Autoliv has developed a new generation of airbag inflators to meet the market expectations in terms of price, weight and effluents, the APG-1 (Autoliv Passenger Gas- 1st generation). The fundamental principle of this inflator-module system is to use the airbag cushion for combustion of gaseous fuel and oxidizer which challenges the conventional requirement to have no reaction outside the inflator. The APG-1 inflator is designed with two chambers, one for H_2 gas composition and one for O_2 gas composition. Upon triggering of the initiator, a mechanism opens the two chambers allowing the gases to mix and to be ignited by the initiator. The gases continue to flow and continuous combustion expands the gases and unfolds the cushion. Knowledge in the areas of gas storage, gas mixing, ignition and combustion has been essential for the development of this concept. During the development, focus has been made on three areas considered to be concept specific challenges: initial onset, gas storage over service life, and structural integrity in a hydrogen environment. The combined advantages of these efforts show that the Autoliv development has resulted in the next generation of airbag inflator, the APG-1 (Autoliv Passenger Gas - 1st generation), a cleaner and lighter inflator for the market based on hydrogen and oxygen combustion.
展开▼
