Squib Connector ESD Dissipation via Conductive Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive motor-vehicle safety devices, such as airbags and seat-belt pretensioners, can be inadvertently triggered by electrostatic discharges during connector coupling, leading to potential accidents due to the lack of effective protection against such discharges in existing connector systems.
Innovation Solution
A connection assembly for passive motor-vehicle safety devices featuring a squib connector and a counter-connector, where the squib connector is housed in a conductive metal body grounded to the vehicle, and incorporates electrically dissipative materials to safely discharge electrostatic charges, preventing unintended triggering. This assembly includes a socket and counter-connector with electrically dissipative elements ensuring electrical continuity with the squib body, and optional features like short-circuit contacts and position assurance devices to manage electrical charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connector systems are used without electrostatic discharge protection, then the connector structure remains simple, but the reliability of the safety device is compromised due to risk of accidental triggering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrically dissipative material as an intermediary element between the socket and the squib body. This material serves as a mediator that gradually dissipates electrostatic charges through controlled electrical conductivity, preventing sudden discharges that could trigger the squib accidentally, while maintaining the overall connector structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the socket by using an electrically dissipative material with specific resistivity characteristics. This parameter change allows the socket to transition from being purely insulating to having controlled conductivity, enabling it to dissipate electrostatic charges while maintaining structural integrity and electrical isolation when needed
2Reliability
If electrically dissipative material is added to the socket or counter-connector, then protection against electrostatic discharge is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining electrically dissipative material with traditional connector materials. The electrically dissipative material can be used as a coating layer on the socket or counter-connector, or as an integrated component within the assembly, creating a composite structure that provides both mechanical strength and electrostatic discharge protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the connector system into distinct functional elements: the metal squib body, the socket (with or without dissipative material), the counter-connector, and the electrically dissipative material as a separate component. This segmentation allows each element to be manufactured independently using appropriate processes and then assembled, simplifying the overall manufacturing complexity
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
Effectively prevents accidental triggering of safety devices by safely dissipating electrostatic charges to ground, ensuring reliable operation during connector coupling and reducing the risk of untimely deployments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the elements of the list comprising the socket and the casing of the counter-connector comprises an electrically dissipative material, in electrical continuity, on the one hand, with one of the contacts of the counter-connector and, on the other hand, with the squib body
Implementation Method 2
any electric charge generated, for example, by an electrostatic effect in the wires connecting the control device to the airbag connector may be transmitted to the squib body, which itself is connected to ground. It is therefore evacuated without accumulating and without running the risk of the squib triggering during a discharge
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Squib connection assembly for a motor-vehicle safety device. This connection assembly comprises a squib connector and an airbag connector (3). The squib connector comprises a socket (4) intended, on the one hand, to be housed in the squib body (5) and, on the other hand, to be coupled to the airbag connector (3). The socket (4) is passed through by male contacts (6) that are electrically connected to the squib. The airbag connector (3) comprises a casing (8) in which are housed female contacts (12) and at least one other contact (16). At least one of the elements of the list comprising the socket (4) and the casing (8) of the airbag connector (3) comprises an electrically dissipative material in electrical continuity, on the one hand, with one of the contacts (12, 16) of the airbag connector (3) and, on the other hand, with the squib body (5).