Electrical connector with blades

Abstract

The invention relates to a female electrical connector (1) that is capable of co-operating with a rectilinear male pin (2), the connector (1) comprising at least: - a support frame (3) defining an axial inner housing having a cylindrical shape centred on the axis of the housing, - at least one conductive blade (4) positioned inside the support frame (3) along the axis of the housing, this blade (4) comprising, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the housing, a profile which: - incorporates at least one curved segment, the concavity of which is oriented towards the axis of the housing of the support frame (3), and - comprises, on the one hand, a first edge forming an outer edge in contact with the inner surface of the support frame (3) and, on the other hand, a second edge forming an inner edge arranged in the vicinity of the axis of the housing of the support frame (3).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Blade electrical connector

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors and more particularly to the field of industrial electrical connectors suitable for the flow of high-intensity currents.

[0002] As is well known, a reversible electrical connection between two circuits is achieved using connectors that allow a male part to cooperate with a corresponding female part of complementary shape. The connection between these two parts and the electrical link are thus established by inserting the male part into the female part.

[0003] When this male and female connector assembly is performed in an industrial environment, meaning one subjected to frequent connection and disconnection operations, it is essential that the quality of the connection between the male and female parts does not degrade over time. This connection, both physical and electrical, must maintain an optimal level of reliability despite the constraints imposed by the environment of this connector assembly. Therefore, the assembled connector pair must be resistant to the vibrations that may be encountered, eliminating any risk of accidental separation. To achieve this, various complex elastic connection mechanisms have been developed to optimize the secure attachment of the connectors.

[0004] According to a known solution, the female connector incorporates a contact interface made up of a set of parallel strips arranged axially around the insertion axis of the male pin and having a curvature with a convexity oriented towards this insertion axis. This solution is found, for example, in Stäubli-type strip contacts. In such a connection mechanism, the curvature of the strips provides elasticity in the connection of the connectors while maintaining axial rigidity in the female connector. However, this solution only establishes physical and electrical contact between the two parts at a single point on the curvatures of these individual strips, so this reduced contact area forms a bottleneck that leads to particularly high current densities at each of the points. contact. Under these conditions, for safety reasons, the current flowing between the two connectors must be limited. Furthermore, in these blade contacts, the deformation range allowed by the blades is particularly restricted. Inserting the male pin into the female connector therefore requires a potentially significant force.

[0005] Alternatively, connectors incorporating an inclined coil spring on the female component have also been developed. The male pin is then inserted in contact with the inner edge of an annular structure formed by the circularized spring. However, this solution, in addition to being expensive to design, also has the structural disadvantage of providing a reduced contact area between the male pin and the annular spring. The current flowing between the two connectors is similarly limited.

[0006] Another design involves integrating the male pin with a linear or hyperboloid contact wire arrangement within the female connector. The linear contact wire arrangement on the female connector forms a mesh that creates a flexible, approximately cylindrical cage with a convex curve inward, into which the male pin is inserted. While this solution allows the female connector some axial flexibility, it requires a high-precision design to ensure the curve imposes an optimal contact length between the mesh wires and the male pin surface. Furthermore, this solution, which relies on the flexibility of the mesh arrangement to minimize the required insertion force, necessitates the use of thin wires for the flexible cage.Although the contact area between the two connectors is larger than in the previously detailed constructions, it is still particularly small, so that the intensity of the current flowing through it is capped.

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by providing an electrical connection device between two connectors whose assembly, while remaining vibration-resistant, allows axial deflection of the male element relative to the insertion axis, and whose simple design makes it possible to obtain an electrical contact surface between the two connector elements of the device which is suitable for the circulation of high intensity currents up to several hundred amperes.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a female electrical connector capable of cooperating with a straight male pin, characterized in that the connector comprises at least: - a support frame defining an axial cylindrical internal housing centered on the axis of the housing and open at one end for the insertion of a male pin, - at least one conductive blade positioned inside the support frame along the axis of the housing, this conductive blade comprising, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the housing, a profile which: - incorporates at least one curved segment whose concavity is oriented towards the axis of the housing of the support frame, and - comprises, on the one hand, a first edge forming an outer edge in contact with the inner surface of the support frame and, on the other hand, a second edge forming an inner edge located near the axis of the housing of the support frame.

[0009] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0010] [Fig. 1] is a schematic illustration of a first example of a female electrical connector according to the invention associated with a male pin in which the support frame is shown in transparency.

[0011] [Fig. 2] is a schematic illustration of the first example of a female electrical connector according to the invention associated with a male pin from a different viewpoint than that of the previous illustration.

[0012] [Fig. 3] is a schematic illustration of an early example of a cage associated with several conductive blades.

[0013] [Fig. 4] is a schematic illustration of an example of a female electrical connector according to the invention associated with a male pin in a sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pin and / or the support frame when the axis of the male pin is parallel and / or coaxial with the axis of the support frame.

[0014] [Fig. 5] is a schematic illustration of an example of a female electrical connector according to the invention associated with a male pin in a sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the support frame when the axis of the male pin has a lateral offset or inclination with respect to the axis of the support frame.

[0015] [Fig. 6] are schematic illustrations of another example of a cage associated with several conducting blades comprising a split arrangement.

[0016] [Fig. 7] is a schematic illustration of a second example of a female electrical connector according to the invention associated with a male pin in which the support frame is shown in transparency, the female electrical connector comprising two cages in alignment.

[0017] [Fig. 8] is a schematic illustration of an example of contact points of the conductive blade against the surface of an inserted male pin.

[0018] The invention thus relates to a female electrical connector 1 adapted to cooperate with a straight male pin 2, characterized in that the connector 1 comprises at least: - a support frame 3 defining an internal axial cylindrical housing 31 centered on the axis of the housing 31 and open at one of its ends 32 for the insertion of a male pin 2, - at least one conductive blade 4 positioned inside the support frame 3 along the axis of the housing 31, this conductive blade 4 comprising, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the housing 31, a profile which: - incorporates at least one curved segment 41 whose concavity is oriented towards the axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3, and - comprises, on the one hand, a first edge forming an external edge 44 in contact with the internal surface of the support frame 3 and, on the other hand, a second edge forming an internal edge 42 disposed near the axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3.

[0019] It should be noted that, within the framework of the present invention, the cylindrical arrangement of the support frame 3 and / or its housing 31 relates to a right cylinder of circular shape in section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder.

[0020] Similarly, it should be noted that the male pin 2 intended to cooperate with the female electrical connector 1 of the invention has an axial arrangement with a preferably circular cross-section.

[0021] Furthermore, it should also be noted that the curved segment 41 of the conducting blade 4 is likely to correspond to a curved arrangement without angle over its length or, alternatively or complementaryly, to an arrangement having the form of a succession of flats so that the curved segment 41 of the conducting blade 4 has the form of a broken arc made by a succession of several straight and / or curved segments.

[0022] The female connector 1 according to the invention thus establishes an elastic electrical contact with a male pin 2 via a conductive blade 4. This conductive blade 4 is positioned inside the housing 31 of the support frame 3 of the female connector 1 so as to present a curved profile in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the housing 31. This curved profile allows structural elasticity of the conductive blade 4, so that when a male pin 2 is inserted into the female connector 1, the surface of the blade 4 near the inner edge 42 comes into contact with the surface of the male pin 2. The conductive blade 4 thus establishes an electrical connection between, on the one hand, a portion of its surface bearing against the male pin 2 near its inner edge 42 and, on the other hand, its outer edge 44 in contact with the inner surface of the support frame 3.Therefore, when a male pin 2 is inserted into the female connector 1, the conductive blade 4 acts as a spring and is deformed to be pushed outwards, towards the periphery of the housing 31, that is, towards the inner surface of the housing 31 of the support frame 3. While being pushed outwards, the conductive blade 4 maintains contact with the surface of the male pin 2 thanks to this spring effect. The conductive blade 4 is thus deformed by bending between the support frame 3 and the male pin 2 under the compression exerted by the inserted male pin 2. When the male pin 2 is withdrawn, the conductive blade 4 returns to its original position.

[0023] It should be noted that, within the framework of the invention, and in particular according to an example illustrated in Figure 6, at least one conductive blade 4 is capable of having a partially split arrangement, this split originating at the level of the inner edge 42 of the blade 4. This slot preferably has a straight arrangement along the surface of the blade 4 so that this slot corresponds to different points of intersection of the surface of the blade 4 with a plane perpendicular to the axis of the inner edge 42 of the blade 4 and / or to the axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3 of the female connector 1.

[0024] It should also be noted that, since the profile of the conductive blade 4 is curved with its concavity facing the axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3, i.e., the axis of insertion of the male pin 2 into the housing 31 of the support frame 3, the contact of the conductive blade 4 with the male pin 2 occurs at this curved surface. The curved surface of the conductive blade 4 thus surrounds at least part of the male pin 2 against which it bears. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the conductive blade 4 is greater than the radius of the male pin 2, so that the contact surface between the conductive blade 4 and the male pin 2 is formed by a line along the surface of the pin 2.The orientation of the concavity of the curvature of the curved segment 41 of the conductive blade 4 towards the central axis of the connector cylinder 1 also allows the concavity of the conductive blade 4 to be oriented towards the convex surface of the peripheral surface of the male pin 2. Therefore, under the effect of a compressive force exerted by the male pin 2, the conductive blade 4 remains curved and only undergoes a change in its radius of curvature over at least a portion of the length of the curved segment 41 of the blade profile in section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the support frame cylinder 3.

[0025] It should also be noted that the curved profile of part of the conductive blade 4 allows for differentiated deformation of the blade 4 along its length about the axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3. Therefore, contact between the blade 4 and a male pin 2 can be effective or maintained along the length of the male pin 2 despite any potential inclination between the axis of the male pin 2 inserted into the housing 31 of the support frame 3 and the axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3. Thus, the connection and assembly of the female connector 1 of the invention with a male pin 2 can be performed effectively and repeatedly, even in the event of a lack of perfect alignment of the male pin 2 with the theoretical insertion axis of a male pin 2 in the housing 31 of the support frame 3.

[0026] It should be noted that the inner edge 42 of the profile of at least one of the conductive blades 4 of the female connector 1 is arranged in a straight line, along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the housing 31 or to the insertion axis of the male pin 2 in the support frame 3 of the connector 1. The profile of the conductive blade 4, and in particular the curvature of the curved segment 41 of the blade 4, along a section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder of the support frame 3, is thus homogeneous and / or identical along the entire length of the blade 4 along the axis of the cylinder of the support frame 3. Also, by way of example, the radius of curvature of the curved segment 41 of the blade 4 is identical for all successive profiles along the blade 4 along the axis of the cylinder of the support frame 3.

[0027] Alternatively, the inner edge 42 of the profile of at least one of the conductive blades 4 of the female connector 1 is arranged in a helical path relative to the axis of the housing 31 or to the insertion axis of the male pin 2 in the support frame 3 of the connector 1. The profile of the conductive blade 4, and in particular the curvature of the curved segment 41 of the blade 4, in a section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder of the support frame 3, exhibits a constant or heterogeneous variation along the entire length of the blade 4 along the axis of the cylinder of the support frame 3. Thus, by way of example, the radius of curvature of the curved segment 41 of the blade 4 increases, or alternatively decreases, progressively for each of the successive profiles along the blade 4 along the axis of the cylinder of the support frame 3.According to this alternative construction, illustrated in part by Figure 8, the contact points 8 of the conductive blade 4 against the surface of the inserted male pin 2 are not arranged along a line parallel to the insertion axis of the male pin 2, so that the effect of wear is distributed over a larger surface, in particular of the male pin 2, thereby increasing the number of potential maneuvers.

[0028] Preferably, the female connector 1 incorporates several conductive blades 4 inside its housing 31, so that each of these different conductive blades 4 make respective electrical contact with the surface of the male pin 2.

[0029] According to an example relating to a particular construction variant of the invention, the connector 1 comprises several similar or identical conductive blades 4 positioned inside the support frame 3 in a distribution exhibiting symmetry about the axis of the housing 31. This particular arrangement allows for a homogeneous distribution of the conductive blades 4 around the axis of the housing 31. Thus, when a male pin 2 is inserted inside the support frame 3 of the female connector 1, these conductive blades 4 bear substantially similar respective compressive forces, so that the forces present maintain the male pin 2 in the center of the housing 31 of the support frame 3, that is to say, in a position substantially aligned or coaxial with the axis of the housing 31.This symmetrical distribution of the conductive blades 4 within the support frame 3 ensures a balanced distribution of forces relative to the center of the housing 31 formed by the axis of the cylinder of the support frame 3, regardless of the number of conductive blades 4 incorporating the female connector 1, provided that the number of conductive blades 4 present is greater than a single conductive blade. Furthermore, in addition to its electrical connection function, each of the conductive blades 4 acts as a spring that pushes the male pin 2 towards the axis of the cylinder of the housing 31 of the support frame 3.

[0030] According to an example relating to a specific construction variant of the variant of the invention detailed above, the inner edge 42 of the profile of each of the conductive blades 4 of the female connector 1 is arranged between, on the one hand, the central axis of the cylinder of the housing 31 of the support frame 3 and, on the other hand, the concave surface of a conductive blade 4 juxtaposed inside the support frame 3. According to this example relating to a particular arrangement, the conductive blades 4 are arranged inside the female connector 1 so as to have an overlap between them in a circular distribution.Thus, along a segment corresponding to a radius of the housing 31 of the support frame 3, a conductive blade 4 is positioned between, on the one hand, on the side of a first face of the conductive blade 4, the inner portion of a first juxtaposed blade and, on the other hand, on the side of a second face of the conductive blade 4, the outer portion of a second juxtaposed blade. This particular arrangement of the blades. conductive blades 4 around the central axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3 allows an arrangement such that, according to a section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder of the support frame 3, the profile of each of the conductive blades 4 is substantially oriented according to an arrangement inclined with respect to the radii of the cylinder in the respective space of the housing 31 where each of the conductive blades 4 is positioned. This inclined arrangement of the conductive blades 4 with respect to the radii of the cylinder allows the positioning of these different conductive blades 4 according to a configuration which, on the one hand, allows to take advantage of their elastic properties and, on the other hand, facilitates their deformation in bending while optimizing the bulk of these conductive blades 4 in the context of the reversible deformation of their structure.

[0031] According to an example relating to another particular construction variant of the invention capable of being combined with the various variants previously detailed, the distance between the inner edge 42 of at least one conductive blade 4 and the central axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3 is less than the radius of the male pin 2 suitable for cooperating with the female connector 1. According to this arrangement, the inner edge 42 of the conductive blade 4, i.e. the end of the profile of the conductive blade 4 closest to the axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3, namely the insertion axis of the male pin 2, according to a section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder of the support frame 3, occupies a space in the housing 31 intended to receive the male pin 2 in the absence of the latter.Also, when the male pin 2 is inserted into the housing 31 of the support frame 3, the end of the male pin 2 pushes the conductive blade 4 towards the periphery, i.e. towards the inner surface of the support frame 3, so that the male pin 2 occupies the central volume of the housing 31 of the support frame 3. This displacement of the part of the conductive blade 4 which is near the central axis of the cylinder of the housing 31 of the support frame 3, is likely to be facilitated by a pointed arrangement of the end of the male pin 2.

[0032] According to an example relating to another particular construction variant of the invention capable of being combined with the various variants detailed above, the connector 1 also comprises at least one axial cage 6 positioned inside the support frame 3, this axial cage 6 defining an internal volume 61 of cylindrical shape centered on an axis parallel to the axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3, the cage 6 comprising: - at least one opening 62 positioned at the end of the cage cylinder 6 and suitable for the insertion of a male pin 2, - at least one orifice 63 through the thickness of the peripheral structure of the cage 6 between the internal volume 61 of the cage 6 and the housing 31 of the support frame 3, at least one conductive blade 4 being positioned through this orifice 63, so that at least one curved segment 41 of the conductive blade 4 is positioned in the internal volume 61 of the cage 6. According to this construction variant, the female connector 1 also incorporates a cage 6 positioned inside the housing 31 of the support frame 3. This cage 6 forms an additional part corresponding substantially to a right cylinder with a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, this cage being housed inside the support frame 3 and preferably arranged substantially coaxially with the support frame 3. This cage 6 allows, in particular by means of the various through holes 63 arranged through the thickness of the peripheral structure of the cage 6, the positioning of the conductive blades 4 inside the housing 31 of the support frame 3 and in particular the maintenance of the position of these conductive blades relative to each other inside this housing 31. The cage 6 holds the various conductive blades 4 fixed relative to each other without affecting their respective deformations.The various conductive blades 4 mounted on the cage 6 also contribute to the positioning of the cage 6 in a substantially coaxial arrangement with the support frame 3. Each of the conductive blades 4, thanks to its respective spring effect, contributes to the offset positioning of the cage 6 relative to the inner surface of the housing 31 of the support frame 3, so that the cage 6 is positioned floating inside the housing 31 of the support frame 3. This retention of the conductive blades 4 is thus achieved at the level of their respective through-holes 63. Preferably, according to a section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder of the cage 6, each of these different through-holes 63 is aligned along the axis of the radius of the inner volume 61 of the cage 6 at the position of the considered through-hole 63. According to a first example. In this construction, the conductive blade 4 is pinched between two opposite edges of the through-hole 63 of the cage 6. According to another preferred example, the conductive blade 4 includes a fold on each side of the peripheral structure of the cage 6. Each of the folds of the conductive blade 4 is thus positioned near, or even against, an edge of the through-hole 63, at the level of the outer surface and at the level of the inner surface of the cage 6. The bends formed by each of the folds of the conductive blade 4 thus create interfaces that prevent the conductive blade 4 from sliding through the dedicated through-hole 63 of the cage 6, these folds thus positioning themselves against the edges of the through-hole 63 so that the conductive blade 4 remains held in position with the cage 6.This construction example also has the advantage of being easy to implement without consideration of a particularly precise complementarity in the dimensioning of the conductive blade 4 and the dedicated through orifice 63 of the cage 6.

[0033] According to an example relating to a specific construction variant of the variant of the invention detailed above, the through-hole 63 of the peripheral structure of the cage 6 between the internal volume 61 of the cage 6 and the housing 31 of the support frame 3 has a rectilinear arrangement oriented along an axis parallel to the axis of the cage 6, this through-hole 63 comprising at least a width greater than the thickness of the conductive blade 4. According to this construction example, each of the through-holes 63 has the form of a groove in the thickness of the peripheral structure of the cage 6 which is then arranged along the length of the cage 6.

[0034] According to another example, also relating to a specific construction variant of the invention incorporating a cage 6, at least the convex face of the curved segment 41 of the conductive blade 4 positioned inside the cage 6 bears against the inner surface of the cage 6 at the edge of the inner rim of the through-hole 63 and / or at least the face of the portion of the conductive blade 4 positioned outside the cage 6 and facing the outer surface of the cage 6 bears against the outer surface of the cage 6 at the edge of the outer rim of the through-hole 63. This construction variant is particularly suitable for use in the context of locking the conductive blade 4 onto the cage 6 by one or more folds. achieving an angled arrangement of the profile of the conductive blade 4 as explained previously.

[0035] According to this construction variant, the contact between, on the one hand, the portion of the conductive blade 4 positioned within the internal volume 61 of the cage 6 and, on the other hand, the internal surface of the cage 6, is limited to the contact of the blade 6 with the inner edge of the through-hole 63. The remaining portion of the conductive blade 4 positioned within the internal volume 61, between the inner edge of the through-hole 63 and the inner edge 42 of the conductive blade 4, is kept away from the internal surface of the cage 6. In this way, the elastic properties of the conductive blade 4 are utilized over an optimized length of the blade profile to interact in compression with the male pin 2. This length corresponds to the entire portion of the conductive blade 4 positioned inside the cage 6 between the point of contact with the male pin 2 and the edge of the inner edge of the through-hole 63.Also, during the deformation of the conductive blade 4 under the compressive force exerted by the male pin 2 inserted in the support frame 3 and the cage 6, the portion of the conductive blade 4 positioned in the internal volume 61 of the cage 6 is kept away from the inner face of the cage 6 so that the conductive blade 4 does not bear against the inner face of the cage 6 along a length of its profile in a section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder of the cage 6. The curved arrangement of the conductive blade 4 in the internal volume 61 of the cage 6, with a concavity oriented towards the central axis of the cylinder of the connector 1, also contributes to keeping the portion of the conductive blade 4 away from the inner face of the cage 6.It should be noted that, preferably, in a plane in section perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder of the cage 6, during the deformation of the conductive blade 4 pushed outwards by the male pin 2, the inner edge 42 of the blade 41 maintains a distance from the inner surface of the cage 6, i.e. that the inner edge 42 of the blade 4 does not come into contact with the inner surface of the cage 6. Similarly, according to this preferred operation of the inner edge 41 of the conductive blade 4, this inner edge 41 maintains a distance from the surface of a juxtaposed conductive blade, a portion of which could be positioned between. the inner edge 42 and the inner surface of cage 6, along a radius of the inner volume 61 of cage 6.

[0036] Similarly, according to this construction variant, the contact between, on the one hand, the portion of the conductive blade 4 positioned outside the cage 6 and, on the other hand, the outer surface of the cage 6 is limited to the contact of the blade 4 with the edge of the outer rim of the through-hole 63. The remainder of the portion 43 of the conductive blade 4 positioned outside the cage 6, between the outer rim of the through-hole 63 and the outer rim 44 of the conductive blade 4, is separated from the inner surface of the support frame 3. This separation also allows the elastic properties of the conductive blade 4 to be exploited over an optimized length of the blade 4 profile to interact in compression with the inner surface of the housing 31 of the support frame 3.However, when the male pin 2 inserted in the cage 6 has an inclination of its axis relative to the axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3, the male pin 2 is likely to change the coaxial position of the cage 6 inside the housing 31 of the support frame 3 so that the entire portion 43 of one of the conductive blades 4 of the connector 1 which is outside the cage 6 is positioned against the inner surface of the support frame 3 along a length of the profile of the blade 4 in section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder of the support frame 3.

[0037] According to another example, also relating to a specific construction variant that can be combined with variants of the invention incorporating a cage 6, at least one conductive blade 4 comprises at least one segment 43 positioned under tension between the outer surface of the cage 6 and the inner surface of the support frame 3. The portion 43 of the conductive blade 4 positioned outside the cage 6 exerts a spring effect that separates the outer surface of the cage 6 from the inner surface of the housing 31 of the support frame 3. The combined spring effects of each of the conductive blades 4 integrated into the female connector 1 allow for centering and holding the cage 6 in a substantially coaxial arrangement with the housing 31 of the support frame 3. This tension on the portion of the conductive blade 4 outside the cage 6 contributes to maintaining the cage 6 in a substantially coaxial position with the support frame 3.Cage 6 is thus positioned floating inside housing 31 of support frame 3.

[0038] According to another example relating to a specific construction variant of the invention incorporating a cage 6, the segment 43 of the conductive blade 4 positioned outside the cage 6 has, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3, a profile with at least one curved segment whose concavity is oriented towards the outer surface of the cage 6. Such a curved arrangement of the conductive blade 4 outside the cage 6 also contributes to keeping the cage 6 away from the inner surface of the housing of the support frame 3, as well as the conductive blade 4 away from this same inner face of the cage 6. The orientation of the concavity of the curvature of this portion 43 of the conductive blade 4 outside the cage 6 towards the central axis of the cylinder of the connector 1 also makes it possible to orient the concavity of the conductive blade 4 towards the convex surface of the peripheral surface of the cage 6.Also, under the effect of compression, the conducting blade 4 remains curved and only supports a modification of its radius of curvature over at least part of the length of the curved segment of the profile 43 of the blade 4 in section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder of the support frame 3.

[0039] It should be noted that the curved segment of the profile of the portion 43 of the conducting blade 4 outside the cage 6 is likely to correspond to a curved arrangement without angle over its length or, alternatively or complementaryly, to an arrangement having the form of a succession of flats so that the curved outer segment 43 of the conducting blade 4 has the form of a broken arc made by a succession of several straight and / or curved segments.

[0040] It should be noted that each of the portions 41, 43 of the same conductive blade 4 positioned on either side of a through hole 63 of the peripheral structure of the cage 6, functions as a spring independent of the corresponding portion of conductive blade 4 positioned on the other face of the through hole 63 of the cage 6. The forces borne by each of the portions, inner 41 and outer 43 with respect to the cage 6, of the same conductive blade 4 are distinct, the inner portion 41 interacting directly with the male pin 2 while the outer portion 43 interacts with the inner surface of the support frame 3.

[0041] According to another example also relating to a specific construction variant that can be combined with variants of the invention incorporating a cage 6, at least one conductive blade 4, mounted through a through-hole 63 of the cage 6, bears its opposite faces against the respective opposite edges of the inner and outer edges of the through-hole 63. According to this construction example, the two portions of the conductive blade 4, respectively inner 41 and outer 43 of the cage 6, are positioned on either side of the axis of the radius of the inner volume 61 of the cage 6 at the position of the through-hole 63 through which the conductive blade 4 passes in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder of the cage 6.This particular arrangement of the conductive blade 4 allows the conductive blade 4 to be locked with the cage 6 when the assembly formed by the cage 6 and at least one conductive blade 4 is inserted into the housing 31 of the support frame 3. The portion 43 of the conductive blade 4 outside the cage 6 then bears a compressive force exerted between the outer surface of the cage 6 and the inner surface of the housing 31 of the support frame 3. This compressive force, which brings the outer portion 43 of the conductive blade 4 towards the outer surface of the cage 6, simultaneously exerts a rocking motion of the conductive blade 4 around a pivot axis substantially parallel to the axis of the cage 6, positioned at the level of the through-hole 63 through which the conductive blade 4 passes.This tilting of the conductive blade 4 causes the portion 41 of the conductive blade 4 positioned inside the cage 6 to fold down towards the inner surface of the cage 6. This natural alignment of the two portions, inner 41 and outer 43, with respect to the structure of the cage 6 contributes to the independence of the functions of each of the portions 41, 43 of the conductive blade 4 positioned on either side of the cage 6, particularly in the context of their spring functions.

[0042] According to another example, also relating to a specific construction variant that can be combined with variants of the invention incorporating a cage 6, at least one conductive blade 4 is mounted with the cage 6 such that, on the one hand, a portion of the blade 4 rests against the outer surface of the cage 6 and, on the other hand, at least one curved segment 41 of the blade 4 is positioned within the inner volume 61 of the cage 6, these two parts, outer and internal, of the conductive blade 4 being mounted on the cage 6 so as to be arranged on either side of the central axis of the cage 6. In the context of this construction variant, in a plane in section perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder of the cage 6, the insertion of the male pin 2 inside the cage 6 causes the peripheral surface of the male pin 2 to exert a force against the curved surface 41 of the conductive blade 4. This force is then coaxial with the reaction force exerted by the portion 43 of the conductive blade 4 outside the cage 6 against the outer surface of the cage 6, at the level of the contact of the conductive blade 4 against the outer edge of the orifice through 63, these two forces being oriented in opposite directions.This construction variant also allows for the exploitation of the reaction force of the outer portion 43 of the conductive blade 4 against the outer edge of the through-hole 63 in the spring effect exerted by the conductive blade 4 against the surface of the male pin 2. Through two opposing surfaces, respectively supported by different portions, namely the inner 41 and outer 43, of the conductive blade 4, the blade 4 optimizes its action against the surface of the male pin 2.

[0043] According to another example also relating to a specific construction variant that can be combined with variants of the invention incorporating a cage 6, the female connector 1 comprises at least two cylindrical cages 6 positioned axially in the housing 31 of the support frame 3 along the axis of the housing 31, such that the cylindrical internal volumes 61 of each of the cages 6 are centered on respective axes parallel to the axis of the housing 31 of the support frame 3, each of the cages 6 respectively positioning at least one conductive blade 4. According to this construction example, the conductive blades 4 specific to each of the cages 6 are capable of operating an independent electrical connection with a male pin 2 inserted in the aligned internal volumes 61 of the two cages 6 of the female connector 1.

[0044] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A female electrical connector (1) adapted to cooperate with a straight male pin (2), characterized in that the connector (1) comprises at least: - a support frame (3) defining an axial internal housing (31) of cylindrical shape centered on the axis of the housing (31) and open at one of its ends (32) for the insertion of a male pin (2), - at least one conductive blade (4) positioned inside the support frame (3) along the axis of the housing (31), this conductive blade (4) comprising, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the housing (31), a profile which: - incorporates at least one curved segment (41) whose concavity is oriented towards the axis of the housing (31) of the support frame (3), and - comprises, on the one hand, a first edge forming an outer edge (44) in contact with the inner surface of the support frame (3) and, on the other hand, a second edge forming an inner edge (42) disposed near the axis of the housing (31) of the support frame (3).

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector (1) comprises several similar or identical conductive blades (4) positioned inside the support frame (3) in a distribution exhibiting symmetry about the axis of the housing (31).

3. Connector (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner edge (42) of the profile of each of the conductive blades (4) of the female connector (1) is disposed between, on the one hand, the central axis of the cylinder of the housing (31) of the support frame (3) and, on the other hand, the concave surface of a conductive blade 4 juxtaposed inside the support frame (3).

4. Connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the inner edge (42) of at least one conductive blade (4) and the central axis of the housing (31) of the support frame (3) is less than the radius of the male pin (2) suitable for cooperating with the female connector (1).

5. Connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector (1) also comprises at least one axial cage (6) positioned inside the support frame (3), this axial cage (6) defining an internal volume (61) of cylindrical shape centered on an axis parallel to the axis of the housing (31) of the support frame (3), the cage (6) comprising: - at least one opening (62) positioned at the end of the cage cylinder (6) and suitable for the insertion of a male pin (2), - at least one orifice (63) passing through the thickness of the peripheral structure of the cage (6) between the internal volume (61) of the cage (6) and the housing (31) of the support frame (3), at least one conductive blade (4) being positioned through this orifice (63), so that at least one curved segment (41) of the conductive blade (4) is positioned in the internal volume (61) of the cage (6).

6. Connector (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least the convex face of the curved segment (41) of the conductive blade (4) positioned inside the cage (6) is in contact with the inner surface of the cage (6) at the level of the edge of the inner edge of the through orifice (63) and / or at least the face of the portion of the conductive blade (4) positioned outside the cage (6) and oriented towards the outer surface of the cage (6) is in contact with the outer surface of the cage (6) at the level of the edge of the outer edge of the through orifice (63).

7. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one conductive blade (4) comprises at least one segment (43) positioned in tension between the outer surface of the cage (6) and the inner surface of the support frame (3). [Claims] Connector (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the segment (43) of the conductive blade (4) positioned outside the cage (6) has, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the housing (31) of the support frame (3), a profile with at least one curved segment whose concavity is oriented towards the outer surface of the cage (6).

9. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the through-hole (63) of the peripheral structure of the cage (6) is located between the internal volume (61) of the cage (6) and the housing (31) of the frame support 3 has a rectilinear arrangement oriented along an axis parallel to the axis of the cage (6), this through orifice (63) comprising at least a width greater than the thickness of the conducting blade (4).

10. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that at least one conductive blade (4), mounted through a through orifice (63) of the cage (6), bears with its opposite faces against opposite respective edges of the inner and outer edges of the through orifice (63).

11. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the female connector (1) comprises at least two cylindrical cages (6) positioned axially in the housing (31) of the support frame (3) along the axis of the housing (31), such that the cylindrical internal volumes (61) of each of the cages (6) are centered on respective axes parallel to the axis of the housing (31) of the support frame (3), each of the cages 6 respectively positioning at least one conductive blade (4).

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