Abstract
An igniter carrier (4) for an igniter unit (1), particularly for a gas generator, including a first receptacle section (8) for an igniter (2), a second receptacle section (9) and a connecting section (7) for attaching the igniter unit (1), wherein the igniter carrier (4) is prefabricated from a plurality of individual parts joined together and can be assembled in an assembly process as an individual part (4) of an assembly (1) together with an igniter (2) and a connector part (3) is provided. An igniter unit (1), particular for a gas generator, including such an igniter carrier (4), to an igniter (2) and to a method for producing such an igniter unit (1) is provided.
Claims
1. An igniter unit comprising an igniter and an igniter carrier, the igniter carrier comprising: a first accommodating section configured for contacting a first portion of an igniter; a second accommodating section configured for surrounding a second portion of the igniter, the second portion configured for contacting a part for powering the igniter; and a connecting section for attaching the igniter unit to a housing of a gas generator, wherein the igniter carrier is prefabricated from multiple interconnected individual parts and assemblable as one individual part of an assembly with the igniter in one assembly process, the individual parts including a first individual part including the first accommodating section and a second individual part including the second accommodating section, wherein the igniter is sealingly held on the first accommodating section of the igniter carrier with the aid of a formed edge section of the igniter carrier.
2. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the second accommodating section is used to accommodate a connector part.
3. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 wherein at least two of the individual parts include different materials.
4. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 wherein at least two of the individual parts are integrally interconnected.
5. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the individual parts is manufactured in a stamping or formed part.
6. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the individual parts includes an insert, and part of the individual part and the insert in each case include different materials.
7. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 wherein a third individual part of the individual parts includes the connecting section, and the third individual part has a high-strength and weldable metal material.
8. The igniter unit as recited in claim 7 wherein the metal material is stainless steel.
9. The igniter unit as recited in claim 7 wherein the first and/or second individual part includes a metal material or a plastic material.
10. The igniter unit as recited in claim 9 wherein the first and/or second individual part includes a steel or aluminum alloy.
11. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the second individual part has a contoured recess for the oriented accommodation of a plug, the part for powering the igniter including the plug.
12. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising an undercut section corresponding to a detent section of a connector part.
13. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising a guide section corresponding to a guide section of a connector part.
14. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the igniter carrier forms an ignition chamber.
15. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising a contour section for a corresponding connector part to be joined to the connector part.
16. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the individual parts is integratable into the housing of a gas generator.
17. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the igniter is sealingly held on the first accommodating section of the igniter carrier further using a sealing element.
18. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising a connector part latching the igniter carrier in a form-locked manner.
19. The igniter unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising a connector part for providing an electrical contact to the igniter carrier.
20. A gas generator comprising the igniter unit as recited in claim 1.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in greater detail hereafter with reference to figures. Additional features and advantages are derived from this description. Specific features of these exemplary embodiments may represent general features of the present invention. Features of these exemplary embodiments combined with other features may also represent individual features of the present invention. As shown schematically and by way of example:
(2) FIG. 1 shows an igniter unit including an igniter, a connector part and an igniter carrier in a housing of a gas generator;
(3) FIG. 2 shows an igniter carrier manufactured from three interconnected individual parts;
(4) FIG. 3 shows an igniter unit radially welded to a housing of a gas generator;
(5) FIG. 4 shows an igniter unit axially welded to a housing of a gas generator;
(6) FIG. 5 shows an igniter unit welded to a flat housing section of a gas generator;
(7) FIG. 6 shows an igniter unit joined to a housing of a gas generator in a form-locked manner;
(8) FIG. 7 shows an igniter unit which is welded to a housing of a gas generator and includes an igniter carrier having a chamfered carrier;
(9) FIG. 8 shows an igniter unit which is welded to a housing of a gas generator and includes an igniter carrier having a curved carrier;
(10) FIG. 9 shows an igniter unit which is welded to a housing of a gas generator and includes an igniter carrier having a spherical cap-shaped carrier;
(11) FIG. 10 shows an igniter carrier having a supporting igniter ring;
(12) FIG. 11 shows a compensation of a reduced carrier height by an orientation ring;
(13) FIG. 12 shows a contacting via a connector part of an igniter unit;
(14) FIG. 13 shows an igniter unit including an igniter carrier, which forms an ignition chamber;
(15) FIG. 14 shows an igniter unit including an igniter carrier, which has a contour section for a plug;
(16) FIG. 15 shows an igniter unit including an igniter carrier having an orientation ring as a deep-drawn part;
(17) FIG. 16 shows an igniter unit implemented as a double igniter unit;
(18) FIG. 17 shows an assembled igniter carrier having an orientation ring stamped from a sheet material;
(19) FIG. 18 shows a three-piece igniter carrier having a cup-shaped orientation ring as a stamped and deep-drawn part;
(20) FIG. 19 shows an igniter carrier having a cup-shaped orientation ring, which is manufactured from a tube section with the aid of rolling and forming;
(21) FIG. 20 shows an igniter carrier having an insert;
(22) FIG. 21 shows an igniter unit laser-welded to a housing of a gas generator;
(23) FIG. 22 shows an igniter unit resistance-welded to a housing of a gas generator;
(24) FIG. 23 shows an igniter unit joined to a housing of a gas generator with the aid crimping/rolling;
(25) FIG. 24 shows an igniter unit which is integrated together with an orientation ring into a housing of a gas generator;
(26) FIG. 25 shows an igniter unit including an igniter carrier, which has an angled plate for guiding a plug;
(27) FIG. 26 shows an igniter unit including an igniter carrier, which has a pin for guiding a plug;
(28) FIG. 27 shows an igniter unit including an igniter carrier, which has an orientation ring having a contoured recess for the oriented accommodation of a plug; and
(29) FIG. 28 shows an orientation ring having a contoured recess for the oriented accommodation of a plug.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(30) FIG. 1 shows an igniter unit 1 including an igniter 2, a connector part 3 and an igniter carrier 4 in a tubular housing 5 of a gas generator. The present example only shows a section of the gas generator, which includes the igniter unit 1. An axis of symmetry is denoted by 6.
(31) Igniter carrier 4 includes a connecting section 7. Connecting section 7 is used for the connection to housing 5. Igniter carrier 4 has an accommodating section 8 for igniter 2. Igniter carrier 4 has an accommodating section 9 for connector part 3.
(32) Igniter 2 includes an igniter housing, with which it is accommodated resting against accommodating section 8. An O-ring seal 10 is situated between igniter 2 and accommodating section 8. Igniter 2 is fixed with the aid of a formed edge section 11 of igniter carrier 4. Igniter 2 has pin-shaped contacts 12.
(33) Connector part 3 has a pot-like shape having a bottom section and a wall section. Radially on the outside on the wall section, connector part 3 includes detent hooks 13. Connector part 3 is latched in igniter carrier 4 in the axial direction. Connector part 3 forms a holder for a plug for contacting contacts 12. Contacts 12 protrude through the bottom section of connector part 3 into the holder. Connector part 3 is manufactured from plastic.
(34) FIG. 2 shows an igniter carrier 4 manufactured from three interconnected individual parts, like igniter carrier 4 according to FIG. 1. Igniter carrier 4 includes a carrier 14, an igniter ring 15 and an orientation ring 16. Carrier 14, igniter ring 15 and orientation ring 16 are situated concentrically to each other along axis 6. Carrier 14 is situated between igniter ring 15 and orientation ring 16.
(35) Carrier 14 is designed as a ring having a rectangular cross section. Radially on the outside, carrier 14 has a rest surface 17 for the connection to a housing of a gas generator. Rest surface 17 forms the largest outside diameter of igniter carrier 4. Igniter ring 15 has an L-shaped cross section. Igniter ring 15 has a conical rest surface 18. Radially on the inside, igniter ring 15 has a rest surface 19. Rest surfaces 18, 19 are used for an igniter to rest against. Igniter ring 15 has a formable edge section 11. Edge section 11 is used to fix the igniter. Orientation ring 16 has a cross section having a radially inwardly directed hook-like extension 20. In this way, an annular undercut 21 is formed. Undercut 21 is used for latching detent hooks of a connector part.
(36) Carrier 14 is manufactured from a high-strength and easily weldable material, such as stainless steel. Igniter ring 15 and orientation ring 16 are manufactured from a material which has sufficient strength while having good corrosion resistance, for example from steel, an aluminum alloy or plastic. Carrier 14, igniter ring 15 and orientation ring 16 are fixedly interconnected to form one individual part, which may be installed in one assembly. Carrier 14, an igniter ring 15 and an orientation ring 16 are welded to each other, for example.
(37) FIG. 3 shows an igniter unit 1 radially welded to a housing 5 of a gas generator. Igniter unit 1 is pressed into a housing 5 via a carrier 14 and radially welded with the aid of a laser or in the manner of similar methods. A weld seam is denoted by 22.
(38) FIG. 4 shows an igniter unit 1 axially welded to a housing 5 of a gas generator. Carrier 14 has an enlarged diameter, is pressed into the housing and welded thereto, preferably in the axial direction.
(39) FIG. 5 shows an igniter unit 1 welded to a flat housing section 23 of a gas generator. Carrier 14 has an enlarged diameter and is pressed into the wall of a gas generator housing having a rather flat design (driver's side) and is welded predominantly in the axial direction.
(40) FIG. 6 shows an igniter unit 1 joined to a housing 5 of a gas generator in a form-locked manner. Igniter unit 1 is fixed using mechanical forming. Igniter unit 1 is pressed into housing 5. A rolling process 24 (bottom) prevents sliding through into interior 25 and supports igniter unit 1 during a further forming process (top). Further forming process 26 may be carried out as a rolling process or also as a riveting process.
(41) FIG. 7 shows an igniter unit 1 which is welded to a housing 5 of a gas generator and includes an igniter carrier 4 having a chamfered carrier 14. Carrier 14 has a chamfer or conical surface 27 and is welded thereto.
(42) FIG. 8 shows an igniter unit 1 which is welded to a housing 5 of a gas generator and includes an igniter carrier 4 having a curved carrier 14. The formerly cylindrical or disk-shaped carrier thus forms a lateral surface formed into a conical surface 27.
(43) FIG. 9 shows an igniter unit 1 which is welded to a housing 5 of a gas generator and includes an igniter carrier 4 having a spherical cap-shaped carrier 14. This carrier 14 is suitable in particular for very high loads due to high internal pressures during the operation of the gas generator.
(44) FIG. 10 shows an igniter carrier 4 having a supporting igniter ring 15. In this embodiment, igniter ring 15 assumes the supporting function. This may be necessary under certain installation situations. Due to the higher strength requirement, igniter ring 15 is then manufactured from a high-strength steel. Carrier 14 and orientation ring 16 may be manufactured in one piece.
(45) FIG. 11 shows a compensation of a reduced carrier height by an orientation ring 16. The left half of the drawing shows a carrier 14 having maximal material thickness, which may result from a sheet metal thickness. The right half of the drawing shows a variant in which carrier 14 has a reduced material thickness and orientation ring 16 compensates for a height.
(46) FIG. 12 shows a contacting via a connector part 3 of an igniter unit 1. In this way grounding is possible. A grounding terminal 28 of a plug 29 electrically contacts a contact spring 30, which is situated in connector part 3 and in turn is in electrical contact with carrier 14. Carrier 14 is welded to housing 5 of a gas generator.
(47) FIG. 13 shows an igniter unit 1 including an igniter carrier 4, which forms an ignition chamber 31. A propellant charge 32 is situated in ignition chamber 31.
(48) FIG. 14 shows an igniter unit 1 including an igniter carrier 4, which has a contour section for a plug 29. Orientation ring 16 includes a pressed-on hook 33 as an insertion aid and as an anti-twist lock for plug 29.
(49) FIG. 15 shows an igniter unit 1 including an igniter carrier 4 having an orientation ring 16 as a deep-drawn part.
(50) FIG. 16 shows an igniter unit 1 implemented as a double igniter unit. This igniter unit 1 may be used in a two-stage gas generator having two chambers 34, 35. Igniter unit 1 is equipped with two igniters 2a, 2b in a two-stage manner, carrier 14 accommodating both igniters 2a, 2b.
(51) FIG. 17 shows an assembled igniter carrier 4 having an orientation ring 16 stamped from a sheet material. The carrier and the igniter ring are designed in one piece in the present example as a carrier/igniter ring 36. The assembled igniter carrier 4 is thus composed of two parts. Orientation ring 16 rests on carrier/igniter ring 36 in a radially inwardly projecting manner. Orientation ring 16 is joined to carrier/igniter ring 36 with the aid of laser welding.
(52) FIG. 18 shows a three-piece igniter carrier 4 having a cup-shaped orientation ring 16 as a stamped and deep-drawn part made of a thin-walled sheet material, preferably less than 1.45 mm Cup-shaped orientation ring 16 has a radially inner edge section 37, which is recessed toward the carrier/igniter ring 36. Carrier/igniter ring 36 is an impact-extruded part. Carrier/igniter ring 36 is preferably manufactured from stainless steel. A flange ring 38 for attaching an igniter is welded to carrier/igniter ring 36. Flange ring 38 is an impact-extruded part. Flange ring 38 is produced from simple black steel, for example. The weldings are produced in a laser welding process.
(53) FIG. 19 shows an igniter carrier 4 having a cup-shaped orientation ring 16, which is manufactured from a tube section with the aid of rolling and forming. As an alternative, a manufacture may also be carried out with the aid of crimping.
(54) FIG. 20 shows an igniter carrier 4 having an insert 39. Insert 39 is situated on first accommodating section 8. Insert 39 is manufactured from a stainless steel. Insert 39 is deep-drawn from a thin sheet metal. Insert 39 has a cup-like shape. Insert 39 may be integrally formed as part of a forming process of orientation ring 16. For this purpose, an outer part of carrier/igniter ring 36 is manufactured from black steel, for example, having an accordingly necessary strength. The corrosion protection requirement is divided up. High-quality material is saved. Insert 39 is used for corrosion protection and for secure contacting of a third pole point. The corrosion protection results after all components have been assembled, including the igniter and the connector part. A sealed corrosion-protected space is created in particular by the igniter, which protrudes into insert 39, insert 39 being made of stainless steel, and orientation ring 16 being made of stainless steel or alternatively of aluminum.
(55) FIG. 21 shows an igniter unit 1 laser-welded to a housing 23 of a gas generator. FIG. 22 shows an igniter unit 1 resistance-welded to a housing 23 of a gas generator. FIG. 23 shows an igniter unit 1 joined to a housing 23 of a gas generator with the aid of crimping/rolling.
(56) FIG. 24 shows an igniter unit 1, the functions of the orientation ring being assumed by a section 16a of housing 23 of a gas generator. The outer side of functional section 16a, if it does not protrude, may end flush with the outer side of housing 23. Carrier/igniter ring 36 is situated on the inner side of housing 23 fitting to section 16a and is welded to housing 23. The weld joint is preferably implemented as a root fusion with the aid of laser welding.
(57) FIG. 25 shows an igniter unit 1 including an igniter carrier 4, which has an angled plate based on orientation ring 16, which guides a plug 29 and protects the same from being twisted off.
(58) FIG. 26 shows an igniter unit 1 including an igniter carrier 4, which has a pin 40 for guiding a plug 29. Pin 40 is welded onto orientation ring 16 and is used for engagement into a guide hole of plug 29.
(59) FIG. 27 shows an igniter unit 1 including an igniter carrier 4, which has an orientation ring 16 having a contoured recess 41 for the oriented accommodation of a plug 29. In this embodiment, a separate connector part is dispensed with. A short circuit spring may also be dispensed with. Recess 41 has a contour which corresponds to a negative cross-sectional contour of plug 29. FIG. 28 shows a top view onto orientation ring 16 having a recess 41, which is contoured by way of example.
(60) In addition, reference is made in particular to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the related description on a supplementary basis with regard to FIGS. 3 through 28.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
(61) 1 igniter unit 2 igniter 2a igniter 2b igniter 3 connector part 4 igniter carrier 5 housing 6 axis of symmetry 7 connecting section 8 first accommodating section 9 second accommodating section 10 O-ring seal 11 edge section 12 contacts 13 detent hook 14 carrier 15 igniter ring 16 orientation ring 16a section 17 rest surface 18 rest surface 19 rest surface 20 extension 21 undercut 22 weld seam 23 housing section 24 rolling process 25 interior 26 forming process 27 conical surface 28 grounding terminal 29 plug 30 contact spring 31 ignition chamber 32 propellant charge 33 hook 34 chamber 35 chamber 36 carrier/igniter ring 37 edge section 38 flange ring 38 insert 40 pin 41 recess
