WO2014194997A1

WO2014194997A1 - Electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod

Info

Publication number: WO2014194997A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/001455
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olivier Pamart
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics France Sas
Priority date: 2013-06-03
Filing date: 2014-05-28
Publication date: 2014-12-11
Also published as: FR3006508B1; FR3006508A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod, particularly a shock absorber rod for a motor vehicle, for realising an electrical connection between an electrical connector (201) arranged at a first end (102) of said shock absorber rod (100) and an element arranged at the second end of said shock absorber rod (100), comprising: a shock absorber rod (100) of substantially tubular shape and comprising a first end (102) and a second end, an electrical connector (201) configured so as to be inserted into said first end (102) of said shock absorber rod (100) up to an inserted position and integrating a locking element (204) configured to realise, when said connector (201) is in the inserted position in said shock absorber rod (100), a first lock with said first end (102) of said shock absorber rod (100) preventing disconnection between said electrical connector (201 ) and said shock absorber rod (100) and a connector position assurance (CPA) device (220) configured to be displaced from a delivery position to a locking position when said locking element (204) of said electrical connector (201) and said first end (102) of said shock absorber rod (100) realise the first lock.

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR A SHOCK ABSORBER ROD

The invention relates to the field of automotive connectors, particularly to an electrical connector system for a shock absorber rod for a motor vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to the locking of such a system, particularly to locking between an electrical connector and a shock absorber rod, and to the electrical connection of two elements arranged at the respective ends of a shock absorber rod.

Motor vehicle manufacturers frequently integrate electronics into the shock absorber systems. Therefore, sensors or, more generally, printed circuits arranged at one end of the shock absorber rods or tubes can be electrically connected to electrical connectors arranged at the other end of the shock absorber rods in order to be supplied with electric current, for example.

In the known systems of the prior art, the shock absorber rod is hollow and one of its ends is assembled to an electrical connector system, thus providing access to an electricity source such as the battery of a motor vehicle, for example. The sensor or the printed circuit arranged at the other end of the shock absorber rod is then connected to the connector by means of an electric cable arranged inside the shock absorber rod. In the known systems of the prior art, the electric cable used for the connection between the sensor or the printed circuit and the connector comprises terminations provided with electric contacts at each end. These terminations are designed on the one hand to be inserted into the electrical connector and on the other hand to be connected to the sensor or the printed circuit.

Due to the significant shocks and vibrations regularly experienced by the elements of motor vehicles, in the prior art the use of various means is known for assuring the retention of the electrical connections between the various elements of an electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod.

In particular, electric cable terminations are known in the prior art that comprise locking lances and other similar devices allowing primary locking with the connector at one end of the shock absorber rod. The use of a secondary locking device, also referred to as a Terminal Position Assurance (TPA) device, is also known in the prior art that clips to the connector in order to strengthen the connection between the connector and the termination of the electric cable, and which only closes on the connector and the electric cable termination when said termination is present and is correctly inserted into the connector. The use of primary locking devices is also known in the prior art, for example locking caps or rings that lock the connector to the shock absorber rod. Such a primary lock is known, for example, in the document EP 2 538 496 A1 , in which a tubular unit is mounted over the electrical connector mounted on the shock absorber rod. The tubular unit known in the prior art comprises a slot designed to snap together with a tab of the head of the shock absorber rod, thus realising a distinct lock between the connector and the shock absorber rod. The aforementioned document also discloses a coaxial cable and cable termination system that can be plugged into the electrical connector mounted in a first end of the shock absorber rod and connected to another electrical element arranged at the other end of the shock absorber rod.

Due to the high vibrations, and notwithstanding the primary locking systems known in the prior art, disconnections nevertheless can occur between the connector and/or the electric cable termination and/or the shock absorber rod, thus resulting in failures in the shock absorber system. Therefore, provision is also known in the prior art for the primary locking to be completed by Connector Position Assurance (CPA) devices in order to further guarantee that the connection between the connector and the shock absorber rod is maintained. Such a CPA device is known, for example, in the document US 6 036 500 A and must be inserted through the side of the shock absorber rod by means of a rod following a radial movement perpendicular to the axis of the rod.

The known devices of the prior art nevertheless have practical disadvantages when they are assembled. The primary and secondary locking of the connector to the shock absorber rod particularly requires the sequential integration of a plurality of separate parts during assembly. A secondary lock as known in the prior art particularly requires the connector to be mounted before the CPA device is even introduced into the assembly chain, and the introduction of said device is not practical.

Due to the flexible nature of the electrical connection cable passing through the inside of the shock absorber rod, disconnection is still possible at the electrical element, for example, the sensor or the printed circuit, that has to be connected to the connector by means of said cable. In these cases, the cable hangs inside the shock absorber rod without any possibility of reconnection, and an intervention is then necessary. Furthermore, the terminations of electric cables are assemblies with a plurality of parts, which remains impractical at the time of assembly, and they are subject to cable torsions.

An object of the present invention therefore is to provide an electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod that fulfils the requirements of simplicity of assembly and robustness dictated by the automotive industry. An object of the present invention comprises improving the locking between the electrical connector system and the shock absorber rod. An object of the present invention further comprises improving the connection between two elements that are arranged at the ends of a shock absorber rod and that have to be connected together electrically.

An object is achieved by an electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod, particularly a shock absorber rod for a motor vehicle, according to one aspect of the present invention, with the system comprising a shock absorber rod of substantially tubular shape and comprising a first end and a second end, as well as an electrical connector configured to be inserted into the first end of the shock absorber rod up to an inserted position and integrating a locking element configured to realise, when the connector is in the inserted position in the shock absorber rod, a first lock, namely primary locking, with the first end of the shock absorber rod preventing disconnection between the electrical connector and the shock absorber rod.

The advantage of the various aspects of the invention is to improve the locking of the connection between an electrical connector and a shock absorber rod. In an advantageous variant of this aspect, a primary connection cap integrated into the electrical connector can result in a connection system comprising fewer elements than the known systems of the prior art.

Therefore, according to preferred but non-limiting aspects of the system according to this aspect of the present invention:

The end of the shock absorber rod can further comprise a head, the connector can further comprise a longitudinal body and the primary lock can be realised by catching the head of the shock absorber rod between the longitudinal body and the locking element of the connector.

The locking element can be a locking cap of annular geometry integrated into the connector and can comprise at least one primary locking element, particularly four primary locking elements, arranged on a perimeter of the locking cap.

The head of the shock absorber rod can be machined with a stop, particularly an annular stop, and the at least one primary locking element can comprise at least one abutment surface preventing, when the connector is in the inserted position, the disconnection of the shock absorber rod and the connector by coming into abutment against the stop of the head of the shock absorber rod.

A further object is achieved by a system according to any one of the variants of the preceding aspect, further comprising a connector position assurance (CPA) device configured to be displaced from a delivery position to a locking position, namely secondary locking, guaranteeing that the primary locking is maintained between the locking element of the electrical connector and the first end of the shock absorber rod.

Advantageous variants of the CPA device notably allow practical and rapid passage to its locking position and thus secondary locking that is practical to implement for a shock absorber rod connection system and is simplified in relation to the known devices and systems of the prior art.

According to preferred but non-limiting aspects of the system according to this further aspect of the present invention:

The CPA device can comprise a main body of substantially annular geometry and the main body can be machined so as to at least partially cover the locking element of the connector in the delivery position and to encapsulate it in the locking position.

The locking element of the connector can also be configured to hold the CPA device in its delivery position if the connector is not inserted or is not correctly inserted into the shock absorber rod.

The CPA device can further comprise at least one secondary locking element, particularly two secondary locking elements, arranged on a perimeter of the main body.

The at least one secondary locking element can cover a corresponding primary locking element.

In the locking position, the CPA device can be simultaneously in abutment against the locking element of the connector and the end of the shock absorber rod.

In the locking position, the at least one secondary locking element can be simultaneously in abutment against a corresponding primary locking element and against an element of the end of the shock absorber rod.

Similarly, a further object is achieved by a system according to any one of the variants of the preceding aspects of the present invention, further comprising an electric contact tab-housing device comprising a longitudinal body substantially in the shape of a rigid rod machined so as to be able to be inserted into the shock absorber rod, and further comprising at least one electric contact, particularly two or more electric contacts, arranged at one of its ends electrically connected to a respective electric contact, particularly two or more respective electric contacts, arranged at its other end.

In a particularly advantageous variant of this aspect, the use of a rigid tab-housing device with self-adjusting length, overmoulded on electric contacts, can replace a wired connection using flexible cables and using terminals composed of numerous parts. According to preferred but non-limiting aspects of the system according to this further aspect of the present invention:

Each end of the body of the tab-housing device can be overmoulded on the at least one respective electric contact.

At least one of the two ends of the tab-housing device can be configured to realise an electrical connection with the electrical connector locked with the first end of the shock absorber rod, and the other end can be configured to realise an electrical connection with an element arranged at the other end of the shock absorber rod.

The at least one electric contact of one end and its respective electric contact at the other end of the tab-housing device can be soldered to an electric conductor.

The tab-housing device can comprise a plurality of retention elements configured to retain the electric conductor.

The length of the tab-housing device also can be self-adjusting.

In general, by virtue of its various aspects, the invention improves the electrical connection between an electrical element, which electrical element can be a sensor or a printed circuit, for example, depending on the requirements of a motor vehicle manufacturer, arranged at one end of a shock absorber rod, and an electrical connector arranged at the other end of the shock absorber rod, as well as the locking between the electrical connector and the shock absorber rod. The combination of these various aspects is possible and is also advantageous in relation to the known electrical connection systems for shock absorber rods of the prior art.

Further aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, and with reference to the accompanying appended drawings, wherein:

figure 1 schematically shows an example of part of a shock absorber rod for a connection system for a motor vehicle shock absorber according to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, in a cross-section view;

figure 2 schematically shows an example of an electrical connector for a connection system for a motor vehicle shock absorber according to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, in a cross-section view;

figure 3 schematically shows an example of a connection system for a shock absorber rod according to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, wherein the connector of the example shown in figure 2 is inserted into the rod of the example shown in figure 1 , with a CPA device in the delivery position, in a cross-section view; figure 4 shows the system of figure 3 with the CPA device in the locking position and also shows the tab-housing device, in a cross-section view;

figure 5A schematically shows the assembly of the connector of figures 3 and 4 with the CPA device in the delivery position, in a three-dimensional view;

figure 5B shows the assembly of figure 5A with the CPA device in the locking position, in a three-dimensional view;

figure 6A schematically shows an example of a tab-housing device according to one embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, in a three-dimensional view;

figure 6B schematically shows a detailed three-dimensional view of an end of the tab-housing device shown in figure 6A; and

figure 6C schematically shows a detailed three-dimensional view of the other end of the tab-housing device shown in figure 6A.

Throughout the following description, the same element that is shown in several figures can be designated using the same reference numeral. The description of an element in a figure that has already been described with reference to another figure therefore can be omitted and the reader can refer to the preceding description for further details.

Figure 1 shows a portion of a shock absorber rod 100, particularly for a motor vehicle shock absorber, in a transverse cross-section of a three-dimensional view provided along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 of the shock absorber rod 100. As shown in figure 1 , the shock absorber rod 100 is substantially of cylindrical tubular shape and comprises a substantially cylindrical and hollow longitudinal body 101 with two ends, including the end 102 shown in figure 1. A person skilled in the art will understand that the longitudinal axis A1 of the shock absorber rod 100 can thus define an axis of symmetry for the elements described hereafter.

The end 102 of the shock absorber rod 100 shown in figure 1 can receive an electrical connector or an electrical connector system to electrically connect elements arranged at each of the two ends of the body 101 of the shock absorber rod 100, for example. Such a connector can be, for example, the connector 201 of the assembly 200 shown in figure 2 and described hereafter.

As shown in figure 1 , the end 102 can comprise a head 103 of annular geometry, and which can be bevelled along the surface 103a starting from the tip of the end 102 and extending by a flat 103b substantially parallel to the axis A1 of the rod 100. The head 103 of the end 102 of the rod 100, and particularly the flat 103b, can terminate with a constriction 104 relative to the longitudinal body 101 , realising a stop 105 that can act as the lock for the rod 100 with an electrical connector, for example that of the assembly 200 shown in figure 2.

After the constriction 104, figure 1 shows that the longitudinal body 102 of the shock absorber rod 100 comprises a thread 106 on a partial length of the longitudinal body 101. After the thread 106, the longitudinal body 101 is substantially tubular up to a constriction 108 before a stop ring 107 protruding radially relative to the longitudinal body 101.

The end of the shock absorber rod 100 that is not shown can be substantially tubular and terminate with an opening configured to arrange an electrical connection with a sensor or a printed circuit or, in general, with an electronic element to be electrically connected to an electrical connector, which can be the electrical connector 201 of the assembly 200 shown in figure 2.

Furthermore, the internal diameter of the longitudinal body 101 can vary over the length of the rod 100. Therefore, starting from the internal surface 115 of the head 103 of the end 102 shown in figure 1 , a first contraction of the internal diameter of the rod 100, which can be substantially at the same level as the stop 105 before the constriction 104, can form an abutment surface 112 that can open onto an internal surface 109 with a polygonal section as opposed to a circular section, as is the case of the internal surface 115 of the head 103 or, more generally, of the rest of the internal surface 114 of the shock absorber rod 100 shown in figure 1. The internal surface 109 with a polygonal section can be followed by a further contraction forming a further substantially annular stop 1 10, and then by another portion of internal surface 114 with a substantially circular section up to a bevel forming a conical widening 113. Figure 1 also shows that the conical widening 113 terminates on an annular stop 11 1 radially protruding toward the inside of the rod 100 and then extends by another portion of internal surface 1 14 with a substantially circular section.

The dimensions of the elements of the shock absorber rod 100 thus can be adapted so as to allow the insertion of electrical connecting elements, and vice-versa, electrical connection elements can be designed according to the geometry of the rod 100. A person skilled in the art will also understand that in other embodiments elements of the shock absorber rod 100 thus can adopt different geometries to those shown in figure 1 depending on the requirements of the motor vehicle manufacturers and/or suppliers of electronic elements for motor vehicles. Figure 2 shows an electrical connector assembly 204 for an electrical connection system for a motor vehicle shock absorber rod. Such an assembly 200 can be mounted at one end of a shock absorber rod, for example at the end 102 of the shock absorber rod 100 shown in figure 1 , and can be used to connect an electrical element such as a sensor or a printed circuit, arranged at the other end of the shock absorber rod, to a current source, such as the battery of a motor vehicle, for example. The connector assembly 200 shown in figure 1 comprises an electrical connector 201 configured to be inserted into a shock absorber rod, particularly a motor vehicle shock absorber rod, and to be locked thereto. According to one aspect of the invention, the electrical connector assembly 200 further comprises a connector position assurance (CPA) device 220 of annular or tubular geometry configured to change from a delivery position to a locking position allowing additional advantageous locking between the connector 201 and the shock absorber rod. Figure 2 is a view in the plane along a transverse cross-section in the longitudinal direction of the connector 201 , particularly along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A2 of the connector 201 , which can also be an axis of the CPA device 220.

Figures 3 and 4 show an electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod 300, wherein the connector assembly 200 shown in figure 2 is connected to the shock absorber rod 100 shown in figure 1 , and particularly respectively shows the delivery position and the locking position of the CPA device 220. Figures 5A and 5B are three- dimensional views of the connector assembly 200 also showing the CPA device in its delivery and locking positions, respectively.

As shown in figures 2 to 5B, the geometry of the connector 201 can be substantially longitudinal, of tubular shape in particular, comprising a longitudinal body

202 substantially extending along an axis A2 so that, in the example shown in figures 3 and 4, when the connector 201 is inserted into the shock absorber rod 100, the axes A1 and A2 substantially coincide. The connector comprises a member in the form of a neck

203 configured to receive an electrical connection element (not shown for the sake of simplicity), for example one or more electric cables, entering the connector 201 and linking the connector, for example, to the battery of the vehicle or to another electrical element, depending on the requirements and the location of the shock absorber rod 100 in the vehicle. As shown in figures 2 to 4, a seal 216 and a grid 217 can be arranged inside the neck 203 of the connector 201 in order to guide the entrance of the one or more electric cables in the connector 201 and to at least partially seal the electrical connection relative to the outside of the connector 201. Figures 2 to 4 also show that the neck 203 of the connector 201 can be followed by a locking cap 204, the radius of which is greater than that of the neck 203, starting from an annular plate 241 at the tip of the neck 203, and configured to realise a lock, particularly a "primary" lock, between the connector 201 and one end of a shock absorber rod, the end 102 of the rod 100 in figures 3 and 4. According to one aspect of the invention, the cap 204 thus can comprise at least one primary locking element to hold the connector 201 once inserted into the shock absorber rod 100. In the case shown in figures 2 to 5B, the cap 204 comprises four primary locking elements 205, 206, 231 , 232 that are substantially in the form of tabs and are arranged on the perimeter of the locking cap 204. Each primary locking element 205, 206, 231 , 232 further comprises a respective abutment surface 207, 208, 235, 236 substantially in the shape of an "L". When the connector 201 or the connector assembly 200 and the shock absorber rod 100 are assembled, the primary locking elements 205, 206, 231 , 232 are deflected by the bevelled surface 103a and then the flat 103b of the head 103 of the end 102 of the rod 100, and the abutment surfaces 207, 208, 235, 236 eventually snap-in behind and come into abutment against the annular stop 105 of the head 103 of the shock absorber rod 100, thus realising a "primary" lock between the rod 100 and the connector 201 or, more generally, the connector assembly 200. An advantage of the locking cap 204 according to one aspect of the present invention is that, as opposed to primary locking systems for shock absorber rods as known in the prior art, the cap 204 is integrated into the connector 201 and is thus not a separate part. Advantageously therefore, this allows at least one less mounting or assembly step than is the case for the known devices of the prior art.

According to one aspect of the present invention shown in figures 2 to 5B, the primary locking tabs 205, 206, 231 , 232 further comprise openings 213, 214, 233, 234, at least one of which, in this case the two tabs 205, 206, is configured to keep the CPA device 220 in its delivery position until it is assembled with the shock absorber rod 100. Furthermore, the tip of a least one tab 205, 206, 231 , 232 further comprises a recess allowing the passage of the CPA device 220 in its locking position. Figures 2 to 5B show a case in which two tabs 205, 206 are configured in this way and thus each comprise a recess 218, 219.

As shown in figures 2 to 5B, the body 202 of the connector 201 can extend by a constriction 209 and thus a contraction of its thickness. It is then possible to arrange a seal 210 in the form of a ring in order to seal the connection between the connector 201 and the head 103 of the rod 100, as shown in figures 3 and 4 in particular. In this way, when the connector 201 is in the inserted position in the shock absorber rod 100, the head 202, particularly provided with the seal 210, and the primary locking elements 205, 206, 231 , 232.

The electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod 300 shown in figures 3 and 4 then can be used to electrically connect the connector 201 to an element arranged at the other end of the shock absorber rod 100 (not shown) by means of an electrical connector that can be an electric cable provided with terminations comprising electric contacts, as is the case in the known systems of the prior art. The geometry of the remaining part of the body 202 of the connector 201 then can be configured to correspond to that of the terminations used for the electric conductor.

Figures 3 and 4 however show the use of an electric contact tab-housing device 400 according to a further aspect of the present invention, realising the electrical connection between the connector 201 and an element (not shown) such as a sensor or a printed circuit arranged at the other end of the shock absorber rod 100. In this case, the geometry of the remaining part of the body 202 of the connector 201 comprises a contraction 237 and female contact terminals 238, 239 so as to receive the tabs or electric contacts 404, 405 of the device 400 that will be described hereafter.

Figures 2 to 5B also show that, according to the embodiments of the invention, a terminal position assurance (TPA) device 215 can be used to assure the position of the electric contacts 404, 405 inserted into the terminals 238, 239. As can also be seen in figures 5A and 5B, the TPA device 215 can comprise two locking tabs 215a, 215b that only close, by catching, for example, if the electric contact terminals are present and correctly inserted into the terminals 238, 239 of the connector 201. For the sake of simplicity, the tab-housing device 400 is not shown in figures 5A and 5D, but a person skilled in the art will understand that the TPA device 215 is open in figure 5A, which corresponds to a state in which no electric contact is inserted into the terminals 238, 239 or even when a contact is inserted therein but is not fully or correctly inserted. Similarly, figure 5B shows the TPA device 215 locked, which corresponds to a state in which electric contact terminals as counterparts to the terminals 238, 239 are correctly inserted therein. A person skilled in the art will also understand that this is the case, for example, in the system 300 shown in figures 3 and 4, in which the TPA device 215 is locked as the device 400 is correctly connected to the connector 201.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the CPA device 220 of the connector assembly 200 shown in figures 2, 5A and 5B and of the connection system shown in figures 3 and 4 is substantially of annular geometry, such as a ring, and is arranged around the connector 201. The CPA device 220 particularly comprises a neck 221 arranged around the neck 203 of the connector 201 , configured to slide along the neck 203 from the delivery position shown in figures 2, 3 and 5A until it comes into abutment on the annular plate 241 terminating the neck 203 of the connector 201 in the locking position, as shown in figure 4 in particular. The transverse cross-section of the neck 203 is substantially "L" shaped, the short part of which is a substantially annular stop element 242 that provides the abutment against the plate 241 terminating the neck 203 of the connector 201 in the locking position.

According to the invention, the CPA device 220 further comprises a main body 222 or secondary locking cap 222 that is thus in the shape of a ring or circle partially and then fully surrounding the primary locking cap 204, in the delivery and locking positions, respectively, as shown in figures 2 to 5B. The secondary locking cap 222 comprises two diametrically opposed openings 243, 244, shown in figures 5A and 5B. Figures 2 to 5B also show that, still according to one aspect of the present invention, the secondary locking cap 222 comprises at least one protruding part having a fold toward the inside of the CPA device 220 in the form of a tab configured to realise "secondary" locking of the connector 201 with the shock absorber rod 100. In the embodiment shown in figures 2 to 5B, the cap 222 comprises two protuberances 245, 246, part of which is folded toward the inside of the CPA device 220 thus forming the secondary locking tabs 223, 224.

In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the secondary locking tabs or feet 223, 224 comprise respective terminations 225, 226 terminating them and being of substantially "L" shape and oriented toward the inside of the CPA device 220 and thus toward the connector 201. In the assembly 200, the terminations 225, 226 are therefore housed in the openings 213, 214 of the primary locking cap 204 of the connector 201. Advantageously, the terminations 225, 226 can also comprise notches 229, 230. In the delivery position shown in figure 2, before assembly with a shock absorber rod, if the CPA device 220 slides toward its locking position, the notches 229, 230 come into abutment against respective edges 247, 248 realising joints between the abutment surfaces 208, 209 and the bevelled surfaces 21 1 , 212 of the primary locking tabs 205, 206 of the primary locking cap 204. It is thus possible to avoid passage to the locking position of the CPA device 220 if no shock absorber rod is assembled to the connector 201 or, more generally, to the connector assembly 200.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a motor vehicle assembler, for example the manufacturer, can receive the connector assembly 200 as shown in figure 2, namely in the delivery position, so as to assemble the electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod 300 shown in figures 3 and 4. However, in other embodiments the manufacturer can receive the assembly 200 in separate parts and must complete all of the assembly steps. In the embodiment shown in figures 2 to 5B, the manufacturer receives the assembly 200 pre-assembled by an electrical connection elements supplier. In the delivery position, the CPA device 220 thus partially covers the primary locking cap 204 of the connector 201. When the assembly 200 and the shock absorber rod 100 are mounted together, in the delivery position of the CPA device 220, the locking feet or tabs 223, 224 of the CPA device 220 are slightly deflected toward the outside of the openings 213, 214 of the primary locking cap 204 of the connector 201 by the bevelled surface 103a of the head 103 of the end 102 of the rod 100 connected to the connector 201 , as shown in figure 3. As shown in figure 3, the notches 229, 230 therefore can no longer come into abutment against the edges 247, 248 of the primary locking cap 204.

It is then possible to change to the locking position by sliding the CPA device 220 along the connector 221 , as described above, until the neck 221 of the CPA device 220 comes into abutment against the plate 221 of the connector 201. During this movement, the locking tabs 223, 224 of the CPA device 220 exit the openings 213, 214 and slide on respective bevelled surfaces 21 1 , 212 of the openings 213, 214. It is then advantageous that the tip 249, 252 of the terminations 225, 226 are rounded so as to facilitate this sliding movement. The terminations 225, 226 then click into the recesses 218, 219 of the primary locking elements 205, 206 of the connector 201 , as shown in figures 4 and 5B in particular. In the locking position, the secondary locking tabs 223, 224 of the CPA device 220 are also in abutment on the one hand against abutment surfaces 253, 254 at the rear of the "L"-shaped surfaces 207, 208 and on the other hand against the constriction 104 of the shock absorber rod 100 located between the head 103 and the thread 106, as shown in figure 4. In this way, the surfaces 227, 228 of the terminations 225, 226 of the CPA device 220 are in abutment against the surfaces 253, 254 of the connector 201 , particularly the primary locking cap 204, and the rounded tips 249, 252 of the terminations 225, 226 of the CPA device 220 are in abutment against the constriction 104 of the shock absorber rod 100. In the locking position, the CPA device 220 thus encapsulates all of the primary locking cap 204 of the electrical connector 201. The locking position advantageously, in relation to the known CPA devices of the prior art, can be achieved by an assembly operator with one hand by pulling on the lateral openings 243, 244 of the secondary locking cap 222 of the CPA device 220 once the primary locking of the shock absorber rod 100 and of the connector 201 is realised. In relation to the existing systems, the secondary locking that is obtained is more robust as it allows the system to be locked simultaneously at several points. It is also more practical to implement when assembling the connection system 300.

As shown in figures 3 and 4, an electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod 300 can comprise the electrical connector assembly 200 shown in figure 2 mounted at a first end 102 of a shock absorber rod 100, which can be that shown in figure 1 , and for which the properties can depend on the requirements of the motor vehicle manufacturer. According to the embodiments of the present invention, the connector 201 can be connected to an electrical element (not shown), for example a current source, which can be the battery of the vehicle, by an electric conductor, generally one or more electric cables (not shown). The system 300 therefore can further comprise a rotary cover 250 covering the neck 203 of the connector, and in the delivery position also covering the neck 221 of the CPA device 220, so as to redirect the one or more electric conductors toward said electrical element. In this example, the rotary cover 250 comprises a tubular part 251 and a circular cap 255 that thus covers the neck 203 of the connector 201 and the neck 221 of the CPA device 220 in the delivery position. The orientation between the tubular part 251 and the circular cap 255 can depend on the arrangement of other parts of the motor vehicle. In the example shown in figures 3 and 4, the circular cap 255 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tubular part 251 of the rotary cover 250, which can be the case for a shock absorber rod 100 mounted under the bonnet of a motor vehicle, so as to redirect electric cables as quickly as possible to the output of the connector 201 , for example toward the battery of the vehicle.

In the case in which the electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod 300 is mounted in a motor vehicle, as shown in figures 3 and 4, the system 300 can comprise fixings and systems for absorbing shocks or vibrations from the bodywork of the vehicle that are known in the prior art, for example a fixing nut 240 for fixing the shock absorber rod 100 to the vehicle, as well as vibration damping seals 260, 270 that can be substantially stacked on the abutment ring 107 of the shock absorber rod 100 and also held by the nut 240.

As previously stated, in an electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod

300 as shown in figures 3 and 4, a current source can be connected to the connector 201 mounted to a first end 102 of a shock absorber rod 100, particularly by electric cables (not shown) entering at the neck 203 of the connector 201 via the rotary cover 250. It is therefore possible for an element or an electrical or electronic device arranged at the other end of the shock absorber rod 100, for example a sensor or a printed circuit, to be connected to said current source. According to one aspect of the present invention, the electrical connection between the connector 201 mounted at the end 102 of the shock absorber rod 100 and an electrical element arranged at the other end of the shock absorber rod 100 is realised by means of the electric contact tab-housing device 400 shown in figure 4 and shown in greater detail in figures 6A to 6C.

Figure 4 shows that the system 300 therefore can comprise the electric contact tab-housing device 400 and particularly shows part of the device 400 comprising the termination 402 realising the electrical connection with the terminals 238, 239 of the electrical connector 201. Figure 6A shows a three-dimensional overall view of the electric contact tab-housing device 400, and figures 6B and 6C show detailed views of the two terminations 402, 403 of the tab-housing device 400 of figure 6A.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the electric contact tab-housing device 400 is substantially a rod 401 that can be rigid and comprise two ends forming electric terminations 402, 403, as shown in figure 6A. When the device 400 is inserted into a shock absorber rod 100, as is the case in figure 4, the longitudinal axis A3 of the rod 401 substantially coincides with the respective axes A1 and A2 of the shock absorber rod 100 and of the connector 201. Depending on the type of electrical connection to be realised, each terminal 402, 403 can comprise at least one respective electric contact or a plurality of respective electric contacts. In the embodiment shown in figures 6A to 6C, the termination 402 comprises two electric contact tabs 404, 405 and the termination 403 thus comprises two electric contact feet 406, 407 as a counterpart.

According to variants of embodiments of the invention, the contact feet 406, 407 can be connected, for example plugged in, to a sensor or to any other electronic part or electrical element, for example, depending on the requirements of a motor vehicle manufacturer. For more solid fixing, and in order to prevent rotation about the axis A3, which occurs in the known systems of the prior art that use electric cables, if the electrical element allows, the contact feet 406, 407 can be soldered to the electrical element that needs to be electrically connected to the connector 201 by means of the tab-housing device 400. The shape of the contact feet 406, 407 can also depend on the electrical element and on the type of connection to be realised therewith.

As shown in figure 6A, and in particular in the detailed view of figure 6B, the contact tabs 404, 405 can be configured to be inserted into the terminals 238, 239 of the connector 201. Figure 4 shows the device 400 connected to the connector 201 and thus with the tabs 404, 405 inserted into the terminals 238, 239. The shapes of the tabs 404, 405 of the device 400 and the terminals 238, 239 of the connector 201 thus can be selected and adapted in order to be compatible with each other.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the rod 401 is a part that is overmoulded on the electric contacts 404, 405, 406, 407. In particular, the terminations 402, 403 of the rod 401 of the tab-housing device 400 respectively comprise a part 402a, 403a overmoulded on the contact tabs 404, 405 or on the contact pads 406, 407. Advantageously, it is thus possible to avoid the use of a plurality of parts that have to be assembled in order to form the terminations of the electric cables that are used in the prior art, particularly devices of the TPA type, as the rod 401 is directly overmoulded on the electric contacts 404, 405, 406, 407.

Figure 6A also shows that the electric contact between the contact tabs 404, 405 of the termination 402 and the contact feet 406, 407 of the other termination 403 of the tab-housing device 400 can be realised by means of an electric conductor, for example one or more electric cables, depending on the requirements of the connection. In the embodiment shown in figures 6A to 6C, this connection is realised by means of two electric cables 412, 413, the isolating sheaths of which surround respective electric conductors 414, 415. The detailed views of figures 6B and 6C show that the terminations

402, 403 at the ends of the device 400 can comprise respective holes 416, 417, through which pass the tabs 404, 405 on the one hand and the feet 406, 407 on the other hand. Figure 6A shows that at the termination 402, the isolating sheaths of the electric cables 412, 413 can be stripped so as to allow electric contact between the conductors 414, 415 and a respective contact tab 404, 405. Similarly, figure 6C shows that at the termination

403, the isolating sheaths of the electric cables 412, 413 can also be stripped in order to allow homologous electric contact between the conductors 414, 415 and a respective contact foot 406, 407. In this way, in the embodiment shown in figures 6A to 6C, the conductor 414 of the cable 412 electrically connects the contact foot 406 of the termination 403 to the contact tab 404 of the termination 402. Similarly, the conductor 415 of the cable 413 electrically connects the contact foot 407 of the termination 403 to the contact tab 405 of the termination 402.

According to a preferred variant of this aspect, soldering the ends of the conductors 414, 415 to the contact feet 406, 407 on the one hand and to the contact tabs

404, 405 on the other hand is advantageous. This advantageously allows the use of complex terminals to be avoided, such as those known in the prior art, and in particular the use of TPA or similar devices is not necessary for assuring the proper connection of the cables 412, 413 to the terminals 402, 403. According to a further variant of this aspect, fixing the cables 412, 413 to the rod 401 by means of retention elements so as to avoid the use of movable elements is advantageous. In the embodiment shown in figures 6A to 6C, six retention elements 418a, 418b, 418c, 418d, 418e, 418f arranged along the rod 401 allow the cable 412 to be clipped on one side of the rod 401 (the side that can be seen in the figures) and the cable 413 to be clipped on the other side (the side not shown in the drawings).

According to a further advantageous variant, the termination 402 can comprise tabs 408, 409 arranged substantially perpendicular to the contact tabs 404, 405 and surrounding said tabs, as shown in detail in figure 6B. Advantageously, as also shown in figures 5B and 5C, the contact terminals 238, 239 of the connector 201 can comprise lateral notches 256, 257 as counterparts to the tabs 408, 409 and thus configured to receive the tabs 408, 409 when inserting the contact tabs 404, 405 into the terminals 238, 239 of the connector 201. As is also shown in detail in figure 6B, the tabs 408, 409 can each comprise a flat 410, 41 1 , the geometry of which allows the tabs 408, 409 to slide in the lateral notches 256, 257 of the terminals 238, 239 of the connector 201. In relation to the connection systems for shock absorber rods that are known in the prior art and use electric cables, this variant of the tab-housing device 400 avoids a torsion constraint and thus a rotation about the axes A1 , A2, A3 of the termination 402 in relation to the connector 401.

A further advantageous variant assures the retention of the termination 402 inserted into the connector 201. As shown in particular in the detailed view of figure 6B, the termination 402 can comprise at least one and in particular two locking lances 419, 420 emerging slantwise relative to the rod 401. In this way, in the connection system for a shock absorber rod 300 shown in figure 4, when the tab-housing device 400 is correctly inserted up to its connection position with the connector 201 , the locking lances 419, 420 are first deflected toward the rod 401 so as to allow the termination 402 to pass to the correct position in order to be connected to the connector 201 . Once in position, the termination 402 basically can no longer be withdrawn from the shock absorber rod 100 as the surfaces 421 , 422 at the ends of the locking lances 419, 420 come into abutment against the annular stop element 11 1 inside the shock absorber rod 100. As is also shown in figure 4, a plate 423 of the termination 402, shown in detail in figure 6B, prevents the tab-housing device 400 from being inserted too far into the shock absorber rod 100 by coming into abutment against the same stop element 1 1 1 of the shock absorber rod 100.

Figures 6A and 6C show a further advantageous variant of the tab-housing device 400, the length of which can be self-adjusting by virtue of an automatic length adjustment element 424, which can be a partially flexible part of the rod 401 , as opposed to most of the rod 401 , which is rigid. In the embodiment shown in figures 6A and 6C, the automatic length adjustment element 424 comprises two flexible feet 424a, 424b connecting the termination 403 to the rod 401. In variants of an embodiment, it is possible for the automatic length adjustment element 424 to be arranged at other points of the rod 401. In variants, the use of a plurality of length adjustment elements can also be contemplated. This partial flexibility is advantageous for the connection between the feet 406, 407 of the termination 403 and a sensor, printed circuit or other electrical element to be connected to the system 300, and it is, for example, possible to obtain a few millimetres of play allowing this connection to be adjusted as necessary. It is noteworthy that in the case shown in figures 6A to 6B of a combination with the locking lances 419, 420 and/or the plate 423, this flexible part 424 of the rod 401 advantageously does not have any impact on the connection between the termination 402 and the electrical connector 201.

An advantage of various aspects of the invention is to improve the locking of the connection between an electrical connector 201 and a shock absorber rod 100. One aspect comprises the use of a primary connection cap 204 integrated into the electrical connector 201 and allows, for example, a connection system 300 to be provided that comprises fewer elements than the known systems of the prior art. A further aspect comprises the use of a CPA device 220 allowing practical and quick passage to its locking position and thus secondary locking that is practical to implement for a connection system for a shock absorber rod 300 and is simplified relative to the known devices and systems of the prior art. A further aspect that comprises the use of a tab-housing device 400, which is rigid but has self-adjusting length, overmoulded on electric contacts 404, 405, 406, 407, allows a wired connection using flexible cables and using terminals composed of numerous parts to be replaced.

In general, by virtue of its various aspects, the invention improves the electrical connection between an electrical element, for example a sensor or a printed circuit, arranged at one end of a shock absorber rod, and an electrical connector arranged at the other end of the shock absorber rod, as well as the locking between the electrical connector and the shock absorber rod. These various aspects, and in particular the various examples of embodiments previously described, can all be taken independently of each other or even be combined together in order to create other embodiments of the present invention. REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 shock absorber rod

101 longitudinal body

102 end of the rod 100

103 head of the end 102

103a bevelled surface

103b flat

104 constriction

105 stop

106 thread

107 stop ring

108 constriction

109 internal surface

110 contraction forming a stop

111 annular stop

112 abutment surface

113 conical widening

114 internal surface

115 internal surface

A1 axis

200 electrical connector assembly

201 electrical connector

202 longitudinal body

203 neck

204 locking cap

205 primary locking element

206 primary locking element

207 abutment surface 208 abutment surface

209 constriction

210 seal

211 bevelled surface

212 bevelled surface

213 opening

214 opening

215 TPA device

216 seal

217 grid

218 recess

219 recess

220 CPA device

221 neck

222 secondary locking cap

223 secondary locking tab

224 secondary locking tab

225 termination

226 termination

227 surface

228 surface

229 notch

230 notch

231 primary locking element

232 primary locking element

233 opening

234 opening

235 abutment surface

236 abutment surface

237 contraction contact terminal

contact terminal

nut

plate

stop element

opening

protuberance

edge

termination tip

rotary cover

tubular part

termination tip

abutment surface

circular cap

lateral notch

vibration damping seal

axis electrical connection system for shock absorber rod electric contact tab-housing device

rod

termination

a part of 402 403 termination

403a part of 403

404 electric contact tab

405 electric contact tab

406 electric contact foot

407 electric contact foot

408 tab

409 tab

410 flat

411 flat

412 electric cable

413 electric cable

414 electric conductor

415 electric conductor

416 hole

417 hole

418a retention element

418b retention element

418c retention element

418d retention element

418e retention element

418f retention element

419 locking lance

420 locking lance

421 surface

422 surface

423 plate

424 automatic length adjustment element A3 axis

Claims

1. An electrical connection system for a shock absorber rod, particularly a shock absorber rod for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a shock absorber rod (100) of substantially tubular shape and comprising a first end (102, 103) and a second end; and

an electrical connector (201) configured to be inserted into said first end (102) of said shock absorber rod (100) up to an inserted position and integrating a locking element (204) configured to realise, when said connector (201) is in the inserted position in said shock absorber rod (100), a first lock, namely primary locking, with said first end (102, 103) of said shock absorber rod (100) preventing disconnection between said electrical connector (201) and said shock absorber rod (100).

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said end (102, 103) of said shock absorber rod (100) further comprises a head (103), wherein said connector (201) further comprises a longitudinal body (202), and wherein said primary lock is realised by catching said head (103) of said shock absorber rod (100) between said longitudinal body (202) and said locking element (204) of said connector (201).

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said locking element (204) is a locking cap (204) of annular geometry integrated into said connector (201) and comprising at least one primary locking element, particularly four primary locking elements (207, 208, 231 , 232), arranged on a perimeter of said locking cap (204).

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said head (103) of said shock absorber rod (100) is machined with a stop (105), particularly an annular stop, and the at least one primary locking element (207, 208, 231 , 232) comprises at least one abutment surface (207, 208, 235, 236) preventing, when said connector (201 ) is in the inserted position, the disconnection of said shock absorber rod (100) and said connector (201) by coming into abutment against said stop (105) of said head (103) of said shock absorber rod (100).

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a connector position assurance (CPA) device (220) configured to be displaced from a delivery position to a locking position, namely secondary locking, maintaining the primary locking between said locking element (204) of said electrical connector (201) and said first end (102, 103) of said shock absorber rod (100).

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said CPA device (220) comprises a main body (222) of substantially annular geometry and wherein said main body (222) is machined so as to at least partially cover said locking element (204) of said connector (201) in the delivery position and to encapsulate it in said locking position.

7. The system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said locking element (204) of said connector (201) is also configured to hold said CPA device (220) in its delivery position if said connector (201) is not inserted or is not correctly inserted into said shock absorber rod (100).

8. The system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said CPA device (220) further comprises at least one secondary locking element (223, 224), particularly two secondary locking elements, arranged on a perimeter of said main body (222).

9. The system according to claim 8 in combination with claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one secondary locking element (223, 224) covers a corresponding primary locking element (207, 208, 231 , 232).

10. The system according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein, in the locking position, said CPA device (220) is simultaneously in abutment against said locking element (204) of said connector (201) and said end (102) of said shock absorber rod (100).

11. The system according to claim 10 in combination with any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein, in the locking position, the at least one secondary locking element (223, 224) is simultaneously in abutment against a corresponding primary locking element (207, 208, 231 , 232) and against an element (104) of said end (102) of said shock absorber rod (100).

12. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an electric contact tab-housing (400) comprising a longitudinal body substantially in the shape of a rigid rod (401) machined so as to be able to be inserted into said shock absorber rod (100), and further comprising at least one electric contact (404, 405), particularly two or more electric contacts, arranged at one of its ends (402) electrically connected to a respective electric contact (406, 407), particularly two or more respective electric contacts, arranged at its other end (403).

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein each end (402, 403) of said body (401) of said tab-housing device (400) is overmoulded on the at least one respective electric contact (404, 405, 406, 407).

14. The system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein at least one end (402) of said two ends (402, 403) of said tab-housing device (400) is configured to realise an electrical connection with said electrical connector (201) locked with said first end (102) of said shock absorber rod (100), and the other end (403) is configured to realise an electrical connection with an element arranged at the other end of said shock absorber rod (100).

15. The system according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the at least one electric contact (404, 405) of an end (402) and its respective electric contact (406,

407) at the other end (403) of said tab-housing device (400) are soldered to an electric conductor (414, 415).

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said tab-housing device (400) comprises a plurality of retention elements (418a, 418b, 418c, 418d, 418e, 418f) configured to retain said electric conductor (412, 413).

17. The system according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the length of said tab-housing device (400) is also self-adjusting.