EP1160934B1 - Shorting electrical connector assembly with positive lock - Google Patents

Shorting electrical connector assembly with positive lock Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1160934B1
EP1160934B1 EP01112788A EP01112788A EP1160934B1 EP 1160934 B1 EP1160934 B1 EP 1160934B1 EP 01112788 A EP01112788 A EP 01112788A EP 01112788 A EP01112788 A EP 01112788A EP 1160934 B1 EP1160934 B1 EP 1160934B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector assembly
electrical connector
locking device
actuating device
locking
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
Application number
EP01112788A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1160934A3 (en
EP1160934A2 (en
Inventor
Vit Masek
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.)
Molex LLC
Original Assignee
Molex LLC
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 Molex LLC filed Critical Molex LLC
Publication of EP1160934A2 publication Critical patent/EP1160934A2/en
Publication of EP1160934A3 publication Critical patent/EP1160934A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1160934B1 publication Critical patent/EP1160934B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01R13/701—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch the switch being actuated by an accessory, e.g. cover, locking member

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to an electrical connector assembly having a shorted circuit when a pair of connectors are mated.
  • the invention is directed to independent means for positively locking the connectors in mated condition and for opening the short circuit.
  • Electrical connectors typically are used in pairs to form a mated electrical connector assembly.
  • the two connectors may have dielectric housings mounting terminals which are interengaged when the two connectors are mated.
  • a shorting device may be employed in one of the connectors for establishing a short circuit between at least two of the terminals for safety reasons.
  • automobiles or other vehicles may employ shorted connectors for airbags, belt tensioners or other devices which are provided with explosive actuators or detonators. It is highly desirable to prevent accidental or unintentional actuation or detonation of the devices during such activities as manufacturing or assembly operations or during repair or other maintenance work.
  • high and hazardous induced voltages can unintentionally be established on the feed lines to the airbag or other detonatable device which would cause unintentional activation thereof.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,314,345 discloses a system wherein the short circuit is automatically opened when the two connectors of the assembly are mated.
  • a safety device is used simply to reinforce locking arms on the connectors. Such systems may cause severe safety problems because the short circuit is opened before the connectors are completely or positively locked.
  • the present invention is directed to solving these various problems or disadvantages of the prior art by providing a system wherein the positive locking function and the opening of the short circuit are made independent of each other.
  • a secondary locking device is used to positively lock the connectors in mated condition and a separate actuating device is used for opening the short circuit of the assembly.
  • An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved shorted electrical connector assembly of the character described.
  • the connector assembly includes a first connector having a dielectric housing mounting a plurality of first terminals.
  • a second connector is mateable with the first connector in a given mating direction and has a dielectric housing mounting a plurality of second terminals engageable with the first terminals when the connectors are mated.
  • a shorting device establishes a short circuit between at least two terminals of the second connector.
  • Complementary interengaging latching means are provided between the first and second connectors engageable when the connectors are mated.
  • a locking device is movable into operative association with the latching means to prevent disengagement of the latching means.
  • An actuating device is provided for opening the short circuit established by the shorting device. The actuating device is separate from and independent of the locking device.
  • a novel feature of the invention is that the separate actuating device automatically moves the separate locking device to an operative position.
  • the actuating device is movably mounted in a given path onto the housing of the first connector. At least a portion of the locking device is located in that path of movement. Therefore, movement of the actuating device to open the short circuit automatically moves the locking device to its operative position.
  • the locking device is movably mounted on the housing of the first connector for movement generally parallel to the mating direction into operative association with the latching means.
  • the actuating device is movably mounted on the housing of the first connector also for movement generally parallel to the mating direction to open the short circuit.
  • the latching means includes a pair of latch arms spaced laterally of the mating direction.
  • the locking device is generally U-shaped to define a pair of locking arms movable into locking association backing-up the latch arms.
  • the locking arms are configured to define a pre-locked position of the locking device on the housing of the first connector.
  • complementary interengaging holding means are provided between the actuating device and the first connector to hold the actuating device in position opening the short circuit.
  • the connector assembly includes a first connector, generally designated 3, and a second connector, generally designed 4.
  • the first connector is mateable with the second connector in a mating direction "X".
  • a column-like mounting post 5 (Fig. 3) of the first connector is inserted into a receptacle 6 of the second connector.
  • the receptacle and the mounting post have non-circular cross-sections to provide polarization and ensure that the connectors are mated in correct angular orientations.
  • Second connector 4 of connector assembly 1 includes a dielectric housing 4a which mounts a pair of pin terminals 7 and 8 (Fig. 3) which project upwardly into receptacle 6.
  • the pin terminals are mateable with a pair of socket terminals 9 and 10 of first connector 3.
  • the socket terminals project downwardly into mounting post 5 of the first connector when the connectors are mated.
  • the socket terminals have crimp sections 11 and 12 for connection to appropriate conductors of a feed line 13.
  • feed line 13 connects terminals 9 and 10 of first connector 3 to the electronic circuits of an airbag unit.
  • Second connector 4 can be permanently mounted on an airbag (not shown) or pin terminals 6 and 7 can be connected to a detonator of the airbag.
  • First connector 3 of connector assembly 1 includes a two-part dielectric housing 14 and 15 which are snapped together and include strain relief portions 16 for embracing feed line 13. Strain relief portion 16 of housing part 14 includes a plurality of teeth 16a which grip the feed line.
  • An inductor, a ferrite or a ferrite-core coil 17 is connected to terminals 9 and 10 to discharge static potential. Alternatively or additionally, a capacitor or other circuits (not shown) may be provided to assist optimum signal transmission.
  • secondary locking device 2 is generally U-shaped as best seen in Figure 3.
  • the U-shaped device defines a pair of generally parallel locking arms 18 which terminate in a pair of outwardly projecting locking hooks 20.
  • the secondary locking device is mountable on first connector 3 generally parallel to mating direction "X" by inserting locking arms 18 and their locking hooks 20 first through a pair of channels 24 in housing part 15 and then through a pair of aligned channels 26 in housing part 14.
  • channels 26 in housing part 14 form continuations of channels 24 in housing part 15.
  • FIG 13 it can be seen that channels 26 exit out of the bottom of housing part 14.
  • a pair of latch arms 28 project from the bottom of housing part 14 and terminate in a pair of outwardly projecting latch hooks 29.
  • the housing part may be unitarily molded of plastic material, and latch arms 28 are molded integrally therewith.
  • the latch arms are located immediately outside channels 26, and cutout areas 30 are formed in latch hooks 29 of the latch arms. Cutout areas 30 are aligned with channels 26.
  • Figure 9 shows first connector 3 mated with second connector 4.
  • latch arms 28 and latch hooks 29 also enter the receptacle adjacent the inside walls thereof.
  • latch hooks 29 of integrally molded plastic latch arms 28 snap into latching engagement within latch recesses 32 (Fig. 9) formed in the inside walls of the receptacle of second connector 4.
  • the interengagement of latch hooks 29 within latch recesses 32 is a "latching" function and not a positive locking function. In other words, the connectors still can be unmated by snapping latch hooks 29 back out of latch recesses 32.
  • FIGs 4, 5, 7 and 9 show secondary locking device 2 in its pre-latched position.
  • locking arms 18 have entered channels 24 and 26 of housing parts 15 and 14, respectively, but the locking arms have not moved into locking engagement behind or backing-up latch arms 28 of the first connector.
  • the connectors can be unmated as described above.
  • secondary locking device 2 In order to positively lock connectors 3 and 4 in their mated positions or condition, secondary locking device 2 is moved in the mating direction to its final locking or operative position shown best in Figure 12. When the locking device is pressed into the top of first connector 3, locking arms 18 of the locking device move further in the mating direction until locking hooks 20 snap around the bottom of latch arms 28 which are latched within recesses 32 of second connector 4. In other words, locking arms 18 of locking device 2 provide a secondary or positive locking means for latch arms 28. Referring to Figure 13 in conjunction with Figure 12, it can be understood that locking hooks 20 at the distal ends of locking arms 18 of secondary locking device 2 snap into locking engagement within cut-out areas 30 (Fig. 13) in latch hooks 29 of latch arms 28.
  • a shorting device 34 (Figs. 2, 7, 8 and 11) includes a pair of coupled contact elements 36 and 37 which respectively bear against pin terminals 7 and 8 under a mechanical or spring action.
  • the shorting device preferably is stamped and formed of conductive spring sheet metal material to electrically connect the two pin terminals and establish a short circuit therebetween.
  • an actuating device 35 is provided with an elongated finger 39 which is insertable into a channel 40 in first connector 3.
  • Actuating device 35 is integrally connected to housing part 14 by a plastic strip 42 integrally molded between the housing part and the actuating device.
  • plastic strip 42 acts as sort a "living hinge” between the actuating device and first connector 3.
  • a pair of integrally molded latches 44 are formed at opposite sides of the actuating device.
  • Figures 1-7 show actuating device 35 in a completely inoperative position.
  • Plastic strip 42 is quite flexible and, therefore, Figures 1-3 and 5-7 show the flexible strip bent upwardly, while Figure 4 shows the flexible strip generally horizontal.
  • Figures 8 and 9 show actuating device 35 having been moved or pivoted in a path "Y" to a pre-locked position. In this position, it can be seen that the actuating device overlies secondary locking device 2. In other words, the secondary locking device is in the path of movement "Y", of the actuating device. It also can be seen particularly in Figure 8 that finger 34 has been inserted into channel 40 completely into the interior of receptacle 6 of second connector 4. The finger is immediately adjacent contact elements 36 and 37 of shorting device 34. However, it should be noted that, in this pre-locked position of the actuating device, the contact elements still are in engagement with pin terminals 7 and 8 to maintain the short circuit established therebetween by the shorting device.
  • Figure 11 shows actuating device 35 having been moved from its pre-locked position of Figure 8 to its final operative locking position wherein the short circuit established by shorting device 34 has been opened.
  • finger 39 of the actuating device has engaged contact element 36 of shorting device 34 to move the contact element out of conductive engagement with its respective pin terminal 7 or 8.
  • finger 39 could engage both contact elements 36 and 37 to move the contact elements completely away from conductive engagement with the two pin terminals.
  • latches 44 (Fig. 4) at opposite sides of the actuating device engage appropriate latch shoulders in the areas indicated at 46 of housing part 15 of first connector 3. This interengagement forms a holding means between the actuating device and the first connector to hold the actuating device in its final operative position opening the short circuit established by shorting device 34.
  • the secondary locking device 2 is located in the path of movement of actuating device 35. Therefore, when the actuating device is moved to its final operative and locked position as described immediately above, the actuating device engages the top of the secondary locking device as seen best in Figure 12 and drives the locking device into its final locked position. Therefore, movement of actuating device 35 to open the short circuit established by shorting device 34 automatically moves locking device 2 to its final locked position. Therefore, unintentional detonation of an airbag, a belt tensioner or the like without positively locking the connectors in mated condition can be safely avoided.

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  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
EP01112788A 2000-05-29 2001-05-28 Shorting electrical connector assembly with positive lock Expired - Lifetime EP1160934B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE20009439U DE20009439U1 (de) 2000-05-29 2000-05-29 Elektrische Verbinderanordnung mit Sekundärverriegelung
DE20009439U 2000-05-29

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1160934A2 EP1160934A2 (en) 2001-12-05
EP1160934A3 EP1160934A3 (en) 2002-07-17
EP1160934B1 true EP1160934B1 (en) 2005-09-14

Family

ID=7942035

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01112788A Expired - Lifetime EP1160934B1 (en) 2000-05-29 2001-05-28 Shorting electrical connector assembly with positive lock

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1160934B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP3587182B2 (ja)
DE (2) DE20009439U1 (ja)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010117335A1 (en) * 2009-04-08 2010-10-14 Yeow Mong Chia An apparatus for enabling at least one connection to an electrical device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
PT2497154T (pt) 2009-11-03 2017-08-28 Orica Explosives Tech Pty Ltd Conector e métodos de utilização

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5275575A (en) * 1992-10-09 1994-01-04 Trw Inc. Electrical connection system with safety interlock
DE19549519B4 (de) * 1995-01-14 2005-05-19 Amphenol-Tuchel Electronics Gmbh Elektrischer Steckverbinder
DE69737246T2 (de) * 1996-08-12 2007-10-25 Thomas & Betts International Inc., Sparks Richtungsfreie Zündpille-Anschlusseinrichtung für Kraftfahrzeug-Luftsacksysteme
JP2003527726A (ja) * 1998-07-15 2003-09-16 トーマス アンド ベッツ インターナショナル，インク． エアバッグ・ガス・ジェネレータ用コネクタ

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010117335A1 (en) * 2009-04-08 2010-10-14 Yeow Mong Chia An apparatus for enabling at least one connection to an electrical device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1160934A3 (en) 2002-07-17
DE20009439U1 (de) 2001-10-04
DE60113331T2 (de) 2006-06-29
DE60113331D1 (de) 2005-10-20
JP3587182B2 (ja) 2004-11-10
EP1160934A2 (en) 2001-12-05
JP2002083649A (ja) 2002-03-22

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