Spring-Loaded Shielded Connector for Ignition Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing squib systems are vulnerable to unintentional ignition due to radiated electromagnetic fields (EMF) or pulses (EMP), posing safety risks during assembly, transport, and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A plug connection system with a double coaxial structure, featuring spring-loaded contacts that short-circuit the squib's inner conductors and housing in a stored state, automatically opening when the plug is inserted, preventing accidental ignition and allowing shielded coaxial feed lines without additional precautions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the connector contacts are left open during storage, then the ignition pellet is accessible for use, but the risk of unintentional ignition by EMF/EMP increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition reliabilityVSAvoidvulnerability to EMF/EMP
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connector applies a preliminary protective action by maintaining a short-circuit connection between the center contact and ring contact during storage. This pre-established protective state prevents harmful electromagnetic fields from inducing dangerous voltages in the ignition circuit, effectively counteracting potential harmful effects before they can cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful open-circuit state into a beneficial short-circuit protective state during storage. By deliberately maintaining electrical continuity between contacts through spring-loaded connections, the system transforms what would normally be a dangerous condition (electrical connection that could allow EMP induction) into a protective measure that shunts electromagnetic energy harmlessly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the connector contacts are short-circuited during storage, then protection against EMF/EMP is provided, but the ignition function is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding against EMF/EMPVSAvoidignition capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector employs dynamic, spring-loaded contacts that can transition between two states: a short-circuit protective state during storage and an open-circuit operational state during use. The spring mechanism provides automatic adaptability, allowing the electrical connection status to change based on operational requirements while maintaining optimal protection or functionality at each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs a preliminary protective short-circuit action during storage, then automatically reverses this action when the plug is inserted for operation. The spring-loaded design ensures the protective short-circuit is established in advance before any potential electromagnetic threat, and is automatically removed when needed for ignition, providing seamless transition between protection and functionality modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If complex shielding measures are implemented, then protection against EMF/EMP is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEMF/EMP protectionVSAvoidconnector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the shielding function with the basic electrical connector structure itself. Rather than adding separate shielding components, the connector's center contact and ring contact are designed to work together as both electrical conductors and protective elements. The spring-loaded mechanism combines mechanical connection and electrical shorting functions into a single integrated system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining effective protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances handling safety by preventing accidental ignition during storage, transport, and use, while enabling easy assembly and secure ignition through a simple plug-in mechanism, ensuring effective shielding against EMF and EMP.

Implementation Method 1

an inner spring element configured to spring the connector center contact into the connector housing; and an outer spring element configured to spring the connector ring contact into the connector housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3407438B1Plug connecting system for ignition-proof, electrically shielded contacting with an igniter
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 MBDA DEUTSCHIAND GMBH
  • EP3407438B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3407438B1 patent drawingFigure 1c
  • EP3407438B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

A connector (1) for the electrically shielded mounting of an ignition pellet (7) comprises an ignition pellet (7); a connector center contact (2); a connector ring contact (3) which coaxially surrounds the connector center contact (2), wherein the connector ring contact (3) and the connector center contact (2) are electrically connected to the ignition pellet (7) for ignition of the ignition pellet (7); a connector housing (4) which coaxially surrounds the connector ring contact (3); an inner spring element (8) by means of which the connector center contact (2) can be springed into the connector housing (4); and an outer spring element (9) by means of which the connector ring contact (3) can be springed into the connector housing (4);wherein the connector center contact (2) is short-circuited with the connector ring contact (3) and the connector ring contact (3) is short-circuited with the connector housing (4) to prevent unintentional ignition of the ignition pill (7) in a storage state; and wherein the short circuit of the connector center contact (2) with the connector ring contact (3) can be removed by springing the connector center contact (2) into the connector housing (4) and the short circuit of the connector ring contact (3) with the connector housing (4) can be removed by springing the connector ring contact (3) into the connector housing (4) for use of the ignition pill (7).