A connector having an interface member mounted to rotate in a housing and adapted to be driven by a tool to slide a cover

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector having an interface member mounted for rotation in a housing and adapted to be driven by a tool to slide-lock the connector onto a complementary connector. The invention mainly lies in a mechanism for converting the rotational movement of a tool on an interface member received in the housing of the connector into a translational movement in a plane perpendicular to the coupling direction of a locking cover for locking the housing of the connector to the housing of the complementary connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors.

[0002] The object of the present invention is in particular to improve the mutual locking between said housings when two complementary connector housings, especially multi-contact connector housings, are in a connected configuration.

[0003] Although described with reference to a preferred application (the field of aviation, more particularly equipment on board an aircraft), the present invention can be used in any other application. Background Art

[0004] In many connection applications, it is known to interlock a connector and a complementary connector of the same component, and once the connected configuration of the two connectors is achieved, it is said that the connection between the respective contacts of the two connectors is ensured.

[0005] This is particularly necessary when the environment of the connected component is subject to strict environmental constraints (as may be the case in an aircraft, especially when the component is mounted on the panel of equipment on board an aircraft).

[0006] Many technical solutions have been used as locking devices.

[0007] First, a locking system of a nut and a bolt is known, which can be found, for example, in a connection component named B2 sold by the applicant: The socket has a nut fixed to the housing at the central part between two contact inserts, while the plug includes a central hole through which a bolt can be screwed into the nut to obtain the required locking.

[0008] A quarter-turn fixing system is also known, which can be found, for example, in a connection component named A, B1 sold by the applicant: The socket has a male cylinder on either side of the central housing, the male cylinder is provided with two outwardly projecting flanges, while the plug has a female cylinder which has an opening facing each male cylinder.

[0009] Shown in Figure 1 is the existing B1 plug 2 with housing 20, and the fixing is ensured as follows: With the aid of a screwdriver, by turning a quarter-turn in the direction of arrow R of the stamping 21 along the interface of each female cylinder 22, the flange slides in the corresponding opening 23 until one of its ends to obtain the required locking. On the other hand, the generally continuous actuation of these quarter-turn stampings 21 has the risk of causing misalignment. The operator may not fully lock the second one even without noticing. Moreover, the operation time is also longer.

[0010] Finally, it is well known to use a locking cover actuated by manually sliding it on the housing of one of the connectors, the cover including a shape that mates with the complementary shape of the housing of the complementary connector to obtain fixation during translation of the cover and thus obtain the desired locking.

[0011] Thus, patent EP1708313B1 proposes a connection assembly including a locking cover that includes locking teeth between two multi-contact connectors, one of the two multi-contact connectors being fixed to a support, and the movement of the cover being achieved by manually sliding it on the housing.

[0012] Patent EP2503651B1 also discloses a locking cover that is manually moved on the housing of one of two multi-contact connectors, the other of which is already mounted on the panel of an electronic device.

[0013] In Figure 2A and Figure 2B is reproduced an electrical connection assembly 1 having a plug 2 and a socket 3 that uses a locking cover 4 of the above type. The electrical connection assembly 1 is mounted on a panel P (the panel P is, for example, the panel of the housing of an electronic device, particularly the panel of the housing of a device on an aircraft), or mounted in a disconnection panel. More precisely, the socket 3 is mounted in an opening in the panel P, and the housing 30 of the socket 3 is fixed to the panel P by screws 5.

[0014] The substantially U-shaped locking cover 4 is mounted to slide perpendicular to its longitudinal axis X on the housing 20 of the plug 2, between the connection front face 24 and the back face 25 of the housing 20. Each branch of the U-shape includes an internal opening 40 having a suitable shape. Each longitudinal face 31 of the housing 30 of the socket 3 is provided with two flanges 32.

[0015] To achieve the locking as Figure 2B shown, the operator applies a lateral thrust T with a finger on the cover 4 from its unlocked position. The cover 4 is locked in its locked position by wedging each flange 32 on the housing 30 into the opening 40 of the cover 4.

[0016] Although various locking systems having the above various devices have proven to be effective and reliable, the inventors have concluded that these systems do not solve the problems faced recently.

[0017] In fact, first, in the applications involved, the available space allocated for mounting a plurality of electrical connection assemblies on the panel of an electronic device is very limited.

[0018] To illustrate this space limitation, Figure 3 shows the required arrangement of a plurality of connection assemblies 1.1 to 1.6 mounted individually in adjacent columns in the panel P of an aircraft electronic device. From thisFigure 3 It can be clearly seen that the minimum gap E between two adjacent components 1.1 and 1.2 is very small. Now, this gap does not allow the operator to place a finger therein to manually slide the locking cover, as described in the above-mentioned patents EP1708313B1 and EP2503651B1.

[0019] Thus, it is still necessary to apply the usual coupling force to ensure the electrical continuity between the two housings. However, in this new environment, this cannot be done manually. Summary of the Invention

[0020] Therefore, there is a need to further improve the mutual locking between complementary connectors in a connected configuration, especially in order to have the possibility of easy locking in an environment where the available space is limited and / or a high locking force needs to be applied.

[0021] The present invention aims to meet all or part of this need.

[0022] To this end, in one aspect of the present invention, the object of the present invention is a connector, especially a multi-contact connector, which comprises:

[0023] - A housing having a longitudinal axis (X), which comprises a front face called a connection face and a back face, and is connected to a complementary type of connector including a complementary housing through this front face,

[0024] - A cover for locking the connector to the complementary connector, which is mounted on the housing and is adapted to slide transversely between an unlocked position and a locked position between the housing and the complementary housing with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the housing,

[0025] - A mechanism for converting a rotational movement into a sliding movement of the locking cover, which mechanism comprises an interface member for a tool, which is mounted to rotate freely in a receiving portion of the housing and is adapted to be rotated by a tool through a certain angular stroke, thereby causing the locking cover to slide from its unlocked position to its locked position and vice versa.

[0026] Here and in the context of the present invention, "vice versa" means that rotating the tool in the opposite direction through a certain angular stroke causes the cover to slide from its locked position to its unlocked position.

[0027] The interface member is preferably adapted to move by the rotational movement of the tool. The interface member may more preferably rotate about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the tool, more preferably about the rotational axis of the tool.

[0028] The axis about which the interface member can rotate is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the housing.

[0029] The interface part is preferably received in a receiving part passing through one side of the housing, preferably such that the interface between the interface part and the tool starts on the longitudinal axis of the housing from the front or the back of the housing.

[0030] According to an advantageous variant embodiment, the interface part includes an interface imprint for the tool, which is arranged on the back side of the housing.

[0031] The interface imprint for the tool is preferably arranged on the side edge of the housing.

[0032] The interface imprint of the interface part is more preferably a hollow hexagonal imprint. Of course, any type of imprint can be envisaged.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment, the mechanism is a sliding mechanism, wherein:

[0034] - The interface part includes pins protruding towards the front of the housing at its periphery,

[0035] - The cover includes a groove having a shape complementary to the shape of the pins,

[0036] The pins are mounted to slide in the groove, and the shape of the groove is such that when the interface part is rotated by a certain angular stroke by the tool, the pins sliding in the groove will slide the cover from its unlocked position to its locked position and vice versa.

[0037] The end of the travel position of the pins in the groove is advantageously adapted to generate a tactile indication of the end locking of the cover in the locked position or near the locked position for the operator locking with the tool. More advantageously, the pins are able to continue sliding in the groove beyond the locked position and generate a feeling for the operator of a sudden decrease in the rotational torque.

[0038] The angular stroke causing the cover to slide from its unlocked position to its locked position is preferably equal to at least 180°.

[0039] According to another advantageous variant embodiment, the interface part includes a flange protruding from the back side of the housing at its periphery, and in the locked position and / or the unlocked position of the cover, the flange forms a support for the interface part, abutting against a projection made or attached to the housing in the housing.

[0040] Preferably, the flange is visible to the operator locking with the tool at any position of the cover.

[0041] According to another advantageous variant embodiment, the connector includes at least one visual indicator, which is arranged to be visible to the operator at any position from the unlocked position of the cover to its locked position (the visual indicator is hidden in the locked position).

[0042] The interface part advantageously includes a colored area in the form of a visual indicator, which is visible from the unlocked position of the cover to its locked position, in which position the area is hidden by a projection in or attached to the housing. The projection serves as a support for the flange of the interface part.

[0043] According to an advantageous embodiment, the cover and the interface part are dimensioned to produce a locking force of at least 100 N.

[0044] The connector can form a multi-contact connector, wherein the housing accommodates at least one insert, which includes units extending along a longitudinal axis (X), and each unit accommodates contacts.

[0045] The locking cover advantageously has a substantially U-shaped shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X).

[0046] The object of the present invention also lies in an electrical connection assembly, comprising:

[0047] - a connector as described above,

[0048] - a complementary connector.

[0049] In other words, the present invention mainly lies in a mechanism for converting the rotational movement of a tool on an interface part accommodated in the housing of a connector into a translational movement in a plane perpendicular to the coupling direction of the locking cover, which locking cover is used to lock the housing of the connector to the housing of the complementary connector.

[0050] This mechanism is very advantageously a sliding mechanism, which has a protruding pin on the periphery of the interface part, and the protruding pin slides in a groove of the housing as the tool rotates. This sliding causes the locking cover to translate from its unlocked position to its locked position in a plane perpendicular to the coupling direction of the connector.

[0051] The tactile indication enables the operator to feel that the locking has been correctly completed.

[0052] The object of the present invention also lies in a method for assembling a connector and a complementary connector of the assembly as described above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0053] - connecting the connector and the complementary connector through their fronts,

[0054] - rotating the interface part by a tool to translate and slide the locking cover from its unlocked position to its locked position, in which locked position the locking cover is fixed relative to the housing of the connector.

[0055] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has many advantages, which are listed as follows:

[0056] - Repeated and precise locking positions of the locking cover;

[0057] - Easy locking by the operator, even in very limited spaces;

[0058] - The operator can apply a very high locking force using an easy-to-operate tool, making the assembled electrical connection component well-suited for applications in environments subject to high-intensity vibrations.

[0059] The present invention contemplates many applications, among which electrical connections on aircraft may be cited.

[0060] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent by reading the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention given by way of non-limiting illustration with reference to the following drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0061] Figure 1 An example of a quarter-turn locking system for mutual locking between two multi-contact connectors of an electrical connection component for the prior art is shown in perspective.

[0062] Figure 2A Is a partially sectional transparent top view of an electrical connection component of the prior art, which has a cover for mutually locking multi-contact connectors, and the cover is in its unlocked position.

[0063] Figure 2B Is according to Figure 2A A partially sectional transparent top view of an electrical connection component, in which the locking cover is in its locked position.

[0064] Figure 3 Is a front view of an electronic device panel, which has the required example of arranging a plurality of electrical connection components with multi-contact connectors.

[0065] Figure 4 Is a perspective view showing an example of a plug-type multi-contact connector with a locking cover according to the present invention, and the locking cover is moved by means of an Allen wrench-type tool.

[0066] Figure 4A Is without a tool Figure 4 A detailed perspective view of.

[0067] Figure 5 Is Figure 4 A perspective view of the housing, locking cover and interface components of the connector according to the present invention.

[0068] Figure 6 Is a transparent front view of the connector and the locking cover in the locked position, which shows the sliding mechanism according to the present invention.

[0069] Figure 7Ais a perspective view showing the steps of installing an electrical connection component according to the present invention in an electronic device panel.

[0070] Figure 7B is a perspective view showing Figure 7A the steps after the step of installing the electrical connection component in the electronic device panel.

[0071] Figure 7C Repeat Figure 4A and shows the unlocked position of the locking cover according to the present invention, which provides a visual indication of this position to the operator.

[0072] Figure 7D is a perspective view showing the installation steps after the step of Figure 7C where connection has been made between two connectors of the electrical connection component but locking of the two connectors of the electrical connection component has not been achieved (the locking cover is in the open position).

[0073] Figure 7E Repeat Figure 4A but shows the locked position of the locking cover according to the present invention, which provides a visual indication of this position to the operator.

[0074] Figure 8A is a detailed perspective view of the back of the connector and the cover with a locking tool in the unlocked position.

[0075] Figure 8B is a detailed perspective view of the back of the connector and the cover with a locking tool in an intermediate position between the unlocked position and the locked position.

[0076] Figure 8C is a detailed perspective view of the back of the connector and the cover with a locking tool in the locked position.

[0077] Figure 9A is a transparent front view of the connector corresponding to Figure 8A and the locking cover in the unlocked position.

[0078] Figure 9B is a transparent front view of the connector corresponding to Figure 8B and the locking cover in an intermediate position between the unlocked position and the locked position.

[0079] Figure 9C is a transparent front view of the connector corresponding to Figure 8C and the locking cover in the locked position. Detailed Description

[0080] Throughout the present application, the terms "vertical", "lower", "upper", "low", "high", "below" and "above" are to be understood with reference to the electrical connector according to the invention, wherein the housing and the locking cover of the electrical connector have a horizontally arranged configuration.

[0081] Similarly, the terms "inner" and "outer" are to be understood relative to the housing of the electrical connector according to the invention.

[0082] For the sake of clarity, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements of the prior art electrical connection assembly and the electrical connection assembly according to the invention.

[0083] The foregoing has been described in detail Figures 1 to 3 . Therefore, they will not be commented on hereinafter.

[0084] In Figure 4 is shown an example of a plug-type connector according to the invention, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 2.

[0085] The male multi-contact connector 2, in particular the plug, is intended to be connected to a female complementary connector 3, in particular the socket.

[0086] The connectors 2 and 3 are intended to transmit optical signals, radio frequency signals, electrical signals or power signals.

[0087] The multi-contact connector 2 extends along a longitudinal axis X and comprises a housing 20 which, in the example, is integrally moulded from plastic. The front face 24 and the rear face 25 of the housing 20 are parallel and extend perpendicular to the axis X.

[0088] An insert 26 having a plurality of cells is received in the housing 20. Each cell is intended to receive a contact (not shown).

[0089] A locking cover 4 is mounted to slide transversely to the longitudinal axis X on the housing 20 to lock the connectors 2 and 3 together when the connectors 2 and 3 are in a connected configuration, i.e. when they are coupled to each other. As shown, the locking cover has a substantially U-shaped shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0090] According to the invention, a sliding mechanism 6 is provided to convert the rotational movement of a tool H into a translational movement of the locking cover 4 from its unlocked position (the two connectors 2, 3 are unlocked) to its locked position (the two connectors 2, 3 are locked).

[0091] First of all, the sliding mechanism 6 comprises an interface member 60 which is capable of cooperating with the tool H, which is preferably an Allen key. The interface member 60 is mounted to rotate freely in a receiving portion 200 of the connector housing 20.

[0092] More precisely, the interface part 60 further includes an interface imprint 61 for the tool H, preferably a hollow hexagonal imprint. In the example shown, the imprint 61 is arranged on the back side of the housing, on the side edge of the housing.

[0093] The interface part 60 includes, at its periphery, pins 62 that project towards the front face 24 of the housing 20.

[0094] The locking cover 4 includes, inside the U-shaped base 41, a groove 42 whose shape is complementary to the shape of the pin.

[0095] As Figure 6 shown, the pins 62 are mounted to slide in the grooves 42. In the example shown, the shape of the grooves 42 is such that when the tool H rotates the interface part 60 through an angular travel of at least 180°, the pins 62 sliding in the grooves 42 cause the cover to slide from its unlocked position to its locked position, as described below.

[0096] The interface part 60 includes, at its periphery, a flange 63 that projects from the back side 25 of the housing 20. In both the locked and unlocked positions of the cover 4, the flange 63 abuts against a projection 27 that is fixed to or integrally formed with the housing 20.

[0097] Finally, the interface part 60 includes a visible colored area 64 that serves as a visual indicator from the unlocked position of the cover 4 to its locked position, i.e., a colored area visible to the operator, which is hidden by the projection 27 and / or the housing 20 itself in the locked position.

[0098] Now refer Figures 7A to 7E to a method of fixing, connecting, and locking an electrical connection assembly to a panel P according to the present invention. The panel P is integrated, for example, in the housing of an electronic device (such as a device on an aircraft) or in a disconnection panel.

[0099] Step a / : The operator moves the socket 3 having the housing 30 towards the opening O in the panel P, in which housing 30 at least one insert 35 is accommodated, which insert 35 has a unit for accommodating contacts ( Figure 7A ).

[0100] Step b / : Then the operator inserts the socket 3 into the opening O of the panel P, centers it, and then fixes it to the panel using fixing screws ( Figure 7B ).

[0101] Step c / : Then the operator picks up the plug-type connector 2 having the locking cover 4 in the unlocked position ( Figure 7C)。The operator determines that the cover 4 is indeed in its unlocked position because, on the one hand, the flange 63 abuts against the projection 27, and on the other hand, the colored area 64 is fully visible, which visually indicates the unlocked position to the operator.

[0102] Step d / : Subsequently, the operator provides the plug 2, the contacts of which are inserted and fixed in the insert 26 housed in the housing 20 and facing the socket 3, so that the plug 2 and the socket 3 are coupled together through their fronts 24, 34 for connection ( Figure 7D )。

[0103] Step e / : Once this connection is completed, the operator can mutually lock by sliding the locking cover 4 on the housing 20 from its unlocked position ( Figure 7D ) to its locked position ( Figure 7E )。

[0104] For this purpose, an Allen key H is inserted into the hexagonal indentation 61 and rotated by at least 180°.

[0105] The operator determines that the cover 4 is indeed in the locked position because, on the one hand, the flange 63 abuts against the projection 27, and on the other hand, since the colored area 64 is hidden, this colored area is completely invisible to the operator ( Figure 7E ), and finally the operator feels a sudden decrease in the rotational torque to be applied.

[0106] The proper locking is achieved by wedging the housing 30, that is, by wedging each flange 32 of the housing 30 into the groove 40 of the cover 4, thus fixing the cover 4 in its locked position.

[0107] Refer to Figures 8A to 8C and Figures 9A to 9C to illustrate the operation of the sliding mechanism 6.

[0108] In the unlocked position of the cover 4, the flange 63 abuts against the projection 27, and the colored area 64 is fully visible, which visually indicates the unlocked position to the operator ( Figure 8A ). The pin 62 is housed in the central part of the groove 42 ( Figure 9A )。

[0109] When the operator rotates the wrench H by an angle of approximately 90°, the cover 4 is in the intermediate sliding position, then the flange 63 no longer has any support, and the colored area 64 is still visible, which visually indicates to the operator that it has not yet reached the locked position ( Figure 8B ). The pin 62 is housed at the bottom end of the groove 42 ( Figure 9B )。

[0110] When the operator rotates the wrench H by another approximately 90° angle, i.e., a travel of approximately 180° from the unlocking position, the cover 4 is in its locked position, the flange 63 abuts against the projection 27 at the bottom, and the colored area 64 is completely hidden( Figure 8C ). The pin 62 is received at the top of the groove 42( Figure 9C ).

[0111] The end of the travel position of the pin 62 in the groove 42 advantageously makes it possible to generate a haptic indication of the end of locking in the vicinity of the locked position of the cover 4.

[0112] In fact, when this fully locked position is reached and the cover 4 is locked by wedging, the pin 62 can continue to move in the groove 42, which is reflected for the operator as a sudden decrease in the felt force, i.e., a much lower rotational torque.

[0113] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, other variations and improvements may be provided.

Claims

1. A connector (2), comprising: - a housing (20) having a longitudinal axis (X), the housing (20) including a front face referred to as a connection face and a back face, and being connected to a complementary connector including a complementary housing through the front face, - a locking cover (4) for locking the connector to the complementary connector, the locking cover being mounted on the housing and adapted to slide transversely relative to the longitudinal axis (X) of the housing between an unlocked position and a locked position between the housing and the complementary housing, - a mechanism (6) for converting a rotational movement into a sliding movement of the locking cover (4), the mechanism including an interface member (60) for a tool (H), the interface member being mounted to rotate freely in a receiving portion (200) of the housing and adapted to rotate a certain angular stroke around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the housing by the tool, thereby causing the locking cover to slide from its unlocked position to its locked position and vice versa, the interface member being adapted to rotate by a rotational movement of the tool, and the interface member being adapted to rotate around an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the tool, the mechanism being a sliding mechanism, wherein: - the interface member includes a pin (62) protruding towards the front face (24) of the housing at its periphery, - the locking cover (4) includes a groove (42) having a shape complementary to the shape of the pin, the pin being mounted to slide in the groove, and the shape of the groove being such that when the interface member is rotated by the tool through the angular stroke, the pin sliding in the groove slides the locking cover from its unlocked position to its locked position and vice versa.

2. The connector (2) according to claim 1, wherein the interface member (60) includes an imprint (61) serving as an interface for the tool.

3. The connector (2) according to claim 2, wherein the imprint (61) is a hollow hexagonal imprint.

4. The connector (2) according to claim 1, wherein the interface member is adapted to rotate around the rotational axis of the tool.

5. The connector (2) according to claim 1, wherein the end of the travel position of the pin (62) in the groove (42) is adapted to generate a tactile indication of the end of locking of the locking cover (4) in or near the locked position for an operator locking using the tool (H).

6. The connector (2) according to claim 5, wherein the pin (62) can continue to slide in the groove (42) beyond the locked position and generate a feeling of a sudden decrease in rotational torque for the operator.

7. The connector (2) according to claim 1, wherein the interface member includes a flange (63) protruding from the back face (25) side of the housing at its periphery, and at the locked position and / or the unlocked position of the locking cover, the flange forms a support for the interface member, abutting against a projection (27) made or attached to the housing in the housing.

8. The connector (2) according to claim 7, wherein at any position of the locking cover, the flange (63) is visible to an operator using the tool (H) for locking.

9. The connector (2) according to claim 1, comprising at least one visual indicator arranged to be visible to an operator at any position from the unlocked position to the locked position of the locking cover, the visual indicator being hidden in the locked position.

10. The connector (2) according to claim 9, wherein the interface member includes a visible colored area (64) in the form of a visual indicator.

11. The connector (2) according to claim 1, wherein the locking cover and the interface member are dimensioned to produce a locking force of at least 100 N.

12. The connector (2) according to claim 1, wherein the locking cover has a substantially U-shaped shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X).

13. An electrical connection assembly (1) comprising: - a connector (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, - a complementary connector (3).

14. A method of assembling the connector (2) and the complementary connector (3) of the electrical connection assembly according to claim 13, the method comprising the steps of: - connecting between the connector and the complementary connector through their front faces (24, 34), - rotating the interface member (60) by means of a tool (H) to translate the locking cover (4) from its unlocked position to its locked position, in which the locking cover is fixed relative to the housing (20) of the connector (2).

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