Integral pyrotechnic initiator with molded connector
AssigneeSpecial Devices, Inc.
InventorsVahan Avetisian, Mher Chimayan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pyrotechnic initiator has a molded connector with a hollow interior, where the connector includes at least one locking tab extending from the connector wall toward the centerline of the connector, overhanging the hollow interior of the connector. A mating connector can be inserted past the locking tab for a mounting connection and pulled out past the locking tab for disconnecting the pyrotechnic initiator. The molded connector feature preferably is injection molded around a molding assembly which is used to form at least one locking tab. Cavities corresponding to the location of the locking tabs are provided by the intersection of separate pieces of the molding assembly.
Claims20
A pyrotechnic initiator for mating, comprising:
- a pyrotechnic igniter including a top, a bottom including one or more electrical leads, and an outer surface between said top and said bottom;
- a retainer;
- and
- a molded nonconductive body intimately and directly bonded to substantially all of said outer surface of said igniter and to said retainer, said body including a connector comprising:
- a substantially solid connector wall defining a hollow interior and including a substantially cylindrical exposed inner surface;
- and
- at least one exposed locking tab extending inwardly from said inner surface and radially extending along less than substantially all of the radial extent of said substantially cylindrical exposed inner surface of said connector wall.
A pyrotechnic initiator for mating made by a method comprising the steps of:
- providing a pyrotechnic igniter including a top, a bottom including one or more electrical leads, and an outer surface between said top and said bottom;
- providing a retainer;
- and
- intimately and directly bonding a molded nonconductive body to substantially all of said outer surface of said igniter and to said retainer, said body including a connector comprising:
- a substantially solid connector wall defining a hollow interior and including a substantially cylindrical exposed inner surface;
- and
- at least one exposed locking tab extending inwardly from said inner surface and radially extending along less than substantially all of the radial extent of said substantially cylindrical exposed inner surface of said connector wall.
A method of making a pyrotechnic initiator for mating, comprising the steps of:
- providing a pyrotechnic igniter including a top, a bottom including one or more electrical leads, and an outer surface between said top and said bottom;
- providing a retainer;
- and
- intimately and directly bonding a molded nonconductive body to substantially all of said outer surface of said igniter and to said retainer, said body including a connector comprising:
- a substantially solid connector wall defining a hollow interior and including a substantially cylindrical exposed inner surface;
- and
- at least one exposed locking tab extending inwardly from said inner surface and radially extending along less than substantially all of the radial extent of said substantially cylindrical exposed inner surface of said connector wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.