Apparatus for the cutting of an electrical conductor

• US 20070066103A1
• Filed: 09/21/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Albrecht, Uwe, Brede, Uwe
• Granted Patent: US 7,518,483 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/152
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 39/006 Opening by severing a conductor

Abstract

An apparatus for the cutting of an electrical conductor has an electrical conductor arranged in a housing, a pyrotechnic drive and a cutting device. After the triggering of the drive, the cutting device enters into engagement with the conductor to cut it.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the cutting of an electrical conductor comprising

an electrical conductor arranged in a housing and having a section comprising a hollow conductor having an interior;

a pyrotechnic drive; and

a cutting device,

wherein, after the triggering of the pyrotechnic drive, the cutting device enters into engagement with the interior of the hollow conductor in the region of the section to cut said hollow conductor.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the hollow conductor is a sleeve form in the section;

and in that the cutting device enters into engagement with the conductor substantially along the total inner periphery of the sleeve after the triggering of the drive.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the cutting device comprises a piston that diverges conically and a spreading sleeve.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the hollow conductor includes slits, and the spreading sleeve includes slits that coincide with the slits in the hollow conductor.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the cutting device comprises a piston separable from the pyrotechnic drive.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus has a generally tubular shape and comprises connection means for cables at ends thereof, wherein the connection means comprises eyelets or crimp elements.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the housing defines a reception space for segments of the hollow conductor after the cutting has taken place.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the conductor is a stamped part shaped at least sectionally to form a sleeve.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the stamped part has a plurality of sections which are interconnectable in a shape matched manner and are made complementary to one another.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the housing comprises a ring-shaped shearing edge.