Short circuit electrical connector

Details Short circuit electrical connector Short circuit electrical connector

1999-08-31

2001-02-13

Patel, T. C. (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

Having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating or...

C200S051100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06186805

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a short circuit electrical connector such as might be used to prevent accidental firing of vehicular airbags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Short circuit electrical connectors are used in a variety of applications. One application is to protect against accidental firing of an electrical detonator which inflates a vehicular airbag. In particular, airbags are widely used for protecting passengers against the impact of a vehicular crash. An operating circuit for a typical airbag connects terminals to a detonator or igniter for a gas-generating device to terminals connected to a power source through an impact sensor. When the sensor detects a vehicular collision, current flows to the detonator to ignite the gas-generating device to produce a large amount of gas, thereby inflating the airbag.
Such detonators typically are connected to ignition voltage means by an electrical connector assembly. The connectors of the assembly can be unmated to allow the airbag and/or the detonator or other components to be removed for replacement, testing or the like. When the connectors are unmated, their is a risk that the detonator which is very sensitive will accidentally actuate whereby the airbag is unintentionally inflated. For instance, such an accidental inflation may result from leakage or other stray voltage, or accidentally applied current, energizing the ignition current supply of the detonator by electromagnetic induction. In other words, there always is a risk that a magnetic field or an electrical field may be created around the open terminals of the connectors which, in turn, could induce a voltage between the open connector terminals so that current could flow to the igniter or detonator of the airbag.
In order to prevent unintentional actuation of airbags, short circuit electrical connectors are used to maintain the connector terminals closed so that current may not accidentally flow into the operating system when the mating connectors of the connector assembly are not fully mated. Unfortunately, many such connectors have been unnecessarily complicated, not sufficiently reliable and not cost effective. The present invention is directed to providing a very simple, reliable and inexpensive short circuit system in an electrical connector assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved short circuit electrical connector of the character described.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved short circuit electrical connector assembly which includes a pair of mating connectors.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a short circuit electrical connector is provided with an insulative housing having a mating end with an opening for receiving a complementary mating connector. The opening communicates with an interior cavity. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the housing and have contact portions in the cavity for engaging appropriate terminals of the mating connector. A shorting member has a retention section for securing the member in the housing near the opening. An inclined section of the shorting member extends rearwardly from the retention section into the cavity for engagement by the mating connector. A contact section extends from the inclined section remote from the retention section for engaging at least a pair of the terminals in the absence of the mating connector.
As disclosed herein, the terminals have contact pin portions extending into the cavity. The inclined section of the shorting member is bifurcated to define a pair of resilient beams terminating in contact portions for engaging the pair of terminals. The housing includes a latch member for engaging an appropriate latch means of the mating connector. The bottom of the cavity in the housing is defined by a bottom wall of varying thickness for polarizing purposes.
The invention contemplates a short circuit electrical connector assembly including the connector described above, along with a second or mating connector which includes a housing having an engagement member for engaging the inclined section of the shorting member of the first connector. The engagement member of the second connector is formed by a block molded integrally with the housing and extending transversely of a mating plug of the second connector.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4850888 (1989-07-01), Denlinger et al.
patent: 5263872 (1993-11-01), Marpoe, Jr. et al.
patent: 5334025 (1994-08-01), Föhl
patent: 5466168 (1995-11-01), Liebich et al.
patent: 5470243 (1995-11-01), Bendorf
patent: 5494450 (1996-02-01), Kirsch et al.
patent: 5509817 (1996-04-01), Tsuji
patent: 5674084 (1997-10-01), Fukamachi
patent: 5791922 (1998-08-01), Takata et al.
patent: 6039589 (2000-03-01), LaLange et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Short circuit electrical connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Short circuit electrical connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Short circuit electrical connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2566847