EP1091455A2 - Dispositif de connexion électrique - Google Patents

Dispositif de connexion électrique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1091455A2
EP1091455A2 EP00121052A EP00121052A EP1091455A2 EP 1091455 A2 EP1091455 A2 EP 1091455A2 EP 00121052 A EP00121052 A EP 00121052A EP 00121052 A EP00121052 A EP 00121052A EP 1091455 A2 EP1091455 A2 EP 1091455A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector
casing
terminals
unit
mutually
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00121052A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1091455A3 (fr
Inventor
Pier Carlo Bigotto
Roberto Giorcelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FCI SA
Original Assignee
Framatome Connectors International SAS
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Framatome Connectors International SAS filed Critical Framatome Connectors International SAS
Publication of EP1091455A2 publication Critical patent/EP1091455A2/fr
Publication of EP1091455A3 publication Critical patent/EP1091455A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
    • H01R13/703—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part
    • H01R13/7031—Shorting, shunting or bussing of different terminals interrupted or effected on engagement of coupling part, e.g. for ESD protection, line continuity

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electric connecting unit, in particular for circuits for activating automotive safety systems such as airbags and seat belt tensioning devices, to which the following description refers purely by way of example.
  • Connecting units of the above type are known to comprise two electric connectors mutually connectable, along a longitudinal axis, in a fully assembled position assumed at the end of a mutually engaging movement, and which comprise respective insulating casings, each defining at least two longitudinal cavities for respective electric terminals.
  • One of the connectors also has an elastic short-circuit blade carried on the connector casing and which can be set to an undeformed enabling configuration mutually connecting the terminals, and a deformed disabling configuration assumed when the connectors are in the fully assembled position, and in which the blade is kept detached from the terminals by a portion of the complementary casing.
  • the short-circuit blade is normally located on the connector connected to a detonating device for activating the safety system, e.g. the airbag, to prevent the detonating device from being activated by the terminals accidentally coming into contact with an electric source, or to prevent electrostatic discharge current flow through the detonating device.
  • the connector without the short-circuit blade is connected to an auxiliary connector, whose load is defined by a resistor of predetermined resistance, to define a test assembly; and the resistance of the electric circuits defined by the test assembly and the connector with the short-circuit blade is then measured to ensure both function properly.
  • auxiliary connectors of the connecting units fitted to each vehicle are collected in a container and counted by the fitter once the vehicle is wired, to further ensure all the connections have been made.
  • an electric connecting unit comprising:
  • Number 1 in the accompanying drawings indicates as a whole an electric connecting unit, in particular for circuits for activating automotive safety systems such as airbags and seat belt tensioning devices.
  • unit 1 provides for connecting an airbag detonating device (not shown) to a detonating device control unit (not shown).
  • Unit 1 comprises two electric connectors 2, 3 mutually connectable, along a longitudinal axis A, in a fully assembled position ( Figures 1 and 2) assumed at the end of a mutually engaging movement.
  • Connector 2 comprises a substantially parallelepiped-shaped insulating casing 4 having four longitudinal cavities 5, which have respective axes parallel to axis A, are formed in pairs in opposite longitudinal lateral portions 6 of casing 4, and house respective female electric terminals 7. Terminals 7 are crimped to respective electric cables 8 in turn connected to the detonating device control unit.
  • Casing 4 also comprises two plates 9 (for the purpose explained later on) projecting frontwards from respective lateral portions 6, and substantially forming an extension of a top wall 10, parallel to axis A, of casing 4.
  • Connector 2 also comprises a number of elastic lances 11 for retaining respective terminals 7 in a correct insertion position inside respective cavities 5; and an auxiliary retaining member 12 for ensuring terminals 7 are in the correct insertion position inside cavities 5, and for preventing withdrawal of terminals 7.
  • each lance 11 projects inside respective cavity 5 from a bottom wall 13 of casing 4 parallel to wall 10, is flexible in a direction B perpendicular to axis A and to wall 13, and, by means of a tooth 14, clicks onto a seat 15 on respective terminal 7 to retain terminal 7 in the correct insertion position inside cavity 5.
  • Auxiliary retaining member 12 is defined by a movable flap member integral with casing 4 and hinged to the rear end of wall 13, and rotates between an open position permitting insertion of terminals 7 inside respective cavities 5, and a closed position - only possible when terminals 7 are all in the correct insertion position inside respective cavities 5 - wherein auxiliary retaining member 12 clicks onto casing 4 and prevents withdrawal of terminals 7 from cavities 5.
  • auxiliary retaining member 12 when viewed from the side, is substantially L-shaped, and comprises a comblike end portion 18 defining a number of U-shaped through openings which, in the closed position, are fitted through with respective electric cables 8, but are so sized as to prevent withdrawal of terminals 7 from casing 4.
  • Connector 3 comprises an insulating casing 19 having a substantially parallelepiped-shaped rear portion 20 defining four longitudinal cavities 21 for housing respective male electric terminals 22 connectable to female terminals 7 of connector 2, and a hollow, substantially parallelepiped-shaped front portion 23 defining a compartment 24 for housing connector 2 and communicating with cavities 21. Terminals 22 are crimped to respective electric cables 25 in turn connected to the detonating device.
  • portion 23 projects outwards along its whole perimeter with respect to portion 20, has a front opening 26 by which to insert casing 4 of connector 2 inside compartment 24, and is defined by two opposite, substantially parallel lateral walls 27, by a substantially flat bottom wall 28 perpendicular to lateral walls 27, by a curved, outwardly convex top wall 29, and by a rear wall 30 opposite opening 26 and partly defining the bottom of compartment 24.
  • Two longitudinal partitions 31 extends inwards of compartment 24 from top wall 29, are parallel to lateral walls 27, and are each connected to the facing lateral wall 27 by a respective flat crosspiece 32 parallel to bottom wall 28.
  • Each partition 31 extends beyond relative crosspiece 32 and towards bottom wall 28 in the form of a longitudinal end rib 33 defining, with crosspiece 32 and adjacent lateral wall 27, a C-shaped guide for guiding a respective plate 9 of casing 4 during connection of connectors 2 and 3. More specifically, in the course of the mutually engaging movement of connectors 2 and 3, each plate 9, guided laterally on opposite sides by relative lateral wall 27 and relative rib 33, slides underneath corresponding crosspiece 32 and through a relative opening 34, formed in rear wall 30, into a position, when connectors 2 and 3 are in the fully assembled position, contacting a relative top wall 35 of portion 20.
  • Each terminal 22 is inserted inside respective cavity 21 through a rear opening of cavity 21 - from which cable 25 extends in use - so that a contact portion 36 of terminal 22 projects axially inside compartment 24.
  • Connector 3 also comprises a number of elastic lances 37 for retaining respective terminals 22 in a correct insertion position inside respective cavities 21; and an auxiliary retaining member 38 for ensuring terminals 22 are in the correct insertion position inside cavities 21, and for preventing withdrawal of terminals 22.
  • each lance 37 projects inside respective cavity 21 from top wall 35 of portion 20 and in a direction substantially parallel to axis A towards compartment 24, and, by means of a tooth 39, clicks onto a seat 40 on respective terminal 22 to retain terminal 22 in the correct insertion position inside cavity 21.
  • each lance 37 is flexible, parallel to direction B, between an undeformed configuration, wherein tooth 39 engages relative seat 40 and terminal 22 is inserted correctly inside relative cavity 21, and a deformed configuration assumed when terminal 22 is not inserted correctly inside relative cavity 21, and wherein lance 37 is shifted away from the axis of cavity 21 and projects outwards, through a relative through opening 41 formed in top wall 35, so as to interfere with the sliding movement of respective plate 9 of connector 2 and so prevent connectors 2 and 3 from assuming the fully assembled position.
  • auxiliary retaining member 38 is defined by a movable flap member integral with casing 19 and hinged to the rear end of top wall 35, and rotates between an open position permitting insertion of terminals 22 inside respective cavities 21, and a closed position - only possible when terminals 22 are all in the correct insertion position inside respective cavities 21 - wherein auxiliary retaining member 38 clicks onto casing 19 and prevents withdrawal of terminals 22 from cavities 21.
  • auxiliary retaining member 38 when viewed from the side, is substantially L-shaped, and comprises a comblike end portion 42 defining a number of U-shaped through openings which, in the closed position, are fitted through with respective electric cables 25, but are so sized as to prevent withdrawal of terminals 22 from casing 19.
  • connector 3 comprises two short-circuit elements 45 housed inside compartment 24 along bottom wall 28 of portion 23 of casing 19.
  • Each short-circuit element 45 is normally set in an undeformed configuration mutually connecting contact portions 36 of a relative pair of terminals 22, and can be set selectively to a deformed configuration separating terminals 22, when connectors 2 and 3 are in the fully assembled position, by interacting with bottom wall 13 of casing 4, which interposes itself between short-circuit elements 45 and relative terminals 22.
  • each short-circuit element 45 is defined by a flat elastic blade resting on bottom wall 28 of casing 19 and having an end portion 46, for contacting the relative pair of terminals 22, located adjacent to rear wall 30 and bent into an L towards opening 26.
  • Unit 1 also comprises a device 48 for clicking connectors 2 and 3 into the fully assembled position.
  • Device 48 comprises a male member 49 located close to front opening 26 and projecting integrally inwards of compartment 24 of connector 3 from a central longitudinal portion of top wall 29 extending between partitions 31; and an elastic member 50, which projects longitudinally from an outer face of top wall 10 of casing 4, has a seat 51 for retaining male member 49, and is flexible parallel to direction B to release connectors 2 and 3.
  • male member 49 cooperates in sliding manner, parallel to axis A, with seat 51 to assume an engaged position engaging seat 51 and corresponding to the fully assembled position of connectors 2 and 3.
  • male member 49 is defined by a wedgelike tooth, which is defined by opposite substantially convex longitudinal lateral surfaces, and, in section perpendicular to direction B, is substantially ogival and tapers towards a pointed front end facing front opening 26 of compartment 24.
  • male member 49 is provided integrally with two lateral projections 52, and is defined, towards rear portion 20 of casing 19, by two rear surfaces forming an obtuse dihedral angle.
  • Elastic member 50 comprises two longitudinal, substantially parallel arms 53 symmetrical with respect to an intermediate plane ⁇ of connector 2 through axis A and parallel to direction B.
  • Arms 53 extend at a longitudinal central portion 54 of casing 4 interposed between lateral portions 6, are inserted between partitions 31 in the course of the mutually engaging movement of connectors 2 and 3, and each have one end integral with a front transverse edge 55 of wall 10.
  • the respective free ends of arms 53 are connected integrally by a crosspiece 56, which projects outwards from casing 19 of connector 3 in the fully assembled position of connectors 2 and 3, and is pressed manually in direction B towards wall 10 to release connectors 2 and 3.
  • Arms 53 comprise respective intermediate teeth 57, which are symmetrical with respect to plane ⁇ , extend towards each other, and are substantially in the form of right trapeziums with oblique sides facing each other.
  • Seat 51 has an axis parallel to axis A and lying in plane ⁇ , and is defined by teeth 57 and by respective portions of arms 53 extending between teeth 57 and crosspiece 56.
  • Arms 53 are flexible in a plane substantially perpendicular to direction B to permit insertion of male member 49 inside seat 51.
  • teeth 57 define, in between, a section of seat 51 tapering towards front edge 55 of wall 10 and therefore towards portion 20 of casing 19 of connector 3.
  • teeth 57 facing front edge 55 of wall 10 define respective temporary stops for projections 52 of male member 49 in the course of the mutually engaging movement of connectors 2 and 3, so that, to connect connectors 2 and 3, sufficient extra force must be applied for male member 49 to click past teeth 57 into the engaged position resting against respective rear surfaces of teeth 57 facing crosspiece 56.
  • unit 1 also comprising selectively releasable first one-way stop means 60 interposed between casings 4 and 19 and activatable, in the course of the mutually engaging movement of connectors 2 and 3, to define an intermediate check position wherein terminals 22 of connector 3 are connected mutually in pairs by relative short-circuit elements 45, and are connected to relative terminals 7 of connector 2.
  • Unit 1 also comprises second one-way stop means 61 interposed between casings 4 and 19 and acting in the opposite direction with respect to stop means 60 to prevent release of connectors 2 and 3 in the check position.
  • stop means 60 comprise a stop tooth 62 projecting from an outer face of top wall 35 of portion 20 of casing 19, and located adjacent to portion 23; and an elastically deformable lance 63, which projects longitudinally from front edge 55 of wall 10 of casing 4 in the opposite direction to elastic member 50, comes out of compartment 24 of casing 19 through an opening 58 in rear wall 30, rests against tooth 62 to define the check position of connectors 2 and 3, and is also flexible parallel to direction B to release tooth 62.
  • tooth 62 viewed from the side, is in the form of a right trapezium, and is defined, on the side interacting with lance 63, by a flat stop surface 64 perpendicular to wall 35, and, on the opposite side, by an oblique side 65.
  • lance 63 is C-shaped (Figure 2), and comprises two longitudinal arms 66 extending from the front edge 55 of wall 10 and substantially forming an extension of arms 53 of elastic member 50; and a crosspiece 67 mutually connecting the respective ends of arms 66 opposite to elastic member 50, and which interacts with stop surface 64 of tooth 62.
  • a central grip projection 68 by which to lift lance 63 parallel to direction B to release it from tooth 62.
  • Stop means 61 comprise two rectangular through openings 69 formed through respective partitions 31 of casing 19; and two retaining teeth 70 projecting from respective arms 53 of elastic member 50 on the opposite side to teeth 57, and each of which, in the course of the mutually engaging movement of connectors 2 and 3, clicks onto a front edge 71 of relative opening 69 adjacent to front opening 26 of compartment 24.
  • each opening 69 is such as to enable respective tooth 70 to travel inside opening 69 when moving from the check position to the fully assembled position of connectors 2 and 3.
  • each tooth 70 is substantially in the form of a right trapezium, with the oblique side facing front edge 55 of wall 10.
  • Unit 1 is assembled by sliding connector 2 longitudinally, along axis A, inside portion 23 of connector 3, once terminals 7, 22 are inserted correctly inside respective cavities 5, 21 and engaged by respective lances 11, 37, and once auxiliary retaining members 12, 38 are set to the closed position closing respective casings 4, 19.
  • grip projection 68 is used to raise lance 63 with respect to wall 10 of casing 4 and parallel to direction B, so as to release crosspiece 67 from tooth 62, and so enable connectors 2 and 3 to complete the mutually engaging movement along axis A into the fully assembled position ( Figures 1 and 2).
  • male member 49 is inserted inside seat 51 of elastic member 50. And since the section of male member 49 increases towards projections 52, the gradual insertion of male member 49 inside seat 51 flexes arms 53, which part in a plane perpendicular to direction B.
  • the elastic reaction of arms 53 is such as to repel connectors 2 and 3, so that, if any one of terminals 7 and/or 22 is not inserted correctly inside respective cavity 5, 21, i.e.
  • auxiliary retaining member 12 is not in the closed position and interferes with bottom wall 28 of compartment 24, and/or respective lance 37 projects outwards through respective opening 41 in wall 35 and interferes with respective plate 9, then connectors 2 and 3 are immediately pushed along axis A in the opposite direction to that of the mutually engaging movement.
  • the front end portion 47 of wall 13 of casing 4 slides along contact portions 46 of short-circuit elements 45, so as to flex short-circuit elements 45 towards wall 28 of casing 19, and is interposed between short-circuit elements 45 and terminals 22 to cut off the respective electric short-circuit connections.
  • crosspiece 56 is simply pressed manually parallel to direction B to release male member 49 from teeth 57; crosspiece 67 of lance 63 automatically slides over oblique side 65 of tooth 62; and teeth 70 slide past respective openings 69 in partitions 31.
  • unit 1 can be tested directly when connecting connectors 2 and 3, with no need for an auxiliary connector connected to and by which to measure the resistance of the connector (2) without the short-circuit blades.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Surgical Instruments (AREA)
EP00121052A 1999-09-28 2000-09-27 Dispositif de connexion électrique Withdrawn EP1091455A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT1999TO000832A IT1308849B1 (it) 1999-09-28 1999-09-28 Unita' di connessione elettrica.
ITTO990832 1999-09-28

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1091455A2 true EP1091455A2 (fr) 2001-04-11
EP1091455A3 EP1091455A3 (fr) 2001-11-07

Family

ID=11418099

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00121052A Withdrawn EP1091455A3 (fr) 1999-09-28 2000-09-27 Dispositif de connexion électrique

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP1091455A3 (fr)
IT (1) IT1308849B1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6520786B2 (en) 2001-02-16 2003-02-18 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US8827738B2 (en) 2009-11-03 2014-09-09 Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd Connector, and methods of use

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0366533A1 (fr) * 1988-10-24 1990-05-02 Labinal Perfectionnements aux boîtiers de connexions électriques
US5376017A (en) * 1992-09-29 1994-12-27 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
GB2311420A (en) * 1996-03-22 1997-09-24 Whitaker Corp Airbag connector encouraging complete connection

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0366533A1 (fr) * 1988-10-24 1990-05-02 Labinal Perfectionnements aux boîtiers de connexions électriques
US5376017A (en) * 1992-09-29 1994-12-27 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
GB2311420A (en) * 1996-03-22 1997-09-24 Whitaker Corp Airbag connector encouraging complete connection

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6520786B2 (en) 2001-02-16 2003-02-18 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
DE10159196B4 (de) * 2001-02-16 2004-02-05 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Yokkaichi Verbinder
US8827738B2 (en) 2009-11-03 2014-09-09 Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd Connector, and methods of use

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITTO990832A1 (it) 2001-03-28
EP1091455A3 (fr) 2001-11-07
IT1308849B1 (it) 2002-01-11

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