Connection assembly with secure attachment

Abstract

A connection assembly (1) comprising two connectors (100, 200) configured to engage with each other to reach an assembled position in which all their degrees of relative freedom of movement are blocked except for translation. The connection assembly (1) further comprises at least one tab (300) and is arranged such that, in the assembled position, the tab(s) (300) are returned to an assembled position in which a retaining portion (315) of said at least one tab is disposed opposite an associated retaining surface (210) of the second connector along a disassembly direction (X+), and consequently said at least one tab prevents the second connector (200) from disengaging from the first connector (100).The connection assembly (1) further includes at least one locking piece (400) suitable for being placed in a mounted position in which, when the connection assembly is mounted, it prevents at least one tab (300) from being stressed or deformed in such a way that said at least one tab adopts a clear position in which no portion of said at least one tab is in front of the retaining surface (210) of the second connector along the disassembly direction (X+) and consequently, the retaining surface (210) can move along the disassembly direction and the second connector can disconnect from the first connector (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of connectors for communication cables; more specifically, connectors for communication cables used in critical applications, in which it is necessary to ensure that no disconnection between the two connectors of the connection assembly can occur. Prior art

[0002] The invention was designed based on the D-Click connection assemblies of the company Axon Cable. In a manner known per se, such a connection assembly comprises a first connector and a second connector for a communication cable. The first and second connectors are configured to engage with each other in a mounting direction so as to reach a mounted position in which all degrees of freedom of movement of the first connector relative to the second connector are blocked, with the exception of a translation in the mounting direction.

[0003] Furthermore, such a connection assembly comprises two fixing tabs fixed to the first connector. When the first and second connectors are in the mounted position, the tabs are in a position called the 'mounted position', in which retaining portions of the two tabs are biased opposite retaining surfaces provided on fixing posts of the second connector (in a disassembly direction opposite the mounting direction). The retaining portions of the tabs therefore prevent the retaining surfaces of the posts from moving in the disassembly direction, and consequently prevent the second connector from disengaging from the first connector.

[0004] However, it cannot be excluded that, while the first and second connectors are in the mounted position, the tabs may move and leave the mounted position in which they prevent the disconnection of the connectors: involuntary disconnection of the connectors is then possible.

[0005] There is therefore, particularly for critical applications in which it is necessary to ensure that no disconnection between the two parts of the connection assembly can occur, a need for a connection assembly with a reliable connection, avoiding any risk of disconnection.

[0006] US2009111308A1 discloses the preamble of claim 1. Statement of the invention

[0007] To meet this need, the following connection assembly is provided. This connection assembly comprises a first connector and a second connector for a communication cable; the first and second connectors being configured to engage with each other so as to reach a mounted position in which all degrees of freedom of movement of the first connector relative to the second connector are blocked, with the exception of translations in a mounting direction and a dismounting direction opposite each other; the connection assembly further comprising at least one tab;the connection assembly being arranged such that for each tab among said at least one tab: when the tab is attached to the first connector and the first and second connectors are in the mounted position, the tab is returned to a mounted position in which a retaining portion of the tab is arranged opposite a retaining surface of the second connector associated with the tab in a disassembly direction; the disassembly direction being a direction in which the retaining surface moves relative to the first connector when disconnecting the second connector from the first connector; and consequently, in the mounted position, the tab prevents the second connector from disengaging from the first connector.;

[0008] The connection assembly further comprises at least one securing part capable of being placed in a mounted position in which, when said at least one tab, the first and the second connector are in the mounted position, said at least one securing part prevents at least one secured tab, and preferably all of the tabs, from being stressed or deformed (in particular in a plane perpendicular to the mounting direction) in a manner such that said at least one secured tab adopts a disengaged position in which no portion of said at least one secured tab is located opposite the retaining surface associated with the secured tab in the disassembly direction and consequently, the retaining surface can move in the disassembly direction.

[0009] In the above definition, the term 'direction' means a oriented straight line, and therefore refers to a specific direction of movement along that straight line. Furthermore, the term 'safety part' does not imply that the safety part consists of a single piece. A safety part may consist of several components assembled together.

[0010] In the connection assembly defined above, advantageously the securing part(s) constitute complementary security elements, which ensure that no disconnection can occur between the two connectors.

[0011] Naturally, as the number of securing parts increases, so does the number of secured tabs (which are prevented from disengaging from the second connector). Conversely, in the absence of any securing parts, disengaging all the tabs could, at worst, allow the second connector to disconnect from the first connector.

[0012] Depending on the embodiment envisaged, there may be several tabs for a securing piece, or several securing pieces for a tab, or the same number of securing pieces and tabs.

[0013] Preferably, depending on the embodiment, said at least one securing part is configured to be fixed to the first and / or to the second connector, and / or to said at least one tab.

[0014] In this connection assembly, when the tab(s) are in the mounted position, a retaining portion of the tab(s) is returned opposite a retaining surface of the second connector in a disassembly direction; under the effect of this return force, the retaining portion is therefore opposite a retaining surface of the second connector.

[0015] The connection assembly defined above therefore comprises a spring device, or equivalently return means, configured to, when said at least one tab is fixed to the first connector and the first and second connectors are in the mounted position, return said at least one tab to the mounted position. These means may be integrated into the tab or be separate or partially separate from it. These return means may be produced in different ways.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, said at least one tab is elastically deformable; and when the first and second connectors and said at least one tab are in the mounted position, the retaining portion of said at least one tab is returned opposite a retaining surface under the effect of the elasticity of said at least one tab. Thus, a single part (the tab) comprises the return means which return it to the mounted position in which it prevents the two connectors from disengaging from each other.

[0017] Most often, said at least one tab is configured to allow the first connector to be disassembled from the second connector by deforming in at least one release direction. This release direction is usually perpendicular to the assembly direction. For each tab, there is therefore a release direction, or possibly a set of release directions (forming for example an angular sector) in which the tab can move to allow the two connectors to be disconnected from each other.

[0018] In one embodiment, said at least one tab comprises a fixing portion allowing the fixing of said at least one tab to the first connector, the retaining portion, and a deformable portion, capable of elastically deforming, and connecting the fixing portion to the retaining portion.

[0019] In this embodiment the retaining portion may be rigid or substantially rigid.

[0020] In this embodiment, when connecting the connectors to each other, the retaining portion can be moved into the mounted position by moving in a direction opposite to the disengagement direction.

[0021] In this embodiment, the retaining portion may be delimited by a hole arranged through the tab. The tab may in particular in this case be made from a strip.

[0022] In one embodiment, the connection assembly is configured so that, in the mounted position, it comprises two tabs placed on two opposite sides of the first connector; the connection assembly is configured such that, upon connecting the two connectors to each other, each of said two tabs deforms in a disengaging direction toward the other of said two tabs until reaching the disengaged position, and then reaches the mounted position.

[0023] In this latter embodiment, dismantling the connectors is particularly simple since it is sufficient to pinch the two tabs by bringing them closer to each other, so that they allow the dismantling of the connectors.

[0024] The connection assembly may be arranged in various ways to prevent one or more of the tab(s) from deforming in a manner that would allow the two connectors to become disconnected from each other.

[0025] In one embodiment, in the mounted position, a portion of said at least one securing part is arranged in the vicinity of said at least one tab on the side opposite said at least one release direction relative to said at least one tab, and is configured so as to prevent pressure on said at least one tab tending to move the latter in said at least one release direction. Thus, the securing part(s) prevent an object external to the connection assembly from pressing on the tab(s) and thus causing deformation of the tab(s) which would be likely to allow or at least facilitate the disconnection of the two connectors from each other.

[0026] Alternatively - or in addition -, in one embodiment, in the mounted position a portion of said at least one securing part is arranged substantially against said at least one tab on the side of said at least one release direction relative to said at least one tab so as to prevent movement thereof along said at least one release direction. In this embodiment, what is specifically prevented is not an external object pressing on one or more tabs to deform them; it is the deformation itself of the tabs in one of the release direction(s) that is prevented.Thus, if pressure is applied to the tab(s) in a release direction (following specific release directions for each of the tabs, generally if there are several tabs), the tabs cannot deform in this or these release directions because they abut against the securing part(s).

[0027] Furthermore, in an embodiment in the mounted position, a portion of said at least one securing part is interposed between said at least one tab and a surface of the first or second connector. Thus, in the event that a tab comes into abutment against a securing part, the latter may in turn be in abutment or rest on said surface of the first or second connector. This arrangement allows the securing part to be able to transmit a significant abutment force to the tab to oppose the movement thereof, without the level of stress in the securing part becoming high, which could lead either to breakage or to unwanted deformation of the securing part - which could ultimately allow a possible disconnection of two connectors from each other.

[0028] The securing part(s) are preferably mounted on the connection assembly before the connection step between the two connectors.

[0029] The connection set defined above can thus be configured to allow the following assembly operations: S20) the first and second connectors, said at least one tab and said at least one securing piece are assembled so that said at least one securing piece is placed in at least one waiting position, in which said at least one securing piece allows said at least one tab to adopt the disengaged position; S30) said at least one securing piece being in a waiting position, the first and second connectors are engaged with each other so as to reach the mounted position, and said at least one tab is placed in the mounted position; then S40) said at least one securing piece is placed in the mounted position.

[0030] During the assembly step S30, most often the first and second connectors are placed in the assembled position, then the tab is placed in the assembled position; however, in certain embodiments these operations may be simultaneous or partially simultaneous.

[0031] In one embodiment, the connection assembly is configured such that when said at least one securing part is moved from the standby position to the mounted position, said at least one securing part cannot be disassembled from the connection assembly at any time during this movement. The expression `cannot be disassembled' here means that disassembling a securing part involves either breaking or deforming by damaging at least one of the parts of the connection assembly, or disengaging certain parts of the connection assembly (for example, disengaging a tab with respect to the connectors) by performing in reverse an assembly operation already performed.

[0032] To ensure that dismantling the safety part is impossible, many arrangements are possible.

[0033] Thus in one embodiment, at least one so-called 'loop' tab is arranged so as to form a tab loop with the first and / or the second connector, in the mounted position; at least one so-called 'loop' securing piece has a loop, called 'securing piece loop'; and in the mounted position, for at least one loop securing piece and at least one loop tab, the securing piece loop is nested with the tab loop. Thus in the mounted position, the first securing piece is captive. This arrangement can naturally be adopted for several or for all of the tabs and for all or part of the associated securing pieces.

[0034] In one embodiment, the connection assembly is configured such that at least one securing part is locked (in particular by clipping) in the mounted position on the first and / or the second connector and / or said at least one tab. The connection assembly therefore comprises locking means to ensure the locking of the securing part(s) in the mounted position.

[0035] In one embodiment, in the mounted position, said at least one securing part is fixed essentially only to said at least one tab. It is then in contact mainly with the tab and rigidly fixed thereto; said at least one securing part may also be supported on one or more other parts of the connection assembly, but is not engaged more than simply supported with this or these part(s).

[0036] In one embodiment, the connection assembly is configured such that when said at least one securing part is moved from the waiting position to the mounted position, at least one visual cue appears or disappears during this movement.

[0037] Said at least one securing part may be made of any suitable material, for example plastic, metal, etc. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a perspective view of a connection assembly before assembly, in a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 . [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 . [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4is a first perspective view of a securing part of the connection assembly of the figure 1 . [ Fig. 5 ] There Figure 5 is a second perspective view of a securing part of the connection assembly of the figure 1 . [ Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , currently being edited. [ Fig. 7 ] There figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , currently being edited. [ Fig. 8 ] There figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , currently being edited. [ Fig. 9 ] There figure 9 is a perspective view of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , once mounted. [ Fig. 10 ] There figure 10 is a partial perspective view of a connection assembly in a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Description of embodiments First embodiment

[0039] A connection assembly 1 constituting a first embodiment of the present disclosure will now be presented in relation to the figures 1 to 9 .

[0040] The connection assembly 1 comprises a first connector 100 and a second connector 200. These connectors are communication cable connectors, that is, they are configured to allow the connection of two communication cables 120 and 220 to each other. The communication cables 120 and 220 are cables allowing the communication of information via electrical conductors, optical fibers or other means.

[0041] The connectors 100 and 200 are configured to engage with each other in a mounting direction X- and a dismounting direction X+ opposite each other, so as to achieve a mounted position for both connectors ( Fig.6). In this position, all degrees of freedom of movement of the first connector 100 relative to the second connector 200 are blocked, except for translations along the assembly and disassembly directions X- and X+. These directions are both supported by an X axis and collectively referred to as the 'X direction'.

[0042] In the proposed embodiment, the connection assembly 1 is (once mounted) symmetrical with respect to a plane xOz (plane y=0) containing the X axis. For this reason, the same numerical reference is assigned to the pieces or parts of the connection assembly 1 located symmetrically on one side and on the other side of this plane of symmetry xOz.

[0043] The mounting direction X- and the dismounting direction X+ correspond to the direction of relative movement of the second connector 200 relative to the first connector 100 during the mounting and dismounting of the connector 200 on the connector 100 respectively.

[0044] Each of the two connectors 100, 200 comprises a connector body 130 and 230 respectively. To allow the first connector 100 to be fixed to the second connector 200, the latter comprises two posts 240 which extend relative to the connector body 230 in the mounting direction X-, and the first connector 100 comprises two passages 140 arranged in the body 130 of the first connector 100, opposite the posts and extending in the direction X.

[0045] The connection assembly 1 further comprises two tabs 300 symmetrical to each other with respect to the plane x0z, formed from portions of sheet metal.

[0046] Each of these tabs 300 comprises a fixing portion, a deformable portion and a retaining portion. In this embodiment, the fixing portion is the rear end 320 of the tab; the retaining portion is the front end 310 of the tab, and the deformable portion is the portion of the tab which extends between these two ends.

[0047] This deformable portion is configured to be able to deform elastically, and allow the front end 310 of the tab to move in the release direction Y- (or the opposite direction Y+), while the rear end 320 remains rigidly connected to the first connector 100.

[0048] The body 130 of the first connector has two rear tab slots 150 into which, when the connector is mounted, the rear ends 320 of the tabs 300 are force-fitted by movement in the Z- direction, thereby rigidly securing the tabs 300 to the first connector 100. The body 130 of the first connector also has two front tab slots 160 provided to accommodate the front ends 310 of the tabs 300 to enable the columns and therefore the second connector to be locked relative to the first connector, as will be explained later.

[0049] Each of the tabs 300 has two visual markers 350, used to verify that the securing parts are correctly installed. In this embodiment, these markers are crosses marked on each tab on the side intended to be on the outside in the mounted position of the connection assembly.

[0050] The connectors 100,200 and the tabs 300 being symmetrical with respect to the plane xOz, only the tab 300 arranged on the Y+ side (shown on the Fig. 1 ) and its operation relative to the first connector 100 and the associated column 240 will now be described in detail.

[0051] In this embodiment, the tongue 300 is designed to deform substantially in the x0y plane, called the deformation plane (i.e. the movements of each of the points of the tongue are substantially in a z=Cte plane); alternatively, the deformation of the tongue could take place in any other plane containing the axis of the column 240 provided that the shape of the tongue and the connectors allow the movements envisaged for the tongue.

[0052] The front end 310 of the tab 300 is a flat tab portion which has a light (a hole) 360 ( Fig.2). When the tab is attached to the connector 100 ( Fig. 1 ) by inserting its rear portion 320 into the rear tab slot 150, the front end 310 of the tab is placed in the front tab slot 160.

[0053] The end following the mounting direction (X-) of the column 240 is in the shape of an ogive 260. The external diameter of the column 240 is designed to pass with a small clearance in the slot 360. A short distance from the ogive end of the column 240, the column 240 has a circumferential groove 250, formed around a section of cylindrical tongue shaft 255.

[0054] As previously indicated, when mounting the tab 300 to the connector body 130, the tab is secured such that the front end 310 of the tab 300 fits into the front tab slot 160.

[0055] More specifically, the tab 300 is fixed such that when the first and second connectors are assembled, and thus the two connectors and the tab are in the mounted position (provided that no external force is applied to the tab), the distal portion 315 of the front end 310 of the tab 300 is placed close to the tab shaft section 255, such that the retaining portion 315 is located opposite, in the disassembly direction (X+), the inner surface 210 of the groove 250 (detail view of the Fig.3). Consequently, in this position, which is the mounted position, the tab 300 prevents the column 240 from moving in the disassembly direction (X+) relative to the first connector 100; it thus prevents the disengagement of the connector 200 relative to the connector 100. The distal part 315 of the tab 300 therefore constitutes the retaining portion thereof, and the surface 210 constitutes the retaining surface of the connector 200 within the meaning of the present disclosure, the direction X+ being the disassembly direction in which the retaining surface 210 moves relative to the first connector 100 (to which the tab 300 is fixed) when the second connector 200 is disconnected from the first connector 100.

[0056] To enable the second connector to be disconnected from the first connector, the two tabs 300 must be pressed together in the Y direction so that each of them deforms in a release direction, which is the Y- direction for the tab 300 located on the Y+ side, and the Y+ direction for the tab 300 located on the Y- side.

[0057] When the tab 300 located on the Y+ side deforms in the Y- direction, which is the release direction, the retaining portion 315 of this tab moves in the Y- release direction, and therefore leaves the groove 250. From this moment, as no portion of the tab 300 is any longer opposite the retaining surface 210 in the disassembly direction, the tab 300 no longer prevents the column 240 from leaving the passage 140, and thus no longer prevents the disconnection between the two connectors 100, 200.

[0058] Furthermore, to prevent any possibility of involuntary disconnection between the two connectors, the connection assembly 1 further comprises two securing parts 400. These parts are manufactured by plastic injection, but any other equivalent manufacturing process can be envisaged, for example 3D printing, etc. The securing parts 400 are made of plastic; in this case, polyethylene.

[0059] The installation of each of the securing parts 400 is carried out in two stages: an installation in an intermediate position called the waiting position, then an installation in the final position, called the `mounted position'. The first stage aims to fix the securing part to the rest of the connection assembly (i.e. to the connectors and the tabs) so that the securing part is permanently fixed and cannot be lost. The second stage aims to place the securing part in the mounted position, in which it fulfills its function of preventing involuntary disconnection of one connector from the other.

[0060] To enable the securing piece 400 to be attached to the rest of the connection assembly, the securing piece is in the shape of a substantially square ring; it is thus a 'loop' securing piece, forming a loop called a 'securing piece loop'. When assembling the connection assembly, the tab 300 is passed through this loop, then the tab 300 is attached to the connector 100. As the two ends of the tab are then inserted respectively into the rear tab slot 150 and the front tab slot 160, once the tab 300 is in place on the connector 100, it forms with the latter a loop called a tab loop. The tab 300 is therefore a 'loop' type tab.Since the securing piece 400 has been placed around the tab 300, the securing piece loop and the tab loop are interlocked, so that the securing piece cannot disengage from the rest of the connection assembly.

[0061] In the following description, the securing part is assumed to be oriented relative to the XYZ axis system as in its mounted position, as shown in the Figs. 4 and 5 The securing part 400 is symmetrical with respect to the xOy plane.

[0062] The securing part 400 has on one side a bar 410, and on the opposite side a bar 420, and two flanks 430, 440 symmetrical to each other with respect to the plane x0y. Each of the flanks 430, 440 has two parallel elongated shoulders 435, 436 and 445, 446 respectively, extending from the inner side of each of the flanks 430, 440 in the mounting direction (X-) from the bar 420.

[0063] The shoulders 435,436 and 445,446 are provided to cooperate with two `wings' 330,340 formed on the sides of the tongue 300 in the Z+ and Z- directions respectively. For this purpose, the shoulders 435,445 are separated from the shoulders 436,446 by a distance in the Y+ direction equal to the thickness of the tongue, to allow the wings 330,340 to pass between the shoulders 435,436 and 445,446.

[0064] Each of the shoulders 436,446 further comprises a rib 437,447 respectively. These two ribs 437,447 extend towards the inside of the securing part and serve as a clipping device, and prevent the securing part from leaving the mounted position once it has been placed in this position, except by a voluntary action of unhooking the securing part. Mounting the connection assembly 1

[0065] The successive assembly steps of the connection assembly 1 will be presented mainly in relation to the figures 1 , 6 , 7 , 8 and 9 .

[0066] S10) The tabs 300 are passed through the securing parts 400.

[0067] S20) The first connector, said at least one tab and said at least one securing part are assembled. For this, the tabs 300 are fixed in the body 130 of the first connector by inserting their rear parts 320 into the rear tab slots 150 ( Fig. 1 ), such that the front ends 310 of the tabs 300 are then placed in the front tab slots 160. The tabs must then occupy the position shown in the Fig.2The securing parts 400 are placed in a waiting position, in which they allow the movement of the tabs 300 in the Y direction, and thus allow them to adopt the released position, necessary for the passage of the ogives 260 of the columns 240 through the slots 360, and therefore for the positioning of the connector 200 relative to the connector 100.

[0068] S30) The connectors 100 and 200 are engaged with each other so that the two connectors and said at least one tab reach the mounted position, said at least one securing part remaining in the waiting position ( Fig.6). To do this, the first connector 100 and / or the second connector 200 are moved along the X axis. During this movement, the posts 240 enter the passages 140. When the ogives 260 of the posts 240 pass through the slots 360, they briefly force the tabs 300 to twist slightly in the Y direction (clearance direction), to allow the ogives 260 to pass. As soon as the ogives have finished passing at the front end 310 of the tabs and the groove 250 is located at the front ends of the tabs 300, the latter return to their undeformed position, the retaining parts 315 being placed against the tab shafts 255, opposite the retaining surfaces 210. The relative movement between the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 is then interrupted, having then reached the position rise (relative to each other).

[0069] Therefore, the retaining parts 315 ensure the retention of the columns 240 and therefore of the connector 200 in the mounted position relative to the first connector 100.

[0070] S40) The securing parts 400 are placed in the mounted position (final position). To move a securing part 400 from the waiting position to the mounted position, it is moved in the disassembly direction X+ so as to place the bar 410 near the front end 310 of the tab 300. In this position, the securing part 400 is then rotated around an axis parallel to the Z axis so as to align the sides 430, 440 with the direction X ( Fig.8 ). The passages formed between the shoulders 435, 436 and 445, 446 respectively are then placed in alignment (along the X axis) with the wings 330, 340 of the tongue 300.

[0071] The securing part 400 is then moved in translation along the mounting direction X-. During this movement, on each side 430,440 of the securing part 400, the two shoulders pass on either side of the relevant wing 330,340 of the tab. Consequently, at the end of this translation, each of the wings 330,340 is sandwiched between two shoulders, 435,436 or 445,446 as the case may be. The shoulders are sized so that when the tab is in the mounted position, the shoulders 436,446 are placed against the wings 330,340 of the tab and thus prevent the tab from moving toward the connector body 130. In addition, the shoulders 436,446 also bear against the connector body 130, which prevents any movement of the securing part 400 toward the connector body 130.

[0072] Due to this movement, the shoulders 435, 445 of the securing part mask the visual markers 350. Thanks to this, when the securing part 400 is put in place, and more precisely at the moment when the securing part is moved from the waiting position to the mounted position, the visual markers disappear, which makes it possible to ensure that the securing part has been placed in the desired mounted position.

[0073] By preventing the tab from moving towards the connector body 130, i.e. in the release direction, the securing part therefore prevents the retaining portion 315 from moving relative to the retaining surface 210 to reach a released position in which the pin 240 could move in the disassembly direction X+, which would allow the second connector to be disconnected from the first connector. The securing parts therefore prevent the connector 200 from being accidentally disconnected from the connector 100.

[0074] When moving the securing part along the mounting direction, the front end 310 of each tab 300 passes the ribs 437, 447, slightly deforming the securing part elastically. When the ribs 437, 447 have passed to the mounting side X- relative to this end 310, they prevent the securing part 400 from moving in the opposite direction, namely the disassembly direction X+. These ribs therefore prevent the securing parts from spontaneously leaving the mounted position, in which they prevent the disconnection of the connector 200 from the connector 100. The shoulders 437, 447 are however dimensioned such that it is possible by hand to move the securing parts back from the mounted position to the waiting position, which then makes it possible to disconnect the connectors from each other if desired. Second embodiment

[0075] A second embodiment will now be presented in relation to the figure 10 . This embodiment is identical to the first embodiment, except for the following point.

[0076] In this second embodiment, the securing parts are arranged so as to prevent any pressure on the tabs. Consequently, on its side which is opposite the connector body when it is in the mounted position (for example, the Y+ side for the securing part located on the Y+ side), the securing part 400 comprises a plate 450 which completely covers the tab on the side opposite the connector body. Thanks to this arrangement, when this securing part 400 is in the mounted position, it is impossible to press on the associated tab 300 and thus, it is impossible to move it into the disengaged position, which would be necessary to allow disconnection between the connectors 100, 200 (moreover, the shoulders 336 and 436 also oppose a movement of the tab in the disengagement direction, but these shoulders may not be provided in certain embodiments).

[0077] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it is evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Furthermore, individual features of the various embodiments discussed may be combined in additional embodiments. For example, a single sleeve-shaped securing part capable of moving to be placed around the two tabs 300 could be provided to ensure that the two (or more) tabs are simultaneously prevented from being deformed in the disengagement direction, which would have the effect of allowing the second connector to be disconnected from the first. Accordingly, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A connection assembly (1) comprising a first connector (100) and a second connector (200) for a communication cable (120, 220); the first connector and the second connector being configured to engage with one another so as to reach a mounted position in which all degrees of freedom of movement of the first connector relative to the second connector are blocked, except translations in an assembly direction (X-) and a disassembly direction (X+); the connection assembly (1) further comprising at least one tab (300); the connection assembly being arranged in such a way that for each tab among said at least one tab: when the tab is secured to the first connector (100) and the first and second connector are in the mounted position, the tab (300) is returned to a mounted position in which a retaining portion (315) of the tab is disposed facing a retaining surface (210) of the second connector associated with the tab in a disassembly direction (X+); the disassembly direction being a direction in which the retaining surface (210) moves relative to the first connector upon disconnection of the second connector from the first connector; and as a result, in the mounted position, the tab prevents the second connector (200) from disengaging from the first connector (100); characterized in that the connection assembly (1) further comprises at least one securing part (400) capable of being placed in a mounted position in which, when said at least one tab, the first and the second connector are in the mounted position, said at least one securing part (400) prevents at least one secured tab (300) from being biased or from deforming in such a way that said at least one secured tab adopts a disengaged position in which no portion of said at least one secured tab is facing the retaining surface (210) associated with the secured tab in the disassembly direction (X+) and as a result, the retaining surface (210) associated with the secured tab can move in the disassembly direction.

2. The connection assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one tab (300) is elastically deformable; and when the first (100) and second (200) connector and said at least one tab (300) are in the mounted position, the retaining portion (315) of said at least one tab is returned in front of a retaining surface (210) under the effect of the elasticity of said at least one tab.

3. The connection assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one tab is configured so as to allow the first connector to be disassembled with respect to the second connector by deforming in at least one release direction (Y-); and in the mounted position, a part (450) of said at least one securing part (400) is arranged in the vicinity of said at least one tab on the side opposite said at least one release direction (Y-) with respect to said at least one tab, and is configured so as to prevent a pressing on said at least one tab tending to move the latter along said at least one release direction (Y-).

4. The connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one tab is configured to allow disassembly of the first connector from the second connector by deforming in at least one release direction (Y-); and in the mounted position, a portion (436, 446) of said at least one securing part (400) is disposed substantially against said at least one tab on the side of said at least one release direction (Y-) with respect to said at least one tab so as to prevent the latter from moving along said at least one release direction (Y-).

5. The connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the mounted position, a portion (436, 446) of said at least one securing part is interposed between said at least one tab and a surface of the first connector.

6. The connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, configured so that when said at least one securing part is moved from the standby position to the mounted position, said at least one securing part cannot be disassembled from the connection assembly at any time during this movement.

7. The connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one looped tab is arranged so as to form a tab loop with the first and / or the second connector, in the mounted position; at least one looped securing part has a securing part loop; and in the mounted position, for at least one looped securing part and at least one looped tab, the securing part loop is nested with the tab loop.

8. The connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, configured so that at least one securing part is blocked in position mounted on the first and / or the second connector and / or said at least one tab.

9. The connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in the mounted position, at least one securing part is attached only to said at least one tab (300).

10. The connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, configured so that when said at least one securing part is moved from the standby position to the mounted position, at least one visual reference (350) appears or disappears during this movement.

11. The connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said at least one tab comprises an attachment part (320) for securing said at least one tab to the first connector, the retaining portion (315), and a deformable part, able to be elastically deformed, and connecting the attachment part to the retaining portion.

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