EP0731532B1 - Connector for airbag igniter - Google Patents
Connector for airbag igniter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0731532B1 EP0731532B1 EP96103400A EP96103400A EP0731532B1 EP 0731532 B1 EP0731532 B1 EP 0731532B1 EP 96103400 A EP96103400 A EP 96103400A EP 96103400 A EP96103400 A EP 96103400A EP 0731532 B1 EP0731532 B1 EP 0731532B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- plug
- locking
- socket
- resilient
- arms
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
- H01R13/6395—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap for wall or panel outlets
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
- H01R13/6271—Latching means integral with the housing
- H01R13/6273—Latching means integral with the housing comprising two latching arms
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electrical connector for use with igniters for vehicle occupant inflatable restraint systems, generally known as airbags, and in particular, to means for maintaining the connector plug in engagement with the socket.
- airbag systems in motor vehicles has become virtually universal in recent years, and is mandatory in many jurisdictions.
- Such systems normally include an airbag assembly mounted in a hidden compartment beneath the dashboard, and an electrical or electronic control system for activating the assembly upon the occurrence of a crash.
- the airbag assembly is generally connected to the control system by a wiring harness provided with a plug with socket contacts and a socket which receives pin contacts of the igniter.
- a connector system of this type is shown, for example, in EP 0 591 947, in which the system is associated with an interlock including a locking element which is inserted into the connection to prevent separation of a pair of male connector elements carried by a first component from a pair of female connector elements carried by a second component and releasably mated therewith.
- a shorting element is associated with the first component and includes a pair of contact elements each biased into electrical contact with one of the pair of first connector elements for producing a short therebetween.
- the second component has a body comprising a portion contoured to enter between the pairs of connector elements so as to disconnect the short upon mating of the first and second components, which are mechanically latched together.
- the locking element prevents release of the latch and hence separation of the two components while in the lock position.
- the female connector has a short-circuiting terminal extending into a connector fitting chamber thereof, as well as a temporary arresting projection and a flexible locking arm with a final arresting projection.
- the male connector has a connecting terminal, a flexible engaging pawl, and an engaging portion.
- the connector according to the present invention comprises a plug part with socket contacts which have a wire connection side for attachment of wires and a pin receiving side for receiving pin contacts projecting from the airbag igniter.
- the pin contacts extend from a socket part located on the igniter.
- a connector having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in DE-A-4 317 344.
- the plug part is provided with a snap on cover which assures retention of the cable and which is provided with lateral and front resilient locking lugs, as well as a downwardly projecting element which engages a complementary aperture in the socket part to permit 360° positioning of the plug in the igniter socket and the application of torque force.
- the cover maintains the socket contact in position.
- the downwardly facing side of the end of the cover opposite the downwardly projecting element is provided with nipples which bite into the wire-insulating cable in order to assure its retention on the U-shaped rear portion of the plug part.
- Figs. 1 to 7 illustrate a connector plug 1 with socket contacts 2 with a wire connection side 3 for the attachment of cable-clad wires 4 and a pin-receiving side 5 beneath the socket contacts.
- plug 1 is surmounted by a cover 9 with lateral locking lugs 10 and resilient front locking lugs 11.
- the underside of the rear end of cover 9 is further provided with nipples 12 which bite into the cables to prevent them from shifting longitudinally in the U-shaped rear portion of the plug.
- Plug 1 is designed to mate with a socket part 8 located on the airbag igniter 7 and comprising pin contacts 6 which mate with socket contacts 2.
- the forward part of plug 1 is provided with a projecting arm 40 which engages in a complementary aperture 50 extending from the top surface of the socket part 8.
- the plug is provided with a pair of substantially vertical resilient locking arms 21 extending perpendicularly from the pin receiving side 5 of the plug 1, against the mating direction of the plug 1, the locking arms 21 provided with lateral, outwardly facing detent projections 17, each comprising an upwardly divergent outer surface 17a and a horizontal upper surface 17b which abuts against a corresponding facing surface of a locking slot 30 provided in socket 8.
- resilient arms 21 spread apart and self-lock in locking slot 30.
- the locking arm arrangement of the present invention is a significant improvement over that of EP 0 537 751, as shown in Fig. 9, in which locking arms 27, while also provided with detent projections 26, do not flex outwardly and hence cannot perform the self-locking function of applicants' locking arms 21.
- the invention hence results in a more secure interengagement of the plug and socket, this being critical in the case of airbag igniter connectors.
Description
- The present invention relates to an electrical connector for use with igniters for vehicle occupant inflatable restraint systems, generally known as airbags, and in particular, to means for maintaining the connector plug in engagement with the socket.
- The use of airbag systems in motor vehicles has become virtually universal in recent years, and is mandatory in many jurisdictions. Such systems normally include an airbag assembly mounted in a hidden compartment beneath the dashboard, and an electrical or electronic control system for activating the assembly upon the occurrence of a crash. The airbag assembly is generally connected to the control system by a wiring harness provided with a plug with socket contacts and a socket which receives pin contacts of the igniter.
- A connector system of this type is shown, for example, in EP 0 591 947, in which the system is associated with an interlock including a locking element which is inserted into the connection to prevent separation of a pair of male connector elements carried by a first component from a pair of female connector elements carried by a second component and releasably mated therewith. A shorting element is associated with the first component and includes a pair of contact elements each biased into electrical contact with one of the pair of first connector elements for producing a short therebetween. The second component has a body comprising a portion contoured to enter between the pairs of connector elements so as to disconnect the short upon mating of the first and second components, which are mechanically latched together. The locking element prevents release of the latch and hence separation of the two components while in the lock position.
- In EP 0 537 751, which relates to a switch connector assembly with a waterproof structure which prevents the admission of water, the female connector has a short-circuiting terminal extending into a connector fitting chamber thereof, as well as a temporary arresting projection and a flexible locking arm with a final arresting projection. The male connector has a connecting terminal, a flexible engaging pawl, and an engaging portion. When the temporary arresting projection is fitted with the pawl, the short-circuiting terminal is kept out of contact with the connecting terminal, but the two terminals enter into contact when the final arresting projection is fitted with the engaging portion.
- The connector according to the present invention comprises a plug part with socket contacts which have a wire connection side for attachment of wires and a pin receiving side for receiving pin contacts projecting from the airbag igniter. The pin contacts extend from a socket part located on the igniter. Once the connector has been mated with the igniter, it can only be unmated with the aid of a special removal tool.
- A connector having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in DE-A-4 317 344.
- The plug part is provided with a snap on cover which assures retention of the cable and which is provided with lateral and front resilient locking lugs, as well as a downwardly projecting element which engages a complementary aperture in the socket part to permit 360° positioning of the plug in the igniter socket and the application of torque force. The cover maintains the socket contact in position. In addition, the downwardly facing side of the end of the cover opposite the downwardly projecting element is provided with nipples which bite into the wire-insulating cable in order to assure its retention on the U-shaped rear portion of the plug part.
- It is an object of the present invention to improve the means for retaining the plug part in the socket part, specifically by means of resilient locking arms which extend from the base of the plug part, and which spread apart to self-lock in a locking slot in the socket part as a pull-out force is applied to the plug part.
- In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which an embodiment of the invention is shown for purposes of illustration, and in which:
- Figure 1 is a front elevation view of the plug part and the igniter socket part in unassembled position;
- Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the plug part and the igniter socket part in assembled position;
- Figure 3 is a top plan view of the plug part with its cover along line A--A of Figure 1;
- Figure 4 is a plan view of the cover showing the locations of the lateral and front resilient locking lugs;
- Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the cover;
- Figure 6 is a partly-sectional front elevation view of the cover;
- Figure 7 is a rear end view of the plug and the cover in unassembled position;
- Figure 8 is a detail view of the resilient locking arms; and
- Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing locking arms according to the prior art.
-
- Figs. 1 to 7 illustrate a connector plug 1 with
socket contacts 2 with awire connection side 3 for the attachment of cable-clad wires 4 and a pin-receivingside 5 beneath the socket contacts. - In order to assure the retention of the
cables 4 containing the conductor wires , plug 1 is surmounted by acover 9 withlateral locking lugs 10 and resilientfront locking lugs 11. The underside of the rear end ofcover 9 is further provided withnipples 12 which bite into the cables to prevent them from shifting longitudinally in the U-shaped rear portion of the plug. - Plug 1 is designed to mate with a
socket part 8 located on theairbag igniter 7 and comprisingpin contacts 6 which mate withsocket contacts 2. - To permit 360° positioning and the application of torque force, the forward part of plug 1 is provided with a projecting
arm 40 which engages in acomplementary aperture 50 extending from the top surface of thesocket part 8. - To assure retention of plug 1 in
socket 8, the plug is provided with a pair of substantially verticalresilient locking arms 21 extending perpendicularly from thepin receiving side 5 of the plug 1, against the mating direction of the plug 1, the lockingarms 21 provided with lateral, outwardly facingdetent projections 17, each comprising an upwardly divergentouter surface 17a and a horizontalupper surface 17b which abuts against a corresponding facing surface of alocking slot 30 provided insocket 8. When a pull-out force is applied to plug 1,resilient arms 21 spread apart and self-lock inlocking slot 30. - The locking arm arrangement of the present invention, as shown schematically in Fig. 8, is a significant improvement over that of EP 0 537 751, as shown in Fig. 9, in which locking arms 27, while also provided with
detent projections 26, do not flex outwardly and hence cannot perform the self-locking function of applicants' lockingarms 21. The invention hence results in a more secure interengagement of the plug and socket, this being critical in the case of airbag igniter connectors.
Claims (5)
- An electrical connector assembly for an airbag igniter comprising a plug member (1) and a socket member (8), the plug member (1) having a first contact means (2) adapted to mate with the socket member (8) having second contact means (6), said plug member (1) comprising resilient locking means (20) adapted to engage in an aperture (30) in the said socket member (8), said resilient locking means (20) comprising at least two resilient arms (21), said resilient locking means (20) engaging in a locking slot (30) in said socket member (8), and said plug member (1) comprising socket contacts (2) having a first side (3) for attachment of a wire connection and a second side for receiving pin contacts (6) projecting from said socket (8)
characterized in that
said resilient locking arms (21) extend perpendicularly from the pin receiving side (5) of the plug (1) against the mating direction of the plug, the locking arms being spread apart to self-lock in said locking aperture (30) when a pull-out force is applied to the plug part. - An electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said arms (21) comprise detent means including upwardly divergent portions joining horizontal portions which abut under a shoulder of said locking slot (30) and prevent disengagement of said plug member (1) from said socket member (8) upon spreading of said arms (21) when said force is applied.
- An electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plug member (1) is surmounted by a cover (9) with lateral locking lugs and resilient front locking lugs for retaining in position a cable enclosing conductor wires.
- An electrical connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein said cover (9) has an underside provided with nipples (1) adapted to bite into said cable (4) to assist in retention of said cable (4).
- An electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, including an element (40) projecting from said plug member (1) and engaging in an aperture (50) in said contact member for the purpose of assuring 360° positioning and permitting the application of torque force to said members (1, 8).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US40025195A | 1995-03-08 | 1995-03-08 | |
US400251 | 1995-03-08 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0731532A1 EP0731532A1 (en) | 1996-09-11 |
EP0731532B1 true EP0731532B1 (en) | 2000-07-12 |
Family
ID=23582838
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP96103400A Expired - Lifetime EP0731532B1 (en) | 1995-03-08 | 1996-03-05 | Connector for airbag igniter |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0731532B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2013158245A1 (en) * | 2012-04-18 | 2013-10-24 | Autoliv Asp, Inc. | Low-profile igniter assemblies adapted for use with inflatable airbag systems |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5876231A (en) * | 1996-09-10 | 1999-03-02 | Framatome Connectors Usa | Connector for airbag system |
EP0831562A1 (en) * | 1996-09-23 | 1998-03-25 | Motorola, Inc. | Electronic device package |
GB9624366D0 (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 1997-01-08 | Amp Great Britain | Squib connector |
DE19728448C1 (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 1998-09-24 | Framatome Connectors Int | Flat connector plug for cables in air bag system |
DE19847872A1 (en) * | 1998-10-16 | 2000-05-04 | Framatome Connectors Int | Ignition bus contact housing, especially for airbag applications |
FR2938114B1 (en) * | 2008-11-03 | 2012-10-19 | Legrand France | ELECTRIC MODULAR APPARATUS |
FR2938115B1 (en) * | 2008-11-03 | 2014-01-24 | Legrand France | ELECTRICAL PLUG PROVIDED WITH LOCKING MEANS ON A MODULAR DEVICE |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2536467Y2 (en) * | 1991-10-17 | 1997-05-21 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Switch connector waterproof structure |
US5314345A (en) * | 1992-10-09 | 1994-05-24 | Trw Inc. | Electrical connection system with interlock |
DE4317344A1 (en) * | 1993-05-25 | 1994-12-01 | Framatome Connectors Int | Electrical connector |
-
1996
- 1996-03-05 EP EP96103400A patent/EP0731532B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2013158245A1 (en) * | 2012-04-18 | 2013-10-24 | Autoliv Asp, Inc. | Low-profile igniter assemblies adapted for use with inflatable airbag systems |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0731532A1 (en) | 1996-09-11 |
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