Orientationless squib connector assembly for automotive air bag assemblies

• US 6,276,953 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1998
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Rhein, David J., Gauker, Bradford K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Son V.
• Application Number:
  US09/197,748
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 439/352, 439/353, 439/675, 439/555, 439/557, 439/483, 439/552, 439/188, 200/51.1
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7032 making use of a separate bridging element directly cooperating with the terminals

Abstract

An orientation less squib connector for an automotive air bag assembly is disclosed. The squib connector includes a connector configured to fit within a squib socket. A connector position assurance member (CPA) is mounted on the connector body for movement between an open position and a closed position. The CPA includes an abutment member positioned to abut against a portion of the connector body to prevent movement of the connector position assurance member out of the open position. The CPA also includes a flexural member configured to abut against the socket to deflect the flexural member and the abutment member out of abutment with the portion of the connector body, whereby the connector position assurance member is movable to the closed position to prevent removal of the connector from the socket.

Claims

1. An orientationless squib connector for an automotive air bag assembly, the squib connector comprising:

a connector body having a cylindrical portion, defining a central axis, configured to fit in mating engagement within a squib socket, a first electrically conductive terminal symmetrically located around the central axis within the cylindrical portion, and a second electrically conductive terminal radially offset from the first electrically conductive terminal with respect to the central axis and comprising a depending beam having a contacting surface at a free end thereof;

a cover fixed to the connector body;

one of the connector body or the cover further including a lockout portion; and

a connector position assurance member mounted on the connector body for movement between an open position and a closed position, the connector position assurance member further including an abutment member positioned to abut against the lockout portion of one of the connector body or the cover to prevent movement of the connector position assurance member out of the open position, one of the abutment member and the lockout portion configured to be deflectable upon insertion of the connector body into a socket to move the abutment member out of abutment with the lockout portion, whereby the connector position assurance member is movable to the closed position.

2. The orientationless squib connector of claim 1, wherein the connector body further includes a latching arm having a catch thereon disposed to fit within a groove of the socket.

3. The orientationless squib connector of claim 2, wherein the connector position assurance member includes a member disposed to fit between the latching arm and the connector body when the connector position assurance member is in the closed position.

4. The orientationless squib connector of claim 2, wherein the catch on the latching arm is disposed to fit in an external groove of the socket.

5. The orientationless squib connector of claim 2, wherein the catch on the latching arm is disposed to fit in an internal groove of the socket.

6. The orientationless squib connector of claim 1, further comprising an electrically conducting member movable between a first position, in which the electrically conducting member provides an electrical short between the first terminal and the second terminal, and a second position, in which the electrically conducting member is out of electrical contact with one of the first terminal and the second terminal.

7. The orientationless squib connector of claim 6, wherein the electrically conducting member comprises a flexural beam extending from the second terminal to the first terminal.

8. The orientationless squib connector of claim 7, wherein the first terminal further includes a pad area disposed to contact the flexural beam.

9. The orientationless squib connector of claim 7, wherein the connector position assurance member further includes an arm disposed to hold the flexural beam out of contact with the first terminal when the connector position assurance member is in the closed position.

10. The orientationless squib connector of claim 1, wherein the abutment member comprises an arm mounted to the connector position assurance member, and the lockout portion comprises a deflectable beam mounted to the connector body in a location to contact a surface of the socket upon insertion of the connector body into the socket to deflect the lockout portion out of contact with the abutment member.

11. The orientationless squib connector of claim 1, wherein the abutment member comprises a catch mounted on an underside of a flexural member of the connector position assurance member.

12. The orientationless squib connector of claim 11, further comprising an arm depending from the flexural member of the connector position assurance member and disposed to contact a surface of the socket upon insertion of the connector body into the socket to deflect the flexural member upwardly.

13. The orientationless squib connector of claim 12, wherein the lockout portion comprises a notch in the cover.

14. The orientationless squib connector of claim 1, wherein the connector position assurance member further includes a protrusion and the cover further includes a first depression sized to receive the protrusion in the open position and a second depression sized to receive the protrusion in the closed position.

15. The orientationless squib connector of claim 14, wherein the protrusion and the first and second depressions are further sized to provide an audible click upon movement of the protrusion into either of the first or second depressions.

16. The orientationless squib connector of claim 14, wherein the first and second protrusions are located to limit travel of the connector position assurance member between the open position and the closed position.