Abstract: A loop back type clockspring connector includes a first housing section and a second housing section that are rotatable with respect to each other. The first housing section and second housing section define an accommodating space. Within the accommodating space, the clockspring connector includes two or more flexible cables and two or more guiding mechanisms. The cables conduct current from one housing section to the other. The guiding mechanisms divide the accommodating space into inner and outer portions where the cable accumulates as the housing sections rotate relative to one another. The guiding mechanisms move radially inwardly and outwardly within the accommodating space as the cable accumulates with the inner and outer spaces, thereby reducing the potential for the flexible cables to bind up during operation of the connector.

Abstract: A loop back type clockspring connector includes a first housing section and a second housing section that are rotatable with respect to each other. The first housing section and second housing section define an accommodating space. Within the accommodating space, the clockspring connector includes two or more flexible cables and two or more guiding mechanisms. The cables conduct current from one housing section to the other. The guiding mechanisms divide the accommodating space into inner and outer portions where the cable accumulates as the housing sections rotate relative to one another. The guiding mechanisms move radially inwardly and outwardly within the accommodating space as the cable accumulates with the inner and outer spaces, thereby reducing the potential for the flexible cables to bind up during operation of the connector.

Abstract: A nonpolarized electrical connector assembly (10) includes a receptacle connector subassembly (20) and a plug connector subassembly (100). The receptacle connector subassembly (20) can be mated with an electronic component subassembly, such as an airbag inflation initiator or squib (2), and includes a cylindrical housing (22) with a central plug passage (38). Receptacle contacts (50A, 50B and 50C) are positioned at different arcuate locations in this passage (38) with resilient cantilever beams (56) of different lengths so that contact points (58) on the beams (56) are at different axial locations in the passage (38). A plug connector subassembly has axially spaced cylindrical plug contacts (102A, 102B) and (102C) on a plug post (106) that is inserted into the passage (38) so that the plug connector subassembly (100) can be positioned at any angular position relative to the mating axis between the two connector subassemblies.

Abstract: A nonpolarized electrical connector assembly 10 includes a receptacle connector subassembly 20 and a plug connector subassembly 100. The receptacle connector subassembly 20 can be mated with an electronic component subassembly, such as an airbag inflation initiator or squib 2, and includes a cylindrical housing 22 with a central plug passage 38. Receptacle contacts 50A, 50B and 50C are positioned at different arcuate locations in this passage 38 with resilient cantilever beams 56 of different lengths so that contact points 58 on the beams 56 are at different axial locations in the passage 38. A plug connector subassembly has axially spaced cylindrical plug contacts 102A, 102B and 102C on a plug post 106 that is inserted into the passage 38 so that the plug connector subassembly 100 can be positioned at any angular position relative to the mating axis between the two connector subassemblies.

Abstract: A nonpolarized electrical connector assembly (10) includes a receptacle connector subassembly (20) and a plug connector subassembly (100). The receptacle connector subassembly (20) can be mated with an electronic component subassembly, such as an airbag inflation initiator or squib (2), and includes a cylindrical housing (22) with a central plug passage (38). Receptacle contacts (50A, 50B and 50C) are positioned at different arcuate locations in this passage (38) with resilient cantilever beams (56) of different lengths so that contact points (58) on the beams (56) are at different axial locations in the passage (38). A plug connector subassembly has axially spaced cylindrical plug contacts (102A, 102B and 102C) on a plug post (106) that is inserted into the passage (38) so that the plug connector subassembly (100) can be positioned at any angular position relative to the mating axis between the two connector subassemblies.

Abstract: A nonpolarized electrical connector assembly 10 includes a receptacle connector subassembly 20 and a plug connector subassembly 100. The receptacle connector subassembly 20 can be mated with an electronic component subassembly, such as an airbag inflation initiator or squib 2, and includes a cylindrical housing 22 with a central plug passage 38. Receptacle contacts 50A, 50B and 50C are positioned at different arcuate locations in this passage 38 with resilient cantilever beams 56 of different lengths so that contact points 58 on the beams 56 are at different axial locations in the passage 38. A plug connector subassembly has axially spaced cylindrical plug contacts 102A, 102B and 102C on a plug post 106 that is inserted into the passage 38 so that the plug connector subassembly 100 can be positioned at any angular position relative to the mating axis between the two connector subassemblies.

Abstract: An orientation less squib connector for an automotive air bag assembly is disclosed. The squib connector includes a connector configured to fit within a squib socket. A connector position assurance member (CPA) is mounted on the connector body for movement between an open position and a closed position. The CPA includes an abutment member positioned to abut against a portion of the connector body to prevent movement of the connector position assurance member out of the open position. The CPA also includes a flexural member configured to abut against the socket to deflect the flexural member and the abutment member out of abutment with the portion of the connector body, whereby the connector position assurance member is movable to the closed position to prevent removal of the connector from the socket.

Abstract: An orientationless squib connector assembly (10) for automotive air bag assemblies is disclosed. A single initiator pin (24) is provided axially aligned within a squib socket (12). An annular ground plate (28) surrounds the initiator pin (24) near the base of the socket. An associated connector includes a first, axially located terminal for electrical contact with the initiator pin and a second terminal comprising a depending beam radially aligned with the first terminal for electrically contacting the ground plate at any rotational orientation of the connector with respect to the socket. Eliminating a required rotational orientation of the connector simplifies its manufacture and assembly and its incorporation into a vehicle. Preferably, the entering wires are also axially aligned with the first and second terminals.

Abstract: An orientationless squib connector assembly (10) for automotive air bag assemblies is disclosed. A single initiator pin (24, 326) is provided axially aligned within a squib socket (12, 324). An annular ground plate (28, 328) surrounds and shunts to ground the initiator pin near the base of the socket. An associated connector (16, 202, 312, 410) includes a first, axially located terminal (64, 280, 314, 416) for electrical contact with the initiator pin and a second terminal (66, 282, 316, 418) comprising a depending leg or beam (110, 320) radially aligned with the first terminal for electrically contacting the ground plate at any rotational orientation of the connector with respect to the socket and for moving a part of the ground plate (28) out of electrical engagement with pin (24). Eliminating a required rotational orientation of the connector simplifies its manufacture and assembly and its incorporation into a vehicle.