Patents by Inventor Michael Gunreben
Michael Gunreben has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11652314Abstract: A sealed electrical connector assembly includes a first and second connector member. The first connector member is arrangeable in open and sealed positions. In the sealed position, the first connector member is mated and sealed to the second connector member. The first and second connector member sealing walls face each other in a sealing region. The first and second connector members includes first and second connector member sealing walls extending essentially the same direction. In the sealed position, a flexible sealing element is configured to be arranged between and contacting the first and second connector member sealing walls in the sealing region. The flexible sealing element is fixed with respect to one of the sealing walls and is releasably engageable with another one of the sealing walls for providing a watertight seal. The sealing wall is slanted with respect to the first direction along an entire sealing region.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Inventors: Michael Gunreben, Bruno Barth
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Publication number: 20220311174Abstract: A sealed electrical connector assembly includes a first and second connector member. The first connector member is arrangeable in open and sealed positions. In the sealed position, the first connector member is mated and sealed to the second connector member. The first and second connector member sealing walls face each other in a sealing region. The first and second connector members includes first and second connector member sealing walls extending essentially the same direction. In the sealed position, a flexible sealing element is configured to be arranged between and contacting the first and second connector member sealing walls in the sealing region. The flexible sealing element is fixed with respect to one of the sealing walls and is releasably engageable with another one of the sealing walls for providing a watertight seal. The sealing wall is slanted with respect to the first direction along an entire sealing region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Michael GUNREBEN, Bruno BARTH
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Patent number: 10559918Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a plug body comprising a first housing part and a second housing part with a plug-in portion. The housing parts are movable relative to each other along a housing axis. An elastic element holds the housing parts against each other. The second housing part has a projection with a first sliding surface diagonally to the housing axis. The electrical connector assembly further includes a mating connector having a collar with a second sliding surface cooperating with the first sliding surface. The second housing part is displaced away from the first housing part along the housing axis against a restoring force of the elastic element. The second sliding surface ends at a recess in the collar, so that the elastic element pulls the projection into the recess and locks the plug body with the mating connector.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Michael Gunreben, Frank Odoerfer
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Patent number: 10290972Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for airbag restraint systems comprising a first connector, comprising an elongated housing aligned along a longitudinal axis, a first connector's connection face facing perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, along a mating axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said first connector comprising first locking means to lock the first connector to a second connector and second locking means that prevent the first locking means from releasing, the connector assembly further comprising the second connector, comprising a second connector's connection face surrounded at least partly by a shroud, facing along the mating axis towards the first connector's connection face. The shroud comprises third locking means that cooperate with the first locking means to lock the first connector to the second connector when mated along the mating axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Michael Gunreben, Partheeban Loganathan
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Patent number: 10283905Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a plug with a plug body having a contact holder portion and an annular locking ring attached to the plug body. An elastic element holds the locking ring in a rest position. The locking ring has a first recess at a first end that creates a guide surface. The assembly also includes a mating connector having a plug-receiving portion configured to receive the contact holder portion of the plug. The plug-receiving portion includes a collar having a projection which, when mating the electrical plug and mating connector, engages the guide surface and rotates the locking ring. The locking ring has a second recess at a second end. The projection and the second recess are in a plane perpendicular to the plug-in axis in fully assembled state. The spring force rotates the locking ring and locks the plug body with the plug-receiving portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Vincent Regnier, Michael Gunreben
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Publication number: 20180316130Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for airbag restraint systems comprising a first connector, comprising an elongated housing aligned along a longitudinal axis, a first connector's connection face facing perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, along a mating axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said first connector comprising first locking means to lock the first connector to a second connector and second locking means that prevent the first locking means from releasing, the connector assembly further comprising the second connector, comprising a second connector's connection face surrounded at least partly by a shroud, facing along the mating axis towards the first connector's connection face. The shroud comprises third locking means that cooperate with the first locking means to lock the first connector to the second connector when mated along the mating axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Michael Gunreben, Partheeban Loganathan
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Publication number: 20180316128Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a plug body comprising a first housing part and a second housing part with a plug-in portion. The housing parts are movable relative to each other along a housing axis. An elastic element holds the housing parts against each other. The second housing part has a projection with a first sliding surface diagonally to the housing axis. The electrical connector assembly further includes a mating connector having a collar with a second sliding surface cooperating with the first sliding surface. The second housing part is displaced away from the first housing part along the housing axis against a restoring force of the elastic element. The second sliding surface ends at a recess in the collar, so that the elastic element pulls the projection into the recess and locks the plug body with the mating connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Michael Gunreben, Frank Odoerfer
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Publication number: 20180316133Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a plug with a plug body having a contact holder portion and an annular locking ring attached to the plug body. An elastic element holds the locking ring in a rest position. The locking ring has a first recess at a first end that creates a guide surface. The assembly also includes a mating connector having a plug-receiving portion configured to receive the contact holder portion of the plug. The plug-receiving portion includes a collar having a projection which, when mating the electrical plug and mating connector, engages the guide surface and rotates the locking ring. The locking ring has a second recess at a second end. The projection and the second recess are in a plane perpendicular to the plug-in axis in fully assembled state. The spring force rotates the locking ring and locks the plug body with the plug-receiving portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Vincent Regnier, Michael Gunreben
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Patent number: 9929503Abstract: The present invention provides an airbag connector system comprising an airbag squib connector adapted to be mated with a corresponding airbag squib socket, whereby the airbag squib connector comprises a connector housing with a connection tube. The connection tube is provided with at least one reversed locking arm adapted to lock the airbag squib connector to the airbag squib socket, whereby the reversed locking arm extends from a flexible torsion element provided at an insertion sided end of the connection tube in a direction essentially opposing the insertion direction of the airbag squib connector into the corresponding socket. Thereby, the flexible torsion element is adapted to deform and thereby enable a deflection of the reversed locking arm upon insertion of the airbag squib connector into the airbag squib socket.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: DELPHI INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L.Inventors: Michael Gunreben, Vincent Regnier, Thomas Schmidt
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Patent number: 9923303Abstract: An electrical connector configured to be mated with a corresponding counter connector to establish an electrical connection is presented. The connector includes a connector housing having at least one terminal cavity for receiving at least one female contact terminal. The cavity defines a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. A step is arranged between the first and the second cavity portion. A female contact terminal likewise comprises a step arranged between first and second terminal portions such that, in a mounted condition, the respective steps of terminal cavity and female contact terminal engage each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Peter Nuetzel, Vincent Regnier, Michael Gunreben
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Publication number: 20170310045Abstract: An electrical connector configured to be mated with a corresponding counter connector to establish an electrical connection is presented. The connector includes a connector housing having at least one terminal cavity for receiving at least one female contact terminal. The cavity defines a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. A step is arranged between the first and the second cavity portion. A female contact terminal likewise comprises a step arranged between first and second terminal portions such that, in a mounted condition, the respective steps of terminal cavity and female contact terminal engage each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Peter Nuetzel, Vincent Regnier, Michael Gunreben
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Patent number: 9780502Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical plug connector for a safety restraint system, preferably for an airbag ignition system. The plug connector includes at least two contact terminals assigned to the plug connector and a shorting clip that is configured to short-circuit the at least two contact terminals in an uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. The shorting clip includes at least two contact blades. Each contact blade is electrically connected with one of the at least two contact terminals. Each of the contact blades includes at least one cutting edge. The cutting edges contact each other such that one edge cuts the other when the plug connector is in an uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: DELPHIA INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L.Inventors: Peter Nuetzel, Michael Gunreben, Vincent Regnier, Frank Odoerfer
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Publication number: 20170237200Abstract: The present invention provides an airbag connector system comprising an airbag squib connector adapted to be mated with a corresponding airbag squib socket, whereby the airbag squib connector comprises a connector housing with a connection tube. The connection tube is provided with at least one reversed locking arm adapted to lock the airbag squib connector to the airbag squib socket, whereby the reversed locking arm extends from a flexible torsion element provided at an insertion sided end of the connection tube in a direction essentially opposing the insertion direction of the airbag squib connector into the corresponding socket. Thereby, the flexible torsion element is adapted to deform and thereby enable a deflection of the reversed locking arm upon insertion of the airbag squib connector into the airbag squib socket.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Michael Gunreben, Vincent Regnier, Thomas Schmidt
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Patent number: 9711902Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical plug connector for a safety restraint system, preferably for an airbag ignition system, including at least two contact terminals disposed within the plug connector and a shorting clip, that is configured to short circuit the at least two contact terminals in an uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. The shorting clip includes at least two shorting tongues. Each shorting tongue is electrically connected with a respective contact terminal. Each shorting tongue further includes at least one electrical contact surface and at least one of the shorting tongues includes an actuating member. The actuating member is provided with an actuating surface that is configured to interact with a separator device. The contact surfaces are not arranged within the same plane as the actuating surface(s).Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lukasz Kot, Bartlomiej Siwek, Peter Nuetzel, Michael Gunreben, Vincent Regnier
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Publication number: 20170018889Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical plug connector for a safety restraint system, preferably for an airbag ignition system. The plug connector includes at least two contact terminals assigned to the plug connector and a shorting clip that is configured to short-circuit the at least two contact terminals in an uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. The shorting clip includes at least two contact blades. Each contact blade is electrically connected with one of the at least two contact terminals. Each of the contact blades includes at least one cutting edge. The cutting edges contact each other such that one edge cuts the other when the plug connector is in in an uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: PETER NEUTZEL, MICHAEL GUNREBEN, VINCENT REGNIER, FRANK ODOEFER
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Publication number: 20170012392Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical plug connector for a safety restraint system, preferably for an airbag ignition system, including at least two contact terminals disposed within the plug connector and a shorting clip, that is configured to short circuit the at least two contact terminals in an uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. The shorting clip includes at least two shorting tongues. Each shorting tongue is electrically connected with a respective contact terminal. Each shorting tongue further includes at least one electrical contact surface and at least one of the shorting tongues includes an actuating member. The actuating member is provided with an actuating surface that is configured to interact with a separator device. The contact surfaces are not arranged within the same plane as the actuating surface(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: LUKASZ KOT, BARTLOMIEJ SIWEK, PETER NUETZEL, MICHAEL GUNREBEN, VINCENT REGNIER
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Publication number: 20170005436Abstract: The present invention provides an airbag connector system comprising an airbag squib connector adapted to be mated with a corresponding airbag squib socket, whereby the airbag squib connector comprises a connector housing with a connection tube. The connection tube is provided with at least one reversed locking arm adapted to lock the airbag squib connector to the airbag squib socket, whereby the reversed locking arm extends from a flexible torsion element provided at an insertion sided end of the connection tube in a direction essentially opposing the insertion direction of the airbag squib connector into the corresponding socket. Thereby, the flexible torsion element is adapted to deform and thereby enable a deflection of the reversed locking arm upon insertion of the airbag squib connector into the airbag squib socket.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Michael Gunreben, Vincent Regnier, Thomas Schmidt
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Patent number: 9537267Abstract: The present invention relates to squib connectors, for instance for airbag ignition systems, which allow the electrical or electronic monitoring of the correct coupling of a squib plug connector with its corresponding counterpart. According to the invention, a squib connector has at least two terminals having corresponding signal lines. In order to allow an electrical monitoring of the correct coupling of the plug connector, the terminals are in electrical contact with each other in the uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. This electrical contact between the terminals is configured to be separated upon correct coupling to a corresponding counter-connector either automatically or by an actuating action. The disconnecting of the terminals may then be monitored by any suitable monitoring means.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg SARL.Inventors: Frank Odorfer, Vincent Regnier, Bernhard Kuehnel, Michael Gunreben
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Patent number: 9409536Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector assembly in particular for airbag connection systems, including a connector housing and a secondary lock. The housing is further provided with a spring, such that the secondary lock is movable between a first and a second position and the spring forces the secondary lock into its second position when the connector housing is fully mated with a corresponding mating connector.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg SARLInventors: Michael Gunreben, Vincent Regnier
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Patent number: 9190742Abstract: A connector assembly comprising a connector housing, a secondary locking member and a safety spring bar, whereby the secondary locking member and the safety spring bar are assigned to the connector housing. The secondary locking member is movable between a first and a second position, whereby the safety spring bar is adapted to lock the secondary locking member in its second position. The secondary locking member comprises a deflection surface adapted to engage the safety spring bar when the secondary locking member is moved in an insertion direction. Thereby, upon movement of the secondary locking member, the safety spring bar is deflected essentially in the insertion direction, urging the secondary locking member towards its first position. When the secondary locking member is placed in the second position, the safety spring bar is adapted to snap into a safety position, to lock the secondary locking member in its second position.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Delphi International Operations LuxembourgInventors: Michael Gunreben, Frank Odorfer