Igniter for a personnel protection device and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an igniter for a personal protective device, comprising at least one metal pin for contacting a triggering device of the personal protective device, the at least one metal pin having a connection end connectable with the triggering device, the at least one metal pin having a gold coating with a layer thickness D, the maximum layer thickness D being located at a distance of at least 1 mm from the connection end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an igniter for a personnel protection device. A personnel protection device, in the sense of the present disclosure, in particular includes an airbag and / or a belt tensioner and / or a lock tensioner, a pedestrian protection system, in this case, in particular, a pyrotechnic actuator for an active hinge or an active lock, a passenger protection system, in this case, in particular an active headrest and / or a steering column, and / or a battery disconnect. The igniter is exposed to high voltage. The igniter includes at least one metal pin or connection pin with a connection end. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an igniter with a metal pin.

[0002] Feed-throughs, in particular connection pins or metal pins for metal / fixing material / feed-throughs, are known in various configurations according to the prior art.

[0003] A metal-fixed material-feedthrough means a vacuum-tight fusion of a fixed material, especially glass, glass ceramic, or plastic, in a metal. In this case, the metal functions as an electrical conductor. In this case, as representative examples, U.S. Patent No. 5,345,872 and U.S. Patent No. 3,274,937 are referred to. Such a form of feedthrough is widely used in electronics and electronic technology. The material used for fusion, especially glass, functions as an insulator in this case. A typical metal-fixed material-feedthrough is configured such that a metallic inner conductor, especially a metal pin or connection pin, is welded into a preformed sintered glass part, and in this case, the sintered glass part or glass tube is attached to a so-called substrate formed from ring-shaped or plate-shaped elements within an outer metal part. A suitable example of use of such a form of metal-fixed material-feedthrough is, for example, an ignition device. Such an ignition device is used, among other things, for personnel protection devices, especially for automotive airbags or seat belt tensioners. In this case, the metal-fixed material-feedthrough is a component of the ignition device. The entire ignition device or igniter includes, in addition to the metal-fixed material-feedthrough, an ignition bridge, an explosive, and a metal cover that tightly surrounds the ignition mechanism. The feedthrough can guide one or two or three or more metal pins or connection pins, especially metallic pins. In a particularly preferred embodiment with metallic pins, the casing is on earth and, in a suitable two-pole configuration, is located on one of the pins.

[0004] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0222881, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0216631, European Patent Application Publication No. 1455160, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0187934, and U.S. Patent No. 1813906 disclose a metal, fixing material, and feed-through for an igniter of an airbag or seatbelt pretensioner in particular. This metal, fixing material, and feed-through is characterized in that a through-opening for a connection pin, in particular a metal pin, is punched out from a substrate. According to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0187934, when manufacturing the substrate, an opening penetrating the entire thickness of the substrate is punched out from a strip material having a thickness in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm, particularly 1.8 mm to 3.0 mm, and most preferably 2.0 mm to 2.6 mm, by a punching process.

[0005] A metal pin or connection pin, in particular a metal pin, in the fixing material is inserted or glass-sealed into an inlet opening punched in the substrate over the entire thickness of the substrate within the above range.

[0006] Furthermore, in a feed-through having two or more pins according to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0187934, the through-openings are eccentrically arranged.

[0007] The punching from a metal sheet material according to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0187934 has a plurality of drawbacks. One drawback is that a large proportion of material waste is generated during the punching of the substrate from a strip material, for example a metal sheet.

[0008] According to German Patent Application Publication No. 102006056077, an ignition device for a pyrotechnic protection device is known, which has a coating for fixing the current feed-through of a metal pin and means for preventing relative movement between the coating and the metal pin. Similar to the case of US Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0187934, in German Patent Application Publication No. 102006056077, the substrate is punched from a metal sheet, for example a strip material, which consequently entails a great deal of material waste. Furthermore, the through-opening is eccentrically arranged as in the case of US Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0187934.

[0009] European Patent Application Publication No. 1491848 shows a current feed-through with a centrally arranged through-opening for a pin-shaped conductor. The through-opening is not described in terms of its manufacturing form and extends across the entire thickness of the substrate.

[0010] According to US Patent No. 8978557, ring-shaped, plate-shaped elements for seat belt tensioners and / or airbag igniters are known, which elements have a release area provided with a through-opening by punching. The feed-through component with the ring-shaped, plate-shaped element includes two metal pins, and US Patent No. 8978557 does not describe how the metal pins are manufactured.

[0011] German Patent Application Publication No. 102017123278 shows a substrate for a feed-through element, which substrate includes a metal substrate, in particular at least one through-opening for accommodating a functional element in an electrically insulating fixing material, and at least one conductor conductively connected to the substrate by soldering. The soldering includes a metallic soldering material, in which case the metallic soldering material covers the surface area of the substrate, thereby forming a solder area on the surface of the substrate. The substrate has a microstructure at least in the solder area, and this microstructure includes at least recesses on the surface of the substrate.

[0012] According to Austrian Patent Invention No. 513238, a method for manufacturing an igniter for a pyrotechnic system is known. The connection pins used in Austrian Patent Invention No. 513238 are characterized by being rounded.

[0013] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 199872 shows a feedthrough in which two metal pins are hermetically sealed inside with glass. The metal pins known from U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 199872 can be gold-plated at least in their end regions. Regarding the thickness of the gold layer, nothing is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 199872.

[0014] According to European Patent Application Publication No. 1710532, a feedthrough for a pyrotechnic device with two metal pins is known.

[0015] According to German Patent Application Publication No. 102012009765, an igniter for a gas generator of a vehicle safety system with at least two contact pins or connection pins spatially separated from each other by an electrical insulating material is shown. In this case, each contact pin is provided with a chlorine-free gold coating. The gold layer can be deposited by a galvanic process, and a chlorine scavenger is introduced into the purification solution used in the preceding purification step.

[0016] German Patent Application Publication No. 102017123278 and German Patent Application Publication No. 102012009765 do not disclose a method for manufacturing conductors or contact pins.

[0017] German Patent Application Publication No. 102014219124 discloses a trigger device for a personal protection device with at least one metal pin. In this case, the metal pin has a gold coating with an undefined layer thickness. The metal pin includes a conductor hermetically sealed in a feed-through opening with an end region coated with gold.

[0018] German Patent Application Publication No. 102015207488 shows a flat electrical contact pin for a plug contact. This flat contact pin is also provided with a gold coating. The contact tongue having the maximum layer thickness of the coating is formed at a distance from the tip of the contact pin. In this case, the maximum layer thickness of the contact region is formed at a distance of 1.6 mm to 5.5 mm from the tip. German Patent Application Publication No. 102015207488 discloses that a gold layer is deposited on the flat electrical contact pin by means of tampon galvanic plating or brush galvanic plating. In this method, a sponge or non-woven fabric is used to deposit the gold layer. The disadvantage of the method of depositing the gold layer known from German Patent Application Publication No. 102015207488 is that such a form of deposition was not possible for metal pins with a circular shape.

[0019] In the case of a metal - fixing material - feed-through having two connection pins, especially metal pins, and an eccentrically arranged through-opening, the eccentrically arranged through-opening in particular causes a weakening of the glass seal. In the prior art, connection pins, especially feed-throughs, especially metal pins for glass - metal - feed-throughs, are substantially coated with a gold layer over the entire length of the metal pin. To provide sufficient conductivity, this gold layer is formed with a thickness necessary for sufficient conductivity and reliable contact, for example when used in a plug. This results in a very high material usage and thus high costs.

[0020] The object of the present invention is to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art, and to provide a feed-through, in particular a connection pin for a metal, a fixing material, a feed-through, in particular an igniter having a metal connection pin or a feed-through for an igniter, which avoids such disadvantages.

[0021] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a feed-through for an igniter of a personal protection device or an igniter as claimed in claim 1.

[0022] The igniter includes at least one metal pin or connection pin with a connection end that can be connected to a trigger device. According to the present invention, the metal pin is characterized by a gold coating having a layer thickness D, and the layer thickness D of the gold coating is located at least 1 mm away from the connection end. The gold coating located more than 1 mm away has a layer thickness that provides sufficient conductivity for contact with the trigger device.

[0023] Preferably, the metal pin is not flat and is formed in a circular shape. Preferably, the gold layer is deposited on the substantially circular metal pin not by a brushing method or a galvanic plating method, but by an electrolytic deposition method, optionally using a blend technique.

[0024] In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one metal pin can be connected to the trigger device at a distance from the connection end, in particular by a contact surface of a plug. According to the present invention, the maximum layer thickness of the gold layer is in the region where the contact surface abuts against the metal pin in the operating state. By coating the metal pin with the layer thickness required for this purpose, for example, the Au layer thickness, only in the region where the metal pin is in contact, significant material savings can be achieved. Such selective coating can be achieved by a corresponding shield in the device for depositing the gold coating.

[0025] The deposition of the gold layer according to the invention by electroanalysis carried out under the use of the blending technique is excellent due to its high selectivity. Preferably, the layer thickness is increased up to the maximum layer thickness required for reliable contact with sufficient conductivity.

[0026] The maximum layer thickness of the coating is preferably located in the plateau region, where the layer thickness varies by a maximum of 40%, in particular by a maximum of 20%, or by a maximum of 10% with respect to the maximum layer thickness.

[0027] If the maximum layer thickness D is between 0.20 μm and 0.80 μm, in particular between 0.40 μm and 0.70 μm, or about 0.60 μm, it is suitable for providing reliable electrical contact, for example of a plug, between conductive components connected to a metal pin via a contact surface having a gold coating.

[0028] According to the invention, not only the regions that are electrically contacted to the plug, but also the entire metal pin is coated. Thus, outside the contact region, which is the same as the plateau region, for example at the connection end, the thickness of the gold layer is less than 0.20 μm, in particular between 0.05 μm and 0.20 μm.

[0029] Preferably, the length of the metal pin is longer than 7 mm, and the layer thickness of the gold layer located at an interval of 7 mm from the connection end is thicker than 0.15 μm, in particular thicker than 0.20 μm, in particular between 0.15 μm and 0.35 μm.

[0030] By having a layer thickness less than 0.8 μm in the region of the maximum layer thickness, a particularly large amount of material, in particular the coating material, can be saved. Furthermore, for example, by electroanalysis of the gold layer according to the invention, a very thin, homogeneous and closed gold layer can be obtained, which in particular also meets the requirements regarding porosity according to ASTM B735 of ISO 19072-1.

[0031] A further advantage of the deposition of the gold layer by electrolytic deposition is that this layer can be deposited in only one working step. This is in contrast to the German Patent Application Publication No. 102015207488 which requires a plurality of coating steps, such as tampon galvanic plating combined with, for example, a further galvanic plating method.

[0032] For an alternative embodiment, the metal pin may have a length greater than 7 mm, in particular between 7 mm and 12 mm, preferably 9 mm. The plateau region of the coating according to the invention starts at a distance of 1 mm to 4 mm, in particular 2 mm to 6 mm, preferably 3 mm to 5 mm from the connection end.

[0033] It is preferred if the plateau region terminates at a distance of 5 mm to 10 mm, in particular 5.5 mm to 7.5 mm or 5.8 mm to 7 mm from the connection end.

[0034] For good electrical contact, it is advantageous if the plateau region has a length P of 2 mm to 6 mm, in particular 3 mm to 5 mm. Preferably, the length of the plateau region is between 3.5 mm and 4.5 mm. In this case, the plateau region having the length P is characterized, for example, by the region where the contact surface of the plug abuts.

[0035] Preferably, the layer thickness of the gold layer increases from the connection end to the plateau region, in particular with an increase of 0.1 μm to 0.3 μm, preferably 0.25 μm per 1 mm, and increases to a layer thickness of 0.5 μm to 0.65 μm in the plateau region.

[0036] The igniter is preferably characterized in that at least one metal pin is arranged with the substrate or conductively connected to the substrate, in particular by soldering or welding, in the metal, fixing material, feed-through fixing material. Preferably, the substrate includes an opening within which the metal pin provided with the gold coating according to the invention can be glass-sealed in a glass material and / or a glass-ceramic material. The coefficient of thermal expansion α of the substrate Grundkoerperis greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion α of the glass material Glas If it is larger than Glas , a compression glass seal with a tightness of 1 × 10 -8 mbar·l / second at a pressure difference of 1 bar can be obtained. Preferably, before depositing a gold layer on the metal pin, another metal, preferably nickel, is deposited by diffusion.

[0037] In addition to the igniter, the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing an igniter / airbag according to claim 12, comprising a metal pin provided with a gold layer. The diffusion deposition of nickel improves the adhesion of the subsequently deposited gold layer. Furthermore, the diffusion-deposited nickel improves the corrosion resistance of the coated pin, in particular.

[0038] The igniter according to the present invention is advantageously used in a personal protection device selected from the following group: an airbag and / or a seat belt tensioner and / or a lock tensioner and / or a pyrotechnic actuator and / or an active hinge and / or an active lock and / or an active headrest and / or an active steering column and / or a battery isolator. This is the subject of claim 15.

[0039] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings by way of example without limitation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a connection pin with a gold coating 220, such as used in an igniter according to the present invention, particularly in a feedthrough for an igniter according to the present invention. The connection pin 1 includes, for example, three regions in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. A first substantially straight region is indicated by reference numeral 3. The curved region is indicated by reference numeral 5, and the end region or end section is indicated by reference numeral 7. The end sections 10.1, 10.2 of the pin 1 are rounded, for example, by non-cutting and / or cutting methods, in which case the radius R of the rounded portion is set. The end section 10.1 is the connecting end of the metal pin to the trigger device of the igniter. The radius R of the rounded portion may be, for example, 0.5 mm, and the diameter D of the connection pin 1 may be 1 mm. The set radius, which is preferably half of the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the connection pin, can be adjusted by cutting and / or non-cutting methods. The section 200 provided with a gold layer 220 having a thickness of 0.5 to 0.65 μm is a part of the end section 7 of the metal pin. The gold layer 220 having a thickness of 0.5 to 0.65 μm in the plateau region forms a contact surface to other electrical devices, such as a plug. The length of the section 200 of the end section 7 holding the gold layer 220 having a thickness of 0.5 to 0.65 μm is indicated by L. The length L of the section 200 of the metal pin is preferably 7 to 12 mm. The region 220 coated with the gold layer preferably starts at an interval of 1 mm to 4 mm from the connection end corresponding to the end section 10.1 here. The plateau region of the region 220 has a length P. The profile of the metal pin with respect to the length L of the section 200 showing the plateau region is shown in FIG. 4. The connection pin or metal pin is obtained by cutting from a wire section. The non-straight, i.e., curved, section 5 of the pin is inclined by 45° with respect to the straight region 3 and the end section 7. The diameter D of the pin is, for example, 0.5 to 2.5 mm. Pins having a diameter smaller than 0.5 mm are also possible. FIG. 1 is substantially a schematic diagram in principle. In contrast, FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the metal pin as currently realized.

[0042] Figure 2 shows the use of the connection pins according to the invention, in particular metal pins, in a feed-through for an igniter of a personal protection device. Figure 2 shows a feed-through 100, in particular a metal / fixing material / feed-through, for devices which are exposed to high pressure, such as airbags or belt tensioners, and generally in the case of personal protection devices.

[0043] The feed-through 100 including a ring-shaped element 106 with an opening can be clearly recognized. Further, an open area 105 is shown. From the residual material of the ring-shaped element 106, a through-opening 20 with a thickness DR is punched out, which in this case has a conical extension 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the conical shape is provided over the entire length of the through-opening, but in an alternative embodiment, the conical shape may extend only over a part of the length of the through-opening, i.e., the through-opening has, in this case, two sections, a conical section and a subsequent non-conical section. In this case, the conical section can be manufactured, for example, by deformation or shaping, and the non-conical section can be manufactured by punching.

[0044] The ring-shaped or plate-shaped element 106 is used as the basis of a metal / fixing material / feed-through having a total of two connection pins 50, 52 with the coating according to the invention. According to the invention, both the connection pin 50 and the connection pin 52 are coated with at least gold or Au over at least a part of the length L for better contact, as shown in Figure 3. Different from Figure 1, in Figure 2, the coating of the pins 50, 52 is not clearly shown. The connection pin, preferably the metal pin 50, is insulated from the ring-shaped or plate-shaped base body 106 in a fixing material 60 which is here a glass material, but may also be a glass-ceramic material or a ceramic material, and is guided through from the front to the back, and the second connection pin, in particular the metal pin 52, is used as an earth pin. The earth pin may also be gold-plated.

[0045] As the ground pin, a second metal pin 52 is directly connected to a ring-shaped or plate-shaped body 106. Both the connection pins, particularly the metal pin 50 and the connection pin particularly the metal pin 52, are formed in a curved shape. The curvatures of both metal pins are indicated by reference numerals 54 or 56 and are distinct.

[0046] The connection pin, particularly the metal pin 50, may further be provided on the metal pin 50 itself with means 62 for engaging with a glass plug, and this means prevents the metal pin from being pushed out from the glass plug 60 in which the metal pin is glass-sealed even under high pressure.

[0047] The glass sealing of the connection pin, particularly the metal pin 50, into the fixing material 60 is carried out by melting. As soon as the connection pin, particularly the metal pin, is welded into the fixing material 60, the glass plug is inserted into the through-opening 20 together with the metal pin. Subsequently, the glass plug is heated together with a ring-shaped or plate-shaped element, i.e., the substrate, whereby, after cooling, as was already previously done during the manufacture of the glass plug in which the connection pin, particularly the metal pin, is inserted into the glass plug, the metal of the ring-shaped or plate-shaped element shrinks onto the fixing material, in this case the glass material. In this way, a compression glass seal having a tightness of 1×10 -8 mbar·l / sec at a pressure difference of 1 bar is obtained. The connection pin, particularly the metal pin 52, which functions as the ground, is conductively connected to the plate-shaped element, for example by hard soldering. The soldering location is indicated by reference numeral 70. All metal pins used are rounded at the end section 72 by a cutting method and / or a non-cutting method. Thereby, contamination of the surface of the connection pin, particularly the metal pin, does not occur, and thereby a coating, for example gold or nickel, can be provided on the connection pin without defect sites.

[0048] Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the feedthrough 100 for the igniter. The same components as in Figure 2 are given the same reference numerals. Different from Figure 2, Figure 3 is a view of a specifically realized embodiment, not a schematic diagram. Similar to Figure 2, the circular and plate-shaped body 106 includes two connection pins 50, 52. Different from Figure 2, the connection pins 50, 52 are shown including the coating. The coated section 220 of the metal pins is clearly shown. The same components as in Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The plateau region of the region 220 is denoted by the reference symbol P as in Figure 1. The dimensioning is selected in the same way as the description for Figure 1. On the one hand, it is well shown in Figure 3 that the coated metal pin 50 penetrates the opening of the substrate 100 in the glass material or glass-ceramic material 20. On the other hand, it is well shown in Figure 3 that the metal pin 52 can be firmly connected to the substrate, for example by soldering, and functions as a metal pin. The coated connection pins according to the invention have a low contact resistance and good electrical conductivity. Since defect sites are avoided, the coating with gold or Au according to the invention in the section 200 of the end section of the metal pin 7 having a closed surface is possible with substantially no defect sites. Instead of the direct coating of the metal pins with gold (Au), corresponding to the coating profile shown in Figure 4 for the coating according to the prior art and the coating according to the invention, the metal pins can also be first coated with nickel (Ni) as an adhesion layer and then gold can be coated on the Ni layer. The coated plateau region 2300 has a length P and is shown in Figure 3. It is advantageous if the nickel is deposited on the pin body by diffusion before the deposition of the gold layer. The Ni layer deposited by diffusion improves, on the one hand, the adhesion of the gold layer and, on the other hand, in particular the corrosion resistance of the coated pins.

[0049] The closed surface of the coating further functions to sufficiently eliminate corrosion. The plateau region of the coating according to the present invention, indicated by reference numeral 2300, starts at an interval of 1 mm to 4 mm following the connecting end portion or end section 10.1 of the metal pin and extends over a length P of up to 10 mm. Thus, the plateau region 2300 ends at an interval of 2 mm to 8 mm from the end section 10.1, i.e., the tip of the metal pin. The maximum layer thickness of the gold layer in the plateau region of length P is 0.2 μm to 0.8 μm, particularly 0.4 μm to 0.7 μm. In the region outside the plateau region towards the connecting end 10.1, the layer thickness is only 0.05 μm to 0.20 μm. The deposition of the gold layer can be carried out with a high degree of selectivity, for example, in a gold plating apparatus equipped with a selective brush technique.

[0050] The transition of the gold layer along the length L of the metal pin with respect to the interval from the end section or connecting end 10.1, i.e., the tip of the metal pin, is shown in FIG. 4.

[0051] The thickness transitions of the gold coatings of two metal pins according to the prior art are shown in FIG. 4 by reference numerals 2000.1 and 2000.2, and the transition according to the present invention is shown by reference numeral 2200.

[0052] The first profile 2000.1 according to the prior art has a very large thickness of 0.75 to 0.65 μm in the region of the tip of the metal pin, as shown in FIG. 4. In the region of the plateau used for contact, in the profile 2000.1 according to the prior art, the layer thickness decreases extremely rapidly and significantly, so that, for example, reliable contact of the plug becomes impossible. This is because in the profile 2000.1, in the region of the interval of 3 mm to 6 mm from the tip of the metal pin, the layer thickness is only 0.3 μm, and thus a gold layer thick enough for contact is not provided.

[0053] The second profile 2000.2 according to the prior art does show sufficient thickness in the plateau region of 3 mm to 6 mm, so reliable contact is provided, but the gold layer is unnecessarily thick by even a small amount up to the tip or 0.75 μm at the tip. The profile 2200 according to the invention shows similar good characteristics with respect to contact compared to the prior art in the form of profile 2000.2, but for this only significantly less material is required than in the case of the prior art profile 2000.2.

[0054] As shown, the layer thickness of the coating of the invention in transition 2200 is only 0.1 μm at the connection end 10.1, i.e., at the tip of the connection pin or metal pin, and increases almost linearly to more than 0.6 μm up to a distance of 3 mm from the tip.

[0055] The plateau region 2300 with length P in the metal coating transition 2200 according to the invention is, for example, the contact region of the connection pin or metal pin with a plug. In the contact region, other electrical components, such as a plug, are electrically connected to the metal pin. Based on the relatively thick gold coating with a thickness of approximately 0.65 μm in the plateau region 2300, a very reliable connection of the metal pin to other electrical devices with low contact resistance is possible. The plateau region 2300 in the coating transition 2200 is, according to the invention, produced very selectively, for example by means of a shield in a gold plating device, in the range from 3 mm to 6 mm from the tip of the metal pin. The gold layer has a substantially constant thickness of 0.6 μm to 0.65 μm in the plateau region. In particular, the selective deposition of the gold layer in the plateau region 2300 of transition 2200 is preferably carried out by galvanic plating. After the plateau region 2300, the layer thickness decreases almost linearly, so that after a length of 9 mm, the coating no longer exists.

[0056] Unlike the prior art having a transition 2000.2 with a layer thickness greater than 0.75 μm at the pin starting end, i.e., the connection end 10.1, the shield in the gold coating device enables the coating to form a substantially rectangular extension. Thus, according to the layer transition 2200, only the contact area of the metal pin is selectively coated, which results in significant material savings compared to the profile 2000.2 of the prior art.

[0057] Therefore, according to the present invention, there are provided connection pins or metal pins that provide a coating, particularly a connection area defined by geometry with at least an Au coating, especially for introduction into a plug system, and igniters for personal protection devices equipped with such connection pins or metal pins. Usually, the metal pins according to the present invention are inserted into the plug. This metal pin has a contact surface located at a distance from the end of the connection pin or metal pin. According to the present invention, the maximum layer thickness of the gold layer is in the area of the contact surface. This enables a reliable, i.e., long-term stable contact with a low contact resistance. In contrast, the layer thickness of the gold layer decreases towards the connection end or end section and becomes thinner there, resulting in a higher contact resistance and a greater potential for corrosion here.

[0058] Clause The present invention includes embodiments described in the following clauses, which are part of the specification but not claims that coincide with Appeal J15 / 88.

[0059] Clause 1. An igniter for a personal protection device, comprising at least one metal pin (50, 52) for contacting the trigger device of the personal protection device, and the at least one metal pin (50, 52) has a connection end (10.1, 72) connectable to the trigger device. The igniter for a personal protection device, wherein at least one metal pin (50, 52), preferably formed non-flat, particularly circularly, has a gold coating (200, 220) with a layer thickness D, and the maximum layer thickness D is located at least 1 mm away from the connection end (10.1, 72).

[0060] Clause 2. At least one metal pin (50, 52) can be connected to the trigger device at a distance from the connection end (10.1, 72), in particular by the contact surface of the plug, and the maximum layer thickness is present in the region where the contact surface abuts against the metal pin in the operating state, the igniter according to Clause 1.

[0061] Clause 3. The maximum layer thickness is located in the plateau region (2200), and in the plateau region, the layer thickness varies by at most 40%, in particular at most 20%, or at most 10% with respect to the maximum layer thickness, the igniter according to at least one of Clauses 1 to 2.

[0062] Clause 4. The maximum layer thickness D is from 0.20 μm to 0.80 μm, in particular from 0.40 μm to 0.70 μm, preferably about 0.60 μm, the igniter according to at least one of Clauses 1 to 3.

[0063] Clause 5. The layer thickness of the gold layer at the connection end (10.1) is less than 0.20 μm, in particular from 0.05 μm to 0.20 μm, the igniter according to at least one of Clauses 1 to 4.

[0064] Clause 6. At least one metal pin has a length (L) greater than 7 mm, and the layer thickness of the gold layer located at a distance of 7 mm from the connection end is greater than 0.15 μm, in particular greater than 0.20 μm, in particular from 0.15 μm to 0.35 μm, the igniter according to at least one of Clauses 1 to 5.

[0065] Clause 7. At least one metal pin has a length (L) greater than 7 mm, in particular from 7 mm to 12 mm, preferably 9 mm, and the plateau region (2200) starts at a distance of 1 mm to 4 mm, in particular 2 mm to 5 mm or 3 mm to 5 mm from the connection end, the igniter according to at least one of Clauses 1 to 5.

[0066] Clause 8. The igniter according to at least one of Clauses 3 to 7, wherein the plateau region (2200) terminates at an interval of 5 mm to 10 mm, in particular 5.5 mm to 7.5 mm or 5.8 mm to 7 mm, from the connection end.

[0067] Clause 9. The igniter according to at least one of Clauses 3 to 8, wherein the plateau region (2200) has a length P of 2 mm to 6 mm, in particular 3 mm to 5 mm, preferably 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm.

[0068] Clause 10. The igniter according to at least one of Clauses 3 to 9, wherein the layer thickness of the gold layer increases towards the plateau region (2200) from the connection end (10.1, 72), in particular with an increase in layer thickness of 0.1 to 0.3, preferably 0.25 μm, per 1 mm of the interval from the connection end.

[0069] Clause 11. The igniter according to at least one of Clauses 1 to 10, wherein at least one metal pin (50, 52) is arranged together with the substrate (106) in the metal - fixing material - feed - through fixing material (20), or is conductively connected to the substrate (106), in particular by soldering or welding.

[0070] Clause 12. A method for manufacturing an igniter for an airbag and / or a belt tensioner, the method comprising the following steps, namely, - providing a gold coating over a predetermined length on a metal pin, preferably a circular metal pin, wherein the gold coating is selectively applied such that a plateau region having a thickness of 0.10 μm to 0.80 μm is formed over a length of 2 mm to 8 mm, preferably 3 mm to 4 mm, starting at an interval of 1 mm to 5 mm from the connection end; - inserting the metal pin, preferably a circular metal pin, into a glass material or a glass - ceramic material; - inserting the glass material or the glass - ceramic material, together with only the metal pin or together with the substrate, into the casing opening of the igniter. - Heating a casing portion including a metal pin inserted into a glass material or a glass-ceramic material, thereby performing glass sealing A method comprising the steps of:

[0071] Clause 13. The method according to clause 12, characterized in that the gold coating is deposited on the pin by electrolytic deposition, preferably by a blending technique, preferably in a single coating step.

[0072] Clause 14. The method according to clause 12 or 13, characterized in that nickel is deposited by diffusion before depositing the gold coating on the metal pin.

[0073] Clause 15. Use of an igniter according to at least one of clauses 1 to 11 in a personal protection device selected from the following group: airbag and / or belt tensioner and / or lock tensioner and / or pyrotechnic actuator and / or active hinge and / or active lock and / or active headrest and / or active steering column and / or battery isolator.

[0074] Clause 16. A feedthrough for an igniter of a personal protection device, the igniter comprising at least one metal pin (50, 52) for contacting a trigger device of the personal protection device, the at least one metal pin (50, 52) having a connection end (10.1, 72) connectable to the trigger device, at least one metal pin (50, 52), preferably formed non-flat, in particular circularly, having a gold coating (200, 220) with a layer thickness D, the maximum layer thickness D being located at least 1 mm away from the connection end (10.1, 72), a feedthrough for an igniter of a personal protection device.

[0075] Clause 17. At least one metal pin (50, 52) can be connected to the trigger device at a distance from the connection end (10.1, 72), in particular by the contact surface of the plug, and the maximum layer thickness is a feed-through for the igniter according to clause 16, which is present in the region where the contact surface abuts against the metal pin in the operating state.

[0076] Clause 18. The maximum layer thickness is located in the plateau region (2200), where the layer thickness varies by at most 40%, in particular at most 20%, or at most 10% with respect to the maximum layer thickness, for the feed-through for the igniter according to at least one of clauses 16 to 17.

[0077] Clause 19. The maximum layer thickness D is from 0.20 μm to 0.80 μm, in particular from 0.40 μm to 0.70 μm, preferably about 0.60 μm, for the feed-through for the igniter according to at least one of clauses 16 to 18.

[0078] Clause 20. The layer thickness of the gold layer at the connection end (10.1) is less than 0.20 μm, in particular from 0.05 μm to 0.20 μm, for the feed-through for the igniter according to at least one of clauses 16 to 19.

[0079] Clause 21. At least one metal pin has a length (L) greater than 7 mm, and the layer thickness of the gold layer located at a distance of 7 mm from the connection end is greater than 0.15 μm, in particular greater than 0.20 μm, in particular from 0.15 μm to 0.35 μm, for the feed-through for the igniter according to at least one of clauses 16 to 20.

[0080] Clause 22. At least one metal pin has a length (L) greater than 7 mm, in particular from 7 mm to 12 mm, preferably 9 mm, and the plateau region (2200) starts at a distance of 1 mm to 4 mm, in particular 2 mm to 5 mm or 3 mm to 5 mm, from the connection end, for the feed-through for the igniter according to at least one of clauses 16 to 21.

[0081] Clause 23. The plateau region (2200) is a feed-through for an igniter according to at least one of Clauses 18 to 22, terminating at a distance of 5 mm to 10 mm, in particular 5.5 mm to 7.5 mm or 5.8 mm to 7 mm, from the connection end.

[0082] Clause 24. The plateau region (2200) is a feed-through for an igniter according to at least one of Clauses 18 to 23, having a length P of 2 mm to 6 mm, in particular 3 mm to 5 mm, preferably 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm.

[0083] Clause 25. The layer thickness of the gold layer increases from the connection end (10.1, 72) towards the plateau region (2200), in particular with an increase in layer thickness of 0.1 to 0.3, preferably 0.25 μm, per 1 mm of distance from the connection end, for a feed-through for an igniter according to at least one of Clauses 18 to 24.

[0084] Clause 26. At least one metal pin (50, 52) is arranged with the substrate (106) or conductively connected to the substrate (106), in particular by brazing or welding, in the metal - fixing material - feed-through fixing material (20), for a feed-through for an igniter according to at least one of Clauses 16 to 25.

[0085] Clause 27. The feed-through comprises a substrate with an opening, for a feed-through for an igniter according to at least one of Claims 16 to 26.

[0086] Clause 28. The metal pin is glass - sealed within the opening or within a glass material or glass - ceramic material, for a feed-through for an igniter according to Clause 27.

[0087] Clause 29. The glass material and / or glass - ceramic material has a coefficient of thermal expansion α Glas and the substrate with the opening has a coefficient of thermal expansion α Grundkoerper and α Glas < α GrundkoerperA feedthrough for the igniter according to clause 28.

[0088] Clause 30. A method of manufacturing a feedthrough for an igniter of an airbag and / or a belt tensioner, the method comprising the following steps: - providing a gold coating over a predetermined length of a metal pin, preferably a circular metal pin, wherein the gold coating is selectively applied such that it starts at an interval of 1 mm to 5 mm from the connection end and a plateau region having a thickness of 0.10 μm to 0.80 μm is formed over a length of 2 mm to 8 mm, preferably 3 mm to 4 mm; - inserting the metal pin, preferably a circular metal pin, into a glass material or a glass-ceramic material; - inserting the glass material or the glass-ceramic material, either alone with the metal pin or together with a substrate, into the casing opening of the igniter; - heating the casing portion containing the metal pin inserted into the glass material or the glass-ceramic material to thereby perform a glass seal. A method comprising the above steps.

[0089] Clause 31. The method according to clause 30, characterized in that the gold coating is deposited on the pin by electrolytic deposition, preferably by a blend technique, preferably in a single coating step.

[0090] Clause 32. The method according to clause 30 or 31, characterized in that nickel is deposited by diffusion on the metal pin before the gold coating is deposited.

Claims

Claim 1 An igniter for a personal protection device, comprising at least one metal pin (50, 52) for contacting a trigger device of the personal protection device, the at least one metal pin (50, 52) having a connection end (10.1, 72) connectable to the trigger device, The at least one metal pin (50, 52), which is particularly circularly formed, has a gold coating (200, 220) having a layer thickness (D), and the maximum of the layer thickness (D) is located at least 1 mm away from the connection end (10.1, 72), The layer thickness (D) of the gold coating (200, 220) increases from the connection end (10.1, 72) towards a plateau region (2200), in particular with an increase in the layer thickness (D) of 0.1 to 0.3 per 1 mm of the distance from the connection end, an igniter for a personal protection device. Claim 2 The at least one metal pin (50, 52) is connectable to the trigger device at a distance from the connection end (10.1, 72), in particular by a contact surface of a plug, and the maximum of the layer thickness (D) is present in the region where the contact surface abuts against the metal pin in the operating state, the igniter according to claim 1. Claim 3 The maximum of the layer thickness (D) is located in the plateau region (2200), and in the plateau region, the layer thickness (D) varies by up to 40%, in particular up to 20%, or up to 10% with respect to the maximum of the layer thickness (D), the igniter according to at least one of claims 1 to 2. Claim 4 The maximum of the layer thickness (D) is from 0.20 μm to 0.80 μm, in particular from 0.40 μm to 0.70 μm, the igniter according to at least one of claims 1 to 3. Claim 5 The layer thickness (D) of the gold coating (200, 220) at the connection end (10.1) is less than 0.20 μm, in particular from 0.05 μm to 0.20 μm, the igniter according to at least one of claims 1 to 4. Claim 6 The at least one metal pin has a length (L) greater than 7 mm, and the layer thickness (D) of the gold coating (200, 220) located at a distance of 7 mm from the connection end is thicker than 0.15 μm, in particular thicker than 0.20 μm, in particular from 0.15 μm to 0.35 μm, the igniter according to at least one of claims 1 to 5. Claim 7 The at least one metal pin has a length (L) greater than 7 mm, in particular between 7 mm and 12 mm, and the plateau region (2200) starts at a distance of between 1 mm and 4 mm, in particular between 2 mm and 5 mm or between 3 mm and 5 mm, from the connection end, Igniter according to claim 3.

8. The plateau region (2200) ends at a distance of between 5 mm and 10 mm, in particular between 5.5 mm and 7.5 mm or between 5.8 mm and 7 mm, from the connection end, Igniter according to claim 3.

9. The plateau region (2200) has a length P of between 2 mm and 6 mm, in particular between 3 mm and 5 mm, Igniter according to claim 3.

10. The at least one metal pin (50, 52) is arranged with the substrate (106) in the metal / fixing material / feed-through fixing material (20) or is conductively connected to the substrate (106), in particular by soldering or welding, Igniter according to at least one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A method for manufacturing an igniter for an airbag and / or a belt tensioner, providing a gold coating over a predetermined length on the metal pin, in which case the gold coating is selectively applied starting at a distance of between 1 mm and 5 mm from the connection end and having a thickness of between 0.10 μm and 0.80 μm over a length of between 2 mm and 8 mm to form a plateau region; inserting the metal pin into a glass material or a glass ceramic material; inserting the glass material or the glass ceramic material into the opening of the casing of the igniter, together with only the metal pin or together with the substrate; heating the part of the casing containing the metal pin inserted into the glass material or the glass ceramic material to effect a glass seal A method comprising.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the gold coating is applied to the pin by electrolytic deposition.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that nickel is applied by diffusion before the gold coating is applied to the metal pin. Use of an igniter according to at least one of claims 1 to 10 in a personal protection device selected from the group of an airbag and / or a belt tensioner and / or a lock tensioner and / or a pyrotechnic actuator and / or an active hinge and / or an active lock and / or an active headrest and / or an active steering column and / or a battery separator.

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