Electrical plug connector

• US 6,866,534 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2003
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Amphenol-Tuchel Electronics Gesellschaft Mit Beschrã¤Nkter Haftung (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Amphenol-Tuchel Electronics Gesellschaft Mit Beschrã¤Nkter Haftung (Amphenol Corporation)
• Inventors: Hirschmann, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, HIEN D
• Application Number:
  US10/462,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20040127087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 439/352, 439/488, 439/489, 439/188, 439/357, 439/358
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/08 Short-circuiting members for bridging contacts in a counterpart

Abstract

The invention concerns an electrical plug connector, in particular for use between a receptacle (ignitor) and an electrical control device for a restraint system in motor vehicles, by way of example an air bag.

Claims

1. Electrical plug connector, in particular for use between a receptacle (ignitor) and an electrical control device for a restraint system in motor vehicles, with the following features:

a housing for receiving electrically connected contact elements for contacting corresponding contact parts of the receptacle,

spring-acting catch arms on the housing for making the housing fastened to the receptacle;

a locking element with discrete locking arms which extend from a base portion of the locking element, the locking arms are configured such that the locking arms secure the catch arms against release when the housing is in a locked position with respect to the receptacle; and

spring arms that extend from the base portion in the same direction as the locking elements, the spring arms are positioned on both sides of the spring-acting catch arms and the locking arms such that in a preassembled starting position the spring arms rest against the housing in the plug direction and the housing can be plugged into the receptacle through pressure on the locking element but shortly before reaching the locking position with respect to the receptacle the spring arms are released from the preassembled starting position again through running up onto an interior surface of the receptacle.

2. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the spring arms in unloaded condition run at an angle to the base portion not equal to 90°

.

3. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the spring arms run at a distance to the catch arms.

4. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the spring arms are configured on respective exterior surfaces turned towards the receptacle with a bead-like depression.

5. Plug connector according to claim 4 in which the bead-like depression has a base surface which runs perpendicular to a direction of movement of the catch arms.

6. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which free ends of the spring arms are configured on the outside with an oblique surface.

7. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the spring arms extend from opposite sections of the base portion.

8. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the distance of opposite spring arms in unloaded condition at their free ends is greater than in an area of the base portion.

9. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the spring arms are configured such that upon releasing from the preassembled starting position the spring arms move in a direction towards the locking arms.

10. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the locking arms extend from opposite sections of the base portion.

11. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which at least one locking arm has a length such that in the locked position of housing and receptacle, the at least one locking arm presents a shunt between the contact parts and contact elements.