Currently, airbag module development methodology and prototyping heavily relies on the application of single-use pyrotechnic, hybrid, or stored gas inflators. A new development test methodology using a Cold Gas System (CGS) is proposed, in which the inflator is replaced by a re-chargeable, high-pressurized, gas compartment that can be rapidly opened using an electronic valve. This new methodology overcomes the problem of variability in inflator output, also has the capability to simulate different inflator output (max pressure and pressure rise rate). In order to evaluate the cushion performance, at first, an inflator baseline tank test pressure-time curve is established. Usually this can be obtained from the inflator for the airbag module. Then, the tank test pressure curve is reproduced by the CGS in two steps: (1) the volume and the high-pressure level of the CGS gas compartment is adapted to enable similar molar output to the baseline, so that the final asymptote of the total pressure can be reached; (2) the orifice size of the compartment exit is adjusted to create a pressure rise rate that comes as close as possible to the baseline curve. Through a limited iterative process, a set of pressure-time curves can be obtained, each curve has the same total pressure level but different rise rate, including one curve similar to the baseline. The next step is to apply the inflator-emulating CGS to the physical airbag cushion to evaluate cushion performance under different pressure rise rate. From the preliminary work it is concluded that the CGS can very well and consistently emulate traditional inflators in tank tests; the inflation of airbag cushion and cushion failure mode were also successfully duplicated. The use of CGS in airbag module R&D is also discussed. CGS can not simulate the gas temperature effect of a pyrotechnic inflaton, so compensation has to be made when use CGS to simulate pyrotechnic inflator. However, if the study only focuses on airbag module cover opening/trim tearing, CGS can simulate the early phase of pyrotechnic inflator. Some latest DAB module tests with CGS show good tesults. Further enhancements of CGS include employ higher charge pressure, dual stage, and if possible, add heat to the gas.


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    Title :

    The use of cold gas system in airbag cushion evaluation


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2008


    Size :

    6 Seiten, 11 Bilder, 8 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




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