KIT FOR ATTACHING AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO A FRAME AND ASSOCIATED FASTENING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Description

Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention relates to a kit for fixing an electrical connector on a chassis, and more particularly on a chassis for a dynamic display screen intended to equip a motor vehicle. Technological background

[0002] The presence of dynamic display screens, hereinafter referred to as screens, in motor vehicles has significantly increased their comfort and safety.

[0003] To simplify the installation of a screen in the confined interior of a motor vehicle, the ends of the electrical wires required for the operation of the screen are grouped together at one or more electrical connectors, hereinafter referred to as the screen connector.

[0004] Advantageously, each screen connector is designed to fit into a correspondingly shaped electrical connector. This allows the screen to be quickly connected to various components of the vehicle.

[0005] Screens are typically integrated into the dashboards of motor vehicles, which have narrow recesses designed for this purpose. The screen connectors must then occupy a dedicated space at the bottom of the recess to allow for proper screen integration into the dashboard. To this end, the screen connectors are secured to the screen frame using fasteners to ensure their correct positioning until the screen is fully inserted into the dashboard.

[0006] The mounting hardware must, of course, withstand the forces exerted during both the insertion and removal of the screen from the dashboard. Therefore, the screen connectors must be firmly secured to the screen's frame so that their position remains unchanged during screen installation or removal.

[0007] For this purpose, the use of a screen connector holder is known from the prior art. The holder consists of a guide plate whose opposite edges are designed to fit into grooves on the surface of a screen connector. The screen connector is then held in place by a stop located at one end of a tab protruding from the guide plate. However, incorrect positioning of the screen connector relative to the plate can irreversibly damage the tab and, consequently, prevent the screen connector from being held securely to the plate. It is then necessary to replace the entire holder.

[0008] The support's guide plate is held at one end by an insertion pin. The insertion pin extends perpendicularly to the guide plate. The free end of the insertion pin is designed to be pressed into an opening in the screen frame. Slats are present on the side walls of the insertion pin. The free ends of these slats face the guide plate to prevent the insertion pin from being pulled out of the frame. To ensure proper support retention, a dedicated space must be provided within the frame to allow the insertion pin to penetrate sufficiently so that the slats bear against the frame.

[0009] The stability of the support is ensured by a stop, interposed between the guide plate and the chassis. The stop maintains a constant distance between the guide plate and the chassis. However, the stop has the disadvantage of obstructing the space between these two components.

[0010] EP 2 754 610 A2 discloses a kit for fixing an electrical connector to a chassis.

[0011] The invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems mentioned above, by proposing a kit for fixing an electrical connector or screen connector onto a chassis, with a smaller footprint and more reliable use. Object of the invention

[0012] The invention provides a fixing kit, on a chassis, for an electrical connector or a screen connector as described above.

[0013] The mounting kit is remarkable in that it includes: a support delimited by an external face, the external face is crossed by a first opening and a second opening, between the two openings are connecting means, the connecting means maintain a guide plate at a distance from the external face of the support;and a locking blade, the locking blade is delimited by a first face and a second face, the first face is opposite the second face, the locking blade extends along a principal direction, between a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal and distal ends are curved towards the first face of the locking blade, the distal end of the locking blade has a notch extending along the principal direction so as to allow passage of the support's connecting means, the second face of the locking blade includes at least one protrusion arranged so as to be opposite the guide plate, when: the proximal end of the locking blade bears against an edge of the second opening on the external face of the support; and the distal end of the locking blade bears against an edge of the first opening on the external face of the support;and the connecting means pass through the notch in the locking blade.

[0014] Advantageously, the locking blade is configured to bear against the support, thereby immobilizing, by means of at least one protrusion, a screen connector attached to the support plate. In other words, at least a portion of the screen connector, interposed between the support plate and the locking blade, is clamped between at least one protrusion of the locking blade and the support plate. Consequently, the support plate according to the invention does not have any protruding appendage for this purpose that could bend or break during the insertion of the screen connector onto the guide plate. The invention thus offers a more robust solution compared to the prior art.

[0015] Another advantage is that if the locking blade is damaged, it can be replaced with a new one. This eliminates the need to replace the entire fastening kit. The fastening kit according to the invention is therefore more economical to use.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one bump is present between the notch and a lateral edge of the locking blade. One or more bumps are intended to impede the movement of slides, which are attached to an electrical connector or screen connector, when the slides move along the guide plate. In other words, the bump(s) help to secure the screen connector to the guide plate. According to another advantage, the bumps also allow for controlling and maintaining a constant distance between the guide plate and the screen connector.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking blade includes a retractable stop on its second face, between the proximal end and the notch. The retractable stop is intended to prevent the translational movement of a screen connector along the guide plate.

[0018] Preferably, the retractable stop is formed by a flexible strip extending along the main direction of the locking blade, the strip having a free end facing the distal end of the locking blade. In a preferred embodiment, the free end of the strip moves away from the blade.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the locking blade has a recess opposite the slat, designed to accommodate the free end of the slat. This embodiment allows for a greater range of motion of the free end of the slat, thus facilitating the detachment of a screen connector from the guide plate.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, the proximal end of the locking blade forms a bend, adapted to surround an edge of the second opening on the external face. According to a preferred embodiment, the tip of the proximal end is angled away from the locking plate so as to allow for a better grip on the proximal end, in order to detach said end from the edge of the second opening.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the invention, the distal end of the locking blade extends perpendicularly to its first face. This embodiment is intended to facilitate the positioning of said end in the first opening provided in the support.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the guide plate is delimited by two lateral walls, parallel or substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, the lateral walls are substantially perpendicular to the first face of the locking blade, so as to form two rails intended to fit into slides present on the surface of a screen connector.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the invention, the connecting means comprise at least one wall extending perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the outer face of the support. In other words, at least one wall secures the guide plate to the support. Advantageously, unlike the prior art, it is no longer necessary to provide clearance on the other side of the support to accommodate one end of an insertion stud. Consequently, the fastening device according to the invention is more compact than those proposed by the prior art.

[0024] Preferably, one or more walls extend along an elongation direction passing through two openings in the support, located on either side of the guide plate.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the locking blade and / or the support are made from a metal, for example steel, magnesium, aluminum or others.

[0026] Of course, the different characteristics, variants and forms of realization mentioned above can be associated with each other in various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

[0027] The invention also relates to a device for fixing an electrical connector, consisting of a fixing kit as described above, the locking blade is positioned against the outer face of the support, so that the proximal end bears against an edge of the second opening of the outer face, the distal end bears against an edge of the first opening of the outer face, and the connecting means pass through the notch of the locking blade.

[0028] The invention also relates to an electronic device, such as a dynamic display screen, comprising a mounting device as described above, and an electrical connector or a display connector. The electrical connector has, on one face, a stud and two opposing guide rails. The guide plate of the mounting device is held between the two guide rails to maintain the electrical connector at a constant distance from the outer face of the support. A protrusion of the locking blade bears against the stud of the electrical connector, thus immobilizing the electrical connector along the guide plate.

[0029] For example, one can foresee that an extension of the locking blade is formed by a bump in contact with one of the said guide rails, and that another extension of the locking blade is formed by a strip in contact with the pin of the electrical connector, so as to immobilize the electrical connector along the guide plate.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the guide rails include at a distal end of the rails, locking means for stopping the locking plate when the guide plate slides between the guide rails, towards the distal end of the rails and beyond a certain distance.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the stud on the surface of the electrical connector is positioned opposite a proximal end of the guide rails, opposite the distal end of the rails, in order to block the movement of the guide plate between the guide rails, as described above, between the proximal and distal ends of the guide rails.

[0032] In one embodiment, the guide rails are press-fitted between the guide plate and at least one bump on the second face of the locking blade. This embodiment provides better retention of the electrical connector along the guide plate.

[0033] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an electronic device described above. Description of the figures

[0034] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] illustrates a perspective view of the components of a fastening kit according to the invention, namely, a support and a locking blade; [ Fig. 2 ] illustrates a longitudinal section of the support component of the fixing kit shown on the figure 1 ; Fig. 3 ] illustrates a perspective view of a locking blade that makes up the fixing kit shown on the figure 1 ; Fig. 4 ] illustrates a longitudinal section of a fastening device according to the invention; [ Fig. 5 ] illustrates a screen connector held by a fastening device shown on the figure 4 . Detailed description of the invention

[0035] As a reminder, the invention offers a kit for fixing a screen connector onto a screen chassis, with a smaller footprint and more reliable use.

[0036] As illustrated by the figure 1 A mounting kit 1 for a screen connector according to the invention comprises a bracket 4 and a locking blade 6. The bracket 4 defines a portion of a dynamic display screen chassis. The entire chassis is not shown in the figures illustrating the invention, in order to facilitate understanding thereof.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the support 4 can be detached from the chassis and include fastening means allowing its mounting on another type of chassis. In other words, the support can be a separate component from a chassis, intended to be mounted on a chassis.

[0038] The support 4 is defined by an external face 8, oriented towards the outside of the chassis. The external face 8 is pierced by a first opening 10A and a second opening 10B. The openings are of substantially identical shape, in this case rectangular, aligned and parallel to each other. The length of an opening is between 20 mm and 80 mm, preferably between 40 mm and 60 mm, and the width of an opening is between 10 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 30 mm.

[0039] As illustrated by the figure 2Between the first opening 10A and the second opening 10B, there is a wall 12 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the external face 8. The wall extends along a longitudinal axis AA' passing through the center of the openings. The length of the wall, measured along the longitudinal axis AA', is between 10 mm and 20 mm, preferably around 11 mm. The thickness of the wall, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA', is between 2.5 mm and 6 mm, preferably around 4 mm. The height of the wall 12 is between 2.5 mm and 10 mm, preferably around 6 mm.

[0040] The wall 12 maintains a guide plate 14 at a distance from the outer face 8 of the support. The guide plate is defined by a first face 16 opposite the outer face 8 and a second face 18 opposite it. The plate is rectangular in shape. The longest dimension of the plate is parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis AA', and its value is between 10 mm and 20 mm, preferably around 11 mm. The width of the plate is between 10 mm and 50 mm, preferably around 10 mm. The thickness of the plate is around 1 mm.

[0041] As illustrated by the figure 3The blocking blade 6 is delimited by a first face 20 opposite a second face 22. The first and second faces are flat or substantially flat and parallel to each other. The blocking blade extends along a principal direction 24, between a proximal end 26 and a distal end 28. The length of the blocking blade 6, measured along the principal direction 24, is between 30 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 40 mm and 80 mm. The width of the blocking blade 6, measured perpendicular to the principal direction 24, is between 20 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm. The thickness of the blocking blade is between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, preferably on the order of 0.8 mm.

[0042] The proximal and distal ends of the locking blade are curved towards its first face 20. The proximal end 26 forms a bend, suitable for encircling an edge of the second opening 10B on the external face. The tip 30 of the proximal end 26 extends away from the locking blade, so as to allow for a better grip on the proximal end. The distal end 28 of the locking blade extends perpendicularly to its first face 20. This embodiment is intended to facilitate the positioning of said end in the first opening 10A provided in the support, when the proximal end 26 is already engaged in the second opening 10B.

[0043] The locking blade 6 has a notch 32 at its distal end 28, centered on the main direction 24 and extending along that direction. The notch 32 is configured to allow the insertion, at least partially, of the wall 12 retaining the guide plate 14 to the support 4, as described below. In this example, the length of the notch 32 is between 25 mm and 85 mm, preferably between 40 mm and 60 mm. The width of the notch is between 4 mm and 21 mm, preferably between 9 mm and 16 mm.

[0044] On each side of the notch 32 are two protrusions or bumps 34, aligned or substantially aligned along the main direction 24. The bumps 34 have a height, measured along a direction perpendicular to the second face 22, of between 5 mm and 25 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 20 mm.

[0045] The locking blade 6 also has another projection in the form of a slat 36. The slat 36 extends along the main direction 24 and has a free end 38 facing the notch 32. The slat is slightly curved so that its free end 38 extends away from the second face 22 of the locking blade. The length of the slat is between 10 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 8 mm and 20 mm.

[0046] The slat 36 is held to the locking blade 6 at an edge 40 of an opening 42 formed in the locking blade. The rectangular opening 42 is larger than the slat 36, so as to allow the free end 38 to be inserted into the opening 42.

[0047] The slat 36 and / or the locking blade 6 are here made of metal, for example steel or aluminium.

[0048] In the described embodiment, the slat 36 and the locking blade 6 are made of the same material, for example, in one piece. If necessary, the thickness of the slat 36 may differ from the thickness of the locking blade 6, in order to allow greater deflection of the free end 38 of the slat towards the opening 42. The free end 38 of the slat is able to move reversibly to the surface of the locking blade, so as not to impede the movement of a screen connector that is to be detached from the guide plate 14.

[0049] The locking blade 6 is thus configured to be easily and quickly mounted on the support 4 so as to create a fixing device 2 according to the invention.

[0050] To this end, a first step consists of positioning the proximal end 26 of the locking blade 6 opposite an edge of the second opening 10B in the support, while simultaneously inserting the connecting means 12 of the support 4 into the notch 32 of the locking blade. In a second step, the locking blade 6 is moved along the support 4 until the proximal end 26 of the locking blade rests against an edge of the second opening 10B of the support. According to a third step, the locking blade is pivoted until its distal end 28 is inserted into the first opening 10A of the support, in order to obtain a fastening device according to the invention, as represented by the figure 4 .

[0051] Advantageously, the guide plate 14 does not have any protrusion intended to block the movement of a screen connector attached to said plate. As a result, the mounting device is less likely to be damaged due to misalignment between the screen connector and the guide plate.

[0052] According to the invention, a screen connector 46 is held to the mounting device by means of the guide plate 14 and the locking blade 6. More specifically, the guide plate 14 is designed to be inserted between two guide rails, present on the surface of a screen connector, in order to maintain the screen connector at a constant distance from the outer face 8 of the support 4. The screen connector 46 is subsequently immobilized when the bumps 34 of the locking blade 6 and the free end 38 of the blade 36 bear against the screen connector, as illustrated by the figure 5More specifically, the bumps 34 are configured to bear against the guide rails 44 on the surface of the screen connector 46 when the guide plate 14 is embedded in said rails. The free end 38 of the strip 36 is configured to act as a stop against a pin 48 on the screen connector. Advantageously, the screen connector 46 is thus held more securely to the support 4 by a compact fastening device. To release the screen connector, simply lower the free end 38 of the strip 36 towards the support 4 so that the strip 36 no longer abuts the pin 48 when the screen connector is moved relative to the plate.

Claims

1. Fastening kit (1) for fastening an electrical connector to a chassis, characterized in that it comprises: - a support (4) delimited by an outer face (8), the outer face having a first opening (10A) and a second opening (10B) passing through it, connecting means (12) are present between the two openings (10A, 10B), the connecting means keeping a guide plate (14) at a distance from the outer face (8) of the support (4); and - a blocking blade (6), the blocking blade being delimited by a first face (20) on the opposite side to a second face (22), the blocking blade (6) extending along a main direction (24) between a proximal end (26) and a distal end (28), the proximal and distal ends being curved towards the first face (20), the distal end (28) having a notch (32) extending along the main direction (24) so as to allow the connecting means (12) of the support to pass, the second face (22) of the blocking blade (6) comprising at least one protuberance (34, 36), which is arranged so as to be opposite the guide plate (14) when: - the proximal end (26) bears against an edge of the second opening (10B) of the outer face (8); and - the distal end (28) bears against an edge of the first opening (10A) of the outer face (8); and - the connecting means (12) pass through the notch (32) of the blocking blade.

2. Fastening kit (1) for an electrical connector according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one boss (34) is present between the notch (32) and a lateral edge of the blocking blade (6).

3. Fastening kit (1) for an electrical connector according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blocking blade (6) comprises a retractable stop, on its second face (22), between the proximal end (26) and the notch (32).

4. Fastening kit (1) for an electrical connector according to Claim 3, characterized in that the retractable stop is formed by a flexible strip (36) extending along the main direction (24) of the blocking blade, the strip (36) having a free end (38) facing the distal end (28) of the blocking blade.

5. Fastening kit (1) for an electrical connector according to Claim 4, characterized in that the blocking blade (6) has a recess, opposite the strip (36), that can receive the free end (38) of the strip.

6. Fastening kit (1) for an electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the proximal end (26) of the blocking blade (6) forms a bend, which can surround an edge of the second opening (10B) of the outer face (8).

7. Fastening kit (1) for an electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the distal end (28) of the blocking blade (6) extends perpendicularly to its first face (20).

8. Fastening kit (1) for an electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connecting means comprise at least one wall (12) extending perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the outer face (8) of the support.

9. Fastening device (2) for an electrical connector, consisting of a fastening kit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the blocking blade (6) is positioned against the outer face (8) of the support (4), such that the proximal end (26) bears against an edge of the second opening (10B) of the outer face (8), the distal end (28) bears against an edge of the first opening (10A) of the outer face (8), and that the connecting means (12) pass through the notch (32) of the blocking blade.

10. Electronic device comprising a fastening device (2) according to Claim 9 and an electrical connector (46) having, on the same face, a stud (48) and two guide rails (44) opposite one another, characterized in that the guide plate (14) of the fastening device (2) is held between the two guide rails (44) in order to keep the electrical connector (46) at a constant distance from the outer face (8) of the support (4), and in that a protuberance (34, 36) of the blocking blade (6) bears against the stud (48) of the electrical connector (46) so as to immobilize the electrical connector along the guide plate (14).

11. Electronic device comprising a fastening device (2) according to Claim 9 and an electrical connector (46) having, on the same face, a stud (48) and two guide rails (44) opposite one another, characterized in that the guide plate (14) of the fastening device (2) is held between the two guide rails (44) in order to keep the electrical connector (46) at a constant distance from the outer face (8) of the support (4), in that a protuberance (34) of the blocking blade (6) is formed by a boss (34) in contact with one of said guide rails (44), and in that another protuberance of the blocking blade (6) is formed by a strip (36) in contact with the stud (48) of the electrical connector (46), so as to immobilize the electrical connector along the guide plate (14).