JPH03176974A - Short-circuit device for electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent a danger of unintentionally starting an ignition device or the like by arranging a cam in the vicinity of a short-circuit device, and constituting the device so as to automatically open a short circuit when the cam is inserted into a mating connector. CONSTITUTION: A short-circuit contact 12 is a spring contact whose cross section is circular, and is held in a socket 8. When a plug 10 is not inserted, free end parts 22 of the contact 12 contact with an electrode 2, and short-circuit the electrode 2. When the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 8, the free end parts 22 contact with a cam surface of the contact 12 by a rib 36 of the plug 10, and the cam surface 24 approaches the free end parts to each other, and separates them from the electrode 2. When the plug 10 is pulled out, before contact between the contact of the plug and the electrode is released, electric contact between the short-circuit contact and the electrode is caused. Therefore, a danger of unintentionally starting an ignition device or the like can be eliminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention is suitable for short-circuiting devices that automatically engage connector terminals when the connector is in an inactive state, particularly for use in ignition devices such as airbags. It involves a short-circuit device that activates the ignition device only when necessary.

(Prior art, its problems, means for solving the problems, operations, and effects) Various ignition devices for igniting propellants and ammunition have already been proposed. Many of these known ignition devices include an insulated connector lead that connects to an ignition element, such as a conductive bridge formed of a thin metal filament. However, a significant problem with these ignition devices is that the connectors cannot There is a risk that the igniter will start before coalescence.The more sensitive the igniter is, the more serious this problem becomes.

As an example, automobiles equipped with air bag systems require sensitive ignition systems with relatively short response times.

In the event of a motor vehicle crash, the response time of the ignition system must be shortened because the ignition system must ignite the air bag system with a sensitivity of a fraction of a second to inflate the air pack. However, the system must be highly reliable to prevent the airbag from unintentionally igniting and causing injury.

To prevent unintentional starting of the igniter, various connectors have been designed to short the contacts when the igniter is in an inoperative state. As an example,
A bracket type fuse is disclosed in German Patent No. 562,732. This bracket type fuse is designed to be disconnected when the igniter conductor is electrically connected.

The problem with this type of device is that the installation of the ignition system creates dangerous conditions during operation, especially when disconnecting the fuse from the connector, and when such dangerous conditions exist there is no risk of unintentional explosion or Easy to start.

German Patent No. 502,758 discloses a fuse designed to automatically eliminate the short-circuit condition when the igniter is connected to a conductive line, and to reinstate the short-circuit condition when the connection is broken. . However, the structure of this fuse is extremely complicated, and on the other hand, the ignition device must be miniaturized.
The individual parts must be manufactured with extremely high mechanical precision, which naturally results in extremely high manufacturing costs.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,707 discloses a relatively manufactured device configured such that connecting the igniter to the ignition circuit automatically releases the short circuit, and disconnecting the igniter from the ignition circuit automatically reactivates the short circuit. Discloses a fuse that is easy to short circuit. However, there are some problems with this configuration. Since the elasticity of the shorted fuse is determined by the cooperation between the fuse and the housing, in order for the fuse to function properly (i.e., the fuse must be under elastic action). To maintain contact with the electrodes), various limits must be placed on the tolerances of the housing and the fuse.Furthermore, since the fuse is stamped from a metal material, the fuse and igniter terminal The contact point between the two is not precisely controlled.

As a result, the electrical connection between the fuse and the terminal may become insufficient, creating a dangerous situation in which the device is likely to start unintentionally.

Therefore, a short-circuiting device with elastic and electrical properties that automatically deactivates when the ignition device is connected to the ignition circuit, automatically reactivates when the ignition device is disconnected from the ignition circuit, and operates reliably for repeated use. It would be beneficial if it could be provided. Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide a shorting device that includes means for ensuring a positive electrical connection between the device and the electrode.

The present invention provides a shorting device for an electrical connector that automatically eliminates a short circuit when a mating connector is mated to the connector. If the mating connector is not inserted, the contact means provided on the shorting device will assume the closed position by cooperating with the contact members of the electrical connector, and if the mating connector is inserted, the contact means will assume the open position without cooperating with the contact members. occupy

This short circuit device is characterized in that a cam means is provided in the vicinity thereof. The cam means cooperates with the contact means to move the contact means between open and closed positions.

Another feature of the invention is that the contact means of the shorting device spans between the contact members of the electrical connector.

Each contact means is resiliently biased towards a corresponding contact member.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a pin-shaped electrode 2 is provided in an insulating housing 4 and extends up to an ignition element (not shown).
It is placed in Placing the electrode 2 in the hole 6 allows the electrode to be precisely positioned and maintained within the housing. In particular, as is clear from FIGS. 3 to 6, the housing 4 forms a socket 8 by projecting longer than the electrode 2, and this socket 8 protects the electrode 2 from bending deformation and also serves as a contact, i.e. It functions as a guide means for guiding the connector plug 10 into the housing 4. The socket 8 also cooperates with a shorting contact 12 to keep this shorting contact 12 close to the electrode 2, as will be explained in more detail below.

The shorting contact 12 is a spring contact with a circular cross section having the required electrical and mechanical properties, although other types of shorting contacts may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the shorting contact 12 has a first portion 14 in electrical contact with one of the electrodes 2.
and a first portion 14 in electrical contact with the other electrode 2;
The second part 16 is electrically and mechanically connected to the first and third parts and has a nearly circular shape having a flat part 20 near the free ends 22 of the first and third parts.

The relative heights of the first, second and third portions 14, 16.18 will be apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4. That is, the first and third portions 14.18 rise obliquely from the second portion 16. FIG. 4 shows the slope of the sections 14, 18 when each section is unstressed.

The second portion 16 also has an inclined portion. That is, the inclined portion of the second portion is located near the flat portion 20 thereof. The sloped surface 24 of the second portion 16 is connected to the free ends 22 of the first and third portions 14.18.
Acts as a cam surface that cooperates with the

A shorting contact 12 is arranged in the socket 8 of the housing 4 close to the electrode 2. 2 into the socket 8 in order to hold the short-circuit contact] 2 in the socket 8.
A locking protrusion 26 protrudes from the top.

The projection 26 has a lead-in surface 30 and a shoulder 32 which cooperates with the contact 12 to retain it within the socket 8, as seen in FIGS.

To position the shorting contact 12 within the socket 8, the shorting contact is inserted through the top of the socket 8 and pushed down. As the pushing down action continues, the second portion 16 of the shorting contact 12 slides along the introduction surface 30 of the protrusion 26,
Accordingly, the second portion elastically deforms inward. This elastic deformation continues until the shorting contact 12 passes over the protrusion 26. Once over the protrusion 26, the second part of the shorting contact returns to its stress-free state due to elastic action. In this state, as is clear from FIG.
2 to retain the shorting contact 12 in the socket 8.

When the electrode 2 and the shorting contact 12 are correctly placed in the housing 4, the shorting contact 12 establishes the necessary connection between the electrodes. Note that the first and third portions of the shorting contact are arranged between the electrodes.

This is an essential condition in applications where the connector housing must be miniaturized. Figure 1,
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and third portions 14', 18 are in electrical contact with the electrode 2 when the shorting contact 12 is in the safe or activated position. That is, the electrical connection is ensured by maintaining the contact surface 34 in pressure contact with the electrode 2 under the action of elasticity. In other words, when the shorting contact 12 is in the actuated position, the first and third portions are under stress. The shorting contacts create a positive electrical connection by creating a contact force between the first and third portions and the electrodes because the electrodes prevent the first and third portions from moving to the stress-relieved position. Assure.

Since the risk of electrostatic charges acting on the electrodes due to a short-circuit condition is prevented, the risk of unintended activation of the ignition element is also avoided.

When the connector plug lO is fitted into the housing 4,
The electrode 2 is brought into electrical contact with a mating contact (not shown) of the plug 10. Continued insertion of the plug 10 into the socket 8 of the housing 4, with the electrode and the mating contact in electrical contact, causes the rib 36 of the plug to close the first and third portions 14 near the free end 22 of the shorting contact 12. .18.

As insertion continues, the ribs 36 press against the first and third portions as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. When pressed, the free ends 22 of the first and third portions 14.18 are forced into contact with the cam surface 24. The cam surface cooperates with the free ends to move the free ends closer together. As a result, the downward movement of the plug 10 is translated into a downward inward movement of the first and third portions of the shorting contact. This movement continues until the free end 22 contacts the flat portion of the shorting contact 12 (FIG. 6) and the connector plug IO is in the position of FIGS. 5 and 6. As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 2 and 5, the contact surfaces 34 of the first and third parts separate from the electrode 2 when the plug is fully inserted into the socket. This is the inactive position.

To remove connector plug 10 from socket 8, plug 10 is moved upwardly from the position of FIGS. 5 and 6 to and beyond the position of FIGS. 3 and 4. With this withdrawal movement, the first and third parts 14,18 of the shorting contact can be returned to the positions of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 under elastic action. 1st and 3rd
With the return of the part, the contact surface 34 is forced to slide along part of the surface of the electrode 2, so that a wiping action is obtained which ensures a positive electrical connection between the electrode and the shorting contact. As already mentioned, the first and third parts remain stressed to ensure sufficient contact force between the contact surface 34 and the electrode 2.

As you pull out the connector plug, the contacts on the plug separate from the electrodes, and eventually the plug separates from the socket. Note that electrical contact between the shorting contact and the electrode occurs before the contact between the plug contact and the electrode is broken.

This prevents the possibility of the engine starting unintentionally.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector showing the shorting device of the present invention in an activated or safe position. FIG. 2 shows the shorting device in the inoperative, ignition,
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector similar to that shown. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 showing the shorting device in the activated or safe position. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1 showing the shorting device in the activated or safe position. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line of FIG. 5-5. Figure 6 shows the shorting device in the inoperative, i.
FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line of FIG. 6-6. 2... Contact member (electrode) 4... Insulating housing 10... Electrical connector (plug) 12... Shorting member (shorting contact) 22... Free end portion 24... Cam surface

Claims (1)

What is claimed is: an insulating housing having first and second contact members spaced apart from each other; and an insulating housing disposed within the insulating housing substantially surrounding the contact members and having a free end extending from the contact members. a short-circuiting member having an integral structure passing between the contact members, the free end of the shorting member being brought into contact with a cam surface, and when a mating electrical connector is fitted into the insulating housing, the free end of the shorting member is brought into contact with the cam surface. A short circuit device for an electrical connector, characterized in that the short circuit device moves from a short circuit position in contact with a contact member to a non-contact position.