A modular initiator assembly comprising a receptacle and connector combination adapted to shunt the electrical contacts of the initiator as a default condition and to only unshunt the electrical contacts coupled to the initiator when the receptacle and connector establish a fully seated connection.

A modular initiator assembly comprising a receptacle and connector combination adapted to shunt the electrical contacts of the initiator as a default condition and to only unshunt the electrical contacts coupled to the initiator when the receptacle and connector establish a fully seated connection.

An initiator assembly for an automotive safety device includes a tubular housing with a first end and a second end. A cruciform formed in the second end of the tubular housing is designed to open when the initiator fires. A pyrotechnic load is disposed within the tubular housing at the second end, the pyrotechnic load is formed to define a void comprising an open end and a tip. The void includes sides that extend from the open end to the tip and angle toward the second end of the tubular housing and angle toward a longitudinal axis of the tubular housing. The sides of the void can transition into a tip portion of the void that comprises a geometry distinct from that of the sides.

An initiator assembly for an automotive safety device includes a tubular housing with a first end and a second end. A cruciform formed in the second end of the tubular housing is designed to open when the initiator fires. A pyrotechnic load is disposed within the tubular housing at the second end, the pyrotechnic load is formed to define a void comprising an open end and a tip. The void includes sides that extend from the open end to the tip and angle toward the second end of the tubular housing and angle toward a longitudinal axis of the tubular housing. The sides of the void can transition into a tip portion of the void that comprises a geometry distinct from that of the sides.

An initiator assembly for an automotive safety device includes a tubular housing with a first end and a second end. A cruciform formed in the second end of the tubular housing is designed to open when the initiator fires. A pyrotechnic load is disposed within the tubular housing at the second end, the pyrotechnic load is formed to define a void comprising an open end and a tip. The void includes sides that extend from the open end to the tip and angle toward the second end of the tubular housing and angle toward a longitudinal axis of the tubular housing. The sides of the void can transition into a tip portion of the void that comprises a geometry distinct from that of the sides.

An initiator assembly for an automotive safety device includes a tubular housing with a first end and a second end. A cruciform formed in the second end of the tubular housing is designed to open when the initiator fires. A pyrotechnic load is disposed within the tubular housing at the second end, the pyrotechnic load is formed to define a void comprising an open end and a tip. The void includes sides that extend from the open end to the tip and angle toward the second end of the tubular housing and angle toward a longitudinal axis of the tubular housing. The sides of the void can transition into a tip portion of the void that comprises a geometry distinct from that of the sides.

A grounding system for an automotive protective system inflator is provided for protecting the inflator from inadvertent discharge and operation of the automotive protective system, such as, e.g., an airbag system. The grounding system can include an electrical connector configured to couple the inflator to an electrical harness of a vehicle. The electrical connector can include a ground path and a biased member coupled to a ground wire. The ground wire may be coupled to a ground path of the vehicle so as to draw an inadvertent electrical charge away from the inflator to the vehicle electrical harness.

The present invention provides an igniter assembly in which an igniter having an ignition portion and an electroconductive pin, and a metallic igniter retaining member are integrated with a resin molded article interposed therebetween, the igniter assembly, including: a connector insertion space formed by the resin molded article, the electroconductive pin being protruding from the resin molded article and located in the connector insertion space; a spark member including, a first end connected to the metallic igniter retaining member, and a second end, opposite to the first end, located inside the connector insertion space; and an electrically insulating partition wall having a thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, provided with no through hole, and interposed between a root portion of the electroconductive pin, which is in contact with the resin molded article, and the second end of the spark member.

The present invention provides an igniter assembly in which an igniter having an ignition portion and an electroconductive pin, and a metallic igniter retaining member are integrated with a resin molded article interposed therebetween, the igniter assembly, including: a connector insertion space formed by the resin molded article, the electroconductive pin being protruding from the resin molded article and located in the connector insertion space; a spark member including, a first end connected to the metallic igniter retaining member, and a second end, opposite to the first end, located inside the connector insertion space; and an electrically insulating partition wall having a thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, provided with no through hole, and interposed between a root portion of the electroconductive pin, which is in contact with the resin molded article, and the second end of the spark member.

An electrical device has device electrical contacts that are initially shunted together, to prevent accidental triggering or damage to the device, such as by electrostatic forces. The device is configured to be inserted into a receptacle, with parts of the receptacle disengaging the shunt and making electrical connection within the receptacle, such as with a shunt cutter. The receptacle may also include a pair of receptacle electrical contacts the electrically connect to the device electrical contacts. The configuration, where the shunt is only cut as part of the installation process, enables safer handling of initially-shunted devices, and can also facilitate making blind electrical connections. Making blind connection directly with parts of the receptacle also avoids the need to thread wires through the electrical receptacle and make electrical connections in another way.