초록 ▼

An orientationless squib connector assembly (10) for automotive air bag assemblies is disclosed. A single initiator pin (24, 326) is provided axially aligned within a squib socket (12, 324). An annular ground plate (28, 328) surrounds and shunts to ground the initiator pin near the base of the socke

An orientationless squib connector assembly (10) for automotive air bag assemblies is disclosed. A single initiator pin (24, 326) is provided axially aligned within a squib socket (12, 324). An annular ground plate (28, 328) surrounds and shunts to ground the initiator pin near the base of the socket. An associated connector (16, 202, 312, 410) includes a first, axially located terminal (64, 280, 314, 416) for electrical contact with the initiator pin and a second terminal (66, 282, 316, 418) comprising a depending leg or beam (110, 320) radially aligned with the first terminal for electrically contacting the ground plate at any rotational orientation of the connector with respect to the socket and for moving a part of the ground plate (28) out of electrical engagement with pin (24). Eliminating a required rotational orientation of the connector simplifies its manufacture and assembly and its incorporation into a vehicle. Preferably, the entering wires, surrounded by a ferrite block (84), are also axially aligned with the first and second terminals. CPAs (72, 322, 420) may be used to prevent unlatching of the connector assembly. Closure of the CPA may be prevented by a blocking feature on the associated connector that is automatically displaced when the connector is properly engaged in the socket.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An orientationless squib connector assembly for an automotive air bag assembly, the squib connector assembly comprising:a socket comprising a cylindrical inner wall, defining a central axis, and a bottom surface, a first electrically conductive terminal extending axially along the

[ We claim:] [1.] An orientationless squib connector assembly for an automotive air bag assembly, the squib connector assembly comprising:a socket comprising a cylindrical inner wall, defining a central axis, and a bottom surface, a first electrically conductive terminal extending axially along the central axis, and a second electrically conductive terminal comprising an electrically conductive plate having a centrally located opening therein, the plate sized and configured to fit within the socket with the centrally located opening coaxially disposed about and spaced from the first electrically conductive terminal, and a shorting member connected to the plate by a flexible hinge member and extending radially inwardly toward the centrally located opening within the socket with respect to the central axis and biassed into electrical contact with the first electrically conductive terminal when no external force is applied to the shorting member; anda connector comprising a connector body having a cylindrical portion sized to fit in mating engagement within the cylindrical inner wall of the socket, a third electrically conductive terminal centrally located within the cylindrical portion and configured to electrically contact the first electrically conductive terminal when the connector is inserted in the socket, and a fourth electrically conductive terminal having a depending member located within the cylindrical portion radially displaced from the third electrically conductive terminal and having a contacting surface disposed to contact the second electrically conductive terminal and displace the shorting member from electrical contact with the first electrically conductive terminal at any angular orientation about the central axis of the connector with respect to the socket when the connector is inserted in the socket.