Electrical connection apparatus and method for an airbag inflator
First Claim
1. An initiation assembly for a pyrotechnic device, the initiation assembly comprising:
- an initiator that ignites in response to receipt of an activation signal; and
a retainer coupled to the initiator, the retainer comprising at least three splines shaped to mate with at least one rib of a connector such that the connector is engageable with the retainer in at least three orientations to enable conveyance of the activation signal from the connector to the initiator, wherein the splines and the rib mesh to prevent rotation of the connector between the orientations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag module has an inflator activated via an electrical connector. The inflator includes an initiation assembly having an initiator and a receptacle that retains the connector. The initiator may have a single, center pin. The initiator may be encased by a body and cover, which may be attached together by molding, vibratory welding, electromagnetic welding, or snap fitting. The connector may have projections that extend from a main body to facilitate retention of the connector by a collar, washer, a retainer attached to the body, or by the inflator housing. The body may be seated in a collar having an annular ridge that presses into the body to form a seal. The connector may have a rib designed to mesh with splines of the receptacle to enable engagement of the connector with the receptacle in multiple orientations, while preventing relative rotation between the connector and the initiator after assembly.
38 Citations
44 Claims
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1. An initiation assembly for a pyrotechnic device, the initiation assembly comprising:
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an initiator that ignites in response to receipt of an activation signal; and a retainer coupled to the initiator, the retainer comprising at least three splines shaped to mate with at least one rib of a connector such that the connector is engageable with the retainer in at least three orientations to enable conveyance of the activation signal from the connector to the initiator, wherein the splines and the rib mesh to prevent rotation of the connector between the orientations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An initiation assembly for a pyrotechnic device, the initiation assembly comprising:
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an initiator that ignites in response to receipt of an activation signal; a body that encircles at least a portion of the initiator; and a retainer integrally formed with the body, the retainer comprising at least three splines shaped to mate with at least one rib of a connector such that the connector is engageable with the retainer in at least three orientations to enable conveyance of the activation signal from the connector to the initiator, wherein the splines and the rib mesh to prevent rotation of the connector between the orientations. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. An inflation assembly for an airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the inflation assembly comprising:
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a connector that delivers an electric activation signal; and an inflator comprising a receptacle shaped to receive the connector in any of at least three orientations in a manner that prevents rotation of the connector between the orientations to enable conveyance of the activation signal from the connector to the inflator, wherein the inflator produces inflation gas in response to receipt of the activation signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An inflator for an airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from impact, the inflator comprising:
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a housing; an initiator disposed at least partially within the housing, wherein the initiator ignites in response to receipt of an activation signal; and a retainer coupled to the initiator, the retainer comprising at least three splines shaped to mate with at least one rib of a connector such that the connector is engageable with the retainer in at least three orientations to enable conveyance of the activation signal from the connector to the initiator, wherein the splines and the rib mesh to prevent rotation of the connector between the orientations. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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Specification