Connector maximizing available technical volume

Abstract

Equipment (1) comprising an external housing (4) comprising two first adjacent faces (9, 10), and a connector (15) positioned at least partially inside the external housing, the connector being arranged to be connected to a complementary connector (22) by translation of the complementary connector relative to the connector (15) along a connection axis (X1) included in a first bisector plane (Ps1) of first planes (P1, P2) in which the two first faces extend.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of equipment provided with at least one connector. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] We know of loudspeakers, and in particular connected and / or portable loudspeakers, which are powered by a power cable equipped at its free end with a so-called "straight" or "angled" connector (i.e. oriented at 90°).

[0003] Typically, these speakers are designed to operate in a specific position to avoid twisting the power cable or putting stress on the connector that could damage it.

[0004] Therefore, when the speaker's power cable is connected to the rear panel of the speaker, the speaker must be installed so that its underside is resting on a flat horizontal surface (e.g., a piece of furniture). With the connector types just mentioned, it is impossible to install this speaker in a position such that its rear panel is positioned against a flat vertical surface (e.g., a wall surface).

[0005] There are speakers that can be installed in several positions, including on a horizontal surface and against a vertical surface. The speaker then has a power cable guide channel in its housing, in which the cable is positioned to avoid damage.

[0006] The guide path then encroaches on the technical volume available inside the enclosure, which requires either increasing the total size of the enclosure to maintain the same technical volume, or reducing the technical volume.

[0007] However, currently, loudspeaker manufacturers are trying to minimize their loudspeakers as much as possible, so increasing the speaker's footprint is not desirable. Reducing the technical volume is also not desirable, as this could impair the proper functioning of the speaker and lead to a decrease in sound quality.

[0008] Another existing solution to accommodate multiple positions is to plug an adapter into the power connector to change the cable orientation.

[0009] For this purpose, there are variable angle or fixed angle adapters. However, these adapters are additional parts that cause vibrations and unwanted noise during operation of the speaker. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention relates to a solution enabling equipment to be positioned in several positions: without damaging the cable or the cable connector connected to this equipment; without reducing the technical volume available inside the equipment; without generating disturbances (such as vibrations or parasitic noise). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In order to achieve this goal, equipment is proposed comprising an external housing comprising two adjacent first faces, and a connector positioned at least partially inside the external housing, the connector being arranged to be connected to a complementary connector by translation of the complementary connector relative to the connector along a connection axis included in a first bisector plane of first planes in which the two first faces extend.

[0012] The configuration of the first faces and the connector of the equipment allows the complementary connector to be connected either in a first position or in a second position symmetrical to the first position with respect to the first bisector plane. The cable to which the complementary connector is connected can therefore extend either parallel to one of the two first faces or parallel to the other of the two first faces. It is thus possible, without damaging the cable or the connectors, to position the equipment so that one of the two first faces rests on a horizontal flat surface, or so that the other of the two first faces is positioned against a vertical flat surface.

[0013] We further propose equipment as previously described, the connector being positioned in a corner of the external housing where the first two faces meet, the external housing comprising at said corner a receiving cavity which extends into each of said first faces to define two connection positions, for the complementary connector, which are symmetrical with respect to each other with respect to the first bisector plane.

[0014] We further propose equipment as previously described, in which the first two faces are perpendicular to each other.

[0015] We further propose equipment as previously described, further comprising an electronic card comprising a printed circuit on which the connector is mounted, the printed circuit extending in a plane perpendicular to the connection axis.

[0016] Further provided is equipment as previously described, wherein the first faces of the outer housing are bearing faces of the equipment which is thus arranged to operate nominally when installed such that either one of the first faces rests on a horizontal plane surface or the other of the first faces is positioned against a vertical plane surface.

[0017] Further provided is equipment as previously described, the connector being a power supply connector for the equipment.

[0018] Further provided is equipment as previously described, further comprising an internal housing, positioned inside the external housing, the connector being fixed to the internal housing.

[0019] We also propose equipment as previously described, the equipment being an acoustic enclosure.

[0020] Further provided is equipment as previously described, wherein the inner housing is an acoustic enclosure of the loudspeaker and the outer housing is a shell of the loudspeaker.

[0021] A complementary connector is further proposed, arranged to be connected to the connector of the equipment as previously described, the complementary connector comprising a body comprising two second faces, the connection axis being included in a second plane bisecting second planes in which the two second faces extend.

[0022] Further provided is a complementary connector as previously described, wherein, when the complementary connector is connected to the connector, each second face extends parallel to one of the two first faces of the external housing of the equipment.

[0023] Further provided is a complementary connector as previously described, arranged to be connected to the connector of the equipment as previously described, the complementary connector being arranged to be mounted at one end of a cable which extends from one of the two second faces of the body such that, when the complementary connector is connected to the connector and is in one of the connection positions, the cable extends parallel to one of the first faces in proximity to the complementary connector and, when the complementary connector is connected to the connector and is in the other of the connection positions, the cable extends parallel to the other of the first faces in proximity to the complementary connector.

[0024] Further provided is a complementary connector as previously described, arranged to be connected to the connector of the equipment as previously described, the complementary connector being arranged to be mounted at a free end of an electrical power cable.

[0025] Further provided is a cable comprising a complementary connector as previously described, which is mounted at one end of the cable.

[0026] Further provided is a system comprising equipment as previously described, and a complementary connector as previously described, arranged such that, when the complementary connector is connected to the connector, each second face of the body of the complementary connector is positioned so as to be substantially flush with one of the first faces of the external housing of the equipment.

[0027] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Reference will be made to the attached drawings, including: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 represents a perspective view of the enclosure housing, as well as the chassis and the cover of the external shell, these elements not being assembled; [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 represents a perspective view from the rear and from below of the enclosure; [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 represents a bottom view, in perspective, of the box; [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 represents a sectional view, along a plane perpendicular to the rear face and the underside of the enclosure, of the female connector of the enclosure and the male connector of the cable, while the male connector is not connected to the female connector; [ Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 represents a perspective view of the cable, the power supply circuit board, and various components of the enclosure; [ Fig. 6 ] there figure 6 represents a sectional view of the housing, the female connector and the electronic card on which it is mounted; [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 represents a perspective view, from inside the box, of the electronic card on which the female connector is mounted; [ Fig. 8 ] there figure 8 represents a view similar to that of the figure 4 , while the male connector is connected to the female connector and is in the first connection position; [ Fig. 9 ] there figure 9 represents a view similar to that of the figure 4 , while the male connector is connected to the female connector and is in the second connection position; [ Fig. 10 ] there figure 10 represents a view similar to that of the figure 8 , the enclosure being placed on a horizontal flat surface; [ Fig. 11 ] there figure 11 represents a view similar to that of the figure 9 , the enclosure being positioned against a vertical flat surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In reference to the figures 1 et 2 , an acoustic enclosure 1 comprises an acoustic box 2 and two loudspeakers 3 integrated in two separate acoustic chambers formed inside the box 2.

[0030] One of the loudspeakers 3 is fixed to the upper face of the box 2. The membrane of said loudspeaker 3 therefore extends at the level of the upper face of the box 2, which has an opening through which the membrane is in acoustic communication with the exterior of the box 2.

[0031] The other loudspeaker 3 is fixed to the front face of the box 2. The membrane of the loudspeaker 3 therefore extends at the level of the front face of the box 2, which has an opening through which the membrane is in acoustic communication with the exterior of the box 2.

[0032] The enclosure 1 also comprises an external shell 4 comprising a chassis 5 and a cover 6. The chassis 5 forms a rear face, a lower face and side faces of the shell 4 and the enclosure 1. The cover 6 forms an upper face and a front face of the shell 4 and the enclosure 1. The box 2 is positioned inside the volume defined by the shell 4.

[0033] The shell 4 therefore forms an external box and the box 2 forms an internal box of the enclosure 1.

[0034] The enclosure 1 is powered by a power supply cable 7 which is connected to the enclosure 1 at a corner 8 defined by the lower face 9 and the rear face 10 of the shell 4 and therefore of the enclosure 1.

[0035] The speaker 1 is intended to operate nominally, without damaging the cable 7, either by being positioned so that its lower face 9 rests on a horizontal flat surface (a piece of furniture for example), or by being positioned so that its rear face 10 is positioned against a vertical flat surface (a wall for example) and upright.

[0036] The lower face 9 optionally comprises at least one support element intended to be placed on a horizontal flat surface. Here, these support elements are feet 11.

[0037] Thus, when we say that the lower face 9 rests on a horizontal plane surface, we mean either that the lower face 9 rests directly on said surface, or that the at least one support element rests on said surface (as is the case here with the feet 11).

[0038] The rear face may include fixing means for fixing it against the vertical flat surface. The fixing means are, for example, of the "buttonhole" type and include a slot in which a screw slides, fixed to the vertical flat surface.

[0039] When the rear face 10 of the enclosure 1 is positioned against a vertical flat surface, the enclosure 1 can be fixed to said vertical flat surface.

[0040] Here, when using a term relating to positioning and applied to either enclosure 1 or subwoofer 2 (e.g. front, rear, upper, lower, internal, external, horizontal, etc.), this term must be interpreted by considering that enclosure 1 is positioned in one of these two positions, and therefore that enclosure 1 and subwoofer 2 are each in a nominal position.

[0041] The enclosure 1 integrates a main electronic card 14 which comprises components enabling the enclosure 1 to implement the functions for which it is designed. The electronic card 14 notably comprises user interface components (button, signal LED) and a radiofrequency communication module (here Wi-Fi), which enables the enclosure 1 to communicate with external equipment (here with a set-top box, or STB, for Set-Top Box).

[0042] The electronic card 14 is here positioned on an external wall of the front face 16 of the box 2, parallel to it (and therefore between the front face 16 of the box 2 and the front face of the cover 6 which forms the front face of the enclosure 1).

[0043] The main electronic board 14, and all the electronic components of the enclosure 1, are powered via the power cable 7.

[0044] Speaker 1 therefore includes a power connector, which here is a female connector.

[0045] In reference to the figure 3 , the female connector 15, which is here a “standard” connector, comprises a housing 16 of parallelepiped external shape with rounded edges and corners.

[0046] The parallelepiped-shaped connector 15 has a cylindrical-shaped input and comprises a first connection member and a second connection member. The first connection member is here a conductive rod 18 which extends into the cavity 17, from a bottom of the cavity, along a longitudinal axis of the cavity 17. The second connection member is a lyre 19 which extends from the bottom of the cavity 17, along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity 17, being positioned between the internal wall of the cavity 17 and the conductive rod 18. The conductive rod 18 and the lyre 19 form the two electrically conductive elements between which, when the power cable 7 is connected, an external power supply voltage is applied, carried by the power cable 7 and which makes it possible to power the enclosure 1. An external power supply current travels on the cable 7 under said external power supply voltage to power the enclosure 1.

[0047] The female connector 15 is positioned at least partially inside the shell 4, here entirely.

[0048] The female connector 15 is positioned in the corner 8 of the shell 4 where the lower face 9 and the rear face 10 meet. The shell 4 comprises at the level of said corner 8 a receiving cavity 20 which extends into each of said faces 9, 10.

[0049] In reference to the figure 4 , the female connector 15 can be connected to a complementary connector 22 by translation of the complementary connector 22 relative to said connector 15 along a connection axis X1 included in a bisector plane Ps1 of planes P1, P2 in which two first faces of the enclosure extend, here the lower face 9 and the rear face 10 of the shell 4 (and therefore of the enclosure 1), which are two adjacent faces.

[0050] The complementary connector 22 is here a male connector, located at one end of the power cable 7.

[0051] As seen, the first faces 9, 10 of the shell 4 are support faces of the enclosure 1 which can thus operate nominally when it is installed so that either one of the first faces (the lower face 9, or at least its feet 11) rests on a horizontal plane surface, or the other of the first faces (the rear face 10) is positioned against a vertical plane surface. Here, the lower face 9 and the rear face 10 are perpendicular to each other.

[0052] To connect the male connector 22, located at the free end of the power cable 7, to the female connector 15, it is therefore necessary to bring this connector 22 by moving it in translation along the connection axis X1 which belongs to the plane Ps1, which is oriented at 45° relative to a horizontal plane P1 and relative to a vertical plane P2. There is therefore here an angle α = 45° between the connection axis X1 and each of the two faces 9, 10.

[0053] Note that the connection axis X1 is also the axis of the cavity 17 and of the conductive rod 18 of the female connector 15.

[0054] Viewed from the outside, the box 2 comprises a recess 24 located at a central part of the corner between the lower face 25 and the rear face 26 of the box 2, which extends towards the inside of the box 2.

[0055] The recess 24 comprises a first cavity 27 comprising first lateral faces 28 of triangular shape and a first bottom 29, which is defined by a first inclined surface connecting the lower face 25 to the rear face 26 of the box 2. A second cavity 30 extends in the first bottom 29 of the first cavity 27, towards the inside of the box 2. This second cavity 30 comprises second lateral faces 31 of trapezoidal shape, a second bottom 32, and an inclined surface 33 connecting the second bottom 32 to the rear face 26 of the box 2.

[0056] The housing 16 of the female connector 15 is positioned at the level of the second bottom 32 and its upper surface is flush with the first bottom 29.

[0057] When enclosure 1 is assembled, the inner walls of shell 4 are very close to the outer walls of box 2.

[0058] The receiving cavity 20 of the shell 4 is located on the chassis 5 and is defined by a recess 35 towards the inside of the shell 4 which has a similar shape to that of the recess 24. The receiving cavity 20 is similar to the first cavity 27 - except that in the case of the shell 4, the bottom of the cavity does not leave the housing of the female connector 15 visible, but includes a circular hole 36 through which the finger of the male connector 22 (which will be described below) can be inserted to connect to the female connector 15.

[0059] It is noted that the recess 24 of the box 2 defines a free volume 38 above the female connector 15, which extends in the extension of the female connector 15 between the female connector 15 and the inclined surface 33.

[0060] This free volume 38 defines in the receiving cavity 20 of the shell 4 a gripping recess 39 which, when the male connector 22 is connected, extends between the male connector 22 and the rear face 10 of the shell 4. The gripping recess 39 facilitates the passage of a user's finger at the level of an upper part of the receiving cavity 20 to grasp the male connector 22.

[0061] In reference to the figures 5 à 7 , the female connector 15 is mounted on the printed circuit 40 of an electronic power supply card 41, and extends perpendicular to it.

[0062] This electronic card 41 comprises power supply components which produce, from the external power supply voltage and the external electric current, one or more internal power supply voltages and one or more internal power supply currents which supply the various electronic components of the enclosure 1.

[0063] Among these power supply components is a relatively large and heavy capacitor 42.

[0064] The printed circuit 40 of the electronic card 41 is fixed to the internal wall of the box 2 (i.e. on the inside of the box 2) at the level of the recess 24 of the box.

[0065] Two tapped studs 43 extend from the internal wall of the box 2 at the level of the internal walls of the second lateral faces 28 of the first cavity 27 of the recess 24, perpendicular to the internal wall of the first bottom 29 of the first cavity 27.

[0066] The internal wall of the rear face 26 of the box 2 further comprises a rib 44 which extends close to the recess 24. Finally, a keying pad 45 is formed on the internal wall at the recess 24.

[0067] The printed circuit 40 is fixed to the internal wall of the box 2 by screws 46, which extend into the tapped studs 43.

[0068] A seal 47 previously glued to the lower face of the printed circuit 40, surrounding an implantation surface of the female connector 15, ensures the seal between the inside and the outside of the box 2 at the level of the female connector 15. A foam strip 48 is glued to the lower face of the printed circuit 40. The rib 44 will press on the foam strip 48 and therefore on the printed circuit 40 in the same direction but in a direction opposite to the tightening of the screws 46, which puts stress on the electronic card 41 and makes it possible to prevent any imbalance phenomenon linked to the capacitor 42 soldered to the electronic card 41.

[0069] The keying pad 45, positioned opposite a cutout 49 made in the printed circuit 40, prevents any mistake being made about the orientation of the electronic card 41 at the time of assembly, and it is therefore impossible to fix the electronic card 41 in the wrong position. This allows the operator who is going to mount the electronic card 41 in the box 2 to gain speed and efficiency.

[0070] We see on the figure 4 that the printed circuit 40 of the electronic card 41 extends in a plane P3 perpendicular to the connection axis X. This particular arrangement of the female connector 15 has the advantage of limiting the loss of acoustic volume in the chambers of the loudspeakers 3 arranged inside the enclosure 1.

[0071] Following the assembly of the components of box 2, box 2 is assembled using screws 37 in shell 4 (visible on the figure 1 ) which serves as a rear cover. Thus, all the technical functions are invisible to the user and this allows for a device with a clean and sober appearance. The hole 36 allows the finger to pass through the connector 22 so that the user can easily plug the connector 22 into the female connector 15.

[0072] We are now more specifically interested, with reference to the figures 8 à 11 , to the male connector 22.

[0073] The male connector 22 comprises a body 50 which comprises two side faces 51, a front face 52, a lower face 53 and a rear face 54.

[0074] The two side faces 51 each have a triangular shape (right triangle) with cut corners.

[0075] The rear face 54 (better visible on the figure 2 ) has a rectangular lower part and a half-disc-shaped upper part.

[0076] Advantageously, the body 50 of the male connector 22 is obtained by overmolding, so as to provide a monolithic male connector, which makes it possible to avoid generating parasitic noise or vibrations observed with the adapters of the prior art, when the enclosure 1 is in operation.

[0077] The male connector 22 comprises a connection member, which is here a hollow finger 55. The finger 55 has a conductive inner surface and a conductive outer surface, which form two electrically conductive elements which are in contact with the two electrically conductive elements of the female connector 15 (the rod 18 and the lyre 19) to transmit the external supply voltage and the external supply current.

[0078] The finger 55 extends from the front face 52 of the body 50 of the male connector 22, perpendicular thereto.

[0079] The conductive wires of the electrical cable 7, and the conductive inner surface and the conductive outer surface of the finger 55, are connected to each other inside the body 50 of the male connector 22.

[0080] A flexible sleeve 57 of frustoconical shape extends from the lower face 53 of the male connector 22. This flexible sleeve 57 allows the end of the cable 7 to be manipulated at the connector 22 without damaging the conductive wires or breaking the connection with the internal and external conductive surfaces.

[0081] It can be seen that the finger 55 extends along a longitudinal axis X2 which itself extends in a second bisector plane Ps2 of planes P4, P5 in which the rear face 54 and the lower face 53 of the connector 22 extend.

[0082] The connection axis X1 coincides with the longitudinal axis X2, and is therefore included in the second bisector plane Ps2.

[0083] There is therefore here an angle α = 45° between the finger 55, and therefore the axis X2, and each of the two faces 53, 54.

[0084] To connect the power cable 7 to the enclosure 1, and therefore connect the male 22 to the female connector 15, the male connector 22 is therefore brought into the receiving cavity 20 of the shell 4, which therefore extends as seen in the lower face 9 and in the rear face 10 of the shell 4 and therefore of the enclosure 1.

[0085] The male connector 22 is shaped at 45°. The lower face 53 and the rear face 54 of the male connector 22 are perpendicular and extend symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis X2 of the finger 55 and therefore to the connection axis X1, so that each of the two faces 53, 54 forms an angle α = 45° with this axis. It will be noted that this axis constitutes an axis of symmetry of the assembly formed by the body 50 and by the male end (finger 55) of the connector 22. Furthermore, the power cable 7 extends from the lower face 53 of the body 50 of the male connector 22.

[0086] Likewise, the first two faces (lower face 9 and rear face 10) of the shell 4 and therefore of the enclosure 1 are perpendicular and extend symmetrically with respect to the connection axis X1.

[0087] The body 50 of the male connector 22 therefore comprises two second faces (the lower face 53 and the rear face 54 of the male connector 22) oriented so that, when the male connector 22 is connected to the female connector 15, each second face 53, 54 extends parallel to one of the two first faces 9, 10 of the shell 4 of the enclosure 1.

[0088] On the figures 8 And 10 , the rear face 54 of the male connector 22 extends parallel to the lower face 9 of the shell 4 of the enclosure 1, and the lower face 53 of the male connector 22 extends parallel to the rear face 10 of the shell 4 of the enclosure 1.

[0089] On the figures 9 And 11 , the rear face 54 of the male connector 22 extends parallel to the rear face 10 of the shell 4 of the enclosure 1, and the lower face 53 of the male connector 22 extends parallel to the lower face 9 of the shell 4 of the enclosure 1.

[0090] The double symmetry of the first faces 9, 10 of the shell 4 with respect to the bisector plane Ps1 in which the connection direction X1 extends, on the one hand, and of the second faces 51, 53 of the connector 22 with respect to the bisector plane Ps2, on the other hand, as well as the shape of the receiving cavity 20, makes it possible to introduce the male connector 22 into the female connector 15 according to two connection configurations corresponding to two distinct orientations.

[0091] It can therefore be seen that the receiving cavity 20, which extends in the lower face 9 and in the rear face 10 of the external shell 4, defines two connection positions, for the male connector 22, which are symmetrical with respect to each other with respect to the bisector plane Ps1: a first connection position, in which, when the male connector 22 is connected to the female connector 15, the cable 7 extends parallel to the lower face 9 of the shell 4 near the male connector 22 ( figures 8 And 10 ) and a second connection position, in which, when the male connector 22 is connected to the female connector 15, the cable 7 extends parallel to the rear face 10 of the shell 4 near the male connector 22.

[0092] This allows the speaker 1 to be positioned either by placing it on the horizontal flat surface of a piece of furniture 60 ( figure 10 ), or by positioning it against the vertical flat surface of a wall ( figure 11 ) and this, without risk of damaging the power cable 7. Indeed, as can be seen in these figures, whatever the position considered of the speaker 1, the power cable 7 remains aligned along the plane of the support (horizontal for the piece of furniture 60 or vertical for the wall 61) thus avoiding bending or twisting of the cable 7.

[0093] As illustrated in these figures, the male connector 22 and the shell 4 are shaped so that when the male connector 22 is connected to the female connector 15, each second face (rear face 54 or lower face 53) of the male connector 22 is flush with one of the first faces (lower face 9 or rear face 10 of the shell 4 of the enclosure 1).

[0094] The second faces 53, 54 of the male connector 22 are even preferably positioned slightly inside the shell 4 when the male connector 22 is connected to the female connector 15.

[0095] This configuration has the advantage of reducing the risk of accidental disconnection of the speaker 1, regardless of the position of the speaker 1. In fact, the male connector 22 cannot be disconnected if the speaker 1 is positioned on a flat horizontal surface (the piece of furniture 60 for example: see figure 10 ) or against a vertical flat surface (wall 61 for example: see figure 11 ), because the male connector 22 is stopped in its travel as soon as a face of the body 50 comes into contact with the piece of furniture 60 or the wall 61, thus preventing the disconnection of the speaker 1, so that the speaker 1 is ensured to always be powered.

[0096] In practice, there may be a slight difference in level between the external walls of the second faces 53, 54 of the male connector 22 and the external walls of the first faces 9, 10 of the shell 4. However, as seen in the figure 10 , the thickness of the male connector 22 is defined so that the distance d between the surface of the horizontal support 60 and the male connector 22 is always less than the length 1 of the lyre 19 (and that of the rod 18) of the female connector 15. Thus, the enclosure 1 is always powered when the male connector 22 is in one of the connection positions.

[0097] It can therefore be seen that by combining a female connector 15 oriented at 45° in the enclosure 1 and a male connector 22 shaped at 45°, the enclosure 1 can be powered in two separate positions, without risking damaging the power cable 7 and with maximized acoustic volume. Indeed, it is not necessary to guide the electrical cable 7, for example by means of grooves shaped in the shell, which would have the disadvantage of reducing the acoustic volume of the enclosure.

[0098] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0099] The angle between the first two faces of the speaker's outer casing (and therefore between the second two faces of the complementary connector) is not necessarily a 90° angle. It could be a different angle, for example 120°.

[0100] The equipment connector could be a male connector and the cable connector a female connector.

[0101] The connection parts may differ from those listed here.

[0102] The connectors are not necessarily power connectors: they can be connectors through which electrical signals of any kind (analog or digital, audio signals for example) travel. They are not necessarily electrical connectors; they could be optical connectors for example.

[0103] The invention can be implemented in any type of equipment comprising a connector (not necessarily an enclosure).

[0104] It is further noted that the first faces of the equipment are not necessarily flat. They may, for example, be rounded, over at least part of their surface. In this case, the first planes in which the first faces extend define the directions in which these first faces extend, and therefore do not coincide with the external walls of the first faces.

Claims

1. Equipment (1) comprising an external housing (4) comprising two adjacent first faces (9, 10), and a connector (15) positioned at least partially inside the external housing, the connector being arranged to be connected to a complementary connector (22) by translation of the complementary connector relative to the connector (15) along a connection axis (X1) included in a first bisector plane (Ps1) of first planes (P1, P2) in which the two first faces extend, the first faces (9, 10) of the external housing (4) being bearing faces of the equipment (1) which is thus arranged to operate nominally when it is installed so that either one of the first faces rests on a horizontal plane surface, or the other of the first faces is positioned against a vertical plane surface.

2. Equipment according to claim 1, the connector (15) being positioned in a corner (8) of the external housing (4) where the two first faces meet, the external housing comprising at said corner a receiving cavity (20) which extends in each of said first faces to define two connection positions, for the complementary connector, which are symmetrical with respect to each other with respect to the first bisector plane (Ps1).

3. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, in which the two first faces (9, 10) are perpendicular to each other.

4. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an electronic card (41) comprising a printed circuit (40) on which the connector (15) is mounted, the printed circuit extending in a plane (P3) perpendicular to the connection axis.

5. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, the connector (15) being an electrical power supply connector for the equipment.

6. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an internal housing (2), positioned inside the external housing (4), the connector (15) being fixed to the internal housing (2).

7. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, the equipment being an acoustic enclosure.

8. Equipment according to claims 6 and 7, wherein the inner housing (2) is an acoustic box of the acoustic enclosure and the outer housing (4) is a shell of the acoustic enclosure.

9. System comprising equipment (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, and a complementary connector arranged to be connected to the connector (15) of the equipment (1).

10. System according to claim 9, the complementary connector comprising a body (50) comprising two second faces (53, 54), the connection axis being included in a second bisector plane (Ps2) of second planes (P4, P5) in which the two second faces (53, 54) extend.

11. System according to one of claims 9 or 10, the equipment being in accordance with claim 5, the complementary connector being arranged to be mounted at a free end of an electrical power supply cable (7).

12. System according to one of claims 9 to 11, in which, when the complementary connector (22) is connected to the connector (15), each second face extends parallel to one of the two first faces of the external housing of the equipment.

13. System according to one of claims 9 to 12, the equipment being in accordance with claim 2, the complementary connector being arranged to be mounted at one end of a cable (7) which extends from one of the two second faces of the body (50) so that, when the complementary connector (22) is connected to the connector (15) and is in one of the connection positions, the cable extends parallel to one of the first faces (9, 10) near the complementary connector and, when the complementary connector (22) is connected to the connector and is in the other of the connection positions, the cable extends parallel to the other of the first faces near the complementary connector.

14. System according to one of claims 9 to 13, the system being arranged so that, when the complementary connector (22) is connected to the connector (15), each second face of the body (50) of the complementary connector is positioned so as to be substantially flush with one of the first faces of the external housing of the equipment.

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