Initiator assembly with integrated shorting element

Abstract

An initiator assembly for use with an assembly for use in a vehicular safety restraint installation such as in an airbag inflator or micro-gas generator is provided. The initiator assembly includes an integral, one-piece insert member that is injection molded with insulating material to an initiator. The insert member suitably engages a housing of the assembly for properly holding the initiator assembly in place relative to the housing both before and after the initiator is activated. The insulating material defines a receiving portion for receiving a shorting element. The shorting element creates a short circuit between a pair of initiator electrical terminals. The insulating material further defines an interface having a keyed mating portion for receiving a correspondingly shaped electrical connector in electrical contact with the electrical terminals.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An assembly for use in a vehicular safety restraint installation, comprising: 
 an initiator including a pair of electrical terminals for electrical contact with an electrical connector to receive an electrical signal from the electrical connector; and    a collar assembly joined to the initiator and including:    a collar member formed of an injection-molded insulating material and surrounding at least portions of the initiator, the collar member defining an interface that contains at least portions of each of the pair of electrical terminals, the interface including a keyed mating portion for accepting the electrical connector in a keyed mated connection and defining a receiving portion for accepting a shorting element in a secured connection;    an insert member joined by injection molding with the collar member insulating material; and    a shorting element secured at least in part to the receiving portion of the collar member interface, the shorting element establishing a short circuit between the pair of electrical terminals when the electrical connector is not in electrical contact with the pair of electrical terminals.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the pair of electrical terminals comprises a pair of conductive pins.  
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the shorting element is secured to the receiving portion via a snap fit.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the injection-molded insulating material is glass-reinforced.  
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the injection-molded insulating material comprises glass-reinforced nylon.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the injection-molded insulating material comprises glass-reinforced polyester.  
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the injection-molded insulating material comprises glass-reinforced polyetherimide.  
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the insert member includes a body member and a shoulder integral therewith, the body member having an interior section with an inward length extending inwardly within the collar member insulating material and the shoulder having an outward length extending outwardly from the collar member insulating material.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the collar member further defines at least one mating slot.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 a body including a housing containing a supply of gas generant material and  
 wherein the insert member engages with at least a portion of the body in fixed relative position and wherein, upon actuation, the initiator being in reaction initiating discharge communication with at least a portion of the supply of gas generant material.  
 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10  being an airbag inflator.  
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10  being a micro-gas generator.  
     
     
         13 . An initiator assembly for use in a vehicle, comprising: 
 an initiator including a pair of electrical conductive pins for electrical contact with an electrical connector to receive an electrical signal from the electrical connector; and    a collar assembly joined to the initiator and including:    a collar member formed of an injection-molded insulating material and surrounding at least portions of the initiator, the collar member defining an interface that contains at least portions of each of the pair of electrical conductive pins, the interface including a keyed mating portion for accepting the electrical connector in a keyed mated connection and a receiving portion for accepting a shorting element in a secured connection;    an insert member joined by injection molding with the collar member insulating material, the insert member including a body portion and a shoulder portion integral therewith, the body portion having an interior section with an inward length extending inwardly within the collar member insulating material and the shoulder portion having an outward length extending outwardly from the collar member insulating material; and    a shorting element snap-fit secured to the receiving portion of the collar member interface, the shorting element establishing a short circuit between the pair of electrical conductive pins when the electrical connector is not in electrical contact with the pair of electrical conductive pins.    
     
     
         14 . The initiator assembly of  claim 13  wherein the collar member further defines at least one mating slot.  
     
     
         15 . The initiator assembly of  claim 13  wherein the injection-molded insulating material is glass-reinforced.  
     
     
         16 . The initiator assembly of  claim 15  wherein the injection-molded insulating material comprises glass-reinforced nylon.  
     
     
         17 . The initiator assembly of  claim 15  wherein the injection-molded insulating material comprises glass-reinforced polyester.  
     
     
         18 . The initiator assembly of  claim 15  wherein the injection-molded insulating material comprises glass-reinforced polyetherimide.  
     
     
         19 . An airbag inflator comprising the initiator assembly of  claim 13 .  
     
     
         20 . A micro-gas generator comprising the initiator assembly of  claim 13.