Electric connecting device

Abstract: An in-line electrical connector device (21) comprises the combination of a plurality of push-in connectors (22, 27) co-operating with a connector (31); the connectors are provided with mating electrical contacts. The construction of the device is such that if at least one of the connectors (22) is not fitted normally with the co-operating connector (31) fitting of the remaining connector (27) is prevented. This construction makes it possible to call the attention of an operator to any abnormal fitting and to effect the fitting of each connector accurately. By making one of the electrical lines an airbag circuit for actuating an inflator in an airbag device of a vehicle and making another electrical lines a signal line for detecting abnormality of the inflator and a collision sensor and a horn circuit for tooting a horn, these electrical appliances are connected electrically and accurately and operational reliability of them is improved.

Description: Background of the Invention Field of the Invention: This invention relates to an electric connecting device arranged midway of a signal line which puts out signals to various electrical appliances, for putting said line in a continued state electrically, especially for ensuring accurate electrical connection. Description of the Prior Art: An airbag device for protecting men on a vehicle form a shock at a head-on collision is conventionally known. This airbag device, as disclosed in the Japanese Utility Model Registration Application Laying Open Publication No.61-71556, for example, is provided with an airbag arranged in front of seats, an inflator for inflating the airbag by filling gaseous body in it by ignition and a collision sensor for detecting the collision of vehicles. At the collision of vehicles, a battery (power source) in the car is continued to the inflator, whereby the inflator is ignited and the airbag is inflated. Thus, men in the car are prevented from colliding with a front glass, a steering wheel, etc. In order to ensure normal operation of a system, the conventional airbag device is equipped with a trouble diagnosing device whereby outbreak of any abnormal continuity at a main circuit is informed to a man on a vehicle for immediate repair. This trouble diagnosing device is so designed that a circuit which connects a collision sensor and an inflator to a battery is made a main circuit, electric potential at a specified part of the main circuit is led to a potential detecting part by a sub-circuit and abnormal continuity, such as breaking, short-circuit, etc., at the main circuit is detected at the potential detecting part as potential change in the main circuit. In the case where a sensor side and a battery side in the main circuit are connected electrically and in the case where a joining part to the main circuit and the potential detecting part in the sub-circuit are connected electrically, an electric connecting device which comprises a combination of a connector and a connector joining member having a connector joining part which joins said connector is generally used. By the connection of the connector joining member and the connector, the disired electrical connection is obtained. However, due to carelessness of an operator and other causes, it sometimes happens that at the stage of fitting in the electric connecting device, the connector is not connected normally and accurately to the connector joining part of the connector joining member. In such a case, the main circuit is in a broken state at the part of the electric connecting device and therefore the airbag device cannot display it original function accurately. The present invention has been made, in view of the abovementioned drawbacks of the conventional device. An object of the present invention is that in the case where each of plural signal lines in the main circuit and sub-circuit is put in a continued state by the electrical joining of a connector and a connector joining member, good or bad of the joining of each connector to a connector joining member is judged on the bassis of the joining state of the other connector to the other connector joining member which forms the other signal line, thereby enabling mutual discrimination of good from bad of the joining state of each connector and thus joining each connector to a connector joining member accurately. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to find out bad continuity of a signal line due to imperfect joining of each connector to a connector joining member by a bad joining of the other connector and also by bad continuity of the other signal line resulting from bad joining of said other connector. A further object of the present invention is to keep the original function of an airbag device for a vehicle in a constantly stabilised condition by effecting the continuity accurately when connecting an inflator, a collision sensor and a power source in an airbag circuit by a power source connecting device and a harness. In order to attain the above objects, in accordance with the present invention there is provided an electric connecting device comprising a connector joining member and a plurality of independent connectors, electrically and mechanically connectable to said connector joining member, characterised by a joining controlling means which, when at least one of said plurality of connectors is not joined correctly to the connector joining member, prevents the joining of the remaining connectors to the connector joining member. In the above case, it is possible to make first fitting signal lines main circuits for operating electrical appliances and make second signal lines sub-circuits which check the continued state of the main circuits so as to put the main circuits and the sub-circuits in a continued state independently by an electric connecting device which is composed of a main connector, a sub-connector and a connector joining member connected to both connectors. Similarly to the construction mentioned above, provided in the housing of the connector joining member are a main connector fitting part which is connected electrically to the main connector by fitting thereof and puts the main circuit in a continued state, a sub-connector fitting part which is connected electrically to the sub-connector by fitting thereof and puts the sub-circuit in a continued state and a joining controlling means which prevents the fitting of the sub-connector in the sub-connector fitting part in the case where the main connector is not fitted correctly in the main connector fitting part. Also, it is possible to make the main circuit an airbag circuit which actuates an airbag device at collision of vehicles. This airbag circuit has a power source, a sensor for detecting collision of vehicles, an inflator for inflating the airbag by filling gaseous body therein and a harness for connecting electrical appliances concerned. A connector is provided at least one of the connecting parts of each electrical appliance and a harness. Further, the sensor is of switch type and is connected with two power source lines and two trouble diagnosing lines, of which at least two power source lines are connected to the main connector and at least one trouble diagnosing line is connected to the sub-connector. The second signal line is connected to an alarm device which issues an abnormality alarm if the second connector is not fitted in the second connector fitting part of the connector joining member. By this connection to the alarm device, failure of fitting of the second connector in the connector joining member can be found out by an abnormality alarm of the alarm device and this will promote a normal connection of the first connector. If the second signal line is made a medium of checking the continued state of the first signal line, any abnormal continuity of the first signal line can be detected earlier and as a result, earlier repair can be done. By making the first signal line an airbag circuit for actuateing an airbag device at collision of vehicles, it is possible to put the airbag circuit in a continued state accurately and to ensure operation reliability of the airbag device. In this case, if the second signal line is made a horn circuit for tooting a vehicle horn, no tooting of a horn tells the bad continuity state of the airbag circuit and as a result, more accurate continuity of the airbag circuit can be obtained. Concretely, the above airbag circuit has a power source, a sensor for detecting collision of vehicles, an inflator for inflating the airbag by filling gaseous body therein and a harness for connecting these electrical appliances. A connector is provided at least at one of the parts where each electrical appliance is connected to the harness. The connector joining member comprises a first connector fitting part and a second connector fitting part. The joining controlling means is composed of a movable member which is provided movably between both connector fitting parts. This movable member is so designed that it is positioned in front of the second connector fitting part when a connector is not connected to the first connector fitting part. The above movable member is composed of a swingable plate with its intermediate part supported swingably by a support axis. One end of this swingable plate is positioned in front of the second connector fitting part and the other end is connectable, when a connector is connected to the first connector fitting part, to the connector. A regulating plate is provided at the side of the swingable plate. One end of this regulating plate is fixed between the first and the second connector fitting parts and at the other end is provided protrudingly a fitting part which makes contact with a connector which was imperfectly joined to the first connector fitting part. By contact of this fitting part with the connector, the other end of the regulating plate is moved in front of the second connector fitting part. A tapered part which makes contact with a connector to be joined to the first connector fitting part is formed at the above regulating plate or the regulating plate is made of flexible material. In this case, when joining a connector to the first connector fitting part, the other end of the regulating plate can be moved easily to the position in front of the second connector fitting part and therefore joining of a connector to the first connector fitting part and movement of the regulating plate can be carried out smoothly. A spring which forces one end of the swingable plate to position in front of the second connector fitting part is provided around the support axis. Under this arrangement, while a connector is not joined to the first connector fitting part, one end of the swingable plate is always positioned in front of the second connector fitting part and thus it can be prevented that a connector is joined independently to the second connector fitting part. Brief Description of The Drawings The nature and advantages of the present invention will be understood more clearly from the following description of embodiments of the present invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 - Figure 8 show respectively an embodiment of the present invention, of which:- Figure 1 is a cross section showing the whole construction of an electric connecting device; Fig.2 is a perspective view of the electric connecting device as it is disassembled; Fig.3 is a rough perspective view of a connector joining member; Fig.4 is a cross section, showing the state of connection of each connector to a connector joining member; Fig.5 is an electric circuit diagram, showing the whole construction of an airbag device; Fig.6 is an electric circuit diagram, showing the state of joining of a main circuit and a sub-circuit in a front sensor; Fig.7 is a flow chart, showing a sequence of signal process for detecting abnormality of an inflator in a trouble diagnosing module; Fig.8 is a perspective view, showing the mounting position of each electrical appliance of an airbag device in a car; Fig.9-Fig.11 show respectively another embodiment of the present invention, of which: Fig.9 is a perspective view of an electric connecting device as it is disassembled; Fig.10 is an electric circuit diagram, showing the whole construction of the airbag device; and Fig.11 is an electric circuit diagram, showing the state of connection of a main circuit and a sub-circuit in an inflator. Detailed Description Of The Present Invention Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig.1-Fig.8 show an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig.8, reference numeral 1 designates a car body and reference numeral 2 designates a car room formed in the car body 1. Provided in the car body 1 is an airbag device 7 which at the time of head-on collision of a car prevents a man (men) in the car room 2 from colliding with a front window glass 3, a steering wheel 4 or others. This airbag device 7 is provided with three front sensors 8, 8, 8 incorporated in a front bumper 5 at both ends and a central portion thereof, a pair of cowl sensors 9, 9 fitted in both ends of a cowl part 6 of the car body 1, an airbag module 10 arranged unrevolvably at the central part of the steering wheel 4 and a trouble diagnosing module 11 incorporating CPU fitted to an instrument panel 2a at the front end of the car room 2. These apparatuses are connected with one another by a main circuit 16 and a sub-circuit 18. The front sensor 8 and the cowl sensor 9 are of switch type. The internal construction of these sensors 8, 9 is not shown in the drawings but each of them carries, for example, a pair of contacts and a sensing mass which short-circuits the both contacts. Normally, the sensing mass is kept separated from the contacts by attracting and fixing it by a magnet ("OFF" state) but at the time of collision, the sensing mass is put in "ON" operation state by moving it by abnormal acceleration resulting from a collision and contacting it with the contacts. A shown in Fig.5, each of the three front sensor 8, 8, 8 is connected in series to the aribag module 10. This airbag module 10 is provided with an airbag (not shown in the drawings), an inflator 12 which fills gaseous body in the airbag and inflates it and an igniter 13 is comprising a heater which actuates the inflator 12. Each of the front sensors 8 is connected to this igniter 13. A pair of cowl sensors 9, 9 is each connected in series with the igniter 13. Each of the cowl sensors 9, 9 is connected to a battery 14 in the car via a system down switch 15 which is normally "ON" for keeping the airbag device in a non-operation state. The main circuit 16 is composed of circuits which connect in series the front sensors 8, 8, 8, the inflator 12, cowl sensors 9, 9, the system down switch 15 and the battery 14. When one of the three front sensors 8, 8, 8 turns "ON" and one of the two cowl sensors 9, 9 turns "ON" at head-on collision of a car, a power source is supplied from the battery 14 to the igniter 13 of the inflator 12 to make the igniter 13 generate heat. By the generation of heat of the igniter 13, the inflator 12 is actuated to inflate the airbag. Incorporated in each front sensor 8 and each cowl sensor 9 is resistance R₁ and resistance R₂ respectively which are connected in parallel with respective contact alignment. A shown by broken lines in Fig.5, the main circuit 16 on both sides of each sensor 8 and each sensor 9 (contacts and resistance R₁, R₂ in parallel therewith) is connected with a pair of monitor lines L₁, L₁ and a pair of monitor lines L₂, L₂ for monitoring the short-circuit of each sensor 8 and each sensor 9. A pair of monitor lines L₃, L₃ for monitoring disconnection of the igniter 13 are connected to between contact of the igniter 13 in the inflator 12. Each of these monitor lines L₁-L₃ is connected to the trouble diagnosing module 11. The trouble diagnosing module 11 has the function of controlling ON/OFF of the system down switch 15 and is connected to the battery 14 via an indicator 17 as an alarm device. The alarm device can be a buzzer in place of the indicator 17. In the trouble diagnosing module 11, when detecting short-circuit of each sensor 8 and each sensor 9, very low current for monitoring is kept applied to each sensor 8 and each sensor 9 through the monitor line L₁, L₂ and if the electric current values of the monitor lines L₁, L₂ increase over a set value, it is concluded that such increases was caused by the short-circuited state of the sensors 8, 9 and the main circuit 16 is broken by OFF operating the system down switch 15. At the same time, such abnormality is informed to a man in the car by the operation of the indicator17. When detecting the abnormality of the inflator 12, a signal process shown by flow chart of Fig.7 is done. Concretely, at the step S₁ the potential V B on battery side and the potential V E on earth side of the inflator 12 are inputted by both monitor lines L₃, L₃. Then, at the step S₂ it is judged whether or not the potential V B and the potential V E are equal to each other. If the inflator 12 short-circuits, the result is V B =V E and judgement is "YES". In this case, the process advances to the step S₄ and the indicator 17 is lighted. On the other hand, if no short-circuit of the inflator 12 is found and judgement at the step S₂ is "NO", the process advances to the step S₃ and it is judged whether or not the potential V E on earth side is zero. If the inflator 12 is disconnected, the result is V E =0 and judgement is "YES". In this case, the process advances to the step S₄ and the indicator 17 is lighted. If the inflator 12 is not broken and the judgement at the step S₃ is "NO", the process terminates. In this embodiment, the sub-circuit 18 for checking the continuity state of the main circuit 16 is composed by each monitor line L₁, L₂, L₃. In Fig.5, reference numeral 19 designates a condenser which acts as an auxiliary power source when the battery 14 is disabled to supply power. Reference number 20 designates an operation switch for adjusting supply of power source to the trouble diagnosing module 11. The above-mentioned electrical appliances are connected to one another by the main circuit 16, the sub-circuit 18 and the harness forming the monitor lines L₁-L₃. Provided for the main circuit 16 and the sub-circuit 18 near each sensor 8, each sensor 9 and the inflator 12 are electric connecting devices 21, 21, ..., each of which puts the main circuits 16, 16 and the sub-circuits 18, 18 in the continuity state respectively and independently. These electric connecting devices 21, 21, ... are of the same construction. An explanation is made below about the case of the electric connecting device near the front sensor 8. As shown in Fig.6, the electric connecting device 21 comprises a main connector 22, a sub-connector 27 and a connector joining member 31 to be connected to said connectors 22, 27. The main connector 22 forms one of the main circuits 16, 16 on the sensor 8 side and the sub-circuit 18, 18 on the sensor 8 side (one of the monitor lines L₁). the sub-connector 27 forms the other of the sub-circuits 18 ,18 ( the other of the monitor lines L₁). The connector joining member 31 forms the main circuits 16, 16 and the sub-circuits 18, 18 on the car body side. As shown in Fig.1 and Fig.2, the main connector 22 has a housing 24 with a concave part 23 for fitting formed at its top part. Three pins (not shown in the drawing) project from the bottom surface of the concave part 23 for fitting. A front end (top end) of the housing 24 is made larger in diameter and a shoulder part 25 for fitting is formed on the rear side of the larger diameter part (on the left side in the drawing) and at one side of the outer circumference of the housing 24. Provided swingably in the housing 24 and at the rear side of the shoulder part 25 for fitting is a lever 26 for releasing fitting. This lever 26 is supported by the housing 24 as it is forced to move in anticlockwise direction so that its top end makes contact with the outer circumference of the housing. An engaging part 26a is formed at the top end portion of the lever 26 for releasing fitting. Basically, the sub-connector 27 has the construction similar to that of the main connector 22, manely, a concave part 29 for fitting is formed at the end portion of the housing 28 and one pin (not shown in the drawing) projects from the bottom surface of the concave part 29 for fitting. Also, convex parts 30, 30 are made protrudingly at one side of the outer circumference of the housing 28 and at the larger diameter part of a forward end of the housing 28. The connector joining member 31 is provided with a housing 33. This housing 33 has a bottomed concave part 32 for fitting in which both connectors 22, 27 can be fitted. A main connector fitting part 34 which can be fitted in the concave part 23 for fitting of the main connector 22 is provided protrudingly on one part of the bottom surface of the concave part 32 for fitting. Three pin holes 34a, 34a, 34a are made at a forward end surface (top end surface) of the connector fitting part 34. A contact (not shown in the drawing) which is connectible to each pin of the main connector 22 is provided in each of the pin holes 34a. The pin of the main connector 22 is connected electrically to the contact of the main connector fitting part 34 by fitting the main connector 22 itself in one side of the concave part 32 for fitting upon fitting the main connector fitting part 34 in the concave part 23 for fitting, whereby main circuits 16, 16 on the sensor 8 side and the car body side and one side of the sub-circuit 18, 18 on the sensor 8 side and the car body side (one side of the monitor lines L₁) are put in a continued state. On the other hand, at the other side of the bottom surface of the concave part 32 for fitting, a sub-connector fitting part 35 which can be fitted in the concave part 29 for fitting of the sub-connector 27 is provided protrudingly side by side with the main connector fitting part 34, with a certain space left therebetween. One pin hole 35a is made at front end surface of the sub-connector fitting part 35. A contact (not shown in the drawing) which is connectible to the pin of the sub-connector 27 is provided in the pin hole 35a. The pin of the sub-connector 27 is connected electrically to the contact of the sub-connector fitting part 35 by fitting the sub-connector 27 in the other side of the concave part 32 for fitting upon fitting the sub-connector fitting part 35 in the concave part 29 for fitting, whereby the other side of the sub-circuit 18, 18 (the other side of the monitor lines L₁) are put in a continued state. Provided between both connector fitting parts 34, 35 in the concave part 32 for fitting is a fitting regulating mechanism 36 which regulates fitting of the sub-connector 27 in the sub-connector fitting part 35 when the main connector 22 is not fitted normally in the main connector fitting part 34. As shown in Fig.3, this fitting regulating mechanism 36 is basically composed of a swingable plate 37 positioned at one side between both connector fitting parts 34, 35 and a flexible plate 43 positioned at the other side of both connector fitting parts 34, 35. The swingable plate 37 is supported swingably at its intermediate part through the medium of a support axis 41, which is mounted between a side wall of the concave part 32 for fitting and a top end portion of a bearing part 39 provided protrudingly at the bottom surface of the concave part 32 for fitting. Arranged around the support axis 41 is a spring 42 which forces the swingable plate 37 to turn in anticlockwise direction in Fig.1. As shown in Fig.4(a), in the state where the main connector 22 is not fitted at all in the main connector fitting part 34, the swingable plate 37 is slanted by the force of the spring 42 so that its end portion 37a on the entrance side is positioned in front of the sub-connector fitting part 35 and its end portion 37b on the interior side is positioned in space at one side of the main connector fitting part 34. Thus, fitting of the sub-connector 27 in the sub-connector fitting part 35 is checked by the end portion 37a on the entrance side. On the other hand, as shown in Fig.4(b), if the main connector 22 is fitted in the main connector fitting part 34 over the imperfect semi-fitted state (the state in which the pin on the connector 22 side and the contact on the connector fitting member 31 side do not make accurate contact electrically), the swingable plate 37 is turned in clockwise direction in Fig.1 against the force of the spring 42 in such a fashion that its end portion 37a on the entrance side is shifted from the position in front of the sub-connector fitting part 35 due to the main connector 22 pressing the end portion 37b on the entrance side of the swingable plate 37, whereby checking of fitting of the sub-connector 27 in the sub-connector fitting part 35 by the end portion 37a on the entrance side is released. The flexible plate 43 is provided tiltably at the bottom surface of the concave part 32 for fitting. A top end (end portion on the entrance side) of the flexible plate 43 extends toward the opening side of the concave part 32 for fitting. Provided protrudingly at a top end of the flexible plate 43 and at the side of the main connector fitting part 34 is an engaging protrusion 44 which is engageable with the shoulder part 25 of the main connector 22. Formed at a top end surface of the engaging protrusion 44 is a tapered part 44a which makes contact with the main connector 22 fitted in the main connector fitting part 34. In the semi-fitted in state of the main connector 22 as mentioned above, as shown in Fig.4(b) the main connector 22 presses the tapered part 44a of the engaging protrusion 44 of the flexible plate 43 and bends the flexible plate 43 in such a fashion that its top end positions in front of the sub-connector fitting part 35. By the bent top end of the flexible plate 43, the sub-connector 27 is prevented from fitting any further in the sub-connector fitting part 35. On the other hand, in the perfectly fitted in state of the main connector (the state in which the pin on the main connector 22 side and the contact on the connecteor fitting member 31 side make accurate contact electrically), as shown in Fig.4(c), the engaging shoulder part 25 of the main connector 22 are engaged with the engaging protrusion 44 of the flexible plate 43 and the main connector 22 is fitted in and supported by the main connector fitting part 34 unremovably. At the same time, pressure on the engaging protrusion 44 by the main connector 22 is released, whereupon the flexible plate 43 is restored to its original state from the position in front of the sub-connector fitting part 35 and the checking of fitting of the sub-connector 27 in the sub-connector fitting part 35 is released. Thus, when the sub-connector 27 of the electric connecting device 21 is not fitted in the sub-connector fitting part 35 of the connector fitting member 31, it is regarded as the disconnection of the sub-circuit 18 and an abnormality alarm is issued by the lighting of the indicator 17. At the outer circumference of the housing 33 of the connector fitting member 31 is supported an engaging lever 45 which extends in a longitudinal direction in such a fashion that it is swingable and its top end portion is forced to make contact with the outer circumference of the housing 33. At a top end portion of the engaging lever 45 is formed an engaging part 45a which is engageable with the engaging convex part 30. When the sub-connector 27 is fitted, the engaging convex part 30 is engaged with the engaging part 45a at the top end of the engaging lever 45 and the sub-connector 27 is fitted in and supported by the sub-connector fitting part 35 unremovably. In this state, if a rear end portion of the engaging lever 45 is pressed and the lever 45 is turned in anticlockwise direction in Fig.1, the engaging part 45a is disengaged from the engaging convex part 30 and the sub-connector 27 is made removable from the sub-connector fitting part 35. Formed at a top end surface of the engaging protrusion 44 of the flexible plate 43 is an engaging part 46 which is engageable with the engaging part 26a at the top end of the engaging releasing lever 26 of the main connector 22. When the main connector 22 alone is fitted, the engaging part 26a is engaged with the engaging part 46. In this state, if a rear end portion of the engaging releasing lever 26 is pressed and the lever 26 is turned in anticlockwise direction in Fig.1, the engaging part 26a bends the flexible plate 43 in such a fashion that its top end moves toward the top end side of the sub-connector fitting part 35, whereupon the engaging protrusion 44 is disengaged from the engaging shoulder part 25 and the main connector 22 is made removable from the main connector fitting part 34. An explanation is made below about the action of the foregoing embodiment. In the airbag device 7, when at least one of the front sensors 8, 8, ... and at least one of the dash sensors 9, 9 made ON operation as a result of the head-on collision of vehicles, a power source of the battery 14 is supplied to the igniter 13 of the inflator 12 and the igniter 13 generates heat. By the generation of heat of the igniter 13, the inflator 12 is actuated and the airbag is filled with gaseous body and inflates. By the inflation of the airbag, men in a car is prevented from colliding with a steering wheel 4, a front window glass 3, etc. and thus safety is ensured. In a normal state, when electric current flowing each sensor 8, 9 increases, such abnormality is detected by the trouble diagnosing module 11 and each sensor 8, 9 which shows increase of electric current is judged as "short-circuited state" in the trouble diagnosing module 11 and the system down switch 15 is switched over to "OFF" state and the main circuit 16 is broken. Thus, such abnormality that the airbag inflates without the collision of vehicles can be avoided. On the other hand, if potential V B and potential V E at both terminals of the igniter 13 are inputted in the trouble diagnosing module 11 and both potentials V B and V E are equal to each other, the inflator 12 is judged as "short-circuited state". If potential V E on the battery side is zero, the inflator 12 is judged as "broken state". When such short-circuit and breakage of the inflator 12 was detected and when each sensor 8, 9 was found short-circuited, the indicator 17 is lighted and abnormality of the system is informed to a man in the car. Each sensor 8, 9 and the igniter 13 are connected electrically to the battery 14 and the trouble diagnosing module 11 by the electric connecting devices 21, 21.... In each electric connecting device 21, by connecting of the main connector 22 and the sub-connector 27 in the main connector fitting part 34 and the sub-connector fitting part 35 respectively in the connector joining member 31, they are put in electrically connected state. Connecting action is explained below on the basis of Fig.4. 1. The main connector 22 is fitted in the connector fitting part 34 of the connector joining member 31. In this case, as shown in Fig.4(a), in the state where the main connector 22 is not fitted at all in the main connector fitting part 34 (unfitted state) the swingable plate 37 slants so that its end portion 37a on the entrance side is positioned in front of the sub-connector fitting part 35 and its end portion 37b on the interior side is positioned in space at the side of the main connector fitting part 34. Therefore, even if one tries to fit the sub-connector 27 in the sub-connector fitting part 35 by mistake, fitting of the sub-connector 27 in the sub-connector fitting part 35 is restrained by the end portion 37a on the entrance side of the swingable plate 37. As a result, the unfitted state of the main connector 22 can be found by such unfittable state of the sub-connector 27. In this case, since the swingable plate 37 is forced to turn by the spring 42, when the main connector 22 is not connected the end portion 37a on the entrance side is always positioned in front of the sub-connector fitting part 35 and therefore it can be prevented accurately that the sub-connector 27 is connected earlier than the main connector 22. 2. If the main connector 22 is fitted partially in the main connector fitting part 34, as shown in Fig.4(b) the end portion 37b on the interior side of the swingable plate 37 is pressed by the main connector 22 and the swingable plate 37 turns in clockwise direction against the force of the spring 42, whereupon the end portion 37a on the entrance side is shifted from the position in front of the sub-connector fitting part 35 and consequently checking of fitting of the sub-connector 27 in the sub-connector fitting part 35 by the end portion 37a on the entrance side is released. However, if the fitted-in state of the main connector 22 is a semi-fitted in state (the state in which the pin on the main connector 22 side and the contact on the connector joining member 31 side do not make accurate contact electrically), the tapered part 44a of the engaging protrusion 44 in the flexible plate 43 is pressed by the main connector 22 and the flexible plate 43 tilts, whereupon its top end moves toward the front of the sub-connector fitting part 35. Therefore, even if one tries to fit in sub-connector 27, following the main connector 22, fitting-in is checked by the top end of the flexible plate 43. As a result, semi-fitted in state of the main connector 22 can be found by such unfittable state of the sub-connector 27. In this case, since the flexible plate 43 has flexibility and its top portion which makes contact with the main connector 22 is a tapered part 44a, tilting of the flexible plate 43 and fitting-in of the main connector 22 can be done smoothly. 3. In the state where the main connector 22 is completely fitted in (the pin of the main connector 22 and the contact on the connector joining member 31 side make accurate contact electrically), as shown in Fig.4(c) the shoulder part 25 for fitting of the main connector 22 is engaged with the engaging protrusion 44 of the flexible plate 43. In this state, pressure on the engaging protrusion 44 of the flexible plate 43 by the main connector 22 is released and the flexible plate returns to its original straight state and its top end is shifted from the position in front of the sub-connector fitting part 35, whereupon checking of fitting of the sub-connector 27 by the flexible plate 43 is released. As a result, as shown in Fig.4(b) the sub-connector 27 can be fitted and therefore both connectors 22, 27 can be fitted perfectly and are connected electrically with the connector joining member 31. In the state where both connectors 22, 27 are perfectly fitted, the main connector 22 is supported unremovably by the main connector fitting part 34. As the engaging convex part 30 engages with the engaging part 45a at the top end of the engaging lever 45 in the connector joining member 31, the sub-connector 27 is fitted in and supported unremovably by the sub-connector fitting part 35. Thus, both connectors 22, 27 are connected inseparably to the connector joining member 31. 4. When each connector 22, 27 is detached from the connector joining member 31, firstly a rear end portion of the engaging lever 45 is pressed and the lever 45 is turned in anticlockwise direction in Fig.1, whereupon the engaging part 45a at the top end of the lever 45 is disengaged from the convex part 30 for fitting. By this disengagement, it becomes possible to detach the sub-connector 27 from the sub-connector fitting part 35. After the sub-connector 27 was detached, a rear end portion of the engaging releasing lever 26 is pressed and the lever 26 is turned in anticlockwise direction in Fig.1, whereupon the flexible plate 43 is bent by the engaging part 26a in such a fashion that its top end is moved to the front of the sub-connector fitting part 35 and the engaging protrusion 44 is disengaged from the shoulder part 25 for fitting. By this disengagement, the main connector 22 can be detached from the main connector fitting part 34. In the case of this embodiment, when the main connector 22 is not fitted normally in the main connector fitting part 34 of the connector joining member 31 (unfitted state or semi-fitted state), fitting of the sub-connector 27 in the sub-connector fitting part 35 is restrained and therefore bad fitting of the main connector 22 can be found instantly by the unfittable state of the sub-connector 27. By this finding, the main connector 27 can be joined to the connector joining member 31 accurately and electrically. Since the sub-circuit 18 is connected to the indicator 17 via the trouble diagnosing module 11, when the sub-connector 27 is not joined to the connector joining member 31, normal signals are not inputted in the trouble diagnosing module 11 and the indicator 17 is lighted. Thus, by the lighting of the indicator 17 the unconnectable state of the sub-connector 27, in other words, bad connecting of the main connector 22 is known. This means that bad fitting of the main connector 22 can be detected not only by visual sensation of an operator but also by the lighting of the indicator 17 and bad fitting can be eliminated more accurately. Thus, the main connector 22 is joined to the connector joining member 31 accurately and electrically and a continued state of the main circuit 16 is ensured. Therefore, at the time of head-on collision of cars, a power source of the battery 14 is supplied to the inflator 12 to actuate it accurately and thus the original function of the airbag device 7 can be ensured stably. Fig.9-Fig.11 show another embodiment. The composition of this embodiment is the same as that of the foregoing embodiment. Like reference numerals are given to the same parts as the foregoing embodiment and a detailed explanation of them is omitted. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig.10 a circuit which applied current to the inflator 12 to actuate it is made a main circuit 16 and a horn circuit 54 which causes a car horn to toot is made a sub-circuit. The main circuit 16 and the horn circuit 54 (sub-circuit) are connected by the electric connecting device 21, 21, .... Concretely, the horn circuit 54 connects a horn switch 50, a horn relay 51 and a horn 52 with the battery 14. The horn switch 50 is arranged unrevolvably at the central part of the steering wheel 4 and is ON operated by a man in the car. The horn relay 51 is excited by the ON operation of the horn switch 50 and ON operates. The horn 52 is put in an operation state by ON operation of the horn relay 51 and toots. The main circuit 16 connects the inflator 12 in series with each front sensor 8 and dash sensor 9. Connected to the horn circuit 54 between the horn switch 50 and the horn relay 51 and the main circuit 16 between the inflator 12 and the sensors 8, 9 are a clock spring 53 and the electric connecting devices 21, 21 peculiar to this embodiment. The clock spring 53 comprises a cable wound spirally about the steering shaft and even while the steering wheel 4 is turned, it ensures giving and receiving of electrical signals. The electrical connecting devices 21, 21 are of the same construction. An explanation is made about the electric connecting device 21 on the horn switch 50 side (inflator 12 side). As shown in Fig.9 and Fig.11, the main connector 22 of this electric connecting device 21 forms the main circuits 16, 16 on the inflator 12 side, the sub-connector 27 forms the horn circuits 54 on the horn switch 50 side and the connector joining member 31 forms the main circuits 16, 16 and the horn circuits 54, 54. In this embodiment, therefore, in the two electric connecting devices 21, 21 which connect the inflator 12 and sensors 8, 9 when each main connector 22 is connected perfectly to the main connector fitting part 34 of the connector joining member 31, connecting of the sub-connector 27 can be carried out. In this state, continuity of the horn circuit 54 is ensured. On the other hand, when each main connector 22 is not connected electrically and perfectly to the connector joining member 31, the sub-connector 27 results in bad connection and the horn circuit 54 is put in a bad continued state. Therefore, at the inspection of a production line of cars, the horn 52 will not toot even if the horn switch 50 is ON operated. By the result of this inspection, bad connection of the main connector 22 can be detected accurately and thus bad connection can be avoided. In these embodiments, the present invention is applied to the airbag device 7 but it is a matter of course that the present invention is applicable to various systems, including the antiblock system for preventing locking of a break in breaking.

Claims: An electric connecting device comprising a connector joining member (31) and a plurality of independent connectors (22,27) electrically and mechanically connectable to said connector joining member (31), characterised by a joining controlling means (36) which, when at least one of said plurality of connectors (22) is not joined correctly to the connector joining member (31), prevents the joining of the remaining connectors (27) to the connector joining member (31). An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 1 whereby first signal lines (16) which send out operation signals to the specified electrical appliances and second signal lines (18) which send out operation signals to electrical appliances other than the foregoing electrical appliances are put individually in a continued state, and wherein said plurality of independent connectors (22,27) comprise a first connector (22) and a second connector (27) both connected to said connector joining member (31), said connector joining member (31) being provided with a housing (33), a first connector fitting part (34) in the housing (33) in which the first connector is fittable and which is connected electrically to said first connector (22) by fitting of said first connector (22) and makes said first signal line (16) in a continued state, a second connector fitting part (35) which is connected electrically to said second connector (27) by fitting of said second connector (27) and makes the second signal line (18) in a continued state, and said joining controlling means (36) which is situated in the housing (33), and which prevents the fitting of said second connector (27) in said second connector fitting part (35) when said first connector (22) is not fitted correctly in said first connector fitting part (34). An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 2, whereby said first signal lines form main circuits (16) and said second signal lines form sub-circuits (18), which sub-circuits check the continuity of said main circuits (16), and wherein both circuits are put in a continued state independently. An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the second signal line is connected to an alarm device which issues abnormality alarm signal while the second connector is not fitted in the second connector fitting part of the connector joining member. An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first signal line is an airbag circuit which actuates an airbag device at collision of vehicles. An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the second signal line (18) is to check the continued state of the first signal line (16). An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 5, wherein second signal line (18) is a horn circuit for tooting a vehicle horn. An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the airbag circuit has a power source, a sensor (8,9) for detecting collision of vehicles, an inflator (12) to inflate an airbag by filling gaseous body therein and a harness to connect these electrical appliances and a connector is provided at least at one of the joining parts of each electrical appliance and the harness. An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the main circuit (16) is an airbag circuit to actuate an airbag device at collision of vehicles, said airbag circuit having a power source, a sensor for detecting collision of vehicles (8,9), an inflator (12) to inflate said airbag by filling gaseous body therein and a harness for connecting these electrical appliances, a connector is provided at least at one of the connecting parts of each electrical appliance and a harness and said sensor (8,9) is of switch type and is connected with two power source lines and two trouble diagnosing lines, of which at least two power source lines are connected to the main connector (22) and at least one trouble diagnosing line is connected to the sub-connector (27). An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connector joining member (31) comprises first and second connector fitting parts (34,35) and the joining controlling means (36) is composed of a movable member (37) provided movably between said two connector fitting parts (34,35) which movable member (37) is positioned in front of the second connector (27) when a connector is not connected to the first connector fitting part (34). An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the movable member (37) is composed of a swingable plate supported swingably at its intermediate part by a support axis (41), one end of said swingable plate (37a) being positioned in front of the second connector fitting part (35) and the other end of which (37b) being connectable to a connector when a connector is connected to the first connector fitting part (34). An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 10, wherein a regulating plate (43) is provided at the side of the swingable plate (37), one end of said regulating plate is fixed to between the first and the second connector fitting parts (34,35) and at the other end of which is provided protrudingly a fitting part (44) which, when a connector is not connected perfectly to the first connector fitting part (34), makes contact with said connector and moves the other end of the regulating plate (43) toward the front of the second connector fitting part (35). An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 11, wherein a spring (42) which forces one end of the swingable plate (37) to position in front of the second connector fitting part (35) is provided around the support axis (41). An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the regulating plate (43) has at the fitting part thereof a tapered part (44) which makes contact with a connector to be joined to the first connector fitting part (34). An electric connecting device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the regulating plate (43) is made of flexible material.

Inventors: SHODAI KENJI, SHODAI, KENJI
Applicants: MAZDA MOTOR, MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
Application year: 1989
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: B60R21, H01R13