NOx reducing method

Abstract

A method capable of decreasing the amount of NOx generated by the combustion of a gas generating agent for an air bag. A method for reducing NOx generated by the combustion of a gas generating agent of an air bag by a reducing material placed inside an inflator and decreasing its amount. NH 2 radical, or the like, is generated by the decomposition of the reducing material. The radical is allowed to react with NOx and a part of NOx is changed to the N 2 gas. Thus, the amount of NOx is decreased.

1 . An inflator comprising a gas generating agent, a reducing material, an ignition means, and a coolant/filter.  
     
     
         2 . An inflator according to  claim 1 , which further comprises means for preventing the change or variance of the NOx reducing effect.  
     
     
         3 . An inflator according to  claim 2 , wherein said prevention means is a partition plate.  
     
     
         4 . An inflator according to  claim 1 , wherein said reducing material is placed in the proximity of a gas outlet from an ignition means accommodation chamber inside a gas generating agent combustion chamber.  
     
     
         5 . An air bag system comprising said inflator of  claim 1 , an impact sensor, control means for inputting a detected signal and outputting an operation signal to said ignition means of a gas generator, and an air bag.  
     
     
         6 . A method of reducing NOx generated by the combustion of a gas generating agent inside an inflator for an air bag, by reducing NOx by a reducing material and decreasing its amount, wherein said inflator comprises an ignition means, a gas generating agent and a coolant/filter, and said reducing material is placed inside said inflator, and said reducing material is a guanidine derivative.