EP0949719B1 - Electrical connector for use in an airbag protection of the driver or a passenger in a car - Google Patents

Electrical connector for use in an airbag protection of the driver or a passenger in a car Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0949719B1
EP0949719B1 EP99400593A EP99400593A EP0949719B1 EP 0949719 B1 EP0949719 B1 EP 0949719B1 EP 99400593 A EP99400593 A EP 99400593A EP 99400593 A EP99400593 A EP 99400593A EP 0949719 B1 EP0949719 B1 EP 0949719B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housings
pins
housing
pin
socket
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99400593A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0949719A1 (en
Inventor
Philippe Burguburu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Automobiles Peugeot SA
Automobiles Citroen SA
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Automobiles Peugeot SA
Automobiles Citroen SA
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Publication of EP0949719A1 publication Critical patent/EP0949719A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0949719B1 publication Critical patent/EP0949719B1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
    • H01R13/703—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part
    • H01R13/7031—Shorting, shunting or bussing of different terminals interrupted or effected on engagement of coupling part, e.g. for ESD protection, line continuity
    • H01R13/7032—Shorting, shunting or bussing of different terminals interrupted or effected on engagement of coupling part, e.g. for ESD protection, line continuity making use of a separate bridging element directly cooperating with the terminals

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical connector that can be used in particular in a device for pyrotechnic ignition of an airbag for protecting a driver or passenger of a motor vehicle.
  • the present invention aims to overcome the above disadvantages of known electrical connectors by providing an electrical connector comprising the technical features as set forth in claim 1.
  • the housing comprising the bushing elements comprises a front part, preferably in the form of a spout, for simultaneously lifting the flexible fingers except that associated with the preferred spindle to disengage them from their respective spindles when the spindle of the privileged spindle is in contact with the corresponding socket member.
  • the casing having the socket members is arranged to disengage the prominent shape of the socket member and interrupt the temporary electrical connection between the preferred pin and the socket member when the two casings are at a position at which the pins come into contact. electrical contact with their corresponding socket members.
  • the two housings comprise mutual guiding means when they are plugged in and, preferably, these means comprise a piece forming a slideway integrated into one of the casings and a piece forming a slide integral with the other casing.
  • the electrical connector is advantageously applied to pyrotechnic ignition devices for the triggering of occupant protection airbags of a motor vehicle.
  • the figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector of the invention, the two housings are separated from one another.
  • the figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of the figure 2 .
  • the figure 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of the figure 2 .
  • the figure 5 is a sectional view similar to that of the figure 3 but representing the two connector housings in the fully depressed position one in the other.
  • the figure 6 is a sectional view similar to that of the figure 4 but representing the two connector housings in the fully depressed position one in the other.
  • the figure 7 is a sectional view along line VII-VII of the figure 2 .
  • the electrical connector comprises two housings 1, 2 of insulating material, plug-in one in the other so that the pins 3, of the same length, housed in parallel in the housing 2, engage in electrical contact respectively in elements forming sockets 4 housed in the housing 1 so as to make electrical connections or phases in which can circulate relatively large currents.
  • the electrical connector can be applied to supply a pyrotechnic igniter for automotive airbags or airbags, but it is understood that it can be applied to any other device to be powered. by particularly important currents.
  • the contact pins 3 are electrically connected to the conductive wires 5, while the socket elements are connected to the conductive wires 6.
  • the electrical connector comprises three pairs of pins 3 and socket members 4, whose one at the bottom of the figure 2 is a so-called "privileged" phase, especially of mass, to ensure the protection of personnel against significant electrostatic charges during the handling of the connector.
  • the electrical connector further comprises early connection means arranged to firstly provide a temporary electrical connection preferably of the preferred pin 3 to the corresponding socket member 4 and then interrupt the electrical connection Provisionally when all pins 3 come into electrical contact with their respective socket members 4.
  • a shunt comprising a plurality of flexible conducting fingers 7, in this case three in number, housed in the pin-carrying case 2 and interconnected by a common conductive strip 8 extending transversely to the pins 3 and integral with a portion of the inner wall of the housing 2 defining the receiving opening of the housing 1.
  • Each flexible finger 7 has a convex front portion 7a starting from the conductive strip 8 and ends with a convex free end 7b elastically held in contact on a corresponding pin 3 when the pin housing 2 is separated from the housing 1 as shown in FIGS. Figures 3 and 4 .
  • the figure 3 shows that the front portion 7a of the finger 7 associated with the privileged pin 3 is more strongly convex than the parts prior to the other fingers so as to form a prominent portion that can come into direct contact with the corresponding socket member 4 before the pins 3 are in contact with their respective socket members during the plugging operation of the two housings 1, 2.
  • the housing 1 comprises a front part in the shape of a spout made at the end of the upper wall 1b integral with the housing 1 and delimiting with the lower wall 1c integral with this housing the specific housing of the corresponding socket element 4.
  • This front part 1a makes it possible simultaneously to raise the flexible fingers 7, except the one associated with the privileged pin 3, to disengage them from their respective pins 3 when the finger 7 of the privileged pin 3 is in contact with the corresponding socket element 4.
  • the upper wall secured to the housing 1 delimiting the housing of the sleeve member 4 associated with the preferred pin 3 does not have an upper end portion as shown in FIG. figure 3 or, alternatively, this upper front portion is of extremely small size, so that the finger 7 associated with the preferred pin 3 maintain the electrical contact between this pin and the corresponding socket member over a predetermined distance of depression. housing 1 in the housing 2.
  • the upper walls 1b delimiting the housings of the socket elements 4 each comprise a lug 1d penetrating into an opening 4a of the corresponding socket member 4 so as to retain the latter in its housing.
  • the bottom wall 1c of each housing of a bushing member 4 has a nose-shaped front portion which, together with the beak-shaped front part, also allows the sleeve element 4 to be held in position. his dwelling.
  • one 2 of the housings comprises a slide part 9 integrated in the housing 2 and in which a slider piece 10 integral with the housing can slide.
  • the two casings 1, 2 of the connector are connected by inserting the casing 1 into the casing 2, the relative movements of which are precisely guided by the slider piece 10 and the slider piece 9.
  • the two casings 1 are brought together, 2 first results in the establishment of a first electrical contact between the prominent shape 7a of the finger 7 of the preferred pin 3 and the corresponding socket element 4, this primary electrical connection thus immediately ensuring the flow of static electricity charges.
  • the front portion associated with each sleeve member 4 causes the lifting of the corresponding flexible finger 7 so as to disengage its free end 7b of the corresponding pin 3 and thus interrupt the electrical connection with this pin.
  • the Figures 5 and 6 represent the housing 1 in the fully depressed position in the housing 2 with the pins 3 engaged respectively in the socket elements 4 so as to make quality electrical connections.
  • the figure 5 shows the state occupied by the finger 7 associated with the privileged pin 4 while the figure 6 shows the state occupied by the other two fingers 7 of the other two pins 3.
  • the disconnection operation of the electrical connector takes place in the opposite direction of the aforementioned operation of connection thereof and the preferred phase is actually disconnected last.
  • the electrical connector of the invention thus allows, at the time of its connection, a temporary connection to the phase to be connected first, and then, on all phases, the usual connections, thus ensuring effective protection of personnel performing the connection of the connector.

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Description

La présente invention concerne un connecteur électrique pouvant être utilisé notamment dans un dispositif d'allumage pyrotechnique d'un sac gonflable de protection d'un conducteur ou d'un passager de véhicule automobile.The present invention relates to an electrical connector that can be used in particular in a device for pyrotechnic ignition of an airbag for protecting a driver or passenger of a motor vehicle.

La figure 1 représente un connecteur électrique connu comprenant deux boîtiers 1 et 2 réalisés chacun en un matériau isolant et enfichables l'un dans l'autre de façon que les broches 3, logées dans le boîtier 2 et correspondant chacune à une phase déterminée, s'engagent en contact électrique respectivement dans des éléments formant douilles 4 logés dans le boîtier 1 pour assurer l'alimentation électrique d'un allumeur pyrotechnique destiné à déclencher un sac gonflable de protection ou «airbag» d'un véhicule automobile, les broches 3 étant reliées à des fils conducteurs d'alimentation 5 tandis que les éléments 4 sont reliés à des fils conducteurs 6 de l'allumeur, ou vice-versa.The figure 1 represents a known electrical connector comprising two housings 1 and 2 each made of an insulating material and plug-in one into the other so that the pins 3, housed in the housing 2 and each corresponding to a specific phase, engage in electrical contact respectively in socket elements 4 housed in the housing 1 to provide power to a pyrotechnic igniter for triggering an airbag or airbag of a motor vehicle, the pins 3 being connected to supply leads 5 while the elements 4 are connected to the conductive wires 6 of the igniter, or vice versa.

Dans ce genre de connecteur connu, pour protéger le personnel effectuant le branchement des deux boîtiers du connecteur, il est nécessaire de procéder à un ordre de branchement des phases de liaison électrique en assurant une mise à la masse de l'une des liaisons électriques avant que les autres liaisons ou phases du connecteur soient effectuées. A cet effet, l'une privilégiée des broches de contact 3 (broche de masse) a une longueur supérieure à celle des autres broches de contact 3. Ainsi, lors du rapprochement des deux boîtiers 1, 2, la broche de plus grande longueur 3 atteint la première le corps du boîtier 1 et établit la première liaison électrique avec l'élément formant douille correspondant 4 du boîtier 1, la longueur de cet élément formant douille étant bien entendu également supérieure à la longueur des autres éléments formant douille 4. Ensuite, les autres broches standards 3 du boîtier 2 viennent en contact électrique avec leurs éléments formant douilles correspondants 4 pendant que la broche privilégiée de plus grande longueur 3 continue sa course dans son élément formant douille correspondant 4. Lorsque le boîtier 1 est complètement enfoncé dans le boîtier 2, les liaisons électriques entre les broches 3 et les éléments formant douilles respectifs 4 sont assurées. Lors du débranchement des deux boîtiers 1, 2 du connecteur électrique, les opérations se déroulent en sens inverse à celles mentionnées ci-dessus lors du branchement et la phase privilégiée est effectivement débranchée en dernier.In this type of known connector, to protect the personnel performing the connection of the two housings of the connector, it is necessary to proceed to a connection order of the electrical connection phases by ensuring a grounding of one of the front electrical connections other connections or phases of the connector are made. For this purpose, the preferred one of the contact pins 3 (ground pin) has a length greater than that of the other contact pins 3. Thus, when bringing the two housings 1, 2 together, the longer pin 3 reaches the first the body of the housing 1 and establishes the first electrical connection with the corresponding socket element 4 of the housing 1, the length of this bushing element being of course also greater than the length of the other bushing elements 4. Then, the other standard pins 3 of the housing 2 come into electrical contact with their corresponding bushing elements 4 while the longer preferred pin 3 continues its travel in its corresponding bushing element 4. When the housing 1 is fully depressed in the housing 2, the links Electrical connections between pins 3 and respective socket members 4 are provided. When disconnecting the two housings 1, 2 of the electrical connector, the operations are carried out in the opposite direction to those mentioned above during the connection and the privileged phase is actually disconnected last.

Cependant, cette solution connue présente les inconvénients de nécessiter un connecteur électrique spécial et, de plus, si un courant important est coupé ou établi lors du branchement ou du débranchement des deux boîtiers du connecteur, la partie active de contact de la broche à travers laquelle circule ce courant peut être endommagée par l'arc électrique résultant.However, this known solution has the disadvantages of requiring a special electrical connector and, moreover, if a large current is cut or established when connecting or disconnecting the two housings of the connector, the active contact part of the pin through which circulates this current can be damaged by the resulting electric arc.

DE 29 03 896 décrit un connecteur électrique comprenant deux boîtiers enfichables l'un dans l'autre, un premier boîtier comprenant une série de broches parallèles pouvant s'engager en contact électrique respectivement dans des douilles d'un second boîtier. Ce dernier comprend plusieurs lames élastiques parallèles en contact respectivement avec les douilles lorsque ce boîtier est séparé du premier boîtier, une bande métallique étant mise à la masse ou à un autre potentiel prédéterminé par l'une des lames en contact électrique avec la douille correspondante. DE 29 03 896 discloses an electrical connector comprising two plug-in boxes one inside the other, a first housing comprising a series of parallel pins engageable in electrical contact respectively in sockets of a second housing. The latter comprises a plurality of parallel resilient blades in contact respectively with the sockets when this housing is separated from the first housing, a metal strip being grounded or at another predetermined potential by one of the blades in electrical contact with the corresponding socket.

Lors de l'assemblage l'un dans l'autre des deux boîtiers, des ergots de poussée appartenant à une bride de fixation solidaire latéralement du premier boîtier désengagent élastiquement et simultanément les lames de leur contact avec respectivement les douilles. De la sorte, la connexion à la masse ou à l'autre potentiel prédéterminé est interrompue lorsque les deux boîtiers du connecteur sont assemblés.When assembling one into the other of the two housings, thrust pins belonging to a fastening flange secured laterally of the first housing elastically and simultaneously disengage the blades from their contact with the bushings respectively. In this way, the connection to the ground or to the other predetermined potential is interrupted when the two housings of the connector are assembled.

Ce connecteur électrique connu a pour inconvénient de conduire à une structure extrêmement complexe et coûteuse du fait qu'il nécessite en particulier une bride de fixation solidaire d'une face externe du premier boîtier et pourvue d'ergots nécessaires pour désengager élastiquement les lames de leurs douilles respectives lors de l'enfichage du premier boîtier dans le second boîtier.This known electrical connector has the disadvantage of leading to an extremely complex and expensive structure because it requires in particular a fastening flange integral with an outer face of the first housing and provided with pins necessary to elastically disengage the blades of their respective bushings when inserting the first housing into the second housing.

La présente invention a pour but de palier aux inconvénients ci-dessus des connecteurs électriques connus en proposant un connecteur électrique comprenant les caractéristiques techniques telles qu'énoncées dans la revendication 1.The present invention aims to overcome the above disadvantages of known electrical connectors by providing an electrical connector comprising the technical features as set forth in claim 1.

De préférence, les moyens de mise en liaison anticipée comprennent plusieurs doigts flexibles conducteurs reliés entre eux et logés dans le boîtier porte-broches de façon que les extrémités libres des doigts flexibles soient en contact respectivement avec les broches lorsque le boîtier porte-broches est séparé de l'autre boîtier et le doigt flexible associé à la broche privilégiée comporte, à sa partie antérieure opposée à son extrémité libre, une forme proéminente apte à venir directement en contact avec l'élément formant douille correspondant avant que les broches soient en contact avec leurs éléments formant douilles respectifs.Preferably, the early linking means comprise a plurality of flexible conductive fingers interconnected and housed in the pin housing so that the free ends of the flexible fingers contact the pins respectively when the pin housing is separated. the other housing and the flexible finger associated with the privileged pin has, at its front portion opposite its free end, a prominent shape adapted to come into direct contact with the forming element corresponding bushing before the pins are in contact with their respective bushing members.

Avantageusement, le boîtier comportant les éléments formant douilles comprend une partie frontale, de préférence en forme de bec, permettant de soulever simultanément les doigts flexibles sauf celui associé à la broche privilégiée pour les désengager de leurs broches respectives lorsque le doigt de la broche privilégiée est en contact avec l'élément formant douille correspondant.Advantageously, the housing comprising the bushing elements comprises a front part, preferably in the form of a spout, for simultaneously lifting the flexible fingers except that associated with the preferred spindle to disengage them from their respective spindles when the spindle of the privileged spindle is in contact with the corresponding socket member.

Le boîtier comportant les éléments formant douilles est agencé pour désengager la forme proéminente de l'élément formant douille et interrompre la liaison électrique provisoire entre la broche privilégiée et l'élément formant douille lorsque les deux boîtiers sont à une position à laquelle les broches viennent en contact électrique avec leurs éléments formant douilles correspondants.The casing having the socket members is arranged to disengage the prominent shape of the socket member and interrupt the temporary electrical connection between the preferred pin and the socket member when the two casings are at a position at which the pins come into contact. electrical contact with their corresponding socket members.

Les deux boîtiers comprennent des moyens de guidage mutuel lors de leur enfichage et, de préférence, ces moyens comprennent une pièce formant glissière intégrée à l'un des boîtiers et une pièce formant coulisseau solidaire de l'autre boîtier.The two housings comprise mutual guiding means when they are plugged in and, preferably, these means comprise a piece forming a slideway integrated into one of the casings and a piece forming a slide integral with the other casing.

Le connecteur électrique s'applique avantageusement à des dispositifs d'allumage pyrotechnique pour le déclenchement de sacs gonflables de protection d'occupants d'un véhicule automobile.The electrical connector is advantageously applied to pyrotechnic ignition devices for the triggering of occupant protection airbags of a motor vehicle.

L'invention sera mieux comprise et d'autres buts, caractéristiques, détails et avantages de celle-ci apparaîtront plus clairement dans la description explicative qui va suivre faite en référence aux dessins schématiques annexés donnés uniquement à titre d'exemple illustrant un mode de réalisation de l'invention et dans lesquels :The invention will be better understood and other objects, characteristics, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the explanatory description which follows, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings given solely by way of example illustrating an embodiment. of the invention and in which:

La figure 1 représente une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un connecteur électrique de l'art antérieur, dont les deux boîtiers sont séparés l'un de l'autre.The figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrical connector of the prior art, the two housings are separated from one another.

La figure 2 représente une vue en coupe longitudinale du connecteur électrique de l'invention, dont les deux boîtiers sont séparés l'un de l'autre.The figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector of the invention, the two housings are separated from one another.

La figure 3 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 2.The figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of the figure 2 .

La figure 4 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 2.The figure 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of the figure 2 .

La figure 5 est une vue en coupe semblable à celle de la figure 3, mais représentant les deux boîtiers du connecteur en position complètement enfoncée l'un dans l'autre.The figure 5 is a sectional view similar to that of the figure 3 but representing the two connector housings in the fully depressed position one in the other.

La figure 6 est une vue en coupe semblable à celle de la figure 4, mais représentant les deux boîtiers du connecteur en position complètement enfoncée l'un dans l'autre.The figure 6 is a sectional view similar to that of the figure 4 but representing the two connector housings in the fully depressed position one in the other.

La figure 7 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne VII-VII de la figure 2.The figure 7 is a sectional view along line VII-VII of the figure 2 .

En se reportant aux figures 3 à 7, le connecteur électrique comprend deux boîtiers 1, 2 en matière isolante, enfichables l'un dans l'autre de façon que les broches 3, de même longueur, logées parallèlement dans le boîtier 2, s'engagent en contact électrique respectivement dans des éléments formant douilles 4 logés dans le boîtier 1 de façon à réaliser des liaisons électriques ou phases dans lesquelles peuvent circuler des courants relativement importants.Referring to Figures 3 to 7 , the electrical connector comprises two housings 1, 2 of insulating material, plug-in one in the other so that the pins 3, of the same length, housed in parallel in the housing 2, engage in electrical contact respectively in elements forming sockets 4 housed in the housing 1 so as to make electrical connections or phases in which can circulate relatively large currents.

Le connecteur électrique peut s'appliquer pour assurer l'alimentation d'un allumeur pyrotechnique pour des sacs gonflables de protection ou «airbags» de véhicules automobiles, mais il est bien entendu qu'elle peut s'appliquer à tout autre dispositif devant être alimenté par des courants notamment importants.The electrical connector can be applied to supply a pyrotechnic igniter for automotive airbags or airbags, but it is understood that it can be applied to any other device to be powered. by particularly important currents.

Les broches de contact 3 sont reliées électriquement à des fils conducteurs 5, tandis que les éléments formant douilles sont reliés à des fils conducteurs 6. Comme représenté, le connecteur électrique comporte trois paires de broches 3 et éléments formant douilles 4, dont l'une située en bas par rapport à la figure 2 constitue une phase dite «privilégiée», notamment de masse, pour assurer la protection du personnel contre des charges électrostatiques importantes lors de la manipulation du connecteur.The contact pins 3 are electrically connected to the conductive wires 5, while the socket elements are connected to the conductive wires 6. As shown, the electrical connector comprises three pairs of pins 3 and socket members 4, whose one at the bottom of the figure 2 is a so-called "privileged" phase, especially of mass, to ensure the protection of personnel against significant electrostatic charges during the handling of the connector.

Selon l'invention, le connecteur électrique comprend en outre des moyens de mise en liaison anticipée agencés pour assurer tout d'abord une liaison électrique provisoire de préférence de la broche privilégiée 3 à l'élément formant douille correspondant 4 et ensuite interrompre la liaison électrique provisoire lorsque toutes les broches 3 viennent en contact électrique avec leurs éléments formant douilles respectifs 4.According to the invention, the electrical connector further comprises early connection means arranged to firstly provide a temporary electrical connection preferably of the preferred pin 3 to the corresponding socket member 4 and then interrupt the electrical connection Provisionally when all pins 3 come into electrical contact with their respective socket members 4.

Ces moyens font partie d'un shunt comprenant plusieurs doigts flexibles conducteurs 7, dans le cas présent au nombre de trois, logés dans le boîtier porte-broches 2 et reliés entre eux par une lamelle conductrice commune 8 s'étendant transversalement aux broches 3 et solidaire d'une partie de la paroi interne du boîtier 2 délimitant l'ouverture de réception du boîtier 1. Chaque doigt flexible 7 présente une partie antérieure convexe 7a partant de la lamelle conductrice 8 et se termine par une extrémité libre convexe 7b maintenue élastiquement en contact sur une broche correspondante 3 lorsque le boîtier porte-broches 2 est séparé du boîtier 1 comme représenté aux figures 3 et 4. La figure 3 montre que la partie antérieure 7a du doigt 7 associée à la broche privilégiée 3 est plus fortement convexe que les parties antérieures des autres doigts de façon à former une partie proéminente pouvant venir directement en contact avec l'élément formant douille correspondant 4 avant que les broches 3 soient en contact avec leurs éléments formant douilles respectifs pendant l'opération d'enfichage des deux boîtiers 1, 2.These means are part of a shunt comprising a plurality of flexible conducting fingers 7, in this case three in number, housed in the pin-carrying case 2 and interconnected by a common conductive strip 8 extending transversely to the pins 3 and integral with a portion of the inner wall of the housing 2 defining the receiving opening of the housing 1. Each flexible finger 7 has a convex front portion 7a starting from the conductive strip 8 and ends with a convex free end 7b elastically held in contact on a corresponding pin 3 when the pin housing 2 is separated from the housing 1 as shown in FIGS. Figures 3 and 4 . The figure 3 shows that the front portion 7a of the finger 7 associated with the privileged pin 3 is more strongly convex than the parts prior to the other fingers so as to form a prominent portion that can come into direct contact with the corresponding socket member 4 before the pins 3 are in contact with their respective socket members during the plugging operation of the two housings 1, 2.

Le boîtier 1 comporte une partie frontale en forme de bec la réalisée en bout de la paroi supérieure 1b solidaire du boîtier 1 et délimitant avec la paroi inférieure 1c solidaire de ce boîtier le logement spécifique de l'élément formant douille correspondant 4. Cette partie frontale 1a permet de soulever simultanément les doigts flexibles 7, sauf celui associé à la broche privilégiée 3, pour les désengager de leurs broches respectives 3 lorsque le doigt 7 de la broche privilégiée 3 est en contact avec l'élément formant douille correspondant 4. Par contre, la paroi supérieure solidaire du boîtier 1 délimitant le logement de l'élément formant douille 4 associé à la broche privilégiée 3 ne comporte pas de partie frontale supérieure comme représenté en figure 3 ou, selon une variante, cette partie frontale supérieure est de dimension extrêmement réduite, de façon que le doigt 7 associé à la broche privilégiée 3 maintienne le contact électrique entre cette broche et l'élément formant douille correspondant sur une distance prédéterminée d'enfoncement du boîtier 1 dans le boîtier 2.The housing 1 comprises a front part in the shape of a spout made at the end of the upper wall 1b integral with the housing 1 and delimiting with the lower wall 1c integral with this housing the specific housing of the corresponding socket element 4. This front part 1a makes it possible simultaneously to raise the flexible fingers 7, except the one associated with the privileged pin 3, to disengage them from their respective pins 3 when the finger 7 of the privileged pin 3 is in contact with the corresponding socket element 4. , the upper wall secured to the housing 1 delimiting the housing of the sleeve member 4 associated with the preferred pin 3 does not have an upper end portion as shown in FIG. figure 3 or, alternatively, this upper front portion is of extremely small size, so that the finger 7 associated with the preferred pin 3 maintain the electrical contact between this pin and the corresponding socket member over a predetermined distance of depression. housing 1 in the housing 2.

Les parois supérieures 1b délimitant les logements des éléments formant douilles 4 comprennent chacune un ergot 1d pénétrant dans une ouverture 4a de l'élément formant douille correspondant 4 de façon à retenir ce dernier dans son logement. De plus, la paroi inférieure lc de chaque logement d'un élément formant douille 4 comporte une partie frontale en forme d'ergot qui, avec la partie frontale la en forme de bec, permet également le maintien de l'élément formant douille 4 dans son logement.The upper walls 1b delimiting the housings of the socket elements 4 each comprise a lug 1d penetrating into an opening 4a of the corresponding socket member 4 so as to retain the latter in its housing. In addition, the bottom wall 1c of each housing of a bushing member 4 has a nose-shaped front portion which, together with the beak-shaped front part, also allows the sleeve element 4 to be held in position. his dwelling.

Pour assurer un guidage relatif précis du boîtier 1 relativement au boîtier 2 pendant leur enfichage ou leur désolidarisation, l'un 2 des boîtiers comporte une pièce formant glissière 9 intégrée dans le boîtier 2 et dans laquelle peut coulisser une pièce formant coulisseau 10 solidaire du boîtier 1.To ensure precise relative guidance of the housing 1 relative to the housing 2 during their insertion or disengagement, one 2 of the housings comprises a slide part 9 integrated in the housing 2 and in which a slider piece 10 integral with the housing can slide. 1.

Le fonctionnement du connecteur électrique de l'invention ressort déjà en partie de la description qui en a été faite ci-dessus et va être maintenant expliqué.The operation of the electrical connector of the invention is already apparent in part from the description which has been made above and will now be explained.

Le branchement des deux boîtiers 1, 2 du connecteur s'effectue en introduisant le boîtier 1 dans le boîtier 2, dont les déplacements relatifs sont précisément guidés par la pièce formant coulisseau 10 et la pièce formant glissière 9. Le rapprochement des deux boîtiers 1, 2 se traduit tout d'abord par l'établissement d'un premier contact électrique entre la forme proéminente 7a du doigt 7 de la broche privilégiée 3 et l'élément formant douille correspondant 4, cette liaison électrique primaire assurant donc immédiatement l'écoulement des charges d'électricité statique. Ensuite, la partie frontale la associée à chaque élément formant douille 4 provoque le soulèvement du doigt flexible correspondant 7 de façon à désengager son extrémité libre 7b de la broche correspondante 3 et interrompre ainsi la liaison électrique avec cette broche. Pendant cette période de branchement pendant laquelle la forme proéminente 7a du doigt 7 associé à la broche privilégiée 3 continue d'être en contact avec l'élément formant douille correspondant 4, les deux autres broches 3, c'est-à-dire les deux autres phases, ne sont plus reliées entre elles par les deux doigts respectifs 7, seul le doigt 7 de la phase privilégiée assurant une continuité électrique entre la broche privilégiée et l'élément formant douille correspondant 4. En poursuivant l'enfoncement du boîtier 1 dans le boîtier 2, la forme proéminente 7a du doigt 7 de la broche privilégiée 3 vient en appui sur la paroi frontale comportant l'ergot 1d de façon à désengager son extrémité libre 7b de la broche privilégiée 3 dès que cette dernière vient en contact électrique dans son élément formant douille 4 en même temps que les deux autres broches 3 viennent en contact électrique dans leurs éléments formant douilles respectifs 4. Les figures 5 et 6 représentent le boîtier 1 en position complètement enfoncée dans le boîtier 2 avec les broches 3 engagées respectivement dans les éléments formant douilles 4 de façon à réaliser des liaisons électriques de qualité. La figure 5 montre l'état qu'occupe le doigt 7 associé à la broche privilégiée 4 tandis que la figure 6 montre l'état occupé par les deux autres doigts 7 des deux autres broches 3. L'opération de débranchement du connecteur électrique se déroule en sens inverse de l'opération ci-dessus décrite de branchement de celui-ci et la phase privilégiée est effectivement débranchée en dernier.The two casings 1, 2 of the connector are connected by inserting the casing 1 into the casing 2, the relative movements of which are precisely guided by the slider piece 10 and the slider piece 9. The two casings 1 are brought together, 2 first results in the establishment of a first electrical contact between the prominent shape 7a of the finger 7 of the preferred pin 3 and the corresponding socket element 4, this primary electrical connection thus immediately ensuring the flow of static electricity charges. Then, the front portion associated with each sleeve member 4 causes the lifting of the corresponding flexible finger 7 so as to disengage its free end 7b of the corresponding pin 3 and thus interrupt the electrical connection with this pin. During this connection period during which the prominent shape 7a of the finger 7 associated with the preferred pin 3 continues to be in contact with the corresponding socket element 4, the other two pins 3, that is to say the two other phases, are no longer interconnected by the two respective fingers 7, only the finger 7 of the preferred phase providing electrical continuity between the preferred pin and the corresponding socket element 4. Continuing the depression of the housing 1 in the housing 2, the prominent shape 7a of the finger 7 of the preferred pin 3 abuts on the end wall having the lug 1d so as to disengage its free end 7b of the preferred pin 3 as soon as the latter comes into electrical contact in its socket element 4 at the same time as the other two pins 3 come into electrical contact in their respective socket elements 4. The Figures 5 and 6 represent the housing 1 in the fully depressed position in the housing 2 with the pins 3 engaged respectively in the socket elements 4 so as to make quality electrical connections. The figure 5 shows the state occupied by the finger 7 associated with the privileged pin 4 while the figure 6 shows the state occupied by the other two fingers 7 of the other two pins 3. The disconnection operation of the electrical connector takes place in the opposite direction of the aforementioned operation of connection thereof and the preferred phase is actually disconnected last.

Le connecteur électrique de l'invention permet ainsi de réaliser, au moment de son branchement, une liaison provisoire sur la phase à brancher en premier, puis, sur toutes les phases, les liaisons habituelles, assurant ainsi une protection efficace du personnel effectuant le branchement du connecteur.The electrical connector of the invention thus allows, at the time of its connection, a temporary connection to the phase to be connected first, and then, on all phases, the usual connections, thus ensuring effective protection of personnel performing the connection of the connector.

Claims (7)

  1. Electrical connector comprising two housings (1, 2) which can be plugged one inside the other such that the pins (3) of the respective phases of one (2) of the housings respectively engage in electrical contact in elements forming sockets (4) of the other housing (1), characterized in that it comprises means (7) for establishing an anticipated electrical connection between the preferential one of the pins (3), particularly the earth pin, with the corresponding socket-forming element (4) during the operation of plugging together the two housings (1, 2), in that the anticipated connection-establishing means (7) form part of a shunt in electrical contact with the pins (3) when the two housings (1, 2) are separated from one another, and in that the anticipated connection-establishing means (7) are designed to cooperate with the socket-forming elements (4) so as to provide a provisional electrical connection between the preferential pin (3) and the corresponding socket-forming element (4) at the start of introducing one of the two housings (1, 2) in the other, to interrupt their electrical contact with the other pins (3) when continuing to insert one of the two housings in the other, and to interrupt the provisional electrical connection when all the pins (3) are in electrical contact with their respective socket-forming elements (4) when the two housings (1, 2) are in a position in which one is completely inserted in the other.
  2. Electrical connector according to Claim 1, characterized in that the anticipated connection-establishing means comprise a number of interconnected flexible conducting fingers (7) accommodated in the pin-holding housing (2) such that the free ends (7b) of the flexible fingers (7) are respectively in contact with the pins (3) when the pin-holding housing (2) is separated from the other housing (1), and in that the flexible finger (7) associated with the preferential pin (3) comprises, at its anterior part opposed to its free end (7b), a prominent shape (7a) capable of coming directly into contact with the corresponding socket-forming element (4) before the pins (3) are in contact with their respective socket-forming elements (4).
  3. Electrical connector according to Claim 2, characterized in that the housing (1) comprising the socket-forming elements (4) comprises an end part (1a), preferably in the form of a nose, which makes it possible to simultaneously lift the flexible fingers (7), excluding the one associated with the preferential pin (3), so as to disengage them from their respective pins (3) when the finger (7) of the preferential pin (3) is in contact with the corresponding socket-forming element (4).
  4. Electrical connector according to Claim 3, characterized in that the housing (1) comprising the socket-forming elements (4) is designed to disengage the prominent shape (7a) from the corresponding socket-forming element (4) and interrupt the provisional electrical connection between the preferential pin (3) and the socket-forming element (4) when the two housings (1, 2) are in a position in which the pins (3) come into electrical contact with their corresponding socket-forming elements (4).
  5. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two housings (1, 2) comprise means (9, 10) for mutually guiding them as they are being plugged together.
  6. Electrical connector according to Claim 5, characterized in that the aforementioned guide means comprise a slideway-forming part (9) incorporated in one (2) of the housings and a slider-forming part (10) fixed to the other housing (1).
  7. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it applies to pyrotechnic ignition devices for triggering airbags for protecting occupants of a motor vehicle.
EP99400593A 1998-04-07 1999-03-11 Electrical connector for use in an airbag protection of the driver or a passenger in a car Expired - Lifetime EP0949719B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9804315A FR2777121B1 (en) 1998-04-07 1998-04-07 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, PARTICULARLY FOR TRIGGERING AN INFLATABLE BAG FOR PROTECTING A DRIVER OR A PASSENGER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
FR9804315 1998-04-07

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0949719A1 EP0949719A1 (en) 1999-10-13
EP0949719B1 true EP0949719B1 (en) 2008-08-20

Family

ID=9524952

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99400593A Expired - Lifetime EP0949719B1 (en) 1998-04-07 1999-03-11 Electrical connector for use in an airbag protection of the driver or a passenger in a car

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0949719B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69939351D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2777121B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1320512B1 (en) 2000-06-20 2003-12-10 Framatome Connectors Italia ELECTRIC CONNECTOR.
FR2947675B1 (en) * 2009-07-06 2016-02-05 Tyco Electronics France Sas ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2903896A1 (en) * 1978-02-03 1979-08-23 Amp Inc Two part electrical connector with earthing strip - has insulating projections on one half for separating strip contacts from socket contacts when halves are mated
JP3461631B2 (en) * 1995-08-25 2003-10-27 住友電気工業株式会社 connector
JP3166588B2 (en) * 1995-10-31 2001-05-14 住友電装株式会社 Short structure of female terminal fitting

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0949719A1 (en) 1999-10-13
DE69939351D1 (en) 2008-10-02
FR2777121A1 (en) 1999-10-08
FR2777121B1 (en) 2000-06-30

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