EP4143497A1

EP4143497A1 - Igniter for passenger protection devices, and method for producing same

Info

Publication number: EP4143497A1
Application number: EP21718575.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Pfeiffer; Stanislav Relich; Michal Chromec
Original assignee: Schott AG
Current assignee: Schott AG
Priority date: 2020-04-28
Filing date: 2021-04-14
Publication date: 2023-03-08
Also published as: KR20230002547A; JP2023523347A; WO2021219373A1; CN115516272A; MX2022013494A; US20230047377A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an igniter for a passenger protection device, having at least one metal pin for contacting the tripping unit of the passenger protection device, wherein the at least one metal pin has a contact end which can be coupled to the tripping unit, wherein the at least one metal pin has a gold coating of a maximum thickness D, and wherein the maximum thickness D is present at a distance of at least 1 mm from the contact end.

Description

Ignitors of personal protection devices and methods of manufacture

The invention relates to a lighter for personal protection devices. For the purposes of this disclosure, these are in particular airbags and / or belt tensioners and / or lock tensioners, pedestrian protection systems, in particular pyrotechnic actuators for, for example, active hinges or active locks, occupant protection systems, in particular active headrests and / or steering columns, and / or battery isolators. The igniters are exposed to high pressures. The lighter comprises at least one metal pin or connector pin with a connector end. Furthermore, the invention also describes a method for producing a lighter with a metal pin.

Connection pins or metal pins for feedthroughs, in particular metal fixing material feedthroughs, which are used in igniters, are previously known in various designs from the prior art.

Metal fixation material feedthroughs are vacuum-tight fusions of fixation materials, in particular made of glasses,

Glass ceramics or plastics in metals. The metals act as electrical conductors. Reference is made to US-A-5,345,872 and US-A-3,274,937 as representatives. Such bushings are widely used in electronics and electrical engineering. The material used for melting, in particular glass, serves as an insulator. Typical metal fixing material feedthroughs are constructed in such a way that metallic inner conductors, in particular metal pins or connecting pins, are melted into a preformed sintered glass part, the sintered glass part or the glass tube in an outer metal part with the so-called base body, which is formed from a ring-shaped or plate-shaped element, is introduced. Ignition devices, for example, are considered to be preferred applications of such metal fixing material feedthroughs. These are used, among other things, for personal protection devices, especially airbags or belt tensioners, in motor vehicles. In this case the metal Fixing material feedthroughs Part of an ignition device. The entire ignition device or igniter comprises, in addition to the metal fixing material feedthrough, an ignition bridge, the explosive and a metal cover which tightly encloses the ignition mechanism. Either one or two or more than two metal pins or connection pins, in particular metallic pins, can be passed through the bushing. In a particularly preferred embodiment with a metallic pin, the housing is grounded, in a preferred two-pole embodiment on one of the pins.

From US 2006/0222881 A1, US 2004/0216631, EP-A-1 455 160, US 2007/0187934 A1 and US-A-1 813906, metal fixing material feedthroughs are in particular for igniters of airbags or belt tensioners have become known, which are characterized in that the through opening for the connecting pins, in particular the metal pins, is punched out of the base body. According to US 2007/0187934 A1, in the lowering position of the base body are made of a strip material with a thickness in the range between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm, in particular between 1.8 mm and 3.0 mm , very particularly preferably between 2.0 mm to 2.6 mm, the openings driven through the entire thickness of the base body by means of the punching process.

The metal pin or connecting pin, in particular the metal pin in the fixing material, is let or glazed into the entry opening punched into the base body over the entire thickness of the base body, which lies in the above-mentioned area.

Furthermore, the through opening in the bushings with more than one pin according to US 2007/0187934 A1 is arranged off-center.

Punching out of a sheet metal material according to US 2007/0187934 A1 has a number of disadvantages. One disadvantage is that when punching A large proportion of material waste is produced from a strip material, for example a sheet metal of the base body.

From DE 102006056077 A1 an ignition device for a pyrotechnic protective device has become known, which has a casing for fixing the position of the current feedthrough of the metal pin and means for avoiding a relative movement between the casing and the metal pin. As in the case of US 2007 / 0187934A1, in DE 102006056077 A1, too, the base body is punched out of a sheet metal, for example a strip material, which results in a large waste of material. Furthermore, as in US 2007 / 0187934A1, the through openings were arranged off-axis.

EP 1 491 848 A1 shows a power feedthrough with a centrally arranged through opening for a pin-shaped conductor. The method of manufacture of the through opening is not described and extends over the entire thickness of the base body.

From US Pat. No. 8,978,557 B2 an annular, plate-shaped element for a belt tensioner and / or airbag igniter has become known with a clearance area in which the passage opening is made by punching. The leadthrough component with the ring-shaped, plate-shaped element comprises two metal pins, with US Pat. No. 8,978,557 B2 not giving any details about how the metal pins are produced.

DE 102017 123278 A1 shows a base body for lead-through elements comprising a metallic base body, at least one through opening for receiving a functional element in an in particular electrically insulating fixing material and at least one conductor that is electrically conductively connected to the base body by a solder connection. The solder connection comprises a metallic solder material, wherein the metallic solder material covers a surface area of the base body and thus a solder area on a Forms surface of the base body. The base body has a microstructuring at least in the solder area, which comprises at least depressions in the surface of the base body.

A method for producing an igniter for pyrotechnic systems has become known from AT 513238 B1. The connection pin, which is used in AT 513 238 B1, is characterized by a rounding.

US 2010/199872 A1 shows a bushing into which two metal pins are glazed. The metal pins known from US 2010/199872 A1 can be gold-plated at least in their end area. US 2010/199872 A1 does not make any statements about the thickness of the gold layer.

From EP 1710532 A1 a bushing for a pyrotechnic device with two metal pins has become known.

DE 102012009765 A1 shows an igniter for a gas generator of a vehicle safety system with at least two contact pins or connection pins that are spatially separated from one another by an electrically insulating compound, each contact pin being provided with a chlorine-free gold coating. The gold layer can be applied in a galvanic process, with chlorine scavengers being introduced into a cleaning solution used in a preceding cleaning step.

DE 102017 123278 A1 and DE 102012009765 A1 do not disclose how the conductors or contact pins are produced.

DE 102014219 124 A1 discloses a release device for a personal protection device with at least one metal pin, the metal pin having a gold coating with an unspecified layer thickness. The metal pin comprises an opening in the feedthrough glazed conductor, the conductor comprising an end region which is coated with gold.

DE 102015207488 A shows a flat electrical contact pin for a plug contact. This flat contact pin is also provided with a gold coating. A contact tongue with a maximum layer thickness of the coating is designed at a distance from the tip of the contact pin. Here, the maximum layer thickness of the contact area is between 1.6 mm and 5.5 mm away from the tip. In DE 102015207488 A, the gold layer is on the flat electrical contact pin with a

Tampon electroplating process or a brushing electroplating process applied. In this process, a sponge or fleece is used to apply the gold layer. The disadvantage of the method known from DE 102015207 488 A for applying the gold layer was that this type of application was not possible with metal pins with a round shape.

In particular in the case of metal fixing material feedthroughs with two connection pins, in particular metal pins and an eccentrically arranged through opening, the eccentric through opening leads to a weakening of the glazing. In the prior art, the connection pins, in particular the metal pins for feedthroughs, in particular glass-metal feedthroughs, were coated with a gold layer essentially over the entire length of the metal pin. In order to provide sufficient conductivity, this gold layer is made as thick as it is necessary for sufficient conductivity and secure contact, e.g. B. is necessary when used in a plug. This leads to a very high use of material and thus high costs.

The object of the invention is to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an igniter or a bushing for a igniter with a connection pin, in particular a metallic connection pin for bushings, in particular metal fixing material bushings, which avoids these disadvantages. According to the invention, this is achieved by a lighter or a bushing for a lighter of a personal protection device according to claim 1.

The igniter comprises at least one metal pin or connection pin with a connection end that can be connected to a triggering device, wherein according to the invention the metal pin is characterized by a gold coating with a layer thickness D and the layer thickness D of the gold coating is at least 1 mm away from the connection end. The gold coating present at a distance of more than 1 mm has a layer thickness that provides sufficient electrical conductivity for connection to a release device.

The metal pin is preferably not flat but round. The gold layer is preferably applied to the essentially round metal pin not by a brush or electroplating process but by an electrolytic deposition process, possibly using blend techniques.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one metal pin can be connected to the release device at a distance from the connection end by means of contact surfaces, in particular a plug. According to the invention, the maximum layer thickness of the gold layer is in a region in which the contact surfaces rest against the metal pin in the operating state. The coating of the metal pin only in the area in which the metal pin is in contact with the layer thickness required for this, for example Au layer thickness, leads to considerable material savings. This selective coating can be achieved by appropriate shielding in the system for applying the gold coating.

The application of the gold coating according to the invention with an electrolytic deposition process using blend techniques is characterized by high selectivity. The layer thickness preferably increases except for a maximum layer thickness that is required for reliable contact with sufficient conductivity.

The maximum layer thickness of the coating is preferably in a plateau region in which the layer thickness varies by at most 40% based on the maximum layer thickness, in particular at most 20% or at most 10%.

In order to provide reliable electrical contact between the conductive components connected to the metal pin via the contact surface with gold coating, for example plugs, it is preferred if the maximum layer thickness D is between 0.20 pm and 0.80 pm, in particular between 0. 40 pm and 0.70 pm or about 0.60 pm.

Since the metal pin is coated in its entirety and, according to the invention, not only in the area that electrically contacts a plug, the thickness of the gold layer outside the contact area, which is to be equated with the plateau area, e.g. at the connection end, is less than 0.20 μm, in particular between 0 , 05 pm and 0.20 pm.

The length of the metal pin is preferably more than 7 mm and the layer thickness of the gold layer at a distance of 7 mm from the connection end is more than 0.15 .mu.m, in particular more than 0.20 .mu.m, in particular between 0.15 .mu.m and 0.35 .mu.m .

With layer thicknesses of less than 0.8 μm in the range of the maximum layer thicknesses, in particular a lot of material, in particular coating material, can be saved. Furthermore, for example, by means of electrolytic separation of the gold layer according to the invention, very thin, homogeneous and closed gold layers can be obtained, which in particular also meet the requirements relating to the porosity according to ASTM B735 from ISO 19072-1. Another advantage of applying the gold layer by electrolytic cutting is that the layer can be applied in a single work step. This is in contrast to DE 102015207488 A1, where several coating steps, for example tampon plating in combination with other plating processes, are necessary.

In an alternative embodiment, the metal pin can have a length of more than 7 mm, in particular from 7 mm to 12 mm, preferably 9 mm. The plateau area of the coating according to the invention begins at a distance of 1 mm to 4 mm from the connection end, in particular at a distance of 2 mm to 6 mm, preferably 3 mm to 5 mm.

It is preferred if the plateau region ends at a distance of 5 mm to 10 mm from the connection end, in particular at a distance of 5.5 mm to 7.5 mm or 5.8 mm to 7 mm.

For a good electrical contact it is advantageous if the plateau area has a length P between 2 and 6 mm, in particular between 3 mm and 5 mm. The length of the plateau region is preferably 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm. The plateau area with the length P characterizes the area on which the contact surface, for example a plug, rests.

The layer thickness of the gold layer preferably increases from the connection end to the plateau area, in particular with a gradient of 0.1 μm to 0.3 μm, preferably 0.25 μm per mm to a layer thickness of 0.5 to 0.65 μm in the plateau area.

The igniter is preferably characterized in that the at least one metal pin is arranged in a fixing material of a metal fixing material feedthrough with a base body or is electrically conductively connected to the base body, in particular by a soldered connection or by a welded connection. The base body preferably comprises an opening in the one Metal pin with gold coating according to the invention can be glazed in a glass and / or glass ceramic material. If the expansion coefficient a base body of the base body is greater than that of the glass material a _Gi as, pressure glazing with a tightness of 1 10 ⁸ mbarl / s at a pressure difference of 1 bar is made possible. Before applying the gold layer, another metal, preferably nickel, is preferably diffused into the metal pin.

In addition to the igniter, the invention also provides a method according to claim 12 for producing an igniter / airbag with a metal pin which is provided with a gold layer. The diffusion of nickel results in better adhesion of the subsequently applied gold layer. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance, especially of the coated pin, is increased by the diffused nickel.

The igniters according to the invention are advantageously used in personal protection equipment selected from the group of airbags and / or belt tensioners and / or lock tensioners and / or pyrotechnic actuators and / or active hinges and / or active locks and / or active headrests and / or active steering columns, and / or Battery isolator. This is the subject of claim 13.

In the following, the invention is to be described by way of example without restriction with reference to the figures.

Show it:

1: a metal pin according to the invention with a gold coating

Fig. 2: a bushing for a lighter with a metal pin

Gold plating 3: a bushing for a lighter with a round metal pin with gold coating in a 3-dimensional view.

Fig. 4: Course of the thickness of the gold coating along the length L of the

Metal pin.

FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, a connection pin with a gold coating 220, such as is used in a lighter, in particular a bushing for a lighter according to the invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the connection pin 1 comprises three areas by way of example. A first, essentially straight area, which is assigned reference number 3. A curved area, which is assigned reference number 5, and an end area or end section, which is assigned reference number 7. The end sections 10.1, 10.2 of the pin 1 are rounded, for example with the aid of a non-cutting and / or cutting process, the radius R of the rounding being predetermined. The end section 10.1 is the connection end of the metal pin to a triggering device of a lighter. The radius R of the rounding can be 0.5 mm, for example, and the diameter D of the connecting pin 1 mm. With the aid of the cutting and / or non-cutting method, it is possible to set a predetermined radius that is preferably half the diameter of the cylindrical part of the connecting pin. The section 200 provided with the 0.5-0.65 μm thick gold layer 220 is part of the end section 7 of the metal pin. The 0.5-0.65 μm thick gold layer 220 in the plateau area represents the contact surface with other electrical devices, for example plugs. The length of the section 200 of the end section 7, which receives the 0.5-0.65 μm thick gold layer 220 is denoted by L. The length L of the section 200 of the metal pin is preferably 7 to 12 mm. The area 220 coated with the gold layer preferably begins at a distance of 1 mm to 4 mm from the connection end, which in the present case corresponds to the end section 10.1. The plateau area of the area 220 has a length P. A profile of the metal pin as a function of the length L of the section 200, which also shows the plateau area, is shown in FIG. The connector pins or metal pins are through Cut obtained from a section of wire. The non-straight, ie curved, section 5 of the pin is inclined by 45 ° with respect to the straight area 3 and the end section 7. The diameter D of the pin is, for example, between 0.5 and 2.5 mm. Pins with a diameter of less than 0.5 mm are also possible.

FIG. 1 is essentially a principle and schematic view. In contrast to this, FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a metal pin as it is currently being implemented.

FIG. 2 shows the use of a connection pin according to the invention, in particular a Meta II pin, in a bushing for a lighter of a personal protection device. FIG. 2 shows a feedthrough 100, in particular a metal fixing material feedthrough for devices that are exposed to high pressures, such as, for example, airbags or belt tensioners, and in general for personal protection devices.

The bushing 100 comprising an annular element 106 with an opening can be clearly seen. A clearance area 105 is also shown. A through opening 20, which in the present case has a conical profile 300, is punched out of the remaining material of the annular element 106 with the thickness DR. While in the embodiment shown the conicity is introduced over the entire length of the through opening, in an alternative embodiment the conicity can only extend over part of the length of the through opening, ie the through opening then has two sections, one conical and one not adjoining it conical. The conical section can then, for. B. can be produced by reshaping or forming and the non-conical by punching.

The ring-shaped or plate-shaped element 106 serves as the basis for a metal fixing material lead-through with a total of two connection pins 50, 52 with a coating according to the invention. Both the connection pin 50 and the connection pin 52 are according to the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, at least over part of the length L with gold or Au for better contacting coated. In contrast to FIG. 1, the coating of the pins 50, 52 is not shown explicitly in FIG. 2. While the connection pin, which is preferably a metal pin 50, is passed through in a fixing material 60, here a glass material, which can also be a glass ceramic material or a ceramic material, insulated to the ring-shaped or plate-shaped base body 106 from the front to the rear, the second connection pin, in particular metal pin 52 as a ground pin. The ground pin can also be gold-plated.

The second metal pin 52 is connected directly to the ring-shaped or plate-shaped body 106 as a ground pin. Both the connection pin, in particular metal pin 50, and the connection pin, in particular metal pin 52, are designed to be curved. The arc of the two metal pins is labeled 54 and 56 and can be clearly seen.

The connecting pin, in particular the metal pin 50, can also be provided with means 62 on the metal pin 50 itself, which engage in the glass plug and thus prevent the metal pin from being pushed out of the glass plug 60, in which the metal pin is enclosed, even at high pressures.

The connection pin, in particular the metal pin 50, is glazed into the fixing material 60 by melting it down. As soon as the connecting pin, in particular the metal pin, has melted into the fixing material 60, the glass plug is introduced into the through opening 20 together with the metal pin. The glass plug is then heated together with the ring-shaped or plate-shaped element, i.e. the base body, so that after cooling, the metal of the ring-shaped or plate-shaped element is shrunk onto the fixing material, here the glass material, as it did before with the fixing position of the glass plug , in which the connection pin, in particular a metal pin, is inserted into the glass plug. In this way, a pressure vitrification with a tightness of 1 · 10 ⁸ mbar l / sec at 1 bar

Pressure difference provided. The connection pin serving as earth, in particular metal pin 52, becomes conductive with the plate-shaped element, for example by brazing connected. The soldering point is designated by 70. All related metal pins are rounded at the end sections 72 by cutting and / or non-cutting processes. As a result, there is no contamination of the surface of the connection pins, in particular metal pins, so that the connection pins are coated with a coating, e.g. B. gold or nickel can be provided.

FIG. 3 shows a bushing 100 for a lighter in a three-dimensional view. The same components as in FIG. 2 have been given the same reference numbers. In contrast to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 is not a schematic view, but a view of a specifically implemented exemplary embodiment. As in FIG. 2, the round and plate-shaped element 106 comprises two connection pins 50, 52, wherein, in contrast to FIG. 2, the connection pins 50, 52 are shown with a coating. The coated section 220 of the Meta II pin can be clearly seen. The same components as in FIG. 1 are identified by the same reference numerals. The plateau area of the area 220 is denoted by P as in FIG. The dimensions are selected as in the description of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 also clearly shows that the coated metal pin 50 on the one hand is guided in a glass or glass ceramic material 20 through an opening in the base body 100, on the other hand a metal pin 52 can be firmly connected to the base body, for example by soldering, and as a Metal pin is used.

The connection pins coated according to the invention have a low contact resistance and good electrical conductivity. Since imperfections are avoided, a coating according to the invention with gold or Au is possible in the section 200 of the end section of the metal pin 7 with a closed surface that is largely free of imperfections. As an alternative to a direct coating of the metal pin with gold (Au), the metal pin can first be coated with nickel (Ni) as the adhesive layer and then with gold on the Ni layer in accordance with the coating profile shown in FIG Invention are coated. The plateau region 2300 of the coating has a length P and is shown in FIG. 3. Is preferred it is when the nickel is applied to the pen body by diffusion before the gold layer is applied. The diffused Ni layer increases the adhesion of the gold layer on the one hand, and also increases the corrosion resistance, in particular of the coated pin, on the other.

The closed surface of the coating in turn ensures that corrosion can largely be ruled out. The plateau area of the coating according to the invention, which is designated with 2300, begins at a distance of 1 mm to 4 mm following the connection end or the end section 10.1 of the metal pin and extends over a length P of up to 10 mm, so that the plateau region 2300 ends at a distance of 2 mm to 8 mm from the end section 10.1, ie the tip of the metal pin. The maximum layer thickness of the gold coating in the plateau area with the length P is between 0.2 pm and 0.8 pm, in particular between 0.4 pm and 0.7 pm. Outside the plateau area towards the connection end 10.1, the layer thickness is only 0.05 μm to 0.20 μm. The gold layer can be applied in a gold-plating system using, for example, selective brush technology with a high degree of selectivity.

The course of the gold coating along the length L of the metal pin as a function of the distance from the end section or connection end 10.1, i.e. the tip of the metal pin, is shown in FIG.

The course of the thickness of the profile of the gold coating of two metal pins according to the prior art is denoted by 2000.1 and 2000.2 in FIG. 4, the course according to the invention as 2200.

The first profile 2000.1 according to the prior art has a very large thickness of 0.75 to 0.65 μm in the area of the tip of the metal pin, as shown in FIG. In the area of the plateau, which is used for contacting, the layer thickness in the case of profile 2000.1 according to the prior art decreases too quickly too much, so that reliable contacting, for example of a plug, is not possible. this This is due to the fact that the layer thickness of the profile 2000.1 in the range of 3 mm to 6 mm from the tip of the metal pin is only 0.3 μm, so that a sufficiently thick gold layer is not available for contacting.

The second profile 2000.2 according to the prior art shows a sufficient thickness in the plateau area of 3 mm to 6 mm so that reliable contact is provided, but the gold layer is at a small distance from the tip or at the tip with 0, 75 pm unnecessarily thick. The profile 2200 according to the invention shows similarly good properties in relation to the contacting compared to the prior art in the form of the profile 2000.2, but significantly less material is required for this than with the profile 2000.2 according to the prior art.

As can be seen, the layer thickness of the coating of the invention in the course 2200 at the connection end 10.1, ie the tip of the connection pin or metal pin in the solution according to the invention, is only 0.1 μm and increases largely linearly up to a distance of 3 mm from the tip more than 0.6 pm.

The plateau area 2300 with the length P in the course 2200 of the metal coating according to the invention is the contact area of the connection or metal pin, e.g.

B. with a plug. In the contact area, other electrical components, for example plugs, are electrically connected to the metal pin. Due to the relatively thick gold coating with a thickness of approximately 0.65 μm in the plateau region 2300, a very reliable connection of the metal pin to other electrical devices with low contact resistance is made possible. The plateau area 2300 in the course 2200 of the coating is produced according to the invention in the area 3 mm to 6 mm from the tip of the metal pin very selectively, for example by shielding in the gold-plating layer. The gold coating has a largely constant thickness of 0.6 μm to 0.65 μm in the plateau area. The selective application of the gold layer, in particular in the plateau region 2300 of the course 22.00, is preferably carried out galvanically. After the plateau area 2200 falls the layer thickness decreases largely linearly, so that after a length of 9 mm there is no longer any coating.

In contrast to the prior art with the course 2000.4, which has a layer thickness of more than 0.75 gm at the start of the pin, ie at the connection end 10.1, an almost rectangular course of the coating can be represented by shielding in the gold coating system, so that selectively according to the layer course 2200 only the contact area of the metal pin is coated, which results in significant material savings compared to the profile 2000.2 according to the prior art.

The invention thus provides a connection pin or metal pin and a personal protection device igniter with such a connection pin or metal pin, which has a geometrically defined connection area with a coating, in particular at least one Au coating, in particular for insertion into a plug system Provides. The metal pin according to the invention is usually inserted into a plug. This has contact surfaces which are spaced from the end of the connecting pin or metal pin. According to the invention, the maximum layer thickness of the gold layer is in the area of the contact surfaces. This enables secure, ie long-term stable, contacting that has a low contact resistance. In contrast to this, the layer thickness of the gold layer decreases towards the connection end or end section and is thinner there, which means that the contact resistance is higher there and the probability of corrosion is greater.

sentences

The invention includes aspects set out in the following sentences which form part of the description, but not claims in accordance with J 15/88 of the Boards of Appeal.

1. Lighter of a personal protection device, with at least one metal pin (50, 52) for contacting the triggering device of the personal protection device, the at least one metal pin (50, 52) having a connection end (10.1, 72) which can be connected to the triggering device, wherein the at least one metal pin (50, 52), which is preferably not flat, in particular round, has a gold coating (200, 220) with a layer thickness D and wherein the maximum layer thickness D is at least 1 mm away from the connection end (10.1, 72) .

2. Lighter according to sentence 1, wherein the at least one metal pin (50, 52) can be connected to the triggering device at a distance from the connection end (10.1, 72) by means of contact surfaces, in particular a plug, and the maximum layer thickness is present in the area where the contact surfaces are Operating state on the metal pin.

3. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 1 to 2, the maximum layer thickness being in a plateau area (2200) in which the layer thickness varies by at most 40% based on the maximum layer thickness, in particular at most 20% or at most 10%.

4. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 1 to 3, the maximum layer thickness D being between 0.20 gm and 0.80 gm, in particular between 0.40 gm and 0.70 gm, preferably about 0.60 gm.

5. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 1 to 4, the layer thickness of the gold layer at the connection end (10.1) being less than 0.20 gm, in particular between 0.05 gm and 0.20 gm.

6. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 1 to 5, wherein the at least one metal pin has a length (L) of more than 7 mm, the layer thickness of the gold layer at a distance of 7 mm from the connection end is more than 0.15 gm, in particular more than 0.20 gm, in particular between 0.15 gm and 0.35 gm.

7. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 1 to 5, wherein the at least one metal pin has a length (L) of more than 7 mm, in particular from 7 mm to 12 mm, preferably 9 mm and the plateau area (2200) at a distance starts from 1 mm to 4 mm from the connection end, in particular at a distance of 2 mm to 5 mm or from 3 mm to 5 mm.

8. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 3 to 7, wherein the plateau region (2200) ends at a distance of 5 mm to 10 mm from the connection end, in particular at a distance of 5.5 mm to 7.5 mm or 5, 8 mm to 7 mm.

9. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 3 to 8, wherein the plateau region (2200) has a length P between 2 and 6 mm, in particular between 3 mm and 5 mm, preferably 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm

10. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 3 to 9, the layer thickness of the gold layer increasing from the connection end (10.1, 72) to the plateau region (2200), in particular with a gradient of 0.1 to 0.3, preferably 0.25 μm Layer thickness per mm distance from the connection end.

11. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 1 to 10, wherein the at least one metal pin (50, 52) is arranged in a fixing material (20) of a metal fixing material leadthrough with a base body (106) or is electrically conductive with the base body (106) is connected, in particular by a solder connection or by a welded connection.

12. A method for producing an igniter for airbags and / or seat belt tensioners comprising the following steps:

A metal pin, preferably a round metal pin, is provided with a gold coating over a length, the gold coating being applied selectively in such a way that a plateau area at a distance of 1 mm to 5 mm from the connection end starting with a thickness of 0.10 μm to 0.80 pm over a length of 2 mm to 8 mm, preferably 3 mm to 4 mm

- The metal pin, preferably a round metal pin, is inserted into a glass or glass ceramic material

- The glass or glass ceramic material is inserted into a housing opening of the lighter with the metal pin alone or together with a base body

- The housing part with inserted metal pin in a glass or glass ceramic material is heated and results in pressure glazing. 13. The method according to sentence 12, characterized in that the gold coating is applied to the pin by electrolytic deposition, preferably with the aid of blend techniques, preferably in a single coating step.

14. The method according to sentence 12 or 13, characterized in that prior to application of the gold coating, nickel is diffused into the metal pin.

15. Use of a lighter according to at least one of sentences 1 to 11 in a personal protection device selected from the group

Airbags and / or belt tensioners and / or lock tensioners and / or pyrotechnic actuators and / or active hinges and / or active locks and / or active headrests and / or active steering columns, and / or battery isolators.

16. Feedthrough for a lighter of a personal protection device, with at least one metal pin (50, 52) for contacting the triggering device of the personal protection device, the at least one metal pin (50, 52) having a connection end (10.1, 72) which can be connected to the triggering device The at least one metal pin (50, 52), which is preferably not flat, in particular round, has a gold coating (200, 220) with a layer thickness D and the maximum layer thickness D at least 1 mm from the connection end (10.1, 72 ) is removed.

17. Implementation for a lighter according to sentence 16, whereby the at least one metal pin (50, 52) can be connected to the release device at a distance from the connection end (10.1, 72) by means of contact surfaces, in particular a plug, and which has the maximum layer thickness in the area where the contact surfaces rest on the metal pin in the operating state.

18. Implementation for a lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 16 to 17, the maximum layer thickness being in a plateau area (2200) in which the layer thickness varies by at most 40% based on the maximum layer thickness, in particular at most 20% or at most 10 %.

19. Implementation for a lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 16 to 18, the maximum layer thickness D being between 0.20 gm and 0.80 gm, in particular between 0.40 gm and 0.70 gm, preferably approximately 0.60 gm.

20. Implementation for a lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 16 to 19, the layer thickness of the gold layer at the connection end (10.1) being less than 0.20 gm, in particular between 0.05 gm and 0.20 gm.

21. Implementation for a lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 16 to 20, the at least one metal pin having a length (L) of more than 7 mm, the layer thickness of the gold layer at a distance of 7 mm from the connection end more than 0.15 gm is, in particular more than 0.20 gm, in particular between 0.15 gm and 0.35 gm. Bushing for a lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 16 to 21, the at least one metal pin having a length (L) of more than 7 mm, in particular from 7 mm to 12 mm, preferably 9 mm and the plateau area (2200) in one Distance of 1 mm to 4 mm from the connection end begins, in particular at a distance of 2 mm to 5 mm or from 3 mm to 5 mm. Implementation for a lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 18 to 22, the plateau region (2200) ending at a distance of 5 mm to 10 mm from the connection end, in particular at a distance of 5.5 mm to 7.5 mm or 5 , 8 mm to 7 mm. Bushing for a lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 18 to 23, the plateau region (2200) having a length P between 2 and 6 mm, in particular between 3 mm and 5 mm, preferably 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm bushing for a lighter according to at least one of the preceding sentences 18 to 24, the layer thickness of the gold layer increasing from the connection end (10.1, 72) to the plateau area (2200), in particular with a gradient of 0.1 to 0.3, preferably 0.25 µm layer thickness per mm distance from the connection end. Implementation according to at least one of the preceding sentences 16 to 25, wherein the at least one metal pin (50, 52) is arranged in a fixing material (20) of a metal fixing material leadthrough with a base body (106) or is electrically conductively connected to the base body (106), in particular by a soldered connection or by a welded connection.

27. Bushing for a lighter according to one of the sentences 16 to 26, characterized in that the bushing comprises a base body with an opening.

28. Implementation for a lighter according to sentence 27, characterized in that the metal pin is glazed in a glass and / or glass ceramic material in the opening.

29. Implementation for a lighter according to sentence 28, characterized in that the glass and / or glass ceramic material has a coefficient of expansion a _Gi as and the base body with opening has a coefficient of expansion a _G r _u n _dkö r _p er and glass a _Gi as ^< ci _G r _u n _dkö r _p he is.

30. A method for producing a bushing for an igniter of airbags and / or

Belt tensioners include the following steps:

A metal pin, preferably a round metal pin, is provided with a gold coating over a length, the gold coating being applied selectively in such a way that a plateau area at a distance of 1 mm to 5 mm from the connection end starting with a thickness of 0.1 μm to 0.80 pm over a length of 2 mm to 8 mm, preferably 3 mm to 4 mm

- The metal pin, preferably a round metal pin, is inserted into a glass or glass ceramic material - The glass or glass ceramic material is inserted into a housing opening of the lighter with the metal pin alone or together with a base body

- The housing part with inserted metal pin in a glass or glass ceramic material is heated and results in pressure glazing. Method according to sentence 30, characterized in that the gold coating is applied to the pin by electrolytic deposition, preferably with the aid of blend techniques, preferably in a single coating step. Method according to sentence 30 or 31, characterized in that before the gold coating is applied, nickel is diffused into the metal pin.

Claims

2. Lighter according to claim 1, wherein the at least one metal pin (50, 52) can be connected to the release device at a distance from the connection end (10.1, 72) by means of contact surfaces, in particular a plug, and the maximum layer thickness is present in the area where the contact surfaces are Operating state on the metal pin.

3. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 2, the maximum layer thickness being in a plateau region (2200) in which the layer thickness varies by at most 40% based on the maximum layer thickness, in particular at most 20% or at most 10%.

4. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the maximum layer thickness D is between 0.20 pm and 0.80 pm, in particular between 0.40 pm and 0.70 pm, preferably approximately 0.60 pm.

5. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein the layer thickness of the gold layer at the connection end (10.1) is less than 0.20 pm, in particular between 0.05 pm and 0.20 pm.

6. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one metal pin has a length (L) of more than 7 mm, the layer thickness of the gold layer at a distance of 7 mm from the connection end is more than 0.15 μm, in particular more than 0.20 pm, in particular between 0.15 pm and 0.35 pm.

7. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one metal pin has a length (L) of more than 7 mm, in particular from 7 mm to 12 mm, preferably 9 mm and the plateau region (2200) at a distance starts from 1 mm to 4 mm from the connection end, in particular at a distance of 2 mm to 5 mm or from 3 mm to 5 mm.

8. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding claims 3 to 7, wherein the plateau region (2200) ends at a distance of 5 mm to 10 mm from the connection end, in particular at a distance of 5.5 mm to 7.5 mm or 5, 8 mm to 7 mm.

9. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding claims 3 to 8, wherein the plateau region (2200) has a length P between 2 and 6 mm, in particular between 3 mm and 5 mm, preferably 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm

10. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding claims 3 to 9, wherein the layer thickness of the gold layer increases from the connection end (10.1, 72) to the plateau region (2200), in particular with a gradient of 0.1 to 0.3, preferably 0.25 pm Layer thickness per mm distance from the connection end.

11. Lighter according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one metal pin (50, 52) is arranged in a fixing material (20) of a metal fixing material leadthrough with a base body (106) or is electrically conductive with the base body (106) is connected, in particular by a solder connection or by a welded connection.

- The housing part with inserted metal pin in a glass or glass ceramic material is heated and results in pressure glazing.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the gold coating by electrolytic deposition, preferably with With the help of blend techniques is applied to the pin, preferably in a single coating step.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that prior to application of the gold coating, nickel is diffused into the metal pin.

15. Use of a lighter according to at least one of claims 1 to 11 in a personal protection device selected from the group of airbags and / or belt tensioners and / or lock tensioners and / or pyrotechnic actuators and / or active hinges and / or active locks and / or active headrests and / or active steering columns, and / or battery isolators.