Sealable electrical connector for an airbag sensor
First Claim
1. An environmentally sealable electrical connector assembly for a sensor including:
- a terminal member having a first end configured to establish electrical communication with the sensor and a second end configured to establish electrical communication with a mating connector;
a grip member configured to support said terminal member so that the second end of the terminal member projects therefrom;
housing member having an interior surface which defines a passageway therethrough, said passageway being open at a first end and at a second end of the housing, a first length of said passageway having a first circumference and a second length of said passageway having a second circumference greater than said first circumference, said second length defining a seal retaining region of said interior surface, said seal retaining region including an undercut edge at the junction of the first and second length;
an elastomeric ring seal having an interior circumference which corresponds generally to the first circumference of the passageway and an exterior circumference which corresponds generally to the second circumference of the passageway, said ring seal including a first edge configured to engage, and be retained by, the undercut edge;
wherein the first end of said housing is configured to be fastened to, and closed by, the grip member so that the second end of said terminal member projects into the interior passage of the housing.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sealable electrical connector includes a housing having a passage therethrough which is open at both ends. A portion of the length of the passage defines a seal retaining region and includes an undercut edge. The seal retaining region receives an elastomeric seal ring which engages, and is retained by the undercut edge. A grip member which includes projecting electrical contacts is affixed to one end of the housing so as to seal the passage, to further retain the seal ring therein and to support the electrical terminal into the passageway. When a mating connector is inserted into the passageway for contact with the terminal therein, the sealing ring provides a sliding, seal with the mating connector against environmental conditions. Also disclosed is an improved ring seal providing uniform resistance to the insertion of a mating connector. Also disclosed is a sensor assembly including first and second bracket members which coact to mount the sensor in a sensor housing in a first interrelationship in which the sensor axis is generally perpendicular to the mounting plane of the housing or, alternatively, in a second interrelationship in which the sensor axis is generally parallel to the mounting plane.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. An environmentally sealable electrical connector assembly for a sensor including:
-
a terminal member having a first end configured to establish electrical communication with the sensor and a second end configured to establish electrical communication with a mating connector; a grip member configured to support said terminal member so that the second end of the terminal member projects therefrom; housing member having an interior surface which defines a passageway therethrough, said passageway being open at a first end and at a second end of the housing, a first length of said passageway having a first circumference and a second length of said passageway having a second circumference greater than said first circumference, said second length defining a seal retaining region of said interior surface, said seal retaining region including an undercut edge at the junction of the first and second length; an elastomeric ring seal having an interior circumference which corresponds generally to the first circumference of the passageway and an exterior circumference which corresponds generally to the second circumference of the passageway, said ring seal including a first edge configured to engage, and be retained by, the undercut edge; wherein the first end of said housing is configured to be fastened to, and closed by, the grip member so that the second end of said terminal member projects into the interior passage of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An environmentally sealable airbag sensor assembly comprising:
-
accelerometer having a pair of electrical connectors associated therewith; a first and a second terminal member, each having a first end configured to establish electrical communication with one of the pair of electrical connectors on the accelerometer and a second end configured to establish electrical communication with a mating connector; a grip member having a retainer portion operative to support the accelerometer, said grip member further including a closure plate configured to support said terminal members so that they project therefrom; a housing member including an interior surface which defines a generally elongated passageway therethrough, said passageway being open at a first end and at a second end of the housing, a first length of the passageway having a first circumference and a second length of the passageway having a second circumference greater than the first circumference, the second length defining a seal retaining region of the interior surface which adjoins the first end of the housing, the seal retaining region including an undercut edge at the junction of the first and second lengths; an elastomeric ring seal having an interior circumference which corresponds generally to the first circumference of the passageway and an exterior circumference which corresponds generally to the second circumference of the passageway, the ring seal including a first edge configured to engage and be retained by the undercut edge; wherein the first end of the housing is attached to the closure plate of the grip member so that the plate closes the first end of the housing and the terminals project into the passageway.
-
-
15. An environmentally sealable electrical connector assembly for a sensor including a terminal member having a first end configured to establish electrical communication with the sensor and a second end configured to establish electrical communication with a mating connector;
-
a grip member adapted to grip the sensor and configured to support said terminal member so that the second end of the terminal member projects therefrom; a housing member having an axial passageway extending therethrough and secured to said grip member with said second terminal end projecting into the passageway; and an elastomeric ring seal positioned in the passageway in surrounding relation to the second terminal end, adapted to slidably receive the mating connector, and having an interior circumference defining a series of first axially spaced transversely extending ridge sections disposed at one circumferential location and a corresponding series of second axially spaced transversely extending ridge sections disposed at a diametrically opposed circumferential location and axially staggered with respect to the first ridge sections. - View Dependent Claims (16)
-
- 17. An elastomeric ring seal having a central axis and having an interior circumference defining a series of first axially spaced transversely extending ridge sections disposed at one circumferential location and a corresponding series of second axially spaced, transversely extending ridge sections disposed at a diametrically opposed circumferential location and axially staggered with respect to the first ridge sections.
-
19. A sensor assembly comprising:
-
a sensor operative to generate an impact signal in response to impact induced movement of a sensor element along a sensor axis; a sensor housing defining a mounting surface lying in a mounting plane; and first and second bracket members coacting to mount the sensor in the housing and having a first interrelationship in which the sensor axis has a first angular relationship to the mounting plane and a second interrelationship in which the sensor axis has a second, different angular relationship to the mounting plane. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification