Clamped power contact

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connector comprising: - a female contact (10), with a central element (12) having an axial internal recess (121), and a ring (14) arranged around said central element (12), the ring (14) being mounted so as to be movable with respect to the central element (12) with an internal wall (143) of the ring (14) delimiting an opening of typically conical, narrow shape complementary to a profile of an external region (125) of the central element, which can slide over this external region, said ring (14) being connected to the central element (12) via an elastic member (25) arranged between the ring (14) and the central element (12) and tending to push the central element away from the ring.

Description

[0001] IMPROVED POWER CONTACT

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] This application relates to the field of electrical connectors having a male contact intended to fit into a female contact. It relates to an improved connector and applies in particular to connectors designed to withstand high currents.

[0005] PREVIOUS ART

[0006] Maintaining the quality of electrical contact between the male and female parts of a connector is, due to losses and heating, all the more critical when a connector is intended to carry high currents.

[0007] Documents US10312612B2 and CN20466854A1 show different electrical connector structures.

[0008] In order to improve electrical contact, it is known to provide an elastic structure inside an internal housing for receiving a female contact and which deforms when the male contact is inserted. Such a structure makes it possible to ensure improved contact pressure on the male contact.

[0009] The elastic structure is in this case in a conductive material of given stiffness. Such an elastic structure is sensitive to high temperatures and has limited performance since a compromise must be found between its electrical properties on the one hand, and its mechanical properties on the other.

[0010] Another type of connector in which an external spring structure is arranged around the female contact can also be considered.

[0011] The female part surrounding the male part is then made slightly deformable and the external spring structure ensures the clamping of the female part on the male part of the electrical connector. Since the spring does not have an electrical conduction function here, it can be optimized in terms of mechanical characteristics. However, tightening tends to generate friction between the contact surfaces during insertion and consequently to damage them if it is too strong.

[0012] Generally speaking, we seek to establish a compromise between a contact pressure that is high enough to achieve good electrical conduction between the contacts and low enough so that when the male contact is inserted to establish a connection or the male contact is removed during a disconnection, the contact surfaces are not too damaged.

[0013] The problem arises of finding a new electrical connector structure which is improved with respect to the drawback(s) stated above.

[0014] STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0015] One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electrical connector comprising:

[0016] - a female contact, the female contact being provided with:

[0017] - a central element, internally defining an axial internal housing for receiving a male contact, said axial internal housing extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a so-called “mouth” zone through which the male contact is intended to penetrate, and a so-called “bottom” zone opposite which the male contact is intended to be located in a first so-called “tight” position of the connector,

[0018] - a ring arranged around said central element and distinct from said central element, the ring being mounted movably relative to the central element and arranged so that an inner wall of the ring is capable of sliding against an outer region of said central element, said inner wall of the ring delimiting an opening of narrow shape, in particular frustoconical or conical, complementary to a profile of said outer region of the central element, said narrow shape having a cross section which decreases as one moves parallel to said longitudinal axis from the mouth zone towards the bottom zone. Such a complementary shape makes it possible to avoid friction at the male / female electrical contact surfaces during connection at the time of introduction of the male contact and during disconnection during disinsertion.

[0019] To facilitate insertion and disinsertion of the male contact, a resilient member is arranged between the ring and an external region of the central element. The resilient member is typically in the form of at least one spring tending to push the central element.

[0020] The elastic member is typically connected to an end region of the ring.

[0021] The male contact is received in the axial internal housing by crossing the mouth area before reaching the bottom area.

[0022] The elastic member tends to push back the central element of the ring when the male contact is pushed towards the bottom area of ​​the axial internal housing of the female conductor.

[0023] Advantageously, the central element of the female contact may be provided with a plurality of fingers defining at least a portion of the axial internal housing at its mouth area, each finger having a free end, distinct from the respective free ends of the other fingers and another end opposite the end and attached to a base.

[0024] This improves the radial flexibility of the central element of the female contact.

[0025] According to one possible implementation, the external region of the central element comprises a bulge at an upper end of the central element, said elastic member being arranged between said bulge and an upper edge of the ring. Such an arrangement makes it possible to have a reduced bulk.

[0026] Depending on the connector's design, it may be fitted with a male contact comprising:

[0027] - a conductive base opposite which an upper edge of the central element of the female contact is intended to be arranged, - a conductive rod intended to penetrate into said axial internal housing, the conductive rod having a shape complementary to that of the axial internal housing, in particular a shape of a cylinder of revolution.

[0028] Typically, the electrical connector may further comprise a housing for receiving the contacts. The housing may be provided with a portion with an internal space having a first volume into which the male contact is intended to be inserted and a second volume into which the female contact is intended to be housed.

[0029] The second volume typically has a smaller cross-section than the first volume.

[0030] Advantageously, the ring is movable relative to said part of said housing and attached to this part by means of a second elastic member, in particular in the form of at least one other spring. Such a second elastic member may be provided to compensate for play and expansion while maintaining pressure on the ring.

[0031] Advantageously, the second elastic member is attached to a second end region of the ring opposite said end region, and wherein the second volume of said housing part is arranged between the first volume and a third volume narrowed relative to the second volume, the housing comprising a stop zone around an interface zone between the second volume and the third volume, said stop zone being provided at said narrowing, said second elastic member being attached to said stop zone.

[0032] According to one possible implementation of the housing, said housing part comprises in the first internal volume, a thread to accommodate a thread arranged laterally on the male contact.

[0033] Alternatively, the male contact is in one housing part provided with a protruding area having a thread and the female contact in another housing part having an external thread.

[0034] The base of the male contact may be surrounded by an envelope of insulating material and which has the thread to allow the male contact to be screwed into said housing part. The central element of the female contact may be mounted movably in said part of said housing.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the electrical connector in its clamped position an upper end of the central element of the female contact is located in the second volume and in a released position an upper end of the central element of the female contact extends into the first volume.

[0036] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the description of exemplary embodiments given, for purely indicative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0038] Figures 1A and 1B illustrate an example of a connector as implemented according to an embodiment of the present invention and in a first position called “tightened”.

[0039] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate the connector in a second position called “loose”.

[0040] Figure 3 illustrates an example of implementation of the housing for the female contact of the connector.

[0041] Figure 4 illustrates an example of the embodiment of the female contact of the connector.

[0042] Furthermore, in the following description, terms which depend on the orientation of a structure, such as "lateral", "longitudinal", "transverse" etc. apply assuming that the structure is oriented as illustrated in the figures.

[0043] Identical, similar or equivalent parts of different figures bear the same numerical references so as to facilitate the transition from one figure to another.

[0044] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0045] In Figures 1A-1B (giving respectively a longitudinal sectional view and a cross-sectional view), one can see an example of an electrical connector implemented according to an embodiment of the present invention, and which is in a first position, called "tight", in which an electrical contact, in particular an optimal electrical contact, is ensured.

[0046] The connector can be dedicated to use in a voltage range, which is high in particular compared to usual 28VDC and 115VAC voltages commonly used in aeronautics: 500V and more.

[0047] The connector can be used in a particularly continuous voltage range, for example between 400 VDC and 2000 VDC and with a high current, in particular greater than 50 A, for example between 80 A and 1000 A.

[0048] The connector is provided with a male contact 30, of oblong shape, typically provided with a conductive rod 33 which may be in the shape of a cylinder of revolution. The conductive rod 33 has a smooth coating and is provided in a metallic conductive material for example such as silver-plated copper.

[0049] To ensure electrical contact, the conductive rod 33 is inserted into an axial internal housing 121 of a female contact 10 consisting of several parts (also shown alone in a schematic and simplified manner in FIG. 4). The axial housing 121 extends along a longitudinal axis A'A (axis which extends parallel to the axis x of an orthogonal reference [O; x; y; z] given in the figures). In the clamped position, the male contact 30 is located as close as possible to a female contact 10.

[0050] In this embodiment, the conductive rod 33 of the male contact 30 extends from a base 31 wider than the rod 33. A transverse surface 31A of the base 31 located around the rod 33 is intended to be placed, opposite, and possibly, in abutment against, or in contact with, an upper end 122 of a central element 12 of the female contact 10.

[0051] The male contact rod 33 may have a significant length L (dimension measured parallel to the x axis of an orthogonal reference [O; x; y; z]), for example provided between 10 and 40 mm, in particular between 15 and 30 mm.

[0052] The central element 12 of the female contact 10 internally defines the axial internal housing 121 for receiving the male contact 30. This axial internal housing 121 has a shape complementary to that of the rod 33, with a cross-section SI (dimension measured orthogonally to the longitudinal axis A'A and parallel to the plane [O; x; y]) which is preferably constant. The axial internal housing 121a may thus in particular have the shape of a cylinder of revolution. The internal wall of the central element 12 delimiting this axial internal housing 121a is provided with a coating which is preferably smooth and made of a material which is a good electrical conductor, in particular a metallic material such as, for example, silver-plated copper.

[0053] As can be seen in the simplified view of Figure 4 (in which the female contact 10 is shown alone), this central element 12 of the female contact 10 comprises a zone 121A called the “mouth” through which the male contact 30 is intended to penetrate, and extends to a zone 121B called the “bottom” delimiting the internal housing and located opposite the mouth zone 121A. To adopt the position illustrated in Figures 1A-1B, the male contact 30 is introduced into the axial housing 121 by crossing the mouth zone 121A before reaching the bottom zone 121B.

[0054] When not in the clamped position, the connector has a clearance between the male contact 30 and an internal wall of the central element 12 of the female contact 10. This clearance, for example of the order of several tenths of a millimeter, is such that the interlocking of the two contacts 10, 30 can be achieved while limiting friction, in particular at the start of the interlocking phase.

[0055] Advantageously, the central element 12 of the female contact 10 may comprise a cutout on a portion of its sides. This cutout may be such that the portion of the central element 12 comprising the cutout is provided with a plurality of fingers 129. Each finger 129, also called a “branch”, has a free end. The free end of each of the fingers is distinct from the respective free ends of the other fingers 129. Such an arrangement makes it possible to confer radial flexibility to the part 12 of the female contact 10 of the connector.

[0056] The fingers 129 may each have the shape of a portion of a cylinder of revolution. The free end of the fingers 129 is located at the level of the “mouth” zone 121A, while another end, opposite the free end, is attached to a base 128 of the central element 12, this base 128 forming the bottom zone 121B of the axial internal housing. The female contact 10 here has the particularity of being provided with a part or element distinct from the central element 12 in the form of a ring 14 also called a “sleeve” which is arranged around the central element 12 and movable relative to the central element 12. The ring 14 can move in translation relative to this central element 12, in particular during a phase of insertion of the male contact 30 to reach the so-called “tightened” position or during a phase of deinsertion of the male contact 30.

[0057] The ring 14 is provided with an internal wall 143 intended to slide against an external region 125 of the central element 12. This internal wall 143 of the ring 14 delimits an opening of narrow shape which is complementary to that of a profile of the external region 125 of the central element 12.

[0058] The internal opening of the ring 14 has a cross-section S2 (dimension measured orthogonally to the longitudinal axis A'A and parallel to the plane [O; x; y] of an orthogonal reference frame [O; x; y; z]) which decreases as one moves parallel to the longitudinal axis A'A from the mouth zone 121A towards the bottom zone 121B. This narrowed shape is advantageously frustoconical or conical. In this case, the external region 125 of the central element 12 has a complementary cone or frustoconical shape. Such a shape makes it possible to limit friction at the start of the nesting of the contacts or during a disconnection phase when the male contact is about to leave the female contact.

[0059] When the contacts are put in place to achieve the clamped position, the ring 14 slides over the central element 12 of the female contact 10, which itself has an external shape complementary to the cone of the ring 14. The clamping force on the male contact 30 therefore increases during the movement of the contact 12 in the ring 14. The angle of the cone is chosen so that the axial movement of a few millimeters during insertion and clamping of the connector induces strong radial clamping with a deformation of several tenths of a millimeter compensating for the initial play. The two conical surfaces in contact are preferably provided to be hard and smooth.

[0060] The ring 14 is here connected to the central element 12 by means of an elastic member 25 which may be in the form of at least one spring. The elastic member may in particular be arranged between an end edge 142 of the ring 14 and an external region of the central element 12. The elastic member 25 may be a spring formed for example from type 316 stainless steel.

[0061] The elastic member 25 is configured to push the central element 12 away from the ring 14. Thus, when the elastic member 25 is relaxed, the conical zones of the external region 125 and of the internal wall 143, respectively of the central element 12 on the outside, and of the ring 14 on the inside, are not pressed against each other. It follows that there is no radial force induced on the surface 121 of the element 12 and therefore no tightening on the part 33 of the male contact. When the member 25 is tightened, there follows a progressive tightening force of the central element 12 on the male contact 30.

[0062] The elastic member 25 facilitates the contact loosening operation during which it is possible to remove the male contact 30 from the female contact 10. When it is desired to separate the contacts 10 and 30, the elastic member 25 ensures that the ring disengages from the external region of the central element by releasing the pressure on the latter even before the female contact 10 begins to slide over the male contact 30.

[0063] The elastic member 25, typically in the form of a spring, is provided with sufficient elongation to cover the travel of the ring 14, and a sufficiently high stiffness which allows the ring 14 to be released from the central element 12 of the female contact 10 regardless of the previous tightening condition.

[0064] In the particular embodiment illustrated, the elastic member 25 is attached to a bulge 127, arranged on external side walls of the central element 12 in particular at the level of its fingers 129. The elastic member 25 can be connected to the ring 14 by means of an edge 142 called “upper” of the latter. The elastic member 25 thus has a limited size.

[0065] The connector is also typically provided with at least one housing 60 for receiving the contacts. This housing 60 may be formed of two distinct and separable main parts, a part 40 secured to the female contact 10 and a part 50 secured to the male contact 30.

[0066] The part 40 of the housing 60 may be provided, for example, at least at the level of the internal surface, in an insulating material such as a high-performance plastic, for example polyetheretherketone, designated by the acronym PEEK, a KINEL® plastic, or such as a ceramic material.

[0067] The male contact 30 is typically surrounded by a part 50 of the housing 60, forming an insulating envelope, at least at the level of the internal surface in proximity to the contact 30, for example made of insulating material such as a high-performance plastic material, for example polyetheretherketone, designated by the acronym PEEK, a KINEL® plastic, or such as a ceramic material, provided around its base 31.

[0068] In this exemplary embodiment, and as illustrated in the partial view of Figure 3 (where only the part 40 of the housing 60 is shown), an internal space of the housing 40 comprises a first volume 410 in which the casing of the male contact 30 is intended to be inserted. In this case, the first volume 410 of the housing 40 matches the shape of the assembly formed by the base 31 and the insulating casing 50.

[0069] In the internal space of the housing part 40, a second volume 420 of section S42 different from that S41 of the first volume 410 (S42 and S41 being dimensions measured parallel to the plane [O; x; y] of the reference [O; x; y; z]) and here smaller than that of the first volume 410, makes it possible to house the female contact 10. In this second volume 420, a part of the central element 12, comprising the internal housing for receiving the male contact is in particular arranged.

[0070] In the internal space of the housing part 40, a third volume 430 narrowed relative to the second volume 420 and arranged following the second volume 420 is provided to house the base 128 of the central element 12 of the female contact 10.

[0071] The housing part 40 here comprises a stop zone 461 around an interface zone 460 between the second volume 420 and the third volume 430. The stop zone 461 may be provided to stop the travel of the ring 14, in particular when the latter is subjected to a thrust from the elastic member 25 itself put into compression by means of the central element 12 when the male contact 30 exerts a force on the latter.

[0072] At the level of the change of section between the first volume 410 and the second volume 420, a recess at the level of the internal wall of the part 40 of the housing can form another stop 451 intended to stop the male contact 30 when the latter is tightened.

[0073] Advantageously, the connector may be provided with a second elastic member 27. The second elastic member T1, typically in the form of at least one spring, is arranged between the ring 14 and the housing portion 40. This second elastic member T1 serves to compensate for clearances and differential expansions, in order to maintain pressure on the ring 14 on the central element 12 of the female contact 10. This spring is typically provided with a low elongation and a high stiffness. For example, the second elastic member T1 may be formed from type 316 stainless spring steel.

[0074] According to a possible arrangement, the second elastic member T1 is attached to the stop zone 461 of the part 40 of the housing. The second elastic member T1 can also be attached to a second end region 144 of the ring 14 opposite that to which the elastic member 25 is attached.

[0075] The connector can be tightened by screwing. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing part 40 has on its internal walls and in the first internal volume 410 a tapping 481 to accommodate a thread 51 made on a peripheral part of the male contact 30, in particular on the casing 50 arranged around the base 31.

[0076] It is the force provided by an operator or a tool, to lock the connector, which brings about the bringing together and tightening between the parts 50 and 40 of the housing. And it is only once the two contacts are well engaged and in abutment with each other, and not before, that the ring 14 slides on the element 12 by crushing the elastic member 25 and tightening the element 12, which causes the female contact to exert pressure on the male contact.

[0077] Between the clamped position and a released position illustrated in Figures 2A-2B, the female contact 10 moves axially relative to the portion 40 of the connector housing. When the male contact 30 or the portion 50 of the housing is unlocked or unscrewed, the central element 12 is pushed back by the elastic member 25 towards the first volume 410 of the portion 40 of the housing 60. In the released position, the upper end 122 of the central element 12 can thus protrude into the first volume 410 of the portion 40 of the housing while this upper end 122 is held in the second volume 420 of the portion 40 of the housing when the connector is in the clamped position. An arrangement as described above can be applied to a single-pole contact as well as to a contact with several poles, each pole being formed by a combination of a male contact and a female contact.

[0078] An arrangement as described above can also be applied with an inversion of the tappings and threads between the parts 40 and 50 of the housing 60, the part 50 then coming above the part 40.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Electrical connector including: - a female contact (10), the female contact being equipped with: - of a central element (12), internally defining an axial internal housing (121) to accommodate a male contact (30), said axial internal housing extending along a longitudinal axis (A' A) and comprising a zone (121A) called the opening through which the male contact is intended to enter, and a zone (121B) called the base opposite which the male contact is intended to be located in a first position called the tight position of the connector, the female contact (10) being further provided, - of a ring (14) arranged around said central element (102) and separate from said central element, the ring (14) being mounted movable relative to the central element (12) and arranged so that an internal wall (143) of the ring is able to slide against an external region (125) of said central element, said internal wall (143) of the ring (14) delimiting an opening of a tight shape, in particular frustoconical or conical, complementary to a profile of said external region (125) of the central element, said tight shape having a cross-section which decreases as one moves parallel to said longitudinal axis from the mouth area towards the bottom area, said ring (14) being connected to the central element (12) by means of an elastic member (25) arranged between an end region (142) of the ring and an external region (125) of the central element (12).

2. Electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the central element (12) of the female contact (10) is provided with a plurality of fingers (129) defining at least a part of the axial internal housing (121) at the level of its mouth area (121A), each finger (129) having a free end (129A), distinct from the respective free ends of the other fingers and another end opposite to the end and attached to a base (128).

3. Electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the external region (125) of the central element (12) has a bulge (127) at an upper end (122) of the central element (12), said elastic member (25) being arranged between said bulge (127) and an upper edge (142) of the ring (14).

4. An electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a male contact and wherein the male contact (30) comprises: - a conductive base (31) opposite which an upper edge (122) of the central element (12) of the female contact (10) is intended to be disposed, - a conducting rod (33) intended to penetrate said internal axial housing (121), the conducting rod (33) having a shape complementary to that of the internal axial housing in particular a shape of a cylinder of revolution.

5. Electrical connector according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a housing (60), the housing having a part (40) having an internal space having a first volume (410) into which the male contact (30) is intended to be inserted and a second volume (420) into which the female contact (10) is intended to be housed and forming an envelope around said ring.

6. Electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein the ring (14) is movable relative to said part (40) of housing (60) and attached to this part (40) of housing by means of a second elastic member (27).

7. Electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein the second elastic element (27) is attached to a second end region (144) of the ring (14) opposite said end region (142), and wherein the second volume (420) of the housing portion (40) is arranged between the first volume (410) and a third volume (430) that is smaller than the second volume (420), said housing portion (40) having a stop area (461) around an interface area between the second volume (420) and the third volume (430), said stop zone (461) being provided at the level of said narrowing, said second elastic member (27) being attached to said stop zone (461).

8. Electrical connector according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said part (40) of housing comprises in the first internal volume (410) a tapping (481) to accommodate a thread (51) arranged laterally on the male contact (30) or wherein the male contact is in a part of housing provided with a protruding area having a tapping and the female contact in another part of housing having an external thread.

9. Electrical connector according to claim 8, wherein the base (31) of the male contact is surrounded by a second part (50) of housing (60) of insulating material and has said thread (51).

10. Electrical connector according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the central element (12) of the female contact is movablely mounted in said part (40) of housing.

11. Electrical connector according to claim 10 wherein in the tightened position an upper end (122) of the central element (12) of the female contact (10) is located in the second volume (420), and wherein in a relaxed position an upper end (122) of the central element (12) of the female contact (10) extends into the first volume (410).

12. Electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the male contact is received in the internal axial housing (121) by passing through the mouth area (121A) before reaching the bottom area (121B), the elastic member (25) tending to repel the central element of the ring when the male contact (30) is pushed towards the bottom area (121B) of the internal axial housing of the female conductor.

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