Electrical connection apparatus and method for an airbag inflator
US7004778B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 7, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/5841
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.