Aktivierungssystem für einen Luftsack und eine Zugentlastungsmuffe für dieses System

摘要

An air bag activating system (2) for an automotive vehicle includes an electrically actuable air bag activating assembly (19), a coil (8) of flat flexible multi-conductor cable (FFC) connecting the activating assembly (19) to crash sensors (12). The coil (8) is confined between a fixed outer shaft (4) of the steering column of the vehicle and an inner cassette (6) containing the activating assembly (19) and which is rotatable with the steering wheel of the vehicle. A lead portion (16) of the coil (8) extends freely through an opening (14) in the cassette (6). The conductors of the lead portion (16) are crimped to terminals (28) of an electrical connector (18) for mating with the activating assembly (19). The coil (8) coils-up or uncoils to compensate for the rotation of the cassette (6). In order to protect the crimped connections (27) between the conductors and the terminals (28) when the connector has been unmated from the activating assembly (19) and is accidentally pulled, there is provided a stiffly extensible strain relief sleeve (24) fixed to the cassette (6) and the connector (18). The sleeve (24) has a passage (26) which is oversized with respect to the lead portion (16) and through which the lead portion (16) extends freely. When the connector (18) is pulled, the sleeve (24) elongates slightly and cable is drawn from the coil (8) to compensate for the elongation of the sleeve (24).