Electrical connector locking system
First Claim
1. An electrical connector locking system for coupling an initiator of an airbag assembly to an electrical connector that is connected to the circuitry of a vehicle containing the airbag assembly, the locking system comprising:
- an initiator base having a pair of radially opposed legs extending axially in the same direction therefrom and having a plurality of male electrical terminals extending axially therethrough and being positioned between said legs, each of said legs having on a radially inward surface of said legs a radially inwardly protruding ramp element, each of said protruding ramp elements formed by two converging tapered surfaces tapered radially inwardly and converging together;
an electrical connector comprising a base and an insertion end joined by a projecting portion adapted to be received by the initiator base, a plurality of female electrical terminals housed in said projecting portion of said connector, said female terminals adapted to mate with the male electrical terminals extending from said initiator base, said electrical connector having, on a radially outward surface of said projecting portion, a pair of radially inwardly extending notches, each of said notches formed by two converging tapered surfaces tapered inwardly from said radially outward surface, each of said notches being substantially complementary in shape to the protruding ramp elements on the legs of said initiator base, each of said notches meshing with and engaging one of said protruding ramp elements on one of said legs of said initiator base for locking said connector on said initiator base, said projecting portion tapers radially inwardly from said notches toward the insertion end of the electrical connector to provide a radially inwardly tapered insertion surface.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An initiator of an airbag assembly is coupled to an electrical connector that is connected to sensor circuitry of a vehicle containing the airbag assembly. A locking relationship is provided between the electrical connector and the initiator base having a pair of legs extending therefrom and having a plurality of male electrical terminals being positioned between the legs. Each of the legs has a radially inward protruding element having two tapered surfaces forming a ramp on each of the legs. The electrical connector has a plurality of female electrical terminals housed therein which mate with the male electrical terminals extending from the initiator base. The electrical connector also has radially inwardly extending notches positioned in the electrical connector, which notches are adapted to mesh essentially complementarily with and engage the protruding elements on the legs of the initiator base for locking the connector on the initiator base. The geometry of the locking relationship provides a retention or removal force substantially greater than the insertion force in mounting the electrical connector on the initiator base.
43 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An electrical connector locking system for coupling an initiator of an airbag assembly to an electrical connector that is connected to the circuitry of a vehicle containing the airbag assembly, the locking system comprising:
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an initiator base having a pair of radially opposed legs extending axially in the same direction therefrom and having a plurality of male electrical terminals extending axially therethrough and being positioned between said legs, each of said legs having on a radially inward surface of said legs a radially inwardly protruding ramp element, each of said protruding ramp elements formed by two converging tapered surfaces tapered radially inwardly and converging together; an electrical connector comprising a base and an insertion end joined by a projecting portion adapted to be received by the initiator base, a plurality of female electrical terminals housed in said projecting portion of said connector, said female terminals adapted to mate with the male electrical terminals extending from said initiator base, said electrical connector having, on a radially outward surface of said projecting portion, a pair of radially inwardly extending notches, each of said notches formed by two converging tapered surfaces tapered inwardly from said radially outward surface, each of said notches being substantially complementary in shape to the protruding ramp elements on the legs of said initiator base, each of said notches meshing with and engaging one of said protruding ramp elements on one of said legs of said initiator base for locking said connector on said initiator base, said projecting portion tapers radially inwardly from said notches toward the insertion end of the electrical connector to provide a radially inwardly tapered insertion surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification