Electric connector

• US 5,586,902 A
• Filed: 05/24/1994
• Issued: 12/24/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
• Original Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
• Inventors: Steinhardt, Helmut, Hopf, Gustav
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US08/247,998
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 439/188, 439/352, 439/677, 439/680, 439/685, 439/689, 439/694, 439/620
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/703 operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling partH01R13/71 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7197 with filters integral with or fitted onto contacts, e.g. tubular filters

Abstract

An electric connector, in particular between a generator and an electronic controller for inflatable motor vehicle airbags, with a connector housing for housing contact tubes with leads. In the coupling position, the connector housing lifts a jumper, disposed in a receptacle for the generator-sided plug pins, from the plug pins. To simplify the assembly and mount the connector reliably on the generator, the connector housing (1) has an assembly opening (2) which can be closed by a cover member (11) which is slidable over the assembly opening (2) and can be retained on the connector housing (1) by a pin (16), arranged in front of the cover member in the push-on direction. Guide elements (12, 13, 14, 15) are attached to the front and rear regions of the longitudinal sides, and which can be arrested at the connector housing (1) in a preclick-stop position and click-stop position by shoulders (21) on the longitudinal sides, and strip-shaped extensions (18), which reach in the click-stop position as the blocking element behind hook-shaped spring elements (19, 20), which are attached to the connector housing (1) and engage with recesses (24) of the generator (29), and prevent a return swing of the spring elements.

Claims

1. Electric connector between a generator and an electronic controller for housing socket inflatable motor vehicle airbags, said connector comprising a housing for contact tubes with leads, wherein said housing in a coupling position lifts a jumper, disposed in a receptacle for generator-sided plug pins, from said plug pins, said housing further comprising hook-shaped spring elements attached to said housing, and engaging with recesses in said generator, said connector being provided with a cover member having strip-shaped extensions, constituting a click-stop position blocking said hook-shaped spring elements, wherein the connector housing has an assembly opening closed by a cover member retained on said housing by a pin arranged in front of said cover member in a push-on direction, and by guide elements, attached to front and rear regions of longitudinal sides of said cover member, said cover member being slidable over said assembly opening of said housing in a direction parallel to an upper surface of said connector, from a preclick-stop position to said click-stop position by means of projections provided on said longitudinal sides.

2. Connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector housing carries an electric attenuating element surrounding leads to socket contact tubes.

3. Connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electric attenuating element is made of a ferrite material, for electrical or magnetic fields that build up in the region of said leads.

4. Connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide elements are constituted by strips or ribs or wedge elements.

5. Connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle containing said jumper is a tube receiving a plug extension that is stationary in the connector housing.

6. Connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plug extension has a groove-shaped recess, which together with a shoulder rigidly attached to the tube forms a coding between the connector housing and the tube.

7. Electric connector between a generator and an electronic controller for inflatable motor vehicle airbags, said connector comprising a housing for contact tubes with leads, wherein said housing in a coupling position lifts a jumper, disposed in a receptacle for generator-sided plug pins, from said plug pins, said housing further comprising hook-shaped spring elements attached to said housing, and engaging with recesses in said generator, said connector being provided with a cover member having strip-shaped extensions, constituting a click-stop position blocking said hook-shaped spring elements, wherein the connector housing has an assembly opening closed by a cover member retained on said housing by a pin arranged in front of said cover member in a push-on direction, and by guide elements, attached to front and rear regions of longitudinal sides of said cover member, said cover member being slidable over said assembly opening of said housing in a direction parallel to an upper surface of said connector, from a preclick-stop position to said click-stop position by means of projections provided on said longitudinal sides, wherein the projections are wedge-shaped and can be slid into successive sawtooth recesses, respectively forming preclick-stop and click-stop positions in the push-on direction of the cover member in the connector housing.