MULTI-POLE CONNECTOR

Description

Corresponding request

[0001] The present application claims priority from earlier application No. PCT / IB2018 / 052391, filed on April 6, 2018 in the name of Fischer Connectors Holding SA. Field of invention

[0002] The present invention relates to connectors, in particular multi-pole electrical connectors, used for example in the field of electrical wiring. For example, the connectors concerned are used for / in fields requiring both reliability and flexibility, such as applications of the type wearable , for example, clothing or equipment for people working in difficult environments (workers, emergency services, soldiers and security forces, etc.) or any other similar use. State of the art

[0003] In most cases, the use of a multi-pole connector requires that the two main components of the connector (e.g. a component containing male contacts, for example a plug, and a component with female contacts, for example a receptacle) are connected to each other in a specific and predetermined angular orientation. This constraint can be achieved by particular shapes of the components allowing only a connection in a predetermined relative position, or other equivalent technical means (such as asymmetrical constructions, snap-fit ​​elements, etc.).

[0004] However, having to align one component with another before connecting is an inconvenience for the user. This inconvenience is particularly noticeable if the connector components are not visible to the user at the time of connection (for example due to lack of light, or in a position hidden from view), or when the connection must be made quickly.

[0005] There is therefore a need to be able to eliminate this inconvenience.

[0006] International application WO 2017 / 072620 describes a multi-pole connector aimed at overcoming these problems, the content of this earlier application being incorporated by reference into the present application.

[0007] The connector described in this prior application comprises a base of substantially cylindrical shape and a plug, connectable to the base in a removable or detachable manner, in which plug are arranged a plurality of contacts. The base comprises a disc-shaped conductive face on or in which is arranged at least one conductive track forming at least one arc of a circle whose center substantially coincides with the center of the conductive face, said track being further arranged so as to provide mechanical electrical coupling with one of said contacts of the plug when the plug and the base are connected.

[0008] In the particular configuration which has only one circular track, the center of the face of the base is a conductive disc, which is arranged so as to achieve electrical coupling with a contact of the plug arranged in the center of the latter.

[0009] Preferably, the described connector comprises several circular conductive tracks which are arranged concentrically. In general, the number of tracks is equal to the number of contacts, but in embodiments, their number may be different. This construction and its various embodiments are applicable to the connector according to the present invention.

[0010] US 5,114,361 A also describes a locking module comprising locking balls. General description of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to provide improvements to known connectors, and in particular to the connector described in WO 2017 / 072620, in particular in terms of the sealing of said connector in order to allow its use in unfavorable environments (humid, dusty, freezing, etc.) among others.

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a locking module having a fluid seal so as to guarantee the possibility of connection at temperatures well below 0°C, avoiding freezing and the presence of ice in the system. The seal also allows, on a more general level, protection from unfavorable environments: humidity, dust, etc.

[0013] In embodiments, the invention relates to a locking module for a connector, as claimed in independent claim 1. The locking module comprising a ring comprising at least ogives assembled in a flexible membrane, the ogives and the membrane being covered with a locking spring. In the context of the present invention, the notion of "assembled" (regarding the "ogives assembled in the membrane") must be understood in a broad sense according to which the two components (ogive and membrane) are combined. The assembly can be carried out in different ways, for example by overmolding the membrane on the ogives or by manual insertion. Other equivalent methods are of course possible.

[0014] The flexible membrane may have an annular shape, or another shape, for example oval or rectangular, which may depend, for example, on the shape of the connector or connector parts (for example the plug).

[0015] In embodiments, the ring may comprise three or more ogives, said ogives preferably being distributed symmetrically.

[0016] In embodiments, the flexible membrane is compressed by the locking spring and, due to its deformation following its compression by the spring, forms a sealing element for the ring.

[0017] In some embodiments, the compression force of the spring is determined by moving parts of the spring.

[0018] In embodiments, the moving parts of the spring may be sized or shaped to calibrate the applied compressive force.

[0019] In embodiments, the moving parts have a predetermined size, and / or shape and / or prestress in order to obtain the desired compressive force.

[0020] In embodiments, the invention relates to a plug or socket for a connector comprising at least one module as described in the present application.

[0021] In some embodiments, the plug may or may not be angled.

[0022] In embodiments, the invention relates to a connector comprising at least one module and / or a plug as described in the present application.

[0023] In embodiments, the connector may include a receptacle to which the plug connects.

[0024] In some embodiments, the plug can be freely rotatable around the base.

[0025] In some embodiments, the plug may be connectable in a limited number of orientations around the base.

[0026] In embodiments, the plug comprises a plurality of contacts and the receptacle comprises a plurality of conductive tracks. The tracks are preferably circular in shape and arranged concentrically.

[0027] In some execution modes, the number of tracks on the header is equal to the number of contacts on the plug. In other execution modes, their number may be different.

[0028] In some execution modes, the contacts can be on the socket and the tracks on the plug.

[0029] In embodiments, the connector according to the invention comprises a locking system making it possible to block the rotation of the plug relative to the base and / or to limit said rotation and / or to block the unplugging of the plug from the base, for example below a certain traction force threshold.

[0030] In embodiments, the invention relates to an object comprising at least one base as described in the present application and combined with a plug as described in the present application. The assembly forms an object connected by means of the connector formed from the base and the plug. The object is for example a "wearable" object such as a vest or a harness or another item of clothing. Detailed description of the invention

[0031] The invention will be better understood in the following description of different embodiments and technical characteristics thereof, said embodiments being given as non-limiting examples. Brief description of the figures

[0032] There figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a part of an embodiment of the invention; The figure 2 illustrates a sectional and perspective view from below of a locking module according to one embodiment; The figure 3 illustrates a side sectional view of a locking module according to one embodiment; The figure 4 illustrates a perspective view from the rear of a locking module according to one embodiment; The Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view from the front of a locking module according to one embodiment; The figure 6 illustrates a partial sectional side view of a module mounted on a plug connected to a socket according to an embodiment of the invention; The figure 7 illustrates a top view of a base; The figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a connector comprising a plug and a socket connected according to the present invention; The figure 9 illustrates an object comprising a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; The figure 10 illustrates a method of executing a base with locking means.

[0033] Generally, the connector according to the present invention is similar to that described in application WO 2017 / 072620 in that it comprises a base and a plug, the plug connecting detachably to the base as disclosed in this prior application, incorporated by reference in the present application.

[0034] In one embodiment, the invention relates to a sealed locking module 20 for locking a plug on a base 3.

[0035] The locking module 20 for connecting a plug to a socket 3 has a fluid seal so as to guarantee the possibility of connection at temperatures well below 0°C, avoiding freezing and the presence of ice in the system or other undesirable elements.

[0036] As illustrated in the figures, the module 20 comprises in particular warheads 21 (there are six in the illustrated version, nevertheless one can imagine all the possible variants in terms of the number of warheads, but preferably there are at least three distributed symmetrically) assembled in a flexible membrane 22 (annular in shape in the example, one can also imagine a version in the form of a strip which would then be rolled so as to constitute a cylinder / ring or another equivalent way of proceeding).

[0037] The flexible membrane 22 can be produced by any type of means (injection, stamping, punching, etc.) and in all types of synthetic materials so as to resist chemical agents, for example, or to withstand other constraints, and to achieve the desired seal according to the principles of the present invention.

[0038] The flexible membrane can also have a shape other than the annular shape illustrated as an example. It can have an oval, square or other shape depending on the circumstances and the shape of the connector parts.

[0039] The warheads 21 may have the shape illustrated in the figures or another shape. For example, they may have a ball shape, an oval shape or another equivalent shape.

[0040] Subset 23 (see figure 1 ) thus constituted is positioned on a ring 24 of the plug (see figures 2 to 5 ).

[0041] The subassembly 23 mounted on the ring 24 is then assembled in a locking spring 25 by overlapping which makes it possible to guarantee the pressing force on the subassembly 23. The locking spring 25 can be made of any suitable material, for example metal or synthetic material. The spring comprises a fixed part 26 and movable parts 27 which give play to the ogives 21 and therefore allow the connection and disconnection of the ring 24 (respectively of the plug) on ​​a base 3 for example. The strength of the connection between the plug and the base is in particular determined by the movable parts 27 which function as springs pressing on the ogives 21. These movable parts 27 can be dimensioned so as to calibrate the force which they apply on the ogives and consequently the force necessary for the connection and disconnection of the plug on the base 3.

[0042] For example, the moving parts 27 may be longer or shorter, thicker or thinner, have a particular shape or cut, or be prestressed, etc., in order to determine their support force. All these parameters are adaptable depending on the circumstances and the desired construction.

[0043] Thus, the dimensions and characteristics of the spring 25 (in particular of the moving parts 27) make it possible, on the one hand, to define the bearing force on the ogives 21 and therefore the locking force of the sealed locking module 20 and, on the other hand, the compression force of the spring 25 (i.e. of the moving parts 27) will also compress the flexible membrane 22 via the ogives 21 and the deformation of the membrane 22 by compression will in particular extend it in the direction perpendicular to that of the compression force, which will have a beneficial effect on the sealing of the ring 24. More precisely, the membrane 22 deforms in compression in the direction parallel to that of the compression force of the spring 25 and in expansion in the direction perpendicular to that of the compression force, which achieves the desired sealing around the ogives 21 and in the ring 24.

[0044] Seals 30, 31, 32, of the O-ring type for example, can be arranged at appropriate locations on the ring 24 to maintain the seal.

[0045] The assembly thus formed can be connected to a counter-piece, for example a base 3, having a groove 28 whose geometry contributes to defining the locking force, said groove receiving the warheads 21 as seen in the figure 6 .

[0046] The assembly mounted on a module 20 on a base 3 is illustrated as an example in figure 6 and the module is typically a part of the plug that will be connected to the socket according to the principles set out in WO 2017 / 072620. The figure 7 illustrates an example of such a base 3 seen from above, with circular and concentric tracks 33.

[0047] According to the embodiments illustrated in the present application, the plug 2 comprises several contacts and the base several tracks 33, for example in a manner similar to that described in WO 2017 / 072620.

[0048] There figure 8 illustrates a plug 2 and a base 3 connected according to the principles of the present invention. The plug 2 notably comprises a module 20 as described with reference to the preceding figures with its ring and its ogives 21. The plug 2 also comprises contacts which are in contact with the tracks 33 of the base, according to the principles of WO 2017 / 072620.

[0049] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to this configuration. It also covers connectors comprising at least one contact.

[0050] Likewise, the dimensions of the connector according to the invention can be any.

[0051] The connector according to the invention has the particularity of not requiring prior orientation of the plug (e.g. a wired element) relative to the base 3 (e.g. an element of a device housing, or on a product such as a garment 4 or other). This advantage results from the cylindrical / circular geometry of the base and its conductive face (see e.g. the figure 1of WO 2017 / 072620). Once connected, the relative rotation between the base 3 and the plug 2 can be free or blocked by means of an appropriate system, for example of the bi-stable type to cite a non-limiting example, for example a locking by lateral pressure and unlocking by axial pressure, a notch system or even a manually actuated system. A lock between the plug 2 and the base 3 can also be implemented to block the "unplugging" of the plug 2. An example of an embodiment is the so-called "push-pull" system. The locking system can also be implemented for combined use, that is to say both to limit or block a relative rotation, and in addition to block a unplugging.

[0052] An orientation can nevertheless be given and limit the plugging possibilities to a finite number of different angular positions (e.g. four positions separated by 90° or 12 positions separated by 30°) as described on the Figure 2 of WO 2017 / 072620. There figure 10 illustrates a base 3 with tracks 33 and an example of locking means between the base 3 and the plug 2. In this example, these means comprise housings 14 in which the warheads or balls 21 of the plug 2 (see figure 8 ) can be housed to block or limit the relative rotation between the plug 2 and the base 3 and / or prevent unplugging (for example below a certain tensile force). The number of housings 14 can for example be a multiple of the number of warheads 21.

[0053] There figure 9illustrates an example of use of a connector according to the present invention: in this non-limiting example, the base 3 is fixed on a vest 4 and the plug 2 is ready to be connected to the base 3 to arrive at the configuration of the figure 8 .

[0054] The execution modes can also be combined with each other and technical characteristics of one of the modes can be used in another mode.

[0055] For example, in embodiments, the construction of the plug and the base is reversed: that is to say that the contacts 35 can be on the base 3 and the tracks 33 on the plug 2. In such a case, we find the construction described in the present application but reversed, namely that elements of the plug 2 (notably illustrated in the figures 1 to 5 ) are placed on / in base 3 and elements of base 3 (in particular tracks 33, housings 14, figure 7) are placed on / in the sheet 2 and the principles of the present invention as described herein do not change and apply correspondingly to these embodiments.

Claims

1. Locking module (20) for a connector, said module being characterized by the fact that it comprises a ring (24) mounted on said module, said ring (24) comprising at least ogives (21) assembled in a flexible membrane (22), the module further comprising a locking spring (25) comprising a fixed part (26) and moving parts (27) and being mounted so as to cover the ogives (21) and the membrane (22), said locking spring compressing said membrane in such a way as to deform it and ensure fluid-tightness between the ring and the module, the moving parts (27) of the spring (25) providing clearance to the ogives (21) for connection and disconnection of the connector.

2. Module according to the preceding claim, wherein said ring comprises three ogives (21) or more, said ogives being distributed symmetrically.

3. Module according to Claim 1 or 2, said flexible membrane (22) being compressed at least by the moving parts (27) of the locking spring (25).

4. Module according to the preceding claim, wherein the compression force of the spring (25) is determined by the moving parts (27) of the spring.

5. Module according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the moving parts (27) of the spring are sized or shaped to calibrate the applied compression force.

6. Module according to Claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the moving parts (27) have a predetermined size, shape and / or prestressing in order to obtain the desired compression force.

7. Connector part comprising at least one locking module (20) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 6.

8. Connector part according to the preceding claim, wherein said part is a plug (2) or a socket (3).

9. Connector part according to the preceding claim, wherein said plug (2) is angled.

10. Connector comprising at least one locking module (20) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 6 and / or a part according to one of Claims 7 to 9.

11. Connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the plug (2) can be connected such that it rotates freely around the socket (3).

12. Connector according to Claim 10, wherein the plug (2) can be connected according to a limited number of orientations around the socket (3).

13. Connector according to one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein one of the plug (2) and the socket (3) comprises a plurality of contacts (35) and the other comprises a plurality of concentrically disposed circular conductive tracks (33).

14. Connector according to the preceding claim, comprising a locking system (14, 21) making it possible to block the rotation of the plug (2) with respect to the socket (3) and / or to limit said rotation and / or to block the unplugging of the plug (2) from the socket (3).

15. Object comprising at least one locking module according to one of Claims 1 to 6 or a connector part according to one of Claims 7 to 9 or a connector according to one of Claims 10 to 14.