the opening. Further, the fixing method of the cup-shaped member 50 is not limited to the fixing method using the lower support member 70 described above, and other fixing methods may be used.

The explosive charge 56 filled in the fire transmission room 55 is ignited by a flame generated by the operation of the igniter 40, and burns to generate heat particles. The explosive agent 56 needs to be capable of reliably starting combustion of the gas generating agent 61, and is generally B / KNO ₃ , B / NaNO ₃ , Sr (NO ₃ ) _2, etc. A composition composed of a metal powder / oxidizing agent represented by the above, a composition composed of titanium hydride / potassium perchlorate, a composition composed of B / 5-aminotetrazole / potassium nitrate / molybdenum trioxide, and the like are used.

As the power transmission agent 56, a powdery one, one molded into a predetermined shape by a binder, or the like is used. The shape of the explosive agent 56 formed by the binder includes various shapes such as a granular shape, a columnar shape, a sheet shape, a spherical shape, a single-hole cylindrical shape, a porous cylindrical shape, and a tablet shape.

In the space inside the housing, the combustion chamber 60 in which the gas generating agent 61 is housed is located in the space surrounding the portion where the cup-shaped member 50 described above is arranged. Specifically, as described above, the cup-shaped member 50 is arranged so as to project into the combustion chamber 60 formed inside the housing, and faces the outer surface of the side wall portion 52 of the cup-shaped member 50. The space provided in the portion and the space provided in the portion facing the outer surface of the top wall portion 51 are configured as the combustion chamber 60.

Further, a filter 90 is arranged along the inner circumference of the housing in the space surrounding the combustion chamber 60 in which the gas generating agent 61 is housed in the radial direction of the housing. The filter 90 has a cylindrical shape and is arranged so that its central axis substantially coincides with the axial direction of the housing.

The gas generating agent 61 is an agent that generates gas by being ignited by heat particles generated by the operation of the igniter 40 and burning. As the gas generating agent 61, it is preferable to use a non-azide gas generating agent, and generally, the gas generating agent 61 is formed as a molded body containing a fuel, an oxidizing agent, and an additive.

As the fuel, for example, a triazole derivative, a tetrazole derivative, a guanidine derivative, an azodicarbonamide derivative, a hydrazine derivative, or a combination thereof is used. Specifically, for example, nitroguanidine, guanidine nitrate, cyanoguanidine, 5-aminotetrazole and the like are preferably used.

Examples of the oxidizing agent include basic nitrates such as basic copper nitrate, perchlorates such as ammonium perchlorate and potassium perchlorate, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, and cations selected from ammonia. Nitrate and the like containing the above are used. As the nitrate, for example, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate and the like are preferably used.

Examples of the additive include a binder, a slag forming agent, a combustion adjusting agent, and the like. As the binder, for example, an organic binder such as a metal salt of carboxymethyl cellulose or stearate, or an inorganic binder such as synthetic hydrotalcite or acidic clay can be preferably used. As the slag forming agent, for example, silicon nitride, silica, acid clay and the like can be preferably used. Further, as the combustion modifier, for example, metal oxide, ferrosilicon, activated carbon, graphite and the like can be preferably used.

The shape of the molded body of the gas generating agent 61 includes various shapes such as a granular shape such as a granular shape, a pellet shape, a columnar shape, and a disc shape. Further, in the columnar shape, a perforated (for example, single-hole tubular shape, perforated tubular shape, etc.) molded body having a through hole inside the molded body is also used. These shapes are preferably selected as appropriate according to the specifications of the airbag device in which the disc-type gas generator 1A is incorporated. For example, the shape in which the gas generation rate changes with time when the gas generator 61 is burned. It is preferable to select the optimum shape according to the specifications, such as selecting. In addition to the shape of the gas generating agent 61, it is preferable to appropriately select the size and filling amount of the molded product in consideration of the linear combustion rate, pressure index, and the like of the gas generating agent 61.

As the filter 90, for example, one obtained by winding and sintering a metal wire such as stainless steel or steel, or one in which a net material woven with a metal wire is pressed and compacted can be used. As the net material, specifically, a knitted wire mesh, a plain weave wire mesh, an aggregate of crimp-woven metal wire rods, and the like can be used.

Further, as the filter 90, a filter 90 obtained by winding a perforated metal plate or the like can also be used. In this case, as the perforated metal plate, for example, an expanded metal in which a staggered cut is made in the metal plate and the metal plate is expanded to form a hole and processed into a mesh shape, or an expanded metal in which a hole is made in the metal plate and at that time. Hook metal or the like flattened by crushing burrs generated on the periphery of the hole is used. In this case, the size and shape of the holes to be formed can be appropriately changed as needed, and holes of different sizes and shapes may be included on the same metal plate. As the metal plate, for example, a steel plate (mild steel) or a stainless steel plate can be preferably used, and a non-ferrous metal plate such as aluminum, copper, titanium, nickel or an alloy thereof can also be used.

The filter 90 functions as a cooling means for cooling the gas by taking away the high-temperature heat of the gas when the gas generated in the combustion chamber 60 passes through the filter 90, and the residue contained in the gas. It also functions as a removing means for removing (slag) and the like. Therefore, in order to sufficiently cool the gas and prevent the residue from being released to the outside, it is necessary to ensure that the gas generated in the combustion chamber 60 passes through the filter 90. The filter 90 is provided with a gap portion 28 having a predetermined size between the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 and the tubular portion 12 of the lower shell 10 that form the peripheral wall portion of the housing. It is arranged apart from the tubular portions 12 and 22 so as to be.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of gas outlets 24 are provided in the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 of the portion facing the filter 90. The plurality of gas outlets 24 are for leading the gas that has passed through the filter 90 to the outside of the housing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a metal sealing tape 26 as a sealing member is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 so as to close the plurality of gas ejection ports 24. It is attached. As the sealing tape 26, an aluminum foil or the like having an adhesive member coated on one side can be preferably used, and the airtightness of the combustion chamber 60 is ensured by the sealing tape 26.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, in the disc-type gas generator 1A of the present embodiment, the plurality of gas outlets 24 have three types of gas outlets (that is, a plurality of gas outlets) having different opening areas. The first gas outlet 24a, the plurality of second gas outlets 24b, and the plurality of third gas outlets 24c) are included. These three types of gas outlets are opened stepwise as the pressure in the above-mentioned accommodation space, which is the space inside the housing due to the combustion of the gas generator 61, increases during the operation of the disk-type gas generator 1A. It is configured to have different open pressures so as to be.

As described above, the filter 90 and the gap 28 are located between the combustion chamber 60 and the plurality of gas outlets 24, but the flow resistance of the filter 90 to the gas is relatively small. The pressure in the accommodation space is substantially equal to the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60. Therefore, in the following description, this may be referred to as the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 instead of the pressure in the accommodation space.

The first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c described above are configured so that their opening pressures are different from each other because their opening areas are different from each other. By having a plurality of types of gas outlets 24 having different open pressures in this way, it is possible to prevent a large drop in the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 during operation, particularly in a low temperature environment, and it is intended. Combustion characteristics can be obtained, and the details thereof and more detailed configurations of the plurality of types of gas outlets 24 will be described later.

With reference to FIG. 2 again, the lower side support member 70 is arranged in the vicinity of the end portion of the combustion chamber 60 located on the bottom plate portion 11 side. The lower support member 70 has an annular shape, and is arranged so as to cover the boundary portion between the filter 90 and the bottom plate portion 11 so as to be substantially addressed to the filter 90 and the bottom plate portion 11. There is. As a result, the lower support member 70 is located between the bottom plate portion 11 and the gas generating agent 61 in the vicinity of the end portion of the combustion chamber 60.

The lower support member 70 has an abutting portion 72 erected so as to abut the inner peripheral surface of the axial end portion located on the bottom plate portion 11 side of the filter 90, and the abutting portion 72 radially inward from the abutting portion 72. It has a bottom 71 that extends toward it. The bottom portion 71 is formed so as to extend along the inner bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 11 of the lower shell 10. Specifically, the bottom portion 71 has a shape that is bent so as to follow the shape of the inner bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 11 including the portion provided with the protruding tubular portion 13, and the bottom portion 71 has a shape that is bent in the radial direction thereof. It includes an erected tip 73.

When the lower support member 70 is operated, the gas generated in the combustion chamber 60 flows out from the gap between the lower end of the filter 90 and the bottom plate portion 11 without passing through the inside of the filter 90. It functions as an outflow prevention means to prevent the above. The lower support member 70 is formed by, for example, pressing a metal plate-shaped member, and is preferably a steel plate such as ordinary steel or special steel (for example, a cold-rolled steel plate, a stainless steel plate, or the like). ) Is composed of members.

Here, the tip end portion 54 of the extension portion 53 of the cup-shaped member 50 described above is arranged between the bottom plate portion 11 and the bottom portion 71 of the lower support member 70 along the axial direction of the housing. As a result, the tip portion 54 is sandwiched and held by the bottom plate portion 11 and the bottom portion 71 along the axial direction of the housing. With this configuration, the cup-shaped member 50 is in a state in which the tip portion 54 of the extension portion 53 is pressed toward the bottom plate portion 11 side by the bottom portion 71 of the lower side support member 70, and is pressed against the bottom plate portion 11. On the other hand, it will be fixed.

An upper support member 80 is arranged at an end of the combustion chamber 60 located on the top plate 21 side. The upper support member 80 has a substantially disk-like shape, and is arranged so as to cover the boundary portion between the filter 90 and the top plate portion 21 so as to cover the boundary portion between the filter 90 and the top plate portion 21. ing. As a result, the upper support member 80 is located between the top plate portion 21 and the gas generating agent 61 in the vicinity of the end portion of the combustion chamber 60.

The upper support member 80 has a bottom portion 81 that abuts on the top plate portion 21, and a contact portion 82 that is erected from the peripheral edge of the bottom portion 81. The contact portion 82 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the axial end portion located on the top plate portion 21 side of the filter 90.

During operation of the upper support member 80, the gas generated in the combustion chamber 60 flows out from the gap between the upper end of the filter 90 and the top plate portion 21 without passing through the inside of the filter 90. It functions as an outflow prevention means to prevent this. Like the lower support member 70, the upper support member 80 is formed by, for example, pressing a metal plate-shaped member, and is preferably a steel plate such as ordinary steel or special steel (for example). , Cold-rolled steel sheet, stainless steel sheet, etc.).

Inside the upper support member 80, an annular cushion material 85 is arranged so as to come into contact with the gas generating agent 61 housed in the combustion chamber 60. As a result, the cushion material 85 is located between the top plate portion 21 and the gas generating agent 61 in the portion of the combustion chamber 60 on the top plate portion 21 side, and the gas generating agent 61 is directed toward the bottom plate portion 11 side. Is pressing.

The cushion material 85 is provided for the purpose of preventing the gas generating agent 61 made of a molded body from being crushed by vibration or the like, and is preferably a molded body of ceramic fiber, rock wool, or foamed resin (for example, foamed). Silicone, expanded polypropylene, expanded polyethylene, etc.), chloroprene, rubber typified by EPDM, etc.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the disk-type gas generator 1A in the above-described embodiment will be described.

When a vehicle equipped with the disc-type gas generator 1A according to the present embodiment collides, the collision is detected by a collision detecting means separately provided in the vehicle, and a control unit separately provided in the vehicle based on the collision is detected. The igniter 40 is operated by the energization from. The gunpowder 56 housed in the firebox 55 is ignited and burned by a flame generated by the operation of the igniter 40 to generate a large amount of heat particles. The combustion of the explosive agent 56 causes the cup-shaped member 50 to burst or melt, and the above-mentioned heat particles flow into the combustion chamber 60.

The heat particles that have flowed in ignite the gas generating agent 61 contained in the combustion chamber 60 and burn it to generate a large amount of gas. The gas generated in the combustion chamber 60 passes through the inside of the filter 90, and at that time, heat is taken away by the filter 90 and cooled, and the slag contained in the gas is removed by the filter 90 to remove the gap 28. Flow into.

As the pressure in the space inside the housing rises, the sealing tape 26 that closed the gas outlet 24 provided on the upper shell 20 is torn, and the gas flows to the outside of the housing through the gas outlet 24. It is ejected. At that time, the plurality of gas outlets 24 are opened in stages, and the ejected gas is introduced into the airbag provided adjacent to the disk-type gas generator 1A, and the gas is blown out. Inflate and deploy the airbag.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper shell along the line III-III shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the first to third gas outlets shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Is. Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIGS. 1 and 2 described above, a more detailed configuration of the upper shell 20 and the first to third tubular portions 22 provided on the upper shell 20 are provided. A more detailed configuration of the gas outlets 24a to 24c will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flange portion 23 of the upper shell 20 has a shape in which the distance from the axis O of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 to the outer edge of the flange portion 23 is non-uniform. There is. More specifically, in the disc type gas generator 1A according to the present embodiment, the flange portion 23 is provided with the above-mentioned four through holes 25 evenly along the circumferential direction, and the through holes 25 of the flange portion 23 are provided. The distance in the portion where the through hole 25 is provided is larger than the distance in the portion where the through hole 25 is not provided in the flange portion 23.

As a result, among the outer edges of the flange portion 23, the maximum external position A, which is the position farthest from the axis O of the tubular portion 22, is totaled at one position each corresponding to the through hole 25 provided in the flange portion 23. Will be provided at four locations, and will be evenly positioned at intervals of 90 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in the disc type gas generator 1A of the present embodiment, the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c described above are The tubular portions 22 of the upper shell 20 are provided side by side in a row according to a predetermined rule along the circumferential direction. More specifically, the plurality of gas outlets 24 have a total number of 24 and are evenly arranged at intervals of 15 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20.

The number of the first gas outlets 24a is four, and the first gas outlets 24a are arranged at intervals of 90 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. The number of the second gas outlets 24b is eight, and the second gas outlets 24b are arranged at intervals of 45 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. The number of the third gas outlet 24c is 12, and it is 15 [°], 30 [°], 45 [°], 15 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. , 30 [°], 45 [°], ...

Here, the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c are the first gas outlet 24a, the second, along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. The gas outlet 24b, the third gas outlet 24c, the third gas outlet 24c, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c are arranged in this order as one set and four sets are repeated. .. As a result, the plurality of gas outlets 24 are arranged so as not to overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A, the first gas outlet 24a has an elongated hole shape having different opening widths in the directions orthogonal to each other, and more specifically, the cylinder of the upper shell 20. The opening width L1 along the axial direction of the tubular portion 22 (hereinafter, the opening width L1 along the axial direction of the tubular portion 22 is also referred to as a length L1) is along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22. It has a vertically elongated hole shape larger than the opening width W1 (hereinafter, the opening width W1 along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 is also simply referred to as the width W1). Strictly speaking, the first gas outlet 24a is composed of a track hole having a pair of opening edges extending in parallel along the axial direction of the tubular portion 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4B, the second gas outlet 24b has an elongated hole shape having different opening widths in the directions orthogonal to each other, and more specifically, the cylinder of the upper shell 20. The opening width L2 along the axial direction of the tubular portion 22 (hereinafter, the opening width L2 along the axial direction of the tubular portion 22 is also referred to as a length L2) is along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22. It has a vertically elongated hole shape larger than the opening width W2 (hereinafter, the opening width W2 along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 is also simply referred to as the width W2). Strictly speaking, the second gas outlet 24b is composed of a track hole having a pair of opening edges extending in parallel along the axial direction of the tubular portion 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4C, the third gas outlet 24c has an elongated hole shape having different opening widths in the directions orthogonal to each other, and more specifically, the cylinder of the upper shell 20. The opening width L3 along the axial direction of the tubular portion 22 (hereinafter, the opening width L3 along the axial direction of the tubular portion 22 is also referred to as a length L3) is along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22. It has a vertically elongated hole shape larger than the opening width W3 (hereinafter, the opening width W3 along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 is also simply referred to as the width W3). Strictly speaking, the third gas outlet 24c is composed of a track hole having a pair of opening edges extending in parallel along the axial direction of the tubular portion 22.

That is, the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c all have a vertically elongated hole shape, whereby all the gas outlets 24 have a vertically elongated hole shape. It will be.

With reference to FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (C), the opening area of each of the first gas outlets 24a is S1, and the opening area of each of the second gas outlets 24b is S2. Assuming that the opening area of each of the third gas outlets 24c is S3, these S1 to S3 satisfy the condition of S1> S2> S3. That is, the opening area S2 of the second gas outlet 24b is smaller than the opening area S1 of the first gas outlet 24a, and the opening area S3 of the third gas outlet 24c is the opening area S2 of the second gas outlet 24b. Smaller than

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, in the disc-type gas generator 1A of the present embodiment, a perpendicular line PL is drawn from the above-mentioned maximum external position A of the flange portion 23 with respect to the axis O of the tubular portion 22. In the case (in FIG. 3, a case where the perpendicular line PL is drawn from one of the four maximum external positions A is typically shown), the gas injection arranged at the position closest to the perpendicular line PL is shown. The outlet 24 is other than the first gas outlet 24a having the largest opening area among the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c.

More specifically, when viewed along the axis O of the tubular portion 22, the tubular portion 22 is arranged with a third gas outlet 24c so as to overlap the perpendicular line PL. As a result, the gas outlet 24 arranged at the position closest to the perpendicular line PL has the third smallest opening area of the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c. It is said to be a gas outlet 24c.

With this configuration, even when the thickness of the housing, which is a pressure-resistant container (that is, the thickness of the upper shell 20) is reduced in order to reduce the size and weight, high pressure-resistant performance can be ensured. However, this point will be described later.

As described above, the sealing tape 26 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the upper shell 20 with reference to FIG. 2, and the sealing tape 26 provides a total of 24 gas outlets 24. Each is closed. In this case, the shear strength (tensile strength) of the sealing tape 26 is F, the thickness of the sealing tape 26 at the portion where the gas outlet 24 is closed is t, and the peripheral length of the gas outlet is C (the peripheral length shown in FIG. 4). When C1 to C3 correspond to the peripheral length C) and the opening area of the gas outlet 24 is S (the above-mentioned opening areas S1 to S3 correspond to the opening area S), the gas injection The opening pressure at the outlet is represented by F × t × C / S.

Therefore, by appropriately adjusting the peripheral lengths C1 to C3 and the opening areas S1 to S3 described above, in the present embodiment, the opening pressure of the first gas outlet 24a is the lowest, and the second gas outlet 24b The opening pressure of the third gas outlet 24c is set to the next lowest, and the opening pressure of the third gas outlet 24c is set to the highest.

When setting the opening pressure, as can be understood from the above formula of the opening pressure, the opening pressure can be increased by setting the peripheral length C longer even when the opening area S is the same. In other words, as in the present embodiment, by configuring all of the plurality of gas injection ports 24 to have a vertically elongated hole shape, adjacent gas injections are used to suppress deterioration of the pressure resistance performance of the housing. It is possible to set various open pressures while ensuring sufficient space between the outlets 24, and simply increase the size of a part of the plurality of gas outlets to a similar shape while maintaining a perfect circular shape, and a plurality of gases. Compared to the case where the opening pressures of a plurality of gas spouts are set stepwise while increasing the total opening area of the spouts, the degree of freedom in design is greatly increased, and as a result, the disk type gas generator 1A is downsized. Becomes possible.

Here, when the filter 90 is a filter 90 obtained by winding and sintering a metal wire such as stainless steel or steel described above, or by pressing a net material woven with the metal wire and compacting the filter 90. Due to the pressure of the gas ejected from the gas outlet 24 during operation, the filter 90 in the portion facing the gas outlet 24 is deformed and the deformed portion is pushed outward, and as a result, this is gas. A phenomenon may occur in which the spout 24 squeezes out toward the outside.

This phenomenon is likely to occur when the shape of the gas outlet 24 is a perfect circle, and is less likely to occur when the shape of the gas outlet 24 is a non-circular shape. This is because when the shape of the gas outlet 24 is a non-circular shape, the flow resistance to the gas increases at the corners and corners of the gas outlet 24 having the shape, and the opening area of the gas outlet 24 is increased. In comparison, it is presumed that the flow rate of the gas that actually flows is suppressed to a low level as a whole, and the force that pushes the filter 90 toward the outside is reduced.

Based on this viewpoint, the shape of the gas outlet 24 is preferably a non-circular shape as represented by the vertically elongated hole shape described above, and the opening area is particularly large in order to set the opening pressure low. It is preferable that the shape is non-circular. The non-circular shape referred to here includes various shapes, and in addition to the vertically elongated hole shape described above, a horizontally elongated hole shape, an oblique elongated hole shape, and the like, and further, a cross shape and a V shape. , T-shape, asterisk-shape, and a shape obtained by rotating these around the center.

When this is quantified and shown, at least one of the plurality of first gas outlets 24a, the plurality of second gas outlets 24b, and the plurality of third gas outlets 24c is one. When the opening area of the gas outlet is S [mm ² ] and the peripheral length of the one gas outlet is C [mm], these S and C are S / C ≦ 0.27 × S. It is preferable that the gas outlet has a shape satisfying the condition of ^{0.5 , and further, it is more preferable that the condition of S / C ≦ 0.22 × S 0.5} is satisfied.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing how the gas outlet is gradually opened when the gas generator in the present embodiment is operated. Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the reason why it is possible to prevent a large drop in the internal pressure increase during operation of the disc-type gas generator 1A according to the present embodiment, particularly in a low temperature environment, will be described. Note that FIGS. 5 (A), 5 (B) and 5 (C) schematically show the state at the time when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of operation, respectively. The elapsed time increases in the order of FIG. 5 (B) and FIG. 5 (C).

When the disc-type gas generator 1A in the present embodiment operates, the gas generator 61 starts combustion, and the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 starts to rise accordingly. In the disc-type gas generator 1A of the present embodiment, a plurality of gas outlets 24 are opened stepwise in the process of increasing the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60.

In the first stage after the start of operation, the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 reaches a pressure at which all of the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b and the third gas outlet 24c can be opened. The first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c are not opened, and the internal pressure continues to rise.

In the second stage after the start of operation, the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 has the lowest opening pressure among the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c. 1 The internal pressure P1 capable of opening the gas outlet 24a is reached, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 5A, the sealing tape 26 of the portion covering the four first gas outlets 24a is cleaved. , Gas is ejected through the four open first gas outlets 24a. As a result, the gas output can be obtained in a relatively short time from the start of operation, and the expansion and deployment of the airbag can be started at an early stage.

Here, in the second stage after the start of the operation, the second gas outlet 24b and the third gas outlet 24c are not yet opened, so that the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 becomes an appropriate high pressure state. It will be maintained, and the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 will not drop extremely. Therefore, the stable combustion of the gas generating agent 61 is continued, and the expansion and deployment of the airbag can be sustained.

In the third stage after the start of operation, the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 is the second lowest among the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c, next to the first gas outlet 24a. The internal pressure P2 that can open the eight second gas outlets 24b having the opening pressure is reached, and accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5B, the eight second gas outlets 24b are covered. Gas through a total of 12 first gas outlets 24a and second gas outlets 24b that have been opened, including the four first gas outlets 24a that have been opened and the sealing tape 26 of the portion has been cleaved. Is ejected.

Here, in the third stage after the start of the operation, since the third gas outlet 24c is not yet opened, the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 is maintained in an appropriate high pressure state. The internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 does not drop extremely. Therefore, the stable combustion of the gas generating agent 61 is continued, and the expansion and deployment of the airbag can be sustained.

In the fourth stage after the start of operation, the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 is the twelveth having the highest open pressure among the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b and the third gas outlet 24c. 3 The internal pressure P3 that can open the gas outlet 24c is reached, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, the sealing tape 26 of the portion covering the 12 third gas outlets 24c is cleaved. , A total of 24 first gas outlets 24a, a second gas outlet 24b and a total of 24 opened, including a total of 12 first gas outlets 24a and a second gas outlet 24b that have already been opened. Gas is ejected through the third gas outlet 24c.

Here, at this point, since the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 has already reached a sufficiently high high pressure state, the gas generating agent 61 will continue to burn stably, and all of the gas generating agent 61 will be burned out. The stable and high gas output can be obtained, and the sustainable deployment of the airbag can be continued.

In the fifth stage after the start of operation, the gas output is stopped when the gas generator 61 is completely burned out, whereby the operation of the disk-type gas generator 1A is completed, and the deployment of the airbag is also completed.

As described above, in the disc-type gas generator 1A of the present embodiment, the pressure in the above-mentioned accommodation space, which is the space inside the housing due to the combustion of the gas generator 61, when the disc-type gas generator 1A is operated. Since the plurality of gas outlets 24 are configured to be opened stepwise as the gas rises, all the gas jets are opened all at once as the pressure in the space inside the housing rises. Compared to the configured disk-type gas generator, it is possible to prevent a large drop in the internal pressure rise, especially in a low temperature environment. Therefore, the gas generating agent 61 can be continuously burned in any temperature environment from a high temperature environment to a low temperature environment, and as a result, the performance difference of the gas output due to the environmental temperature can be reduced. Becomes possible.

In addition, in order to surely obtain the effect of reducing the performance difference of the gas output due to the environmental temperature by setting the plurality of gas outlets 24 to be opened in three stages, a plurality of gas outlets 24 may be opened. The sum of the opening areas of the first gas outlet 24a is SA1, the sum of the opening areas of the plurality of second gas outlets 24b is SA2, and the sum of the opening areas of the plurality of third gas outlets 24c is SA3. In this case (in this embodiment, SA1 = 4 × S1, SA2 = 8 × S2, SA3 = 12 × S3), it is preferable that these SA1 to SA3 satisfy the condition of SA1 <SA2 + SA3. That is, the sum SA1 of the opening areas of the plurality of first gas outlets 24a is the sum SA2 of the opening areas of the plurality of second gas outlets 24b and the sum SA3 of the opening areas of the plurality of third gas outlets 24c. It is preferably smaller than the sum of and. This is the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 when the sum of the opening areas of the plurality of first gas outlets 24a (SA1) to the total of the opening areas of the plurality of gas outlets 24 (that is, SA1 + SA2 + SA3) is large. This is because it becomes difficult to maintain the high pressure state.

FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically showing the degree of deformation of the main part of the housing during operation of the disc type gas generator according to the comparative example, and FIG. 6B is a diagram in the present embodiment. It is a figure which schematically represented the degree of deformation of the main part of a housing at the time of operation of a disk type gas generator. Next, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 2 described above, the main part of the housing of the disc-type gas generator 1X according to the comparative example and the disc-type gas generator 1A according to the present embodiment during operation. By explaining the difference in the degree of deformation of the above, the pressure resistance performance is high even when the thickness of the housing, which is a pressure resistant container, is reduced in order to reduce the size and weight of the disc type gas generator 1A according to the present embodiment. I will explain in detail why it can be secured. The cross section shown in FIG. 6B is a cross section of the housing of the disc type gas generator 1A according to the present embodiment along the VIB-VIB line shown in FIG. 3A. The cross section shown in FIG. 6 is a cross section corresponding to the cross section shown in FIG. 6B in the housing of the disc type gas generator 1X according to the comparative example.

Generally, when the disc-type gas generator is activated, the housing is deformed so as to bulge outward as the pressure in the space inside the housing increases, and as a result, the housing is locally localized at a predetermined portion of the housing. Stress concentration occurs in. At that time, if the degree of deformation of the housing is relatively large and a stress equal to or greater than the pressure resistance of the housing is generated at the portion, the housing will be broken starting from the portion. On the other hand, if the degree of deformation of the housing is relatively small and stress exceeding the withstand voltage of the housing is not generated at the relevant part, the housing will not be broken and the operation of the disk-type gas generator will be completed normally. become.

Here, referring to FIG. 2, as a portion where stress concentration is likely to occur, a portion connected to the flange portion 23 of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 (the portion indicated by the region R in FIG. 2). Can be mentioned. The tubular portion 22 itself is a portion that is relatively easily deformed as the pressure in the space inside the housing rises, but the flange portion 23 is easily deformed in the portion connected to the flange portion 23. As a result, the deformation of the portion is constrained by the flange portion 23, and as a result, a large stress is generated in the region R.

Further, in the region R, in the vicinity of the maximum outer shape position A (see FIG. 3) of the flange portion 23, the amount of protrusion of the flange portion 23 toward the outside in the radial direction is particularly large, so that the flange described above is described. The binding force of the portion 23 acts strongly, and as a result, stress is generated more intensively than the other portions of the region R. Therefore, unless a stress equal to or greater than the pressure resistance of the housing is generated in the region R of the portion of the flange portion 23 located near the maximum outer shape position A, the housing basically does not break.

On the other hand, when a plurality of gas outlets 24 including those having different opening areas like the disk type gas generator 1A in the present embodiment are provided in the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. The deformation of the tubular portion 22 becomes relatively large in the vicinity of the portion provided with the gas outlet having a larger opening area, and the tubular portion 22 has a tubular shape in the vicinity of the portion provided with the gas outlet having a smaller opening area. The deformation of the portion 22 becomes relatively small. This is because the mechanical strength of the tubular portion 22 is relatively low in the vicinity of the portion provided with the gas outlet having a larger opening area, and the mechanical strength of the tubular portion 22 is relatively low in the vicinity of the portion provided with the gas outlet having a smaller opening area. This is due to the relatively high mechanical strength of the tubular portion 22.

With reference to FIG. 6A, the disc-type gas generator 1X according to the comparative example has a tubular shape from the maximum external position A of the flange portion 23 when compared with the disc-type gas generator 1A in the present embodiment. When a perpendicular line is drawn with respect to the axis of the portion 22, the gas outlet 24 arranged at the position closest to the perpendicular line is the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c. The difference is that the first gas outlet 24a has the largest opening area.

In the disc-type gas generator 1X according to the comparative example configured in this way, the first gas injection having the largest opening area in the vicinity of the portion of the tubular portion 22 corresponding to the maximum external position A of the flange portion 23. Due to the provision of the outlet 24a, the portion of the tubular portion 22 having a relatively low mechanical strength and the portion of the tubular portion 22 in which the flange portion 23 exerts the strongest binding force are formed. They will be placed overlapping in the circumferential direction of the housing.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the disc type gas generator 1X according to the comparative example is operated, the portion corresponding to the maximum external position A of the flange portion 23 in the above-mentioned region R is concerned. A relatively large deformation occurs in the tubular portion 22 of the portion corresponding to the portion (that is, a large amount of deformation occurs in the tubular portion 22 as indicated by reference numeral D0 in the drawing), while the flange portion 23 restrains the tubular portion 22. The force acts strongly, and as a result, stress is intensively generated in the relevant portion of the region R.

Therefore, in the disc type gas generator 1X according to the comparative example, it is necessary to make the thickness of the upper shell 20 relatively thick in order to prevent the upper shell 20 from breaking at the portion. This will hinder the reduction in size and weight.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the disc type gas generator 1A of the present embodiment, in the vicinity of the portion of the tubular portion 22 corresponding to the maximum external position A of the flange portion 23. Due to the provision of the third gas outlet 24c having the smallest opening area, the portion of the tubular portion 22 having a relatively high mechanical strength and the flange portion 23 of the tubular portion 22 are restrained. The part where the force acts most strongly will be arranged so as to overlap in the circumferential direction of the housing.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the disk type gas generator 1A in the present embodiment is operated, in the portion of the above-mentioned region R corresponding to the maximum external position A of the flange portion 23, While the binding force of the flange portion 23 works strongly, the tubular portion 22 of the portion corresponding to the portion is deformed relatively small (that is, a small amount of deformation as indicated by reference numeral D1 in the drawing (that is, that is). Since D1 <D0) is generated in the tubular portion 22), the stress concentration generated in the portion of the region R can be significantly reduced as a result.

Therefore, in the disc-type gas generator 1A of the present embodiment, the thickness of the upper shell 20 can be made relatively thin as compared with the disc-type gas generator 1X according to the above-mentioned comparative example. As a result, the size and weight can be reduced.

As described above, by using the disc type gas generator 1A in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size and weight while ensuring the pressure resistance performance, and to reduce the performance difference of the gas output due to the environmental temperature. It becomes possible to realize a gas generator.

Here, with reference to FIG. 3, the disk-type gas generator 1A in the present embodiment is configured to have the same shape and the same opening area so as to have the same opening pressure. When focusing on the gas outlets that have been formed and considering this as a group of gas outlets according to their formation positions, the above-mentioned plurality of gas outlets are provided only by the following plurality of gas outlet groups. It can be seen that 24 is configured. When determining the gas outlet group, as described above, it is determined so that a set of gas outlet groups is composed of as many gas outlets as possible.

First gas outlet group X: A total of four gas outlets 24a arranged at intervals of 90 [°]
Second gas outlet group Y: A total of eight gas outlets 24b arranged at intervals of 45 [°]
Third gas outlet group Z1: A total of eight gas outlets 24c arranged at intervals of 45 [°]
Third gas outlet group Z2: A total of four gas outlets 24c arranged at 90 [°] intervals

That is, in the disc-type gas generator 1A of the present embodiment, the plurality of gas outlets 24 are rotationally symmetric with an angle of 120 [°] or less about the axis O of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. A total of four sets of gas outlet groups X, Y, Z1 consisting of a plurality of gas outlets having the same opening pressure, which are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 so as to have properties. , Z2 only.

With this configuration, by any chance, the fixing force of the external member (for example, the retainer of the airbag device) that fixes the disk-type gas generator 1A is insufficient only at a part of the circumferential direction of the housing (for example, aging). Even when the fixing force is reduced due to deterioration, etc.), it is possible to prevent the balance of the thrust applied to the disk-type gas generator 1A from being significantly lost.

More specifically, in the second stage after the start of operation described above, the four first gas outlets 24a evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 were opened. Since it is in the state, gas is ejected at four positions at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22, and by any chance, the fixing force of the fixing member for fixing the disk-type gas generator 1A Is insufficient only at a part of the position in the circumferential direction of the housing, and the balance of the thrust applied to the disc type gas generator 1A is relatively difficult to be lost.

Further, in the third stage after the start of operation described above, a total of 12 first gas outlets 24a and second gas are arranged substantially evenly along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. Since the ejection port 24b is in an open state, gas is ejected at 12 positions at approximately equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22, and by any chance, the disk-type gas generator 1A Even when the fixing force of the fixing member for fixing the gas generator is insufficient only at a part of the position in the circumferential direction of the housing, the balance of the thrust applied to the disc type gas generator 1A is not easily lost.

Therefore, by adopting the above configuration, it is possible to obtain a disk-type gas generator with higher safety, especially in the initial stage after the start of operation.

In addition, in the second and third stages after the start of operation described above, the airbag is not yet fully deployed, so that the distance between the opened gas outlet 24 and the airbag is increased. Although they are in a very close state, even at that time, at four positions at equal intervals and 12 positions at approximately equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. Since each of the gases is dispersed and ejected, it is possible to avoid injecting high-temperature and high-pressure gas concentrated on a local portion of the airbag. Therefore, by adopting the above configuration, the possibility of damaging the airbag can be reduced.

This is all the remaining gas outlets (that is, the first gas outlet 24a and the first gas outlet 24a) other than the gas outlet 24c included in the third gas outlet groups Z1 and Z2 among the plurality of gas outlets 24. (2) All of the gas outlets 24b) are arranged substantially evenly along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. In the disc-type gas generator 1A of the present embodiment, all of the plurality of gas outlets 24 (that is, the first gas outlet 24a and the second gas outlet 24b are provided with the third gas outlet 24c). Since all of the additions) are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20, even in the fourth stage after the start of operation described above, the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 The gas is also dispersed and ejected at 24 positions at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the gas.

Further, by adopting the above configuration, it is possible to increase the number of the individual opening areas of the plurality of gas outlets 24 provided in the housing while keeping them small, so that the space inside the housing during operation can be increased. The pressure can be reduced to a considerable extent within the range in which the gas generating agent 61 can stably and continuously burn. Therefore, also in this sense, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the housing while ensuring the pressure resistance performance of the housing, and as a result, it is possible to realize a significant reduction in size and weight of the disc type gas generator.

The disc-type gas generator 1A in the present embodiment is of a type that expands and deploys an airbag of a standard size, and the outer diameter of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 is, for example, 60. It is designed to be .4 [mm], and the thickness (plate thickness) of the tubular portion 22 is designed to be, for example, 1.1 [mm].

In this case, the length L1 and the width W1 of the first gas outlet 24a are set to, for example, 4.0 [mm] and 1.9 [mm], respectively, and the length L2 and the width W1 of the second gas outlet 24b are set, respectively. The width W2 is set to, for example, 3.3 [mm] and 1.4 [mm], respectively, and the length L3 and width W3 of the third gas outlet 24c are, for example, 2.5 [mm] and 1.3, respectively. It is set to [mm].

Here, the formation of the plurality of gas outlets 24 is generally performed by a punching process using a press machine, but when designed as described above, the adjacent gas outlets 24 are formed. Since the pitch becomes small, it is practically impossible to perform this in a single punching process due to the restrictions of the press machine.

However, from the viewpoint of reducing the manufacturing cost, it is preferable to form all of the plurality of gas outlets 24 by punching as few times as possible, so that the disk-type gas generator 1A having the above configuration is manufactured. In the process of forming a plurality of gas outlets 24, a total of 12 gas outlets arranged at intervals of 30 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 are punched at one time. It is preferable to form the remaining 12 gas outlets arranged at intervals of 30 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 by a single punching process. In this way, all of the plurality of gas outlets 24 can be formed by the two punching processes, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

By making the shape of the gas outlet 24 a long hole shape as in the above-described embodiment, the difference in environmental temperature (that is, whether it is in a low temperature environment or a normal temperature environment, or a high temperature environment It is possible to make the actual opening area in the open state of the gas outlet 24 different depending on whether it is in an environment), and it is possible to promote the combustion of the gas generating agent 61 particularly in a low temperature environment. become. Therefore, the performance difference of the gas output due to the environmental temperature can be remarkably reduced, and a disk-type gas generator having higher performance than the conventional one can be obtained. This point will be described in detail below.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a state in the vicinity of the gas outlet when the gas generator in the present embodiment is operated. Note that FIG. 7 (A) shows the case where the gas generator is operated in a normal temperature environment and a high temperature environment, and FIG. 7 (B) shows the case where the gas generator is operated in a low temperature environment. Shows the case.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when the disk-type gas generator 1A according to the present embodiment is operated in a normal temperature environment and a high temperature environment, the gas outlet 24 is increased as the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 increases. When the sealing tape 26 at the portion that closes the gas outlet 24 is cleaved, the sealing tape 26 is completely broken along the opening edge of the gas outlet 24 having an elongated hole shape, and after the sealing tape 26 is broken at the opening edge of the gas outlet 24 The sealing tape 26 does not adhere. Therefore, the opening area of the gas outlet 24 becomes the same as the actual opening area in the state where the gas outlet 24 is opened by opening the sealing tape 26.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the disk type gas generator 1A of the present embodiment is operated in a low temperature environment, the gas outlet 24 is closed as the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 rises. When the sealing tape 26 of the portion to be opened is torn, the sealing tape 26 is broken along the opening edge of the gas outlet 24 having an elongated hole shape, but is completely broken along the entire circumference of the opening edge. However, no breakage occurs in one of the pair of opening edges extending in parallel along the tubular portion 22, and the broken sealing tape 26 adheres to the opening edge of the gas outlet 24. .. Therefore, the actual opening area in the state where the gas outlet 24 is opened by the opening of the sealing tape 26 is smaller than the opening area of the gas ejection port 24 by the amount corresponding to the cross-sectional area of the sealing tape 26. Will be.

Therefore, in a normal temperature environment and a high temperature environment, the total actual opening area of the gas ejection port 24 when the disc type gas generator 1A is operated is secured to be relatively large, but in a low temperature environment, the disc is used. The total actual opening area of the gas outlet 24 when the type gas generator 1A is operated is reduced to a relatively small value. As a result, in a low temperature environment, the amount of gas discharged through the gas outlet 24 is limited by opening the gas outlet 24 as compared with the normal temperature environment and the high temperature environment. Therefore, the increase in the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 is promoted accordingly. Therefore, it becomes possible to promote the combustion of the gas generator 61 particularly in a low temperature environment, and it becomes possible to significantly reduce the performance difference of the gas output due to the environmental temperature, and as a result, it becomes possible to significantly reduce the performance difference as compared with the conventional case. Therefore, it can be used as a high-performance disk-type gas generator.

Here, by adopting the configuration as in the present embodiment, there is a difference in whether or not a part of the cleaved sealing tape 26 adheres to the opening edge of the gas outlet 24 depending on the ambient temperature. The reason is that the gas outlet 24 has a non-round hole-shaped elongated hole shape, so that the distance from the center of the gas outlet 24 to the opening edge is non-uniform, so that the distance is along the opening edge. The momentary energy required to break the sealing tape 26 at one time increases, and the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 rises rapidly under normal temperature and high temperature environments, so that momentary energy can be obtained. On the other hand, it is presumed that the instantaneous energy cannot be obtained because the internal pressure of the combustion chamber 60 rises slowly in a low temperature environment.

In the present embodiment, as a typical example of the elongated hole shape, the case where the gas outlet 24 is configured by the track hole has been illustrated and described, but the opening shape of the gas outlet 24 is this. The shape is not limited to, and may be, for example, an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape. Here, in order to obtain the above-mentioned effect more reliably, the elongated hole-shaped gas outlet 24 has a pair of opening edges extending in parallel along the tubular portion 22. It is preferable that it is composed of the track-shaped or rectangular holes described above.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where all of the plurality of gas outlets 24 are configured to have a vertically elongated hole shape has been described as an example, but among the plurality of gas outlets 24 A considerable effect can be obtained even when only a part of the gas outlet 24 is configured to have a vertically elongated hole shape, and all or a part of the plurality of gas outlets 24 has a horizontally elongated hole shape. Even when it is configured, an effect similar to the above-mentioned effect can be obtained. Here, the horizontally elongated hole shape is an elongated hole shape in which the opening width along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 is larger than the opening width along the axial direction of the tubular portion 22. is there.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where a plurality of gas outlets 24 are arranged side by side in a row along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 has been described as an example. These may be arranged in a staggered pattern or in a plurality of rows, or may be arranged in another layout.

The above-mentioned low temperature environment, normal temperature environment, and high temperature environment are, for example, an environment where the environmental temperature is around -40 [° C], an environment around 20 [° C], and an environment around 85 [° C], respectively. Means.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a front view of the disc type gas generator according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the upper shell along the IX-IX line shown in FIG. First, the configuration of the disk-type gas generator 1B according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

The disc-type gas generator 1B in the present embodiment is a type that inflates and deploys a standard-sized airbag, similarly to the disc-type gas generator 1A in the above-described first embodiment. As shown in 8 and 9, the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 has a first gas outlet 24a, which has the same shape and size as the disc-type gas generator 1A in the first embodiment described above. Two gas outlets 24b and a third gas outlet 24c (see FIGS. 1 and 4 and the like) are provided.

In the present embodiment, the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c have predetermined rules (provided that they are along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20). The rules are different from the rules shown in the first embodiment described above) and are provided side by side in a row. More specifically, the plurality of gas outlets 24 have a total number of 24 and are arranged at predetermined angles along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20.

The number of the first gas outlets 24a is four, and the first gas outlets 24a are arranged at intervals of 90 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. The number of the second gas outlets 24b is eight, and 39 [°], 51 [°], 39 [°], 51 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. , ... are arranged for each. The number of the third gas outlet 24c is 12, and it is 21 [°], 30 [°], 39 [°], 21 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. , 30 [°], 39 [°], ...

Here, the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c are the first gas outlet 24a, the second, along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. The gas outlet 24b, the third gas outlet 24c, the third gas outlet 24c, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c are arranged in this order as one set and four sets are repeated. .. As a result, the plurality of gas outlets 24 are arranged so as not to overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20.

The first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, the third gas outlet 24c, the third gas outlet 24c, the second gas outlet 24b, the third gas outlet 24c, and the first gas injection described above. The arrangement intervals between the gas outlets 24 arranged in the order of the outlets 24a, ... Are 21 [°], 9 [°], 21 [°], 9 [°], 21 [in order as shown in the figure. °], 9 [°], ...

Here, with reference to FIG. 9, the disk-type gas generator 1B in the present embodiment is configured to have the same shape and the same opening area so as to have the same opening pressure. When focusing on the gas outlets that have been formed and considering this as a group of gas outlets according to their formation positions, the above-mentioned plurality of gas outlets are provided only by the following plurality of gas outlet groups. It can be seen that 24 is configured. When determining the gas outlet group, as described above, it is determined so that a set of gas outlet groups is composed of as many gas outlets as possible.

First gas outlet group X: A total of four gas outlets 24a arranged at intervals of 90 [°]
Second gas outlet group Y1: A total of four gas outlets 24b arranged at 90 [°] intervals
Second gas outlet group Y2: A total of four gas outlets 24b arranged at 90 [°] intervals
Third gas outlet group Z1: A total of four gas outlets 24c arranged at intervals of 90 [°]
Third gas outlet group Z2: A total of four gas outlets 24c arranged at 90 [°] intervals
Third gas outlet group Z3: A total of four gas outlets 24c arranged at 90 [°] intervals.

That is, in the disc type gas generator 1B of the present embodiment, the plurality of gas outlets 24 have rotational symmetry at an angle of 120 [°] or less about the axis of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. A total of 6 sets of gas outlet groups X, Y1, Y2, which are composed of a plurality of gas outlets having the same opening pressure and are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 so as to have. It is composed of only Z1, Z2, and Z3.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9, in the disc type gas generator 1B in the present embodiment, when a perpendicular line PL is drawn from the maximum outer shape position A of the flange portion 23 with respect to the axis O of the tubular portion 22 ( In FIG. 9, the case where the perpendicular line PL is drawn from one of the four maximum external positions A is typically shown), and the gas outlet 24 arranged at the position closest to the perpendicular line PL is 24. However, among the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c, those other than the first gas outlet 24a having the largest opening area.

More specifically, when viewed along the axis O of the tubular portion 22, the tubular portion 22 is not provided with the gas ejection port 24 at a position overlapping the perpendicular line PL (that is, the perpendicular wire). None of the plurality of gas outlets 24a to 24c is arranged at a position on a plane including the PL and the axis O of the tubular portion 22), at the intersection of these tubular portions 22 and the perpendicular line PL. The third gas outlet 24c is arranged at the nearest position. As a result, the gas outlet 24 arranged at the position closest to the perpendicular line PL has the third smallest opening area of the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c. It is said to be a gas outlet 24c.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the degree of deformation of the main part of the housing during operation of the disc type gas generator in the present embodiment. Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the degree of deformation of the main part of the housing during operation of the disc type gas generator 1B in the present embodiment will be described. The cross section shown in FIG. 10 is a cross section of the housing of the disc type gas generator 1B according to the present embodiment along the X-ray line shown in FIG.

With reference to FIG. 9, in the disc-type gas generator 1B of the present embodiment, a region in which none of the plurality of gas outlets 24 is arranged is along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22. Only a certain amount is formed, and this is arranged so as to include the intersection of the tubular portion 22 and the perpendicular line PL, and the gas outlet 24 arranged at the position closest to the perpendicular line PL has the smallest opening area. It is configured to have 3 gas outlets 24c. Therefore, in the portion of the tubular portion 22 near the intersection with the perpendicular line PL, the mechanical strength of the tubular portion 22 is relatively high as compared with the other portions.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the disk type gas generator 1B in the present embodiment is operated, the flange portion 23 restrains the portion corresponding to the maximum external position A of the flange portion 23 in the region R. While the force acts strongly, a relatively small deformation occurs in the tubular portion 22 of the portion corresponding to the portion (that is, a small amount of deformation as indicated by reference numeral D2 in the drawing (that is, D2 <D1 (D1)). 6)) is generated in the tubular portion 22), and as a result, the stress concentration generated in the relevant portion of the region R can be dramatically reduced.

Therefore, in the disc-type gas generator 1B of the present embodiment, the thickness of the upper shell 20 can be made relatively thinner than that of the disc-type gas generator 1A of the above-described first embodiment. This makes it possible, and as a result, further reduction in size and weight can be realized.

Here, the disc-type gas generator 1B in the present embodiment is of a type that inflates and deploys an airbag of a standard size as described above, and is outside the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. The diameter is designed to be, for example, 60.4 [mm], and the thickness (plate thickness) of the tubular portion 22 is designed to be, for example, 1.1 [mm].

In this case, the length L1 and the width W1 of the first gas outlet 24a are set to, for example, 4.0 [mm] and 1.9 [mm], respectively, and the length L2 and the width W1 of the second gas outlet 24b are set, respectively. The width W2 is set to, for example, 3.3 [mm] and 1.4 [mm], respectively, and the length L3 and width W3 of the third gas outlet 24c are, for example, 2.5 [mm] and 1.3, respectively. It is set to [mm].

Even when this configuration is adopted, a total of 12 pieces are included in one set of the first gas outlet group X, one set of the third gas outlet group Z1, and one set of the second gas outlet group Y2. Is formed by one punching process, and is included in one set of second gas outlet group Y1, one set of third gas outlet group Z2, and one set of third gas outlet group Z3. By forming a total of 12 gas outlets in a single punching process, it becomes possible to form all of the plurality of gas outlets 24 in a total of two punching processes, and the press machine can be used. It will be possible to minimize the manufacturing cost while taking into account the restrictions.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the upper shell of the disc-type gas generator according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the first to third gas outlets shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the disc-type gas generator 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

The disc-type gas generator 1C in the present embodiment is different from the disc-type gas generator 1B in the second embodiment described above, and is of a type that expands and deploys a small airbag smaller than the standard size. As shown in FIG. 11, the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 is provided with a smaller number of gas outlets 24 than in the case of the disc-type gas generator 1B in the second embodiment described above. ..

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c are predetermined along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. (However, rules different from the rules shown in the second embodiment described above) are provided side by side in a row. More specifically, the plurality of gas outlets 24 have a total number of 16 and are arranged at predetermined angles along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20.

The number of the first gas outlets 24a is four, and the first gas outlets 24a are arranged at intervals of 90 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. The number of the second gas outlets 24b is eight, and the number is 30 [°], 60 [°], 30 [°], 60 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. , ... are arranged for each. The number of the third gas outlets 24c is four, and the third gas outlets 24c are arranged at intervals of 90 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20.

Here, the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c are the first gas outlet 24a, the third gas outlet 24a, along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. The gas outlet 24c, the second gas outlet 24b, and the second gas outlet 24b are arranged in this order as one set so that four sets are repeated. As a result, the plurality of gas outlets 24 are arranged so as not to overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20.

The first gas outlet 24a, the third gas outlet 24c, the second gas outlet 24b, the second gas outlet 24b, the first gas outlet 24a, ... As shown in the figure, the arrangement intervals between the spouts 24 are 21 [°], 9 [°], 30 [°], 30 [°], ....

Here, with reference to FIG. 11, the disk-type gas generator 1C in the present embodiment is configured to have the same shape and the same opening area so as to have the same opening pressure. When focusing on the gas outlets that have been formed and considering this as a group of gas outlets according to their formation positions, the above-mentioned plurality of gas outlets are provided only by the following plurality of gas outlet groups. It can be seen that 24 is configured. When determining the gas outlet group, as described above, it is determined so that a set of gas outlet groups is composed of as many gas outlets as possible.

First gas outlet group X: A total of four gas outlets 24a arranged at intervals of 90 [°]
Second gas outlet group Y1: A total of four gas outlets 24b arranged at 90 [°] intervals
Second gas outlet group Y2: A total of four gas outlets 24b arranged at 90 [°] intervals
Third gas outlet group Z: A total of four gas outlets 24c arranged at 90 [°] intervals

That is, in the disc-type gas generator 1C of the present embodiment, the plurality of gas outlets 24 have rotational symmetry at an angle of 120 [°] or less about the axis of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. A total of four sets of gas outlet groups X, Y1, Y2, which are composed of a plurality of gas outlets having the same opening pressure and are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 so as to have. It is composed of Z only.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11, also in the disc-type gas generator 1C of the present embodiment, when a perpendicular line PL is drawn from the maximum external position A of the flange portion 23 with respect to the axis O of the tubular portion 22 ( In FIG. 11, a case where the perpendicular line PL is drawn from one of the four maximum external positions A is typically shown), and the gas ejection port 24 arranged at the position closest to the perpendicular line PL. However, among the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c, those other than the first gas outlet 24a having the largest opening area.

More specifically, when viewed along the axis O of the tubular portion 22, the tubular portion 22 is not provided with the gas ejection port 24 at a position overlapping the perpendicular line PL (that is, the perpendicular wire). None of the plurality of gas outlets 24a to 24c is arranged at a position on a plane including the PL and the axis O of the tubular portion 22), at the intersection of these tubular portions 22 and the perpendicular line PL. The second gas outlet 24b is arranged at the nearest position. As a result, the gas outlet 24 arranged at the position closest to the perpendicular line PL has the second smallest opening area of the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c. It is said to be the second gas outlet 24b.

Therefore, by using the disc-type gas generator 1C in the present embodiment, as in the case of using the disc-type gas generator 1B in the above-described second embodiment, a predetermined portion of the upper shell 20 (at the time of its operation) In particular, it is possible to dramatically reduce the occurrence of stress concentration in the portion of the above-mentioned region R corresponding to the maximum external position A of the flange portion 23). Therefore, by adopting this configuration, the thickness of the upper shell 20 can be made relatively thin, and as a result, the size and weight can be reduced.

Here, the disc-type gas generator 1C in the present embodiment is of a type that inflates and deploys a small airbag smaller than the standard size as described above, and has a tubular shape of the upper shell 20. The outer diameter of the portion 22 is designed to be, for example, 57.5 [mm], and the thickness (plate thickness) of the tubular portion 22 is designed to be, for example, 1.1 [mm].

In this case, referring to FIG. 12, the length L1 and the width W1 of the first gas outlet 24a are set to, for example, 3.5 [mm] and 2.1 [mm], respectively, and the second gas injection. The length L2 and width W2 of the outlet 24b are set to, for example, 2.6 [mm] and 1.4 [mm], respectively, and the length L3 and width W3 of the third gas outlet 24c are set to, for example, 2.4, respectively. It is set to [mm] and 1.2 [mm].

Even when this configuration is adopted, a total of 12 gas outlets included in one set of the first gas outlet group X and two sets of the second gas outlet groups Y1 and Y2 are punched at one time. By forming by processing and forming a total of four gas outlets included in one set of third gas outlet group Z by one punching process, a total of two punching processes are performed. It becomes possible to form all of the individual gas ejection ports 24, and it is possible to realize the minimization of the manufacturing cost in consideration of the restrictions of the press machine.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the upper shell of the disc-type gas generator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the first to third gas outlets shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the disc-type gas generator 1D according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

The disc-type gas generator 1D in the present embodiment is different from the disc-type gas generator 1B in the second embodiment described above, and is of a type that inflates and deploys a large airbag larger than the standard size. As shown in FIG. 13, the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20 is provided with a larger number of gas outlets 24 than in the case of the disc-type gas generator 1B in the second embodiment described above. ..

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c are predetermined along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. (However, rules different from the rules shown in the second embodiment described above) are provided side by side in a row. More specifically, the plurality of gas outlets 24 have a total number of 32 and are arranged at predetermined angles along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20.

The number of the first gas outlets 24a is eight, and 70 [°], 20 [°], 70 [°], 20 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. , ... are arranged for each. The number of the second gas outlets 24b is eight, and the number is 30 [°], 60 [°], 30 [°], 60 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. , ... are arranged for each. The number of the third gas outlet 24c is 16, and the number is 20 [°], 10 [°], 20 [°], 40 [°] along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. , 20 [°], 10 [°], 20 [°], 40 [°], ...

Here, the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c are the first gas outlet 24a, the third gas outlet 24a, along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. This is in the order of gas outlet 24c, second gas outlet 24b, third gas outlet 24c, third gas outlet 24c, second gas outlet 24b, third gas outlet 24c, first gas outlet 24a. Are arranged so as to be repeated 4 sets with 1 set. As a result, the plurality of gas outlets 24 are arranged so as not to overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20.

The first gas outlet 24a, the third gas outlet 24c, the second gas outlet 24b, the third gas outlet 24c, the third gas outlet 24c, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas injection described above. The arrangement intervals between the gas outlets 24 arranged in the order of the outlet 24c, the first gas outlet 24a, the first gas outlet 24a, ... Are 10 [°] and 10 [°] in order as shown in the figure. ], 10 [°], 10 [°], 10 [°], 10 [°], 10 [°], 20 [°], and so on.

Here, with reference to FIG. 13, the disk-type gas generator 1D in the present embodiment is configured to have the same shape and the same opening area so as to have the same opening pressure. When focusing on the gas outlets that have been formed and considering this as a group of gas outlets according to their formation positions, the above-mentioned plurality of gas outlets are provided only by the following plurality of gas outlet groups. It can be seen that 24 is configured. When determining the gas outlet group, as described above, it is determined so that a set of gas outlet groups is composed of as many gas outlets as possible.

First gas outlet group X1: A total of four gas outlets 24a arranged at 90 [°] intervals
First gas outlet group X2: A total of four gas outlets 24a arranged at 90 [°] intervals
Second gas outlet group Y1: A total of four gas outlets 24b arranged at 90 [°] intervals
Second gas outlet group Y2: A total of four gas outlets 24b arranged at 90 [°] intervals
Third gas outlet group Z1: A total of four gas outlets 24c arranged at intervals of 90 [°]
Third gas outlet group Z2: A total of four gas outlets 24c arranged at 90 [°] intervals
Third gas outlet group Z3: A total of four gas outlets 24c arranged at 90 [°] intervals.
Third gas outlet group Z4: A total of four gas outlets 24c arranged at 90 [°] intervals

That is, in the disk type gas generator 1D of the present embodiment, the plurality of gas outlets 24 have rotational symmetry at an angle of 120 [°] or less about the axis of the tubular portion 22 of the upper shell 20. A total of eight sets of gas outlet groups X1, X2, Y1, consisting of a plurality of gas outlets having the same opening pressure, which are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 22 so as to have. It is composed of only Y2, Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4.

Here, as shown in FIG. 13, even in the disc-type gas generator 1D of the present embodiment, when a perpendicular line PL is drawn from the maximum external position A of the flange portion 23 with respect to the axis O of the tubular portion 22 ( In FIG. 13, the case where the perpendicular line PL is drawn from one of the four maximum external positions A is typically shown), and the gas ejection port 24 arranged at the position closest to the perpendicular line PL. However, among the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c, those other than the first gas outlet 24a having the largest opening area.

More specifically, when viewed along the axis O of the tubular portion 22, the tubular portion 22 is not provided with the gas ejection port 24 at a position overlapping the perpendicular line PL (that is, the perpendicular wire). None of the plurality of gas outlets 24a to 24c is arranged at a position on a plane including the PL and the axis O of the tubular portion 22), at the intersection of these tubular portions 22 and the perpendicular line PL. The third gas outlet 24c is arranged at the nearest position. As a result, the gas outlet 24 arranged at the position closest to the perpendicular line PL has the third smallest opening area of the first gas outlet 24a, the second gas outlet 24b, and the third gas outlet 24c. It is said to be a gas outlet 24c.

Therefore, by using the disc-type gas generator 1D in the present embodiment, as in the case of using the disc-type gas generator 1B in the above-described second embodiment, a predetermined portion of the upper shell 20 (at the time of its operation) In particular, it is possible to dramatically reduce the occurrence of stress concentration in the portion of the above-mentioned region R corresponding to the maximum external position A of the flange portion 23). Therefore, by adopting this configuration, the thickness of the upper shell 20 can be made relatively thin, and as a result, the size and weight can be reduced.

Here, the disc-type gas generator 1D in the present embodiment is of a type that inflates and deploys a large airbag larger than the standard size as described above, and has a tubular shape of the upper shell 20. The outer diameter of the portion 22 is designed to be, for example, 70.0 [mm], and the thickness (plate thickness) of the tubular portion 22 is designed to be, for example, 1.3 [mm].

In this case, referring to FIG. 14, the length L1 and the width W1 of the first gas outlet 24a are set to, for example, 3.7 [mm] and 2.0 [mm], respectively, and the second gas injection. The length L2 and width W2 of the outlet 24b are set to, for example, 3.1 [mm] and 1.6 [mm], respectively, and the length L3 and width W3 of the third gas outlet 24c are set to, for example, 2.5, respectively. It is set to [mm] and 1.4 [mm].

Even when this configuration is adopted, a total of 12 gas outlets included in one set of the first gas outlet group X1 and two sets of the third gas outlet groups Z2 and Z4 are punched at one time. In addition to being formed by treatment, a total of 12 gas outlets included in two sets of third gas outlet groups Z1 and Z3 and one set of first gas outlet group X2 are formed by one punching process. Further, by forming a total of eight gas outlets included in the two sets of the second gas outlet groups Y1 and Y2 by one punching process, a plurality of gas ejection ports are formed by a total of three punching processes. It becomes possible to form all of the gas outlets 24 of the above, and the manufacturing cost can be minimized in consideration of the restrictions of the press machine.

(Other embodiments, etc.)
In the above-described first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, a case where a plurality of gas outlets and flange portions are provided on the upper shell side has been described as an example, but these are provided on the lower shell side. It may be that.

Further, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, a case where the housing is composed of a pair of shell members including an upper shell and a lower shell has been described as an example. Of course, it is also possible to configure the shell members as described above.

Further, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, there is an example in which three types of gas outlets are provided in the housing as a plurality of gas outlets including those having different opening areas. As described above, this may be configured by two types of gas outlets, or may be configured by four or more types of gas outlets.

Further, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the case where a plurality of gas outlets are provided in the housing according to a predetermined regular rule has been described as an example. The gas outlets do not necessarily have to be provided according to regular rules.

Further, the shape, size, layout and the like of the gas outlet disclosed in the above-described first to fourth embodiments of the present invention can be variously changed as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated.

As described above, the above-described embodiment disclosed this time is an example in all respects and is not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of claims and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the description of the scope of claims.

1A to 1D disk type gas generator, 10 lower shell, 11 bottom plate, 12 tubular, 13 protruding tubular, 14 recess, 15 opening, 20 upper shell, 21 top plate, 22 tubular Part, 23 Flange part, 24 gas outlet, 24a 1st gas outlet, 24b 2nd gas outlet, 24c 3rd gas outlet, 25 through hole, 26 sealing tape, 28 gap, 30 holding part, 31 inside Coating, 32 Outer coating, 33 Connecting, 34 Female connector, 40 Ignition, 41 Ignition, 42 Terminal pin, 50 Cup-shaped member, 51 Top wall, 52 Side wall, 53 Extension, 54 Tip, 55 Firebox, 56 Firebox, 60 Combustion Chamber, 61 Gas Generator, 70 Lower Support Member, 71 Bottom, 72 Abutment, 73 Tip, 80 Top Support Member, 81 Bottom, 82 Contact part, 85 cushion material, 90 filter, A maximum external position, O axis line, PL vertical line.

Claims (5)

A housing having a peripheral wall portion, a top plate portion, and a bottom plate portion, and both ends of the peripheral wall portion in the axial direction are closed by the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion.
A gas generator that is placed inside the housing and generates gas by burning,
Assembled to the housing and provided with an igniter for burning the gas generating agent.
The housing is configured by combining and joining a plurality of shell members.
One of the plurality of shell members includes a tubular portion that forms at least a part of the peripheral wall portion, and a flange portion that continuously extends from one end of the tubular portion in the axial direction toward the outside in the radial direction. Have at least
The tubular portion is provided with a plurality of gas outlets including those having different opening areas.
The flange portion is configured such that the distance from the axis of the tubular portion to the outer edge of the flange portion is non-uniform.
When a perpendicular line is drawn with respect to the axis of the tubular portion from the maximum external position which is the position farthest from the axis of the tubular portion of the outer edge of the flange portion, the perpendicular line and the axis of the tubular portion are drawn. Neither of the plurality of gas outlets is arranged at a position on a plane including the above, and a pair of gas outlets arranged at positions closest to the perpendicular so as to sandwich the perpendicular. , All satisfy the condition that the opening area is other than the one having the largest opening area among the plurality of gas outlets.
A plurality of the maximum external positions are present along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion.
A gas generator in which the above conditions are satisfied in each of the portions corresponding to the plurality of maximum external positions. A housing having a peripheral wall portion, a top plate portion, and a bottom plate portion, and both ends of the peripheral wall portion in the axial direction are closed by the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion.
A gas generator that is placed inside the housing and generates gas by burning,
Assembled to the housing and provided with an igniter for burning the gas generating agent.
The housing is configured by combining and joining a plurality of shell members.
One of the plurality of shell members includes a tubular portion that forms at least a part of the peripheral wall portion, and a flange portion that continuously extends from one end of the tubular portion in the axial direction toward the outside in the radial direction. Have at least
The tubular portion is provided with a plurality of gas outlets including those having different opening areas.
The flange portion is configured such that the distance from the axis of the tubular portion to the outer edge of the flange portion is non-uniform.
When a perpendicular line is drawn with respect to the axis of the tubular portion from the maximum external position which is the position farthest from the axis of the tubular portion among the outer edges of the flange portion, the plurality of said A gas generator in which a gas outlet other than the one with the largest opening area is arranged. The flange portion is provided with a through hole for fixing the gas generator to an external member.
The distance from the axis of the tubular portion to the outer edge of the flange portion is configured to be larger in the portion of the flange portion provided with the through hole than in the portion of the flange portion not provided with the through hole. The gas generator according to claim 1 or 2. The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of gas outlets are arranged side by side in a row along the circumferential direction of the tubular portion. As the plurality of shell members, the housing comprises a bottomed tubular upper shell constituting the top plate portion and the peripheral wall portion near the top plate portion, and the peripheral wall portion near the bottom plate portion and the bottom plate portion. Including the bottomed tubular lower shell that constitutes
The tubular portion provided with the plurality of gas outlets is defined by the upper shell of the portion constituting the peripheral wall portion near the top plate portion.
The flange portion extends from the end portion of the upper shell portion of the portion constituting the peripheral wall portion near the top plate portion on the bottom plate portion side.
The lower shell of the portion constituting the peripheral wall portion near the bottom plate portion is inserted into the upper shell of the portion constituting the peripheral wall portion near the top plate portion, whereby the upper shell and the upper shell are described. Combined with the lower shell,
The gas generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the igniter is assembled to the lower shell of a portion constituting the bottom plate portion.

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