Electrical connectors – Contact separation by snap or quick-break action
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-02
2002-12-03
Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Contact separation by snap or quick-break action
C439S155000, C439S923000, C439S352000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06488518
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to electrical connectors that include disengagement members. More specifically, the present invention relates to electrical connectors for use as an automobile airbag squib connector that include disengagement members which act to ensure that the squib connector is properly secured within a mating receptacle in a locked position.
2. Discussion of the Background
Connectors, such as automobile airbag squib connectors which utilize plastic connector housings, are widely used. in the automotive industry. Squib connectors are generally used to connect sensors at remote areas of the automobile to the detonation device of an airbag. Normally, three different piece-types are used in the construction of a squib connector housing including a lock section
16
shown in
FIG. 1. A
molded plastic airbag squib connector housing
10
is depicted with a bottom section
12
, a top cover section
14
and a lock section
16
. Mounted underneath the bottom section
12
is a male insert
38
and two holding pins
40
. The male insert
38
is located between the two locking pin access slots
36
. Conversely, the two holding pins
40
are mounted adjacent to the locking pin access slots
36
on both sides of the male insert
38
. Attached along one side of the male insert
38
is a key
42
. Furthermore, located on the end of the male insert
38
is a first male pin receiving port
44
and a second male pin receiving port
46
.
Turning to
FIG. 2
, extending from the first male pin receiving port
44
to the first recess
29
is a first bore
48
. Similarly, although not shown, is a second bore extending from the second male pin receiving port to the second female contact mounting recess. The bottom section
12
includes first chamber
22
, second chamber
24
, third chamber
26
, reinforcement cavity
27
, U-shaped chamber access slots
28
, first recess
29
, access slots
33
, indented portion
66
and lip
50
of pin
40
. Referring now to
FIG. 3
, on the end of each of the holding pins
40
is a lip
50
. Each lip
50
extends outwardly and away from the male insert
38
for the purpose of retention in a mating receptacle.
Referring again to
FIG. 1
, the top cover section
14
has an indented portion
66
which is adapted to accommodate the lock section
16
. During the molding process, the top cover section
14
is connected to the lock section
16
. The lock section
16
has a base
68
and a head
70
which together form a T-shape. On the head
70
of the lock section
16
are two locking pins
72
. Snapping the sections of the squib connector housing
10
together is accomplished by bending the molding runners
52
so that the top cover mounting pins
58
align with the top cover mounting slots.
The lock section
16
is utilized in order to secure the connector to a receptacle by preventing the squib connector holding pins
40
of the bottom section
12
from bending inwardly toward the male insert
38
. When the top cover section
14
is mounted on the bottom section
12
, the locking pins
72
of the lock section
16
are inserted within the access holes
54
of the top cover section
14
. The lock section
16
is then pressed against the top cover section
14
so that the base
68
and the head
70
of the lock section fits within the indented portion
66
of the top cover section. Pressing the lock section
16
onto the top cover section
14
will cause the lock section locking pins
72
to extend through the locking pin access slots
36
of the bottom section
12
. Thus, the locking pins
72
will occupy the space between the male insert
38
and the holding pins
40
. Furthermore, the bending of the locking section
16
onto the top of the top cover section
14
will result in the locking section either bending or breaking from the top cover section
14
in the area of notch
74
.
Once fully assembled, the squib connector housing
10
may be connected to an airbag detonator receptacle by insertion of the male insert
38
. When the male insert
38
is connected, male contact pins from the airbag detonator will extend within the first male pin receiving port
44
and the second male pin receiving port
46
. The male contact pins will form an electrical connection with corresponding female contacts mounted within the bottom section
12
. The connector housing is held within the detonator via the holding pins
40
which are maintained in their locked position via pressure of the locking pins
72
against the holding pins so that lip
50
remains engaged to the walls of the detonator. Use of the locking pins
72
and the head
70
requires a two-step process to secure the connector
10
to the detonator. The holding pins
40
must be inserted in one step and the locking pins
72
inserted in another step. Further, it may be seen that upon insertion of the connector to the receptacle, the lip
50
of the holding pin
40
fictionally engages the opening of the receptacle requiring a high insertion force of the connector into the receptacle.
To address the problems associated with the connectors discussed above, U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,512 provides a connector having a locking mechanism which can be secured to a receptacle in a single motion by applying a low insertion force.
However, problems may arise due to disengagement of the commonly known and used squib connectors from within the receptacle after assembly thereof. If the squib connector is not properly seated or attached in a locked position, the squib connector can easily disengage from the receptacle during use. For example, the vibrations of a moving automotive vehicle can cause a squib connector to disengage that was not properly and fully attached to the receptacle.
A need, therefore exists, to provide a squib connector that effectively eliminates disengagement thereof from a receptacle during use, such as during use as an airbag squib connector of an automotive vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides electronic connectors that include disengagement members which act to ensure that the squib connector is in a locked position within a receptacle after assembly thereof. The electrical connectors of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of different applications, such as those relating to automotive airbag squib connectors. In this regard, the squib connectors of the present invention can be properly attached within mating receptacles in the locked position. This effectively eliminates disengagement of the electrical connector from the receptacle during use.
To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector includes a housing with contacts for electrically connecting to a mating receptacle, a disengagement member attached to the housing and a locking mechanism that engages the housing for securing the electrical connector within the receptacle. The disengagement member acts to disengage the electrical connector from the receptacle unless the locking mechanism is in a locked position.
In another embodiment, an airbag squib connector is provided. The airbag squib connector includes a housing with contacts for electrically connecting within a mating receptacle; a locking mechanism that includes a latch member having a deflector pin and a locking member wherein the; locking mechanism slidably engages the housing for securing the housing within the receptacle in a locked position; and a disengagement member attached to the housing that compresses against the receptacle when the squib connector is secured within the receptacle wherein the disengagement member disengages the squib connector from the receptacle unless the locking mechanism is in the locked position.
In yet another embodiment, a method of securing an electrical connector within a receptacle is provided. The method includes the steps of providing the electrical connector with a locking mechanism and a disengagement member; inserting the electrical connector into the receptacle; an
Figueroa Felix O
Methode Electronics Inc.
Seyfarth Shaw
LandOfFree
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