EP0539250A1 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Electrical connector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0539250A1
EP0539250A1 EP92402623A EP92402623A EP0539250A1 EP 0539250 A1 EP0539250 A1 EP 0539250A1 EP 92402623 A EP92402623 A EP 92402623A EP 92402623 A EP92402623 A EP 92402623A EP 0539250 A1 EP0539250 A1 EP 0539250A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rigid
connector
flexible
contact
electrical contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP92402623A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0539250B1 (en
Inventor
Bruno Chailleux
Philippe Choquet
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FCI France SA
Original Assignee
Souriau et Cie
Framatome Connectors France SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Souriau et Cie, Framatome Connectors France SA filed Critical Souriau et Cie
Publication of EP0539250A1 publication Critical patent/EP0539250A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0539250B1 publication Critical patent/EP0539250B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
    • H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
    • H01R13/2442—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted with a single cantilevered beam
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/193—Means for increasing contact pressure at the end of engagement of coupling part, e.g. zero insertion force or no friction

Definitions

  • the invention relates to electrical connectors.
  • the cooperating elements of a connector comprise at least one rigid conductive element coming into mechanical and electrical contact with a flexible contact element (that is to say elastically deformable) relative to which it can move in relative motion. Subsequently, these elements will be called “rigid element” and “flexible element”, but in practice the rigid element is also designated “pin” or “male element”, the flexible element then being designated “socket” or " female element ".
  • the rigid element 1 extends in a longitudinal direction ⁇ and the flexible contact element (s) 2 extends substantially parallel to this same direction ⁇ .
  • the rigid element 1 is approached by moving it in the longitudinal direction ⁇ , which has the effect of pushing the free end of the flexible element (s) transversely, this that is to say in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction ⁇ (position marked with dashed lines in the figure).
  • This connector structure has several advantages.
  • the length of the contact path i.e. the location of the successive contact points along the length of the insertion stroke
  • the self- cleaning of the contact point by friction is ensured without difficulty.
  • this type of connector requires only a moderate insertion and holding force: in FIG. 3, the characteristic F / d (insertion force / insertion length) has been illustrated for this type of connector.
  • the curvilinear segment OA corresponds to the force necessary to radially deform the flexible elements 2; when the deformed position is reached, a peak A is reached, the amplitude of which can be limited by an appropriate choice of the cooperating shapes. Then, if the insertion is continued (segment AB), the insertion force is substantially constant over the entire length of the useful stroke D.
  • this type of connector has the disadvantage of premature wear, precisely because the contact point, which is practically fixed, sees a very long length of the rigid element scroll since the length of the contact path is the same as the mechanical stroke of the connector.
  • the flexible contact element extends in a general transverse direction, substantially perpendicular (or strongly oblique) with respect to the direction ⁇ in which the rigid contact element 1 extends.
  • the connection is then made by simple pressing, at the end, on the free end of the flexible element which curves progressively as the insertion of the rigid element 1.
  • One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a connector which overcomes these various drawbacks and provides at the same time a long stroke, a low insertion force and a very high reliability (low wear and self-cleaning).
  • the connector of the invention belongs to the second type mentioned above, that is to say that it comprises at least one flexible lamellar electrical contact element, elastically deformable, and at least one rigid electrical contact element of rounded shape, by example of an essentially circular section, the two elements coming into electrical and mechanical contact by the relative displacement of the rigid element in the direction of the flexible element, this direction intersecting the general orientation of the flexible element which is thus tensioned elastic.
  • the free end of the flexible element has a curved area whose concavity is turned towards the rigid element and whose radius of curvature is greater than the radius of the section of the rigid element, this curved area being extended by a bent docking area.
  • the flexible element in the rest position, bears against the shoulders of a connector body, so as to obscure, in this position, the opening of the connector body receiving the rigid element.
  • FIGS 1 and 2 schematically illustrate two general types of connectors.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the characteristic insertion force / relative displacement of the contact elements of the connectors of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • Figure 4 is an overview of a connector according to the invention.
  • Figure 5 shows, enlarged and for several positions functional, the cooperating surfaces of the two elements of the connector of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the characteristic force of insertion / displacement of this same connector.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment ensuring protection of the contacts.
  • FIG 4 there is shown in section the connector of the invention, which comprises rigid contact elements 1, for example two parallel series of rigid contact elements, carried by a plug body 3.
  • the plug body 3 is placed in a homologous housing of a base body 4 carrying the flexible contact elements 2 coming to cooperate with the rigid contact elements 1.
  • the contact elements have been illustrated at the time of docking, that is to say in the intermediate insertion position where the elements arrive in mechanical contact, well before full insertion, which will correspond to the mechanical locking position of the connector.
  • FIG. 5 there is shown in enlarged view a rigid element 1 and a flexible element 2, in three different successive positions: the right position, in solid lines, corresponds to the docking of the two elements (position in FIG. 4 ), the left position, also in solid lines, corresponds to the fully inserted position, connector locked, while the central position, in dashed lines, is a particular intermediate position, which will be described below.
  • the rigid element 1 has, in section, a substantially circular end shape, of radius ⁇ 1.
  • the flexible element 2 is produced in the form of a flexible blade whose free end has a curved zone 5 turning its concavity towards the rigid element, and whose radius of curvature ⁇ 2 is greater than the radius ⁇ 1 of the circular section of the rigid element 1.
  • This curved area 5 is followed by a bent docking area 6, therefore turning its convexity towards the rigid element.
  • the total stroke D ⁇ has been broken down into a prior stroke d1 (between the docking point O and the point A ⁇ corresponding to the force F1 ensuring sufficient pressure to allow suitable electrical contact) and a useful stroke d2 (between point A ⁇ and the full insertion point B ⁇ corresponding to the locking of the connector).
  • FIG. 7 an alternative embodiment has been illustrated in which the flexible element 2 abuts against two shoulders 13, 14 of the base body 4, which thus makes it possible to protect the interior volume of the base by obscuring the orifice 15 intended to receive the rigid element 1; a protected contact element is thus produced, very simply from cut elements (the blade constituting the flexible contact element 2), while these protected contact elements were until now mainly produced by pistons retractable, imposing a low-cut manufacturing much more expensive and complex to implement.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

The connector includes at least one flexible electrical contact element (2) which is an elastically deformable blade, and at least one rigid electrical contact element (1) which has a rounded shape, for example of essentially circular cross-section, the two elements coming into electrical and mechanical contact by means of the relative movement of the rigid element towards the flexible element, this direction intersecting the general orientation of the flexible element which is thus elastically tensioned. According to the invention, the free end of the flexible element has a bent region (5), the concavity of which faces towards the rigid element and the radius of curvature of which is greater than the radius of the cross-section of the rigid element, this bent region being extended by an oppositely-bent adjoining region (6). <IMAGE>

Description

L'invention concerne les connecteurs électriques.The invention relates to electrical connectors.

Elle concerne plus particulièrement les connecteurs présentant les caractéristiques fonctionnelles suivantes :

  • ― grand nombre de manoeuvres (typiquement 5000 à 50 000 manoeuvres), ce qui nécessite de prendre des mesures pour, d'une part, éviter une usure prématurée des pièces venant frotter les unes sur les autres et, d'autre part, pour réaliser un auto-nettoyage des organes venant en contact électrique,
  • ― large plage de contact, c'est-à-dire que les éléments mobiles homologues du connecteur doivent pouvoir assurer un contact électrique satisfaisant sur toute la longueur d'une course d'insertion relativement importante, et ce, avec des tolérances dimensionnelles relativement élevées,
  • ― force modérée d'insertion et de maintien en pression (en fin de course), ce qui est généralement le cas des connecteurs pour lesquels le verrouillage en fin de course est réalisé par un organe mécanique extérieur au connecteur proprement dit : dans ce cas il faut que l'effort de maintien en pression soit limité (car il sera fourni par l'organe extérieur) et, d'autre part, que le connecteur accepte des tolérances dimensionnelles relativement larges ― ce qui ramène à la caractéristique précédente ―, car la précision mécanique de l'accostage (approche mécanique des éléments mobiles) et celle de la course d'insertion ne dépendent pas du connecteur lui-même mais de l'organe extérieur.
It relates more particularly to connectors having the following functional characteristics:
  • - large number of operations (typically 5,000 to 50,000 operations), which requires taking measures to, on the one hand, avoid premature wear of the parts rubbing against each other and, on the other hand, to perform self-cleaning of organs coming into electrical contact,
  • - wide contact range, that is to say that the homologous mobile elements of the connector must be able to ensure satisfactory electrical contact over the entire length of a relatively large insertion stroke, and this, with relatively high dimensional tolerances ,
  • - moderate force for insertion and pressure maintenance (at the end of travel), which is generally the case for connectors for which end-of-travel locking is performed by a mechanical member external to the connector itself: in this case it the pressure maintenance effort must be limited (since it will be provided by the external member) and, on the other hand, the connector must accept relatively wide dimensional tolerances - which brings back to the previous characteristic -, because the mechanical precision of docking (mechanical approach of the moving parts) and that of the insertion stroke do not depend on the connector itself but on the external member.

Les éléments coopérants d'un connecteur comprennent au moins un élément conducteur rigide venant en contact mécanique et électrique avec un élément de contact souple (c'est-à-dire élastiquement déformable) par rapport auquel il peut se déplacer d'un mouvement relatif. Par la suite, on appellera ces éléments "élément rigide" et "élément souple", mais dans la pratique l'élément rigide est également désigné "broche" ou "élément mâle", l'élément souple étant alors désigné "douille" ou "élément femelle".The cooperating elements of a connector comprise at least one rigid conductive element coming into mechanical and electrical contact with a flexible contact element (that is to say elastically deformable) relative to which it can move in relative motion. Subsequently, these elements will be called "rigid element" and "flexible element", but in practice the rigid element is also designated "pin" or "male element", the flexible element then being designated "socket" or " female element ".

Dans un premier type de connecteur, illustré figure 1, l'élément rigide 1 s'étend dans une direction longitudinale Δ et le (ou les) élément(s) de contact souple(s) 2 s'étend(ent) de façon sensiblement parallèle à cette même direction Δ. Pour réaliser le contact électrique, on approche l'élément rigide 1 en le déplaçant selon la direction longitudinale Δ, ce qui a pour effet de repousser l'extrémité libre du (ou des) élément(s) souple(s) transversalement, c'est-à-dire dans une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire à la direction Δ (position repérée en tiretés sur la figure).In a first type of connector, illustrated in FIG. 1, the rigid element 1 extends in a longitudinal direction Δ and the flexible contact element (s) 2 extends substantially parallel to this same direction Δ. To make the electrical contact, the rigid element 1 is approached by moving it in the longitudinal direction Δ, which has the effect of pushing the free end of the flexible element (s) transversely, this that is to say in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction Δ (position marked with dashed lines in the figure).

Cette structure de connecteur présente plusieurs avantages.This connector structure has several advantages.

Tout d'abord, il est possible d'obtenir sans difficulté une course importante, car la déformation des éléments souples (écartement transversal) ne dépend que du diamètre de l'élément rigide, donc la course selon la direction Δ, longitudinale, peut être allongée sans difficulté lors de la conception du connecteur.First of all, it is possible to obtain without difficulty a large stroke, because the deformation of the flexible elements (transverse spacing) depends only on the diameter of the rigid element, therefore the stroke in the longitudinal direction Δ, can be easily extended when designing the connector.

En second lieu, du fait que la longueur du chemin de contact (c'est-à-dire le lieu des points de contact successifs sur la longueur de la course d'enfoncement) est égale à la course du connecteur, l'auto-nettoyage du point de contact par frottement est assuré sans difficulté.Secondly, because the length of the contact path (i.e. the location of the successive contact points along the length of the insertion stroke) is equal to the travel of the connector, the self- cleaning of the contact point by friction is ensured without difficulty.

Enfin, ce type de connecteur ne nécessite qu'une force modérée d'insertion et de maintien: sur la figure 3, on a illustré en I la caractéristique F/d (force d'insertion/longueur d'enfoncement) pour ce type de connecteur. Le segment curviligne OA correspond à l'effort nécessaire pour déformer radialement les éléments souples 2 ; lorsque la position déformée est atteinte, on arrive à un pic A, dont l'amplitude peut être limitée par un choix approprié des formes coopérantes. Ensuite, si l'on poursuit l'enfoncement (segment AB), la force d'enfoncement est sensiblement constante sur toute la longueur de la course utile D.Finally, this type of connector requires only a moderate insertion and holding force: in FIG. 3, the characteristic F / d (insertion force / insertion length) has been illustrated for this type of connector. The curvilinear segment OA corresponds to the force necessary to radially deform the flexible elements 2; when the deformed position is reached, a peak A is reached, the amplitude of which can be limited by an appropriate choice of the cooperating shapes. Then, if the insertion is continued (segment AB), the insertion force is substantially constant over the entire length of the useful stroke D.

Ce type de connecteur présente cependant l'inconvénient d'une usure prématurée, précisément en raison du fait que le point de contact, qui est pratiquement fixe, voit défiler une très grande longueur de l'élément rigide puisque la longueur du chemin de contact est la même que celle de la course mécanique du connecteur.However, this type of connector has the disadvantage of premature wear, precisely because the contact point, which is practically fixed, sees a very long length of the rigid element scroll since the length of the contact path is the same as the mechanical stroke of the connector.

Dans un second type de connecteur, illustré schématiquement figure 2 et qui est celui auquel se rattache le connecteur de l'invention, l'élément de contact souple s'étend dans une direction générale transversale, sensiblement perpendiculaire (ou fortement oblique) par rapport à la direction Δ suivant laquelle s'étend l'élément de contact rigide 1. La connexion se fait alors par appui simple, en bout, sur l'extrémité libre de l'élément souple qui se courbe progressivement au fur et à mesure de l'enfoncement de l'élément rigide 1.In a second type of connector, illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2 and which is the one to which the connector of the invention is attached, the flexible contact element extends in a general transverse direction, substantially perpendicular (or strongly oblique) with respect to the direction Δ in which the rigid contact element 1 extends. The connection is then made by simple pressing, at the end, on the free end of the flexible element which curves progressively as the insertion of the rigid element 1.

La longueur du chemin de contact étant beaucoup plus limitée que dans le cas précédent, l'usure devient beaucoup plus faible, ce qui permet une plus grande longévité. En revanche, l'auto-nettoyage est beaucoup plus réduit, du fait de cette réduction du chemin de contact.The length of the contact path being much more limited than in the previous case, the wear becomes much lower, which allows a longer service life. On the other hand, the self-cleaning is much more reduced, due to this reduction in the contact path.

Mais surtout, l'inconvénient majeur de ce type de connecteur est la force d'insertion relativement élevée qu'il nécessite, tout particulièrement en fin de course : ainsi, on a porté sur la figure 3, en II, la caractéristique correspondante F/d. On voit que, après un faible effort (segment OA′) pour arriver au point A′ auquel le contact électrique est assuré dans de bonnes conditions, lorsque l'on poursuit l'enfoncement de l'élément rigide la force nécessaire augmente très rapidement (segment A′B′) du fait de la résistance progressivement croissante opposée par le bras de levier de l'élément souple, contraint de plus en plus fortement. En outre, la course utile D′ est beaucoup plus réduite que dans le cas précédent.But above all, the major drawback of this type of connector is the relatively high insertion force that it requires, particularly at the end of the travel: thus, we have shown in FIG. 3, in II, the corresponding characteristic F / d. It can be seen that, after a slight effort (segment OA ′) to arrive at point A ′ at which the electrical contact is ensured under good conditions, when the rigid element is pushed in the force required increases very rapidly ( segment A′B ′) due to the progressively increasing resistance opposed by the lever arm of the flexible element, which is constrained more and more strongly. In addition, the useful stroke D ′ is much smaller than in the previous case.

Ces inconvénients (force d'insertion élevée et course réduite) sont en particulier rédhibitoires dans les applications évoquées plus haut où le maintien en pression des deux éléments du connecteur est assuré par un organe extérieur au connecteur proprement dit: on dépasse alors très rapidement l'effort maximal Fmax permis pour le maintien en pression du connecteur dans sa position verrouillée ; en outre, la course relativement faible D′ ne permet pas d'assurer un rattrapage satisfaisant des tolérances dimensionnelles, et impose donc une construction très soignée de l'organe extérieur de verrouillage, car c'est de la précision dimensionnelle de celui-ci que dépend la qualité fonctionnelle du connecteur.These drawbacks (high insertion force and reduced stroke) are in particular prohibitive in the applications mentioned above where the pressure maintenance of the two elements of the connector is ensured by a member external to the connector itself: we then very quickly exceed the maximum force F max allowed for maintaining the pressure of the connector in its locked position; in addition, the relatively short stroke D ′ does not allow a satisfactory take-up of the dimensional tolerances, and therefore requires a very careful construction of the external locking member, because it is the dimensional precision of the latter that depends on the functional quality of the connector.

L'un des buts de la présente invention est de proposer un connecteur qui remédie à ces différents inconvénients et procure à la fois une course longue, un faible effort d'insertion et une très grande fiabilité (faible usure et auto-nettoyage).One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a connector which overcomes these various drawbacks and provides at the same time a long stroke, a low insertion force and a very high reliability (low wear and self-cleaning).

Le connecteur de l'invention appartient au second type précité, c'est-à-dire qu'il comporte au moins un élément de contact électrique souple lamellaire, élastiquement déformable, et au moins un élément de contact électrique rigide de forme arrondie, par exemple de section essentiellement circulaire, les deux éléments venant en contact électrique et mécanique par le déplacement relatif de l'élément rigide en direction de l'élément souple, cette direction intersectant l'orientation générale de l'élément souple qui est ainsi mis en tension élastique.The connector of the invention belongs to the second type mentioned above, that is to say that it comprises at least one flexible lamellar electrical contact element, elastically deformable, and at least one rigid electrical contact element of rounded shape, by example of an essentially circular section, the two elements coming into electrical and mechanical contact by the relative displacement of the rigid element in the direction of the flexible element, this direction intersecting the general orientation of the flexible element which is thus tensioned elastic.

Selon l'invention, l'extrémité libre de l'élément souple présente une zone cintrée dont la concavité est tournée en direction de l'élément rigide et dont le rayon de courbure est supérieure au rayon de la section de l'élément rigide, cette zone cintrée étant prolongée par une zone d'accostage contrecoudée.According to the invention, the free end of the flexible element has a curved area whose concavity is turned towards the rigid element and whose radius of curvature is greater than the radius of the section of the rigid element, this curved area being extended by a bent docking area.

Avantageusement, l'élément souple, en position de repos, vient en appui contre des épaulements d'un corps de connecteur, de manière à occulter, dans cette position, l'ouverture du corps de connecteur recevant l'élément rigide.Advantageously, the flexible element, in the rest position, bears against the shoulders of a connector body, so as to obscure, in this position, the opening of the connector body receiving the rigid element.

On va maintenant décrire en détail l'invention, en référence aux figures annexées.We will now describe in detail the invention, with reference to the accompanying figures.

Les figures 1 et 2, précitées, illustrent schématiquement deux types généraux de connecteurs.Figures 1 and 2, above, schematically illustrate two general types of connectors.

La figure 3 illustre la caractéristique force d'insertion/déplacement relatif des éléments de contact des connecteurs des figures 1 et 2.FIG. 3 illustrates the characteristic insertion force / relative displacement of the contact elements of the connectors of FIGS. 1 and 2.

La figure 4 est une vue d'ensemble d'un connecteur selon l'invention.Figure 4 is an overview of a connector according to the invention.

La figure 5 montre, de façon agrandie et pour plusieurs positions fonctionnelles, les surfaces coopérantes des deux éléments du connecteur de la figure 4.Figure 5 shows, enlarged and for several positions functional, the cooperating surfaces of the two elements of the connector of FIG. 4.

La figure 6 illustre la caractéristique force d'insertion/déplacement de ce même connecteur.FIG. 6 illustrates the characteristic force of insertion / displacement of this same connector.

La figure 7 illustre une variante de réalisation assurant une protection des contacts.FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment ensuring protection of the contacts.

Sur la figure 4, on a représenté en coupe le connecteur de l'invention, qui comporte des éléments de contact rigides 1, par exemple deux séries parallèles d'éléments de contact rigides, portés par un corps de fiche 3. Le corps de fiche 3 vient se placer dans un logement homologue d'un corps d'embase 4 portant les éléments de contact souples 2 venant coopérer avec les éléments de contact rigides 1.In Figure 4, there is shown in section the connector of the invention, which comprises rigid contact elements 1, for example two parallel series of rigid contact elements, carried by a plug body 3. The plug body 3 is placed in a homologous housing of a base body 4 carrying the flexible contact elements 2 coming to cooperate with the rigid contact elements 1.

Sur la figure 4, les éléments de contact ont été illustrés à l'instant de l'accostage, c'est-à-dire dans la position intermédiaire d'enfoncement où les éléments arrivent en contact mécanique, bien avant l'enfoncement complet, qui correspondra à la position de verrouillage mécanique du connecteur.In FIG. 4, the contact elements have been illustrated at the time of docking, that is to say in the intermediate insertion position where the elements arrive in mechanical contact, well before full insertion, which will correspond to the mechanical locking position of the connector.

Sur la figure 5, on a représenté en vue agrandie un élément rigide 1 et un élément souple 2, en trois positions successives différentes : la position de droite, en trait plein, correspond à l'accostage des deux éléments (position de la figure 4), la position de gauche, également en trait plein, correspond à la position d'enfoncement complet, connecteur verrouillé, tandis que la position centrale, en tiretés, est une position intermédiaire particulière, que l'on décrira ci-dessous.In FIG. 5, there is shown in enlarged view a rigid element 1 and a flexible element 2, in three different successive positions: the right position, in solid lines, corresponds to the docking of the two elements (position in FIG. 4 ), the left position, also in solid lines, corresponds to the fully inserted position, connector locked, while the central position, in dashed lines, is a particular intermediate position, which will be described below.

L'élément rigide 1 présente, en section, une forme d'extrémité sensiblement circulaire, de rayon ρ1.The rigid element 1 has, in section, a substantially circular end shape, of radius ρ1.

L'élément souple 2 est réalisé sous forme d'une lame flexible dont l'extrémité libre présente une zone cintrée 5 tournant sa concavité vers l'élément rigide, et dont le rayon de courbure ρ₂ est supérieur au rayon ρ₁ de la section circulaire de l'élément rigide 1. Cette zone cintrée 5 est suivie par une zone d'accostage 6 contrecoudée, donc tournant sa convexité vers l'élément rigide.The flexible element 2 is produced in the form of a flexible blade whose free end has a curved zone 5 turning its concavity towards the rigid element, and whose radius of curvature ρ₂ is greater than the radius ρ₁ of the circular section of the rigid element 1. This curved area 5 is followed by a bent docking area 6, therefore turning its convexity towards the rigid element.

La cinématique d'insertion se décompose en deux phases:

  • ― Au moment de l'accostage (position illustrée à droite de la figure), le contact se forme entre le point 7 de l'élément rigide 1 et un point 10 de l'élément souple situé sur la zone contrecoudée. Lorsque l'on continue à déplacer l'élément rigide 1 dans la direction Δ, le point de contact se déplacer de 7 vers 8 sur l'élément rigide et de 10 vers 11 sur l'élément souple. On atteint alors la position illustrée en tiretés sur la figure 5, où l'on voit que le point de contact s'est déplacé, sur l'élément souple, de la zone contrecoudée 6 jusqu'au début de la zone cintrée 5, c'est-à-dire sensiblement au niveau du point d'inflexion raccordant ces deux zones.
  • ― Lorsque l'on poursuit le mouvement, le point de contact se déplace de 8 en 9 sur l'élément fixe et de 11 en 12 sur l'élément mobile.
    On voit que, dans cette seconde phase, le point de contact s'est déplacé, sur l'élément rigide, en direction du point d'accostage initial 10 et que, sur l'élément souple, le point de contact a parcouru toute l'étendue de la zone cintrée 5.
The insertion kinematics breaks down into two phases:
  • - At the time of docking (position illustrated on the right of the figure), contact is formed between point 7 of the rigid element 1 and a point 10 of the flexible element located on the bent area. When one continues to move the rigid element 1 in the Δ direction, the contact point will move from 7 to 8 on the rigid element and from 10 to 11 on the flexible element. We then reach the position illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 5, where we see that the contact point has moved, on the flexible element, from the bent zone 6 to the start of the curved zone 5, c that is to say substantially at the point of inflection connecting these two zones.
  • - When the movement is continued, the contact point moves from 8 to 9 on the fixed element and from 11 to 12 on the mobile element.
    It can be seen that, in this second phase, the contact point has moved, on the rigid element, in the direction of the initial docking point 10 and that, on the flexible element, the contact point has traversed all of the extent of the arched area 5.

Ainsi, sur l'étendue D˝ de la course du connecteur, il y a eu sur l'élément rigide un mouvement d'aller et retour du point de contact (de 7 en 8, puis de 8 en 9) tandis que, sur l'élément souple, il y a eu un mouvement continu (de 10 en 11, puis de 11 et 12) sur un chemin relativement long, correspondant à l'étendue de la zone cintrée 5, et ce, malgré un déplacement final (la seconde phase précitée) relativement faible dans la direction Δ. Le mouvement d'aller et retour procure en particulier un excellent auto-nettoyage des surfaces en contact.Thus, over the extent D˝ of the travel of the connector, there was a movement of the contact point back and forth on the rigid element (from 7 to 8, then from 8 to 9) while, on the flexible element, there was a continuous movement (from 10 to 11, then from 11 and 12) on a relatively long path, corresponding to the extent of the curved zone 5, and this, despite a final displacement (the second phase mentioned above) relatively weak in the direction Δ. The back and forth movement in particular provides excellent self-cleaning of the surfaces in contact.

Du point de vue de la statique, durant cette seconde phase, du fait que le déplacement de l'élément rigide (selon la direction Δ) est très faible, celui de l'élément souple est également très faible et l'effort de réaction du bras de levier ne croît donc que très lentement.From the static point of view, during this second phase, because the displacement of the rigid element (in the direction Δ) is very small, that of the flexible element is also very small and the reaction force of the lever arm therefore grows only very slowly.

Cette propriété apparaît clairement sur la caractéristique effort/ déplacement de la figure 6.This property appears clearly on the effort / displacement of figure 6.

Sur cette figure, on a décomposé la course totale D˝ en une course préalable d₁ (entre le point d'accostage O et le point A˝ correspondant à la force F₁ assurant une pression suffisante pour permettre un contact électrique convenable) et une course utile d₂ (entre le point A˝ et le point d'enfoncement complet B˝ correspondant au verrouillage du connecteur).In this figure, the total stroke D˝ has been broken down into a prior stroke d₁ (between the docking point O and the point A˝ corresponding to the force F₁ ensuring sufficient pressure to allow suitable electrical contact) and a useful stroke d₂ (between point A˝ and the full insertion point B˝ corresponding to the locking of the connector).

On voit ainsi que, entre les points A˝ et B˝, l'effort à fournir ne varie (entre F₁ et F₂) que de façon relativement modérée malgré la course très longue : dans un exemple de réalisation, on peut ainsi obtenir une large plage de fonctionnement, avec une course initiale d₁ = 0,2 mm et une course utile d₂ = 1,6 mm, l'effort F ne variant, typiquement, qu'entre F₁ = 10 N et F₂ = 25 N, ce qui procure des caractéristiques très supérieures à celles rencontrées avec les connecteurs classiques.It can thus be seen that, between the points A˝ and B˝, the effort to be provided varies (between F₁ and F₂) only relatively moderately despite the very long travel: in an exemplary embodiment, it is thus possible to obtain a large operating range, with an initial stroke d₁ = 0.2 mm and a useful stroke d₂ = 1.6 mm, the force F typically varying only between F₁ = 10 N and F₂ = 25 N, which provides characteristics far superior to those encountered with conventional connectors.

Sur la figure 7, on a illustré une variante de réalisation dans laquelle l'élément souple 2 vient en butée contre deux épaulements 13, 14 du corps d'embase 4, ce qui permet ainsi de protéger le volume intérieur de l'embase en occultant l'orifice 15 destiné à recevoir l'élément rigide 1 ; on réalise ainsi un élément de contact protégé, de façon très simple à partir d'éléments découpés (la lame constituant l'élément de contact souple 2), alors que ces éléments de contact protégés étaient jusqu'à présent principalement réalisés grâce à des pistons rétractables, imposant une fabrication décolletée beaucoup plus coûteuse et complexe à mettre en oeuvre.In FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment has been illustrated in which the flexible element 2 abuts against two shoulders 13, 14 of the base body 4, which thus makes it possible to protect the interior volume of the base by obscuring the orifice 15 intended to receive the rigid element 1; a protected contact element is thus produced, very simply from cut elements (the blade constituting the flexible contact element 2), while these protected contact elements were until now mainly produced by pistons retractable, imposing a low-cut manufacturing much more expensive and complex to implement.

Claims (3)

Un connecteur, comportant au moins un élément de contact électrique souple (2) lamellaire, élastiquement déformable, et au moins un élément de contact électrique rigide (1) de forme arrondie, les deux éléments venant en contact électrique et mécanique par le déplacement relatif de l'élément rigide en direction de l'élément souple, cette direction intersectant l'orientation générale de l'élément souple qui est ainsi mis en tension élastique,
   connecteur caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité libre de l'élément souple présente une zone cintrée (5) dont la concavité est tournée en direction de l'élément rigide et dont le rayon de courbure est supérieure au rayon de la section de l'élément rigide, cette zone cintrée étant prolongée par une zone d'accostage (6) contrecoudée.A connector, comprising at least one flexible electrical contact element (2) lamellar, elastically deformable, and at least one rigid electrical contact element (1) of rounded shape, the two elements coming into electrical and mechanical contact by the relative displacement of the rigid element in the direction of the flexible element, this direction intersecting the general orientation of the flexible element which is thus put in elastic tension,
connector characterized in that the free end of the flexible element has a curved zone (5) whose concavity is turned towards the rigid element and whose radius of curvature is greater than the radius of the section of the element rigid, this curved zone being extended by a bent landing zone (6). Le connecteur de la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément de contact électrique rigide de forme arrondie est de section essentiellement circulaire.The connector of claim 1, wherein the rigid electrical contact element of rounded shape is of substantially circular section. Le connecteur de la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément souple, en position de repos, vient en appui contre des épaulements (13, 14) d'un corps de connecteur (4), de manière à occulter, dans cette position, l'ouverture (15) du corps de connecteur recevant l'élément rigide.The connector of claim 1, in which the flexible element, in the rest position, bears against shoulders (13, 14) of a connector body (4), so as to obscure, in this position, the opening (15) of the connector body receiving the rigid element.
EP92402623A 1991-09-26 1992-09-24 Electrical connector Expired - Lifetime EP0539250B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9111844A FR2681985B1 (en) 1991-09-26 1991-09-26 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.
FR9111844 1991-09-26

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0539250A1 true EP0539250A1 (en) 1993-04-28
EP0539250B1 EP0539250B1 (en) 1994-12-28

Family

ID=9417312

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92402623A Expired - Lifetime EP0539250B1 (en) 1991-09-26 1992-09-24 Electrical connector

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5326290A (en)
EP (1) EP0539250B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH05283122A (en)
DE (2) DE69201046T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2066584T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2681985B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5791947A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-08-11 The Panda Project Contact beam for electrical interconnect component
US5616045A (en) * 1995-07-14 1997-04-01 Augat Inc. Squib connector for automotive air bag assembly
US5882224A (en) * 1996-08-28 1999-03-16 Thomas & Betts International, Inc. Squib connector socker assembly having shorting clip for automotive air bags
US6247972B1 (en) 1997-08-14 2001-06-19 Silicon Bandwidth, Inc. Electrical connector assembly with a female electrical connector having internal flexible contact arm
JP3351999B2 (en) * 1997-08-28 2002-12-03 ヒロセ電機株式会社 Electrical connector
US7094238B2 (en) * 2002-11-22 2006-08-22 Sdgi Holdings, Inc. Variable angle adaptive plate
US6830469B1 (en) 2004-03-19 2004-12-14 Molex Incorporated Electrical connector assembly
WO2007103499A2 (en) * 2006-03-07 2007-09-13 Siemens Water Technologies Corp. Multivalent metal ion management for low sludge processes

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4900278A (en) * 1988-08-04 1990-02-13 Molex Incorporated Electric connector of low-insertion force
EP0147076B1 (en) * 1983-12-27 1991-02-27 Amp Incorporated Electrical terminal having a receptacle contact section of low insertion force and terminating section therefor

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2443509A (en) * 1944-03-22 1948-06-15 Railroad Accessories Corp Connector
US2539230A (en) * 1944-09-28 1951-01-23 Rowe & Co Proprietary Ltd H Electrical power outlet and power plug
US3933405A (en) * 1974-05-16 1976-01-20 General Motors Corporation Electrical connector with deflectable butt contact terminal
US4002400A (en) * 1975-08-01 1977-01-11 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Electrical connector
JPS55109383A (en) * 1979-02-15 1980-08-22 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Lamp socket
US4703986A (en) * 1986-08-15 1987-11-03 G & H Technology, Inc. Butt contact for an electrical connector having EMI shielding

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0147076B1 (en) * 1983-12-27 1991-02-27 Amp Incorporated Electrical terminal having a receptacle contact section of low insertion force and terminating section therefor
US4900278A (en) * 1988-08-04 1990-02-13 Molex Incorporated Electric connector of low-insertion force

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH05283122A (en) 1993-10-29
US5326290A (en) 1994-07-05
EP0539250B1 (en) 1994-12-28
FR2681985A1 (en) 1993-04-02
ES2066584T3 (en) 1995-03-01
FR2681985B1 (en) 1993-12-31
DE69201046D1 (en) 1995-02-09
DE69201046T2 (en) 1995-05-11
DE539250T1 (en) 1993-09-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
FR2701170A1 (en) Female electrical contact with a flexible blade.
EP2791957B1 (en) Mobile conducting unit for a breaker, including a spring for accelerating the separation of arc contacts
FR2758662A1 (en) MOBILE CONTACT COAXIAL ELECTRIC CONNECTOR ELEMENT AND COAXIAL ELECTRIC CONNECTOR INCLUDING SUCH A CONNECTOR ELEMENT
EP0886712A1 (en) Device for protecting and guiding an elongate part connected via a hinge to two mutually hinged rigid elements, and industrial applications thereof
EP0539250B1 (en) Electrical connector
EP0545790B1 (en) Electrical interconnection device
FR2782848A1 (en) ELASTIC DEVICE FOR MAKING AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN A CONNECTION TERMINAL
FR2971892A1 (en) ELECTRICAL CONTACT AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAS A NUMBER OF MANEUVER
FR2782194A1 (en) SELF-STRIPPING CONNECTION DEVICE
EP0685911B1 (en) Electrical coaxial connector element comprising switching means and electrical connector including such a connector element
WO2004054038A1 (en) Electrical contact with elastic return and electrical connection element equipped with same
EP1435633B1 (en) Operating device with multiple axial positions for an electronic apparatus
FR2815177A1 (en) Electrical cable connection block connection spring having loop section with static section flexible arc moving section connected and having additional flexible arm folding back auto moving section.
FR2717003A1 (en) Switching device for opening and closing a power line
FR2709882A1 (en) Tulip-type electrical contact.
EP0604273A1 (en) Electric switch
EP0884806B1 (en) Electrical connector with improved contact security
FR2478366A1 (en) ELECTRIC SWITCH PUSH BUTTON SWITCH
FR2732083A1 (en) Simplified connector for joining metal sections for construction of exhibition stands
FR2916542A1 (en) TILT-LEVER CONTROL MECHANISM WITH MULTIPLE CONFIGURATIONS AND APPLICATION
WO2023227479A1 (en) Electrical connector with blades
FR3041810A1 (en) FRICTION-FREE SWITCHING DEVICE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING AN ELECTRIC LINE WITH IMPROVED IMPROVED MANEUVER
WO2004064201A1 (en) Elbow-shaped electric plug
FR2464580A1 (en)
CA3195074A1 (en) Connector for connecting an electrical termination to a printed circuit and corresponding assembly methods

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BE DE ES GB IT LU NL SE

DET De: translation of patent claims
17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19930729

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19940214

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE DE ES GB IT LU NL SE

EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 92402623.0

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69201046

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19950209

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 19950120

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2066584

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: STUDIO TORTA SOCIETA' SEMPLICE

RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: FRAMATOME CONNECTORS FRANCE

NLT2 Nl: modifications (of names), taken from the european patent patent bulletin

Owner name: FRAMATOME CONNECTORS FRANCE TE VERSAILLES, FRANKRI

ITPR It: changes in ownership of a european patent

Owner name: CAMBIO RAGIONE SOCIALE;FRAMATOME CONNECTORS FRANCE

NLT1 Nl: modifications of names registered in virtue of documents presented to the patent office pursuant to art. 16 a, paragraph 1

Owner name: FRAMATOME CONNECTORS FRANCE

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 19950823

Year of fee payment: 4

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 19950908

Year of fee payment: 4

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 19950914

Year of fee payment: 4

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19950927

Year of fee payment: 4

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19950930

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19951130

Year of fee payment: 4

26N No opposition filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Effective date: 19960924

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19960925

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 19960925

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19960930

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: FRAMATOME CONNECTORS FRANCE

Effective date: 19960930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19970401

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19960924

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 19970401

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Effective date: 19970603

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed

Ref document number: 92402623.0

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 19990601

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050924