Shorting clip for air bag inflator

Details Shorting clip for air bag inflator Shorting clip for air bag inflator

1999-07-02

2001-07-10

Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

Having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating or...

C439S507000, C439S557000, C439S567000, C200S051100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06257910

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an inflator for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device to help protect an occupant of a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a shorting clip for an inflator having an electrically energizable initiator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to protect a vehicle occupant by inflating an air bag with inflation fluid from an air bag inflator. The inflation fluid is released from a container in the inflator and/or generated by ignition of combustible gas generating material in the inflator.
The inflator may use an electrically actuatable initiator to open the container and/or to ignite the gas generating material. A typical initiator has two terminals. The terminals are in electrical contact with an electrical connector which is part of vehicle electric circuitry. To actuate the inflator, the vehicle electric circuitry sends an electric signal through the electrical connector and the terminals to the initiator. The electric signal actuates the initiator, resulting in actuation of the inflator.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,135 describes an inflator having an initiator that includes a metal retainer onto which a shorting clip is crimped. Prior to connection of an electrical connector with terminals of the initiator, the shorting clip has electrically conductive portions connected between the terminals to prevent accidental actuation of the initiator. The shorting clip has an opening to receive the electrical connector when the inflator is connected with vehicle electric circuitry. The shorting clip physically maintains the electrical connector in electrical contact with the terminals of the initiator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for association with an electrical connector. The apparatus includes an igniter actuatable to initiate actuation of an inflator in response to receiving an electrical signal. The igniter has a pair of electrical terminals for electrical contact with the electrical connector to receive an electrical signal from the electrical connector. The apparatus includes a retainer for supporting the igniter adjacent the inflator. The retainer has a recess. The apparatus includes a shorting clip for maintaining the electrical connector in electrical contact with the electrical terminals and for establishing a short circuit between the electrical terminals of the igniter when the electrical connector is not in electrical contact with the electrical terminals. The shorting clip includes a main body portion and at least one locking foot movable relative to the main body portion and into the recess in the retainer for attaching the shorting clip to the igniter.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5178547 (1993-01-01), Bonas et al.
patent: 5241910 (1993-09-01), Cunningham et al.
patent: 5275575 (1994-01-01), Cahaly et al.
patent: 5314345 (1994-05-01), Cahaly et al.
patent: 5462448 (1995-10-01), Kida et al.
patent: 5529507 (1996-06-01), Felix et al.
patent: 5733135 (1998-03-01), Kennedy et al.
patent: 6073963 (2000-06-01), Hamilton et al.

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