Orientationless squib connector assembly

• US 20030082949A1
• Filed: 10/25/2001
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Rahman, Sheikh Habibur, Parrish, Jeffrey David, Rhein, David James
• Granted Patent: US 6,609,931 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/17 with spring member on the pin
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement

Abstract

A squib connector assembly comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis and a tip; a female contact disposed within the tip of said housing for mating engagement with a male contact in a mating squib socket; and a ground contact having at least one resilient spring beam disposed on an external surface of the tip of said housing.

Claims

1. A squib connector assembly comprising:

a) a housing having a longitudinal axis and a tip;

b) a female contact disposed within the tip of said housing for mating engagement with a male contact; and

c) a ground contact comprising at least one resilient spring beam disposed on an external surface of the tip of said housing.

2. The squib connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one spring beam is disposed for ground contact at a location transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

3. The squib connector of claim 2, wherein the at least one spring beam is position for ground contact along a plane spaced from and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

4. The squib connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one spring beam is position for ground contact along a plane spaced from and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

5. The squib connector of claim 1, wherein the ground contact comprises a substantially cylindrical cage having a plurality of spring beams disposed in spaced relation and defining a circumference of said cage.

6. The squib connector of claim 1, wherein the ground contact comprises a single spring beam.

7. The squib connector of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing secured together.

8. The squib connector of claim 7, wherein the upper and lower housings are secured together by latching means formed integral with the upper and lower housings.

9. The squib connector of claim 1, further comprising a ferrite block disposed within said housing, said ferrite block being disposed around a portion of a pair of electrical wires, each electrical wire being electrically and mechanically attached to a respective one of said female contact and ground contact.

10. The squib connector of claim 9, wherein the pair of electrical wires are disposed along the longitudinal axis of the housing.

11. The squib connector of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises an upper housing, a lower housing and a nose body partially disposed between said upper housing and said lower housing, wherein a portion of the nose body extends beyond the housing and comprises said tip.

12. The squib connector of claim 1, said housing comprising latching ears disposed on external surfaces of the housing, said latching ears comprising means for securing the connector in a squib socket.