Tool for plugging a wire into a connector with systematic control of retention

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool (100) for plugging a wire (950) into a connector, comprising: • - a first body (200), • - a guide assembly (300) intended to receive the wire, • - a member (600) for clamping the wire, • - a means (700) for moving the clamping member between an open position and a closed position in which the wire is clamped. In a rest position, the first body is not locked with the assembly, and in a locked position, the first body is locked with the assembly. The transition from the rest position to the locked position causes the clamping member to move from the open position to the closed position. The transition from the locked position to the rest position causes the clamping member to move from the closed position to the open position.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: Tool for inserting a wire into a connector with systematic retention control

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of connector tooling.

[0005] The invention more specifically relates to a tool for plugging a wire into a connector.

[0006] Prior art

[0007] A wiring harness is typically made by connecting a large number of individual flexible cables to a connector.

[0008] A cable can be single-wire or multi-wire, meaning it has one or more wires. Each wire in a cable typically has a contact with a shoulder at one end.

[0009] A connector generally takes the form of a housing comprising, at a so-called rear face, a plurality of orifices, each orifice being intended to receive the contact of a wire. An elastically deformable element, of the flexible tab type, is provided at the entrance of the orifice to retain the contact of the wire in said orifice, once it is inserted into the orifice, and to prevent its removal. If the contact is correctly inserted into the orifice of the connector, only a tool, commonly called an insertion / extraction tool, can remove the contact from the orifice.

[0010] To prevent possible connector failures due to incorrect insertion of a wire contact into one of the connector holes, tests are carried out to verify that each contact is correctly inserted into its hole.

[0011] One existing solution is for an operator to manually push and pull on each wire to check whether it is properly secured in the hole.

[0012] Another solution also exists for connectors where the wire contacts open on a face, called the front, of the connector, opposite the rear face. This solution consists of using a tool, commonly called a retention tool, with force calibration, allowing an operator to exert pressure on the contact from the front face to push the wire contact back and make it come out through the rear face if it is poorly inserted. When the force exerted by the operator is greater than a threshold, and the contact is still in the connector hole, the contact is considered to be properly inserted.

[0013] These solutions, however, have drawbacks. Given the large number of wires to be inspected, it may happen that an operator unintentionally fails to inspect a wire. In addition, inspections on each wire are carried out redundantly, which leads to a loss of productivity. Finally, due to the repetitive nature of these inspection tasks, operators can develop musculoskeletal disorders (known by the acronym MSD).

[0014] Presentation of the invention

[0015] The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0016] For this purpose, the present invention provides a tool for inserting a wire into a connector with systematic monitoring of the wire insertion.

[0017] According to the invention, the tool for inserting a wire into a connector, called a tool, comprises:

[0018] - a first body, forming a grip handle, extending along a longitudinal axis,

[0019] - a guide assembly, arranged in whole or in part in the first body and intended to receive the wire, and comprising a first end intended to receive an insertion / extraction tool,

[0020] - a clamping member intended to clamp the wire arranged in the guide assembly,

[0021] - a means for moving the clamping member between a so-called open position, in which the wire is not clamped by the clamping member, and a so-called closed position, in which the wire is kept blocked by the clamping member,

[0022] - a system for locking the first body with the guide assembly.

[0023] The first body is movable in translation with the guide assembly, along the longitudinal axis.

[0024] The tool moves between a so-called rest position, in which the first body and the guide assembly are not blocked relative to each other by the locking system, and a so-called locked position where the first body and the guide assembly are blocked together by the locking system.

[0025] The tool is configured so that: - the translation of the first body relative to the guide assembly, in a so-called insertion direction, from the rest position to the locked position, causes the clamping member to move from the open position to the closed position,

[0026] - the translation of the first body relative to the guide assembly, in a direction opposite to the insertion direction, called the retention direction, from the locked position to the rest position, causes the clamping member to move from the closed position to the open position, said translation only being made possible after application of a tensile force greater than a predetermined minimum force.

[0027] The tool according to the invention advantageously allows an operator on the one hand to plug a wire into a connector and on the other hand to systematically check whether the wire has been plugged in correctly.

[0028] To do this, the operator places the tool in the rest position. The operator places the wire in the tool so that a contact of the wire is retained by the guide assembly. The wire is not clamped by the clamping member because said clamping member is always in the open position, when the tool is in the rest position.

[0029] The operator then inserts the wire contact into an orifice of the connector by positioning the tool so that the contact faces said orifice and then moves the tool until the contact is inserted into the orifice. The operator then exerts a pushing force on the tool, in the insertion direction, until the tool is placed in the locked position. During this pushing force, the first body translates relative to the guide assembly until the locking system locks the first body with the guide assembly, causing the clamping member to move to the closed position, firmly locking the wire in the tool. When the tool is then in the locked position, the wire is held securely by the clamping member and becomes firmly attached to the tool. Thus, any movement of the tool automatically causes the wire to move.

[0030] The tool remains in the locked position as long as a pulling force exerted on it by the operator is less than a predetermined minimum pulling force.

[0031] The operator then pulls the tool, and therefore the wire, away from the connector.

[0032] If the wire contact is not properly inserted, the wire will automatically come out of the hole. If the wire contact is properly inserted, the wire will remain inserted in the connector until the minimum tensile force is applied.

[0033] When the minimum tensile force is reached, the tool unlocks and returns to the rest position. The locking system releases the first body of the guide assembly, which translates relative to the guide assembly, causing the clamping member to move to the open position, releasing the wire in the tool. The tool thus allows the operator to check that the wire contact is properly inserted into the connector hole. The operator no longer needs to carry out additional checks at a later date. The tool saves the operator time and also ensures that a check of the wire contact's insertion into the connector has been carried out for each wire.

[0034] According to particular implementation modes, the tool according to the invention also meets the following characteristics, implemented separately or in each of their technically operational combinations.

[0035] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the guide assembly comprises:

[0036] - a body, called the second body, arranged in the first body,

[0037] - a body, called a third body, arranged in whole or in part in the second body. The second body is configured to be movable in translation with the first body. More precisely, the second body is configured to be movable in translation with the first body, when the tool moves between the rest position and the locked position. The third body is configured to be movable in translation with the second body. More precisely, the third body is configured to be movable in translation with the second body, when the tool moves between the rest position and the locked position.

[0038] In other words, when the tool moves between the rest position and the locked position, whether in the insertion direction or in the retention direction, the first body is movable in translation, the second body is itself movable in translation with the third body. The first body is thus also movable relative to the third body. In the end, the first, second and third bodies are movable in translation relative to each other.

[0039] Preferably, in the insertion direction, the first, second and third bodies are movable in translation in the same direction and the same sense. In the retention direction, the first, second and third bodies are movable in translation in the same direction and the same sense. The direction, in the retention direction, is the same as the direction in the insertion direction. The direction, in the retention direction, is the opposite direction to the direction in the insertion direction.

[0040] The third body preferably carries all or part of the means of movement and part of the locking system.

[0041] Thus, in operation, the operator will exert a pushing force on the tool, in the insertion direction, until the tool is placed in the locked position. During this pushing force, the first body translates relative to the second body which itself translates relative to the third body, causing the clamping member to move to the closed position, firmly locking the wire in the tool. In the insertion direction, the tool remains in the locked position as long as a tensile force exerted on it by the operator is less than a predetermined minimum tensile force. When the minimum tensile force is reached, the tool unlocks and returns to the rest position. The locking system releases the first body from the guide assembly.The first body then translates relative to the second body which also translates relative to the third body, causing the clamping member to move to the open position, releasing the wire into the tool.

[0042] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the clamping member comprises two elements movable relative to each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, called the transverse direction, the wire being intended to be inserted between the two movable elements, and in which the tool is configured so that the translation of the first body relative to the guide assembly causes a translation, in the transverse direction, of the two elements relative to each other.

[0043] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the clamping member is a self-tightening clamping member. A self-tightening member advantageously prevents the wire from slipping and ensures that there will be no slipping of the wire during the tensile force.

[0044] In preferred embodiments of the invention, both elements are rollers, preferably eccentric rollers.

[0045] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the displacement means comprises: - a light, produced in the second body, and arranged along a transverse axis,

[0046] - two lights, made in the third body, one light per element, the three lights being arranged so that, during the longitudinal translation of the second body relative to the third body, in the direction of insertion, they tend to bring the two elements closer to each other, in the transverse axis.

[0047] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the displacement means comprises two inclined surfaces, each inclined surface being in contact with an element of the clamping member, the two inclined surfaces being arranged so that, during translation of the first body relative to the guide assembly, in the insertion direction, they tend to bring the elements closer to each other in the transverse direction.

[0048] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the tool comprises a means for holding the wire between the two elements of the clamping member, when said clamping member is in the rest position. The holding means advantageously makes it possible to ensure that the wire is held between the two elements, as long as the tool is not in the locked position and the clamping member in the closed position.

[0049] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the tool comprises a device for automatically ejecting the wire from the tool. The ejection device is advantageously configured to release the wire when the tool moves from the locked position to the rest position.

[0050] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the tool comprises a return member configured to return the tool to the rest position, once it is unlocked. The return member advantageously ensures that the tool automatically returns to the rest position and releases the wire from the clamping member.

[0051] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the locking system comprises:

[0052] - a cavity made in the first body,

[0053] - a ball and a compression spring, both secured to the guide assembly, said compression spring exerting a force on the ball towards the first body, the cavity being arranged so that, when the tool is in the locked position, the ball is arranged in said cavity of the first body. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the locking system comprises:

[0054] - a cavity made in the first body,

[0055] - a flexible tab with a lug of a shape complementary to the cavity, secured to the guide assembly, the cavity being arranged so that, when the tool is in the locked position, the lug is arranged in said cavity of the first body.

[0056] The invention also relates to a method for plugging a wire into a connector by means of a tool according to at least one of its embodiments, said wire comprising, at one of its ends, a contact with a shoulder, the connector comprising at least one orifice for receiving the contact of the wire, the method comprising the steps of:

[0057] - inserting an insertion / extraction tool into the first end of the guide assembly,

[0058] - inserting the wire into the insertion / extraction tool and into the guide assembly,

[0059] - insertion of the contact into an orifice of the connector,

[0060] - application of a pushing force in the direction of insertion, until the tool is in the locked position,

[0061] - application of a tensile force, in the retention direction, until reaching a force greater than the predetermined minimum force to unlock the tool.

[0062] The tool according to the invention can also be used to check only whether a wire, already plugged into an orifice of a connector, is perfectly plugged. To do this, the operator places a wire, the contact of which is already inserted into the connector, in the guide assembly of the tool, will apply a manual pushing force on the tool to place it in the locked position, blocking the wire in the clamping member. Then the operator will apply a pulling force on the tool as explained previously.

[0063] Brief description of the figures

[0064] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the figures which represent:

[0065] Figure 1 illustrates, in a perspective top view, a tool for inserting a wire into a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0066] Figure 2 illustrates, in a perspective view from below, the insertion tool of Figure 1, Figure 3 illustrates, in a perspective view from above, a first body of the insertion tool of Figure 1,

[0067] Figure 4 illustrates, in an exploded perspective top view, a guide assembly of the insertion tool of Figure 1,

[0068] Figure 5 illustrates, in a perspective view, the guide assembly of the insertion tool of Figure 1,

[0069] Figure 6 illustrates, in a perspective view, the tool of Figure 1, with the first body in transparency,

[0070] Figure 7 illustrates the different steps of a method for plugging a wire into a connector according to the invention.

[0071] Description of the embodiments

[0072] A tool for inserting a wire 950 into a connector 1000, according to an exemplary embodiment, is now described and illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7. In the remainder of the description, the tool for inserting a wire into a connector will simply be referred to as tool 100.

[0073] In the remainder of the description, we will associate with tool 100 an orthogonal reference XYZ, in which:

[0074] - X denotes a longitudinal axis of the tool 100,

[0075] - Y denotes an axis perpendicular to X, called the transverse axis,

[0076] - Z denotes an axis perpendicular to X and Y.

[0077] Thus, the tool 100 has a length, along the longitudinal axis X, a width along the transverse axis Y and a thickness along the axis Z.

[0078] A wire is a long, thin wire element used to electrically or optically connect two elements together, such as an electric wire or an optical fiber.

[0079] Conventionally, the wire 950 has at one of its ends, a contact 951, as illustrated in view (a) of figure 7. The contact 951 has a shoulder (not shown in the figures).

[0080] The connector 1000 is conventionally in the form of a housing 1030, as illustrated in views (a)-(e) of FIG. 7. It comprises a so-called rear face 1010 comprising orifices 1020, each orifice 1020 being intended to receive the contact 951 of a wire 950. An elastically deformable element (not shown in the figures), for example in the form of one or more flexible tabs, is provided at the entrance of each orifice. The tool 100 according to the invention comprises a first body 200 extending along the longitudinal axis X.

[0081] The first body 200 advantageously forms a gripping handle for an operator using said tool 100.

[0082] The first body 200 advantageously has a dimension and an external geometry adapted for good manual gripping by the operator for the purpose of handling said tool 100.

[0083] The first body 200 may include protrusions 210 on a portion of an exterior surface to improve the operator's grip on the tool 100.

[0084] The first body 200 preferably delimits an open hollow volume.

[0085] In a non-limiting example of the invention, and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the first body 200 has a substantially parallelepipedal overall shape. The first body 200 comprises a so-called lower wall 220, a so-called upper wall 230, two longitudinal edges 240 and two lateral edges 250. One of the two lateral edges is open. The upper wall 230 has a recess 270, preferably extending from the open lateral edge, to access the hollow volume.

[0086] The tool 100 further comprises a guide assembly 300, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 to 6.

[0087] The guide assembly 300 is preferably arranged partly in the first body 200.

[0088] The guide assembly 300 extends along the longitudinal axis X.

[0089] In the non-limiting example of Figure 1, the guide assembly 300 extends beyond the open side edge.

[0090] The guide assembly 300 is configured to slide in the first body 200, along the longitudinal axis X.

[0091] The guide assembly 300 has a first end 510 for receiving an insertion / extraction tool 900, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 7.

[0092] Preferably, the first end 510 and the insertion / extraction tool 900 are assembled reversibly. The first end 510 may comprise, for example, a clipping member 560 intended to cooperate reversibly with a complementary clipping member (not shown) arranged on the insertion / extraction tool 900.

[0093] The first end 510 may include an adapter (not shown) to receive different sizes of insertion / extraction tool 900.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment of the guide assembly 300, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 to 6, said guide assembly 300 comprises two bodies, called second and third bodies 400, 500. The third body 500 is arranged partly in the second body 400 and the second body 400 is arranged in the first body 200. The tool 100 thus has a nesting of the three bodies into one another.

[0095] The shape and the interlocking of the three bodies are such that the third body 500 has a hollow space 580 directly accessible by the operator. The hollow space 580 of the third body 500 is accessible at the level of the recess 270 of the upper wall 230 of the first body 200.

[0096] The third body 500 preferably carries the first end 510. Said first end advantageously has access to the hollow space 580.

[0097] In a non-limiting example, the second body 400 comprises a so-called lower wall 420 intended to be opposite the lower wall 220 of the first body 200. The second body 400 comprises two longitudinal edges 440 intended to be opposite the longitudinal edges 240 of the first body 200. It comprises two lateral edges 450. One of the two lateral edges is open. The open lateral edge is located on the side of the open lateral edge of the first body 200. The second body 400 has an open hollow volume to receive the third body 500.

[0098] In a non-limiting example, the third body 500 comprises a so-called lower wall 520 intended to be opposite the lower wall 420 of the second body 400 and a so-called upper wall 530 intended to be partially opposite the upper wall 230 of the first body 200. The third body 500 comprises two longitudinal edges 540 intended to be opposite the longitudinal edges 440 of the second body 400. It also comprises two lateral edges 550. One of the two lateral edges comprises the first end 510.

[0099] The second body 400 and the first body 200 are configured to slide with each other. The third body 500 and the second body 400 are configured to slide with each other. The first body is thus also movable relative to the third body. In other words, the first, second and third bodies are movable in translation relative to each other.

[0100] In a preferred embodiment, the second body 400 comprises at least one external longitudinal protrusion 460 shaped to cooperate with at least one internal longitudinal groove 260 made in the first body 200. The at least one external longitudinal protrusion 460 of the second body 400 and the at least one internal longitudinal groove 260 of the first body 200 together form a sliding connection.

[0101] In a non-limiting example, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the second body 400 comprises two external longitudinal protrusions 460 cooperating with two internal longitudinal grooves 260 of the first body 200. The two external longitudinal protrusions 460 are preferably made on the longitudinal edges 440 of the second body 400, one external longitudinal protrusion per longitudinal edge. The two internal longitudinal grooves 260 are preferably made on the longitudinal edges 240 of the first body 200, one internal longitudinal groove per longitudinal edge.

[0102] In a preferred embodiment, the second body 400 comprises at least one internal longitudinal protrusion 470 shaped to cooperate with at least one longitudinal groove 570 made in the third body 500. The at least one internal longitudinal protrusion 470 of the second body 400 and the at least one longitudinal groove 570 of the third body 500 together form a sliding connection.

[0103] In a non-limiting example, illustrated in FIG. 4, the second body 400 comprises two internal longitudinal protrusions 470 cooperating with two longitudinal grooves 570 of the third body 500. The two internal longitudinal protrusions 470 are preferably made on the longitudinal edges 440 of the second body 400, one internal longitudinal protrusion per longitudinal edge. The two longitudinal grooves 570 are preferably made on the longitudinal edges 540 of the third body 500, one longitudinal groove per longitudinal edge.

[0104] The tool 100 is configured to move between a so-called rest position and a so-called locked position. In the rest position, the first body 200 and the guide assembly 300 are not locked in translation relative to each other. In the locked position, the first body 200 and the guide assembly 300 are locked in translation relative to each other.

[0105] In the preferred form where the guide assembly 300 comprises the second body 400 and the third body 500, the first, second and third bodies 200, 400, 500 are locked in translation relative to each other, when the tool 100 is in the locked position.

[0106] The transition from the rest position to the locked position, and vice versa, is carried out by a translation, along the longitudinal axis X, of the guide assembly 300 relative to the first body 200.

[0107] In the preferred form where the guide assembly 300 comprises the second body 400 and the third body 500, the passage from the rest position to the locked position, and vice versa, is carried out by a translation, along the longitudinal axis X, of the first body 200 relative to the two bodies 400, 500 of the guide assembly 300, but is also carried out by a translation, along the longitudinal axis X, of the second body 400 relative to the third body 300. In other words, the passage from the rest position to the locked position, and vice versa, is carried out by a translation, along the longitudinal axis X, of the first, second and third bodies 200, 400, 500 relative to each other.More particularly, the passage from the rest position to the locked position, and vice versa, is carried out by a translation, along the longitudinal axis X, of the third body 500 relative to the second body 400 and by a translation of the second body 400 relative to the first body 200. The first body 200 is therefore also in translation with the third body 500.

[0108] The tool 100 advantageously comprises a locking system 800 of the first body 200 with the guide assembly 300 to place said tool 100 in the locked position.

[0109] In a first non-limiting example of embodiment of the locking system 800, said locking system comprises, on the one hand, a cavity made in the first body 200 and, on the other hand, a flexible tab 810 secured to the guide assembly 300. The flexible tab 810 comprises a lug 820 of a shape complementary to the cavity made in the first body 200. Said cavity is arranged in the first body 200 so that, when the tool 100 is in the locked position, the lug 820 of the tab 810 is arranged in the cavity of the first body 200.

[0110] In a preferred non-limiting example, the locking system 800 comprises two cavities, each intended to cooperate with the lug 820 of a tab 810 secured to the guide assembly 300. The tool 100 is configured to remain in the locked position as long as a tensile force on the first body 200 is not greater than a predetermined minimum force. The minimum force is determined by the stiffness of the material constituting the tab 810 and the shape of the lug 820.

[0111] In the preferred form where the guide assembly 300 comprises the second and third bodies 400, 500, the third body 500 advantageously carries two flexible tabs 810, each with a lug 820, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 to 6. Each flexible tab 810 forms an extension of a longitudinal edge 540 and extends out of the first body 200.

[0112] Each cavity (not shown in the figures) associated with a flexible tab 810 is made in each longitudinal edge 240 of the first body 200.

[0113] In a second non-limiting example of embodiment of the locking system 800, not shown in the figures, said locking system 800 may comprise, on the one hand, a cavity made in the first body 200 and, on the other hand, a ball spring plunger secured to the guide assembly 300. The ball spring plunger is in the form of a cylindrical body in which a compression spring is arranged. A ball is fixed to one of its ends and partially protrudes from the cylindrical body. The compression spring advantageously exerts a force on the ball towards the first body 200. The cavity is arranged so that, when the insertion tool 100 is in the locked position, the ball is arranged in said cavity of the first body 200.

[0114] In a preferred example, the locking system 800 comprises two cavities, each intended to cooperate with a ball spring plunger.

[0115] The tool 100 is configured to remain in the locked position as long as a tensile force on the first body 200 is not greater than a predetermined minimum force. This minimum force can advantageously be defined via the dimensioning of the ball spring plunger, in particular the stiffness of the compression spring(s).

[0116] In the preferred form where the guide assembly 300 comprises the second and third bodies 400, 500, each ball spring plunger is integral with the third body 500. For each ball spring plunger, the cylindrical body is fixedly connected to the third body 500. The compression spring preferably extends in a transverse direction of the tool 100. The compression spring exerts pressure on the ball towards one of two longitudinal edges of the first body 200. Each cavity associated with a ball spring plunger is formed in one of the two longitudinal edges of the first body 200.

[0117] The tool 100 further comprises a clamping member 600 intended to clamp the wire 950 arranged in the guide assembly 300 and a means 700 for moving the clamping member 600.

[0118] The moving means 700 is preferably configured to move the clamping member 600 between a so-called open position and a closed position. When the clamping member 600 is in the open position, the wire 950 is not held by said clamping member 600, as illustrated in view (a) of FIG. 7. When the clamping member 600 is in the closed position, the wire 950 is kept blocked by said clamping member 600, as illustrated in view (c) of FIG. 7.

[0119] Tool 100 is advantageously configured so that:

[0120] - the translation of the first body 200 relative to the guide assembly 300, in a so-called insertion direction, i.e. from the rest position to its locked position of the tool 100, causes the movement, by the movement means 700, of the clamping member 600 from its open position to its closed position,

[0121] - the translation of the first body 200 relative to the guide assembly 300, in a direction opposite to the insertion direction, called the retention direction, from the locked position to the rest position of the tool 100, causes the clamping member 600 to move from the closed position to the open position.

[0122] Translation in the retention direction is only made possible after application, to the first body 200, of a tensile force greater than the predetermined minimum force.

[0123] When the guide assembly 300 comprises the second and third bodies 400, 500, the tool 100 is thus advantageously configured so that:

[0124] - in the direction of insertion, the translation of the first body 200 relative to the second body 400, itself in translation with the third body 500, causes the displacement, by the displacement means 700, of the clamping member 600 from its open position to its closed position,

[0125] - in the retention direction, the translation of the first body 200 relative to the second body 400, itself in translation with the third body 500, causes the clamping member 600 to move from the closed position to the open position.

[0126] When the guide assembly 300 comprises the second and third bodies 400, 500, the clamping member 600 is preferably arranged in the hollow space 580 of the third body 500. The displacement means 700 is preferably carried by the third body 500.

[0127] In a non-limiting example embodiment, the clamping member 600 comprises two elements 610, movable relative to each other. The two elements 610 are preferably movable in a transverse direction of the tool 100. The space between the two elements 610 is called the clamping zone.

[0128] In a preferred embodiment, the two elements 610 are two rollers.

[0129] In a non-limiting example embodiment, the clamping member 600 is a self-tightening clamping member.

[0130] In a preferred embodiment, the two elements 610 are two eccentric rollers. The eccentric rollers advantageously make it possible to adapt to several wire diameters. Since the wires are produced with a manufacturing tolerance, particularly in terms of diameter, the eccentric rollers thus make it possible to have repeatability of the tool 100 linked to variations in wire diameter.

[0131] The moving means 700 is configured to move the two elements 610 closer to or further away from each other, preferably in a transverse direction of the tool 100. In the open position, the two elements 610 are moved away from each other by a distance greater than the diameter of a wire 950. In the closed position, the two elements 610 are close to each other, and sandwich the wire 950.

[0132] Thus, the tool 100 is configured so that the translation of the first body 200 relative to the guide assembly 300 causes a translation, in the transverse direction, of the two elements 610 relative to each other. More precisely, the tool 100 is configured so that:

[0133] - the translation of the first body 200 relative to the guide assembly 300, in the direction of insertion, causes the two elements 610 to come together,

[0134] - the translation of the first body 200 relative to the guide assembly 300, in the retention direction, causes the two elements 610 to move apart.

[0135] In a non-limiting example of embodiment, as illustrated in figures 1, 2, 4 to 6, when the guide assembly 300 comprises the second and third bodies 400, the displacement means 700 comprises:

[0136] - on the one hand, in the second body 400, a light 710 arranged in the transverse direction, allowing the lateral movement of the two elements,

[0137] - on the other hand, in the third body 500, two lights 720, one light per element.

[0138] The three lights 710, 720 are arranged so that, during the longitudinal translation of the second body 400 relative to the third body 500, in the direction of insertion, they tend to bring the two elements 610 closer to each other, in the transverse direction.

[0139] When the two elements 610 are rollers or eccentric rollers, said rollers are for example fixed by a screw-nut system. The preferably oblong slot 710 of the second body 400 allows the passage of a fixing screw of each roller 610 and the transverse displacement of the two rollers 610 relative to each other. The two slots 720 of the third body 500 are preferably oblong.

[0140] The two rollers 610 are arranged in the hollow space 580 of the third body 500, and each roller is advantageously held by a fixing screw associated with a nut, the rod of the fixing screw passing through a slot 720 of the third body 500 and the slot 710 of the second body 400, the screw head 620 being arranged against the lower wall 420 of the second body 400, and the nut forming an insert in the roller as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

[0141] The lights 710, 720 of the second body 400 and of the third body 500 advantageously make it possible to guide the two rollers 610 in translation, in the transverse direction, when moving from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

[0142] In an alternative embodiment, so that the tool 100 adapts to different wire diameters, the distance between the two elements 610, when said two elements are in the closed position, can be adjustable by means of a stop screw 860, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 5-6. The stop screw makes it possible to vary the distance between the elements during closing. The stop screw is not directly linked to the two elements 610. It allows the adjustment of the positioning of the third body 500 relative to the second body 400, and therefore the positioning of the elements 610 in the two slots 720 of the third body 500. In a non-limiting alternative embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the displacement means 700 can, in addition to the slots 710, 720, comprise two inclined surfaces 730, each inclined surface being in contact with an element.The two inclined surfaces 730 are arranged so that, during the longitudinal translation of the first body 200 relative to the guide assembly 300, in the insertion direction, they tend to bring the two elements 610 closer to each other, in the transverse direction.

[0143] When the guide assembly 300 comprises the second and third bodies 400, 500, the third body 500 comprises the inclined surfaces 730. In the non-limiting example of FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6, the two inclined surfaces 730 are part of the delimiting surfaces of the hollow space of the third body 500. The inclined surfaces 730 can join the free end, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6. Each light 720 of the third body 500 can for example be arranged parallel to an inclined surface 730.

[0144] In a preferred embodiment, to receive the wire 950 after the clamping zone, the third body 500 has a longitudinal chute 590 extending from the hollow space, in the extension of the clamping zone between the two elements 610 of the clamping member 600.

[0145] In a preferred embodiment, the tool 100 comprises a means 870 for holding the wire between the two elements 610 of the clamping member 600, when said clamping member is in the rest position. Such a means for holding the wire makes it possible to ensure that the wire is held in the clamping zone, as long as the tool is not in the locked position and the clamping member in the closed position. The means for holding the wire thus makes it possible to avoid empty clamping of the clamping member. The means for holding the wire also allows the operator to handle the tool with one hand.

[0146] In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, the wire holding means is arranged at the longitudinal chute 590 and makes it possible to hold the wire in said longitudinal chute. The wire holding means is preferably flexible so as, on the one hand, to be able to deform in order to allow the wire to pass into the longitudinal chute 590 and, on the other hand, to then return to its initial shape to hold the wire in the longitudinal chute 590.

[0147] In one embodiment, the wire retaining means is made of an elastomeric material covering at least a portion of the longitudinal chute. The material may also include a slot facing the longitudinal chute 590.

[0148] In another embodiment, the wire holding means comprises at least one brush whose bristles cover at least a portion of the longitudinal chute 590.

[0149] In a preferred embodiment (not shown in the figures), the tool 100 comprises a device for automatically ejecting the wire 950 from the tool. The ejection device is advantageously configured to release the wire when the tool moves from the locked position to the rest position. The ejection system makes it possible to release the wire from the longitudinal chute 590.

[0150] In a preferred embodiment, the tool 100 comprises a return member 850 for returning the tool 100 to the rest position, once it is unlocked.

[0151] In an exemplary embodiment, the return member 850 is a compression spring. In one embodiment, said compression spring is arranged between the second body 400 and the third body 500, arranged for example at the level of the closed lateral edges 450, 550 of the second and third bodies 400, 500.

[0152] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the tool 100 may include a force indicator allowing the operator to know the tensile force exerted on the tool. The force indicator may, for example, be digital or mechanical in nature.

[0153] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the tool 100 may include a locking indicator to inform the operator when it has reached the locked position. The locking indicator may be, for example, a visual or audible indicator.

[0154] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the tool can be connected. The tool can, for example, include a signal transmitter / receiver, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other. The tool can include an electronic card, associated with the transmitter / receiver, and configured to process the signals coming from said transmitter / receiver. The electronic card can also be configured to process signals coming from a force sensor, itself arranged in the tool. Thus, it is, for example, possible to collect and save information relating to the traction forces exerted by the operator for each contact plugged into a connector orifice.

[0155] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), in order to geolocate it, the tool may include a geolocation means configured to transmit geolocation information for the tool.

[0156] The tool can be advantageously made of different materials, such as for example metallic, composite or plastic materials.

[0157] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the tool can be integrated into an automatable machine. Such an alternative advantageously increases productivity and limits musculoskeletal disorders for operators.

[0158] The method for plugging a wire 950 into a connector 1000 using the tool 100 is now described and illustrated in Figure 7.

[0159] The tool 100 is in the rest position, as illustrated in view (a) of Figure 7. The elements 610 are in the open position.

[0160] In a first step, an insertion / extraction tool 900 is inserted into the tool 100. The insertion / extraction tool 900 conventionally comprises a longitudinal groove 910 and a free end 920 opposite the end in contact with the first end 510 of the guide assembly 300.

[0161] In an exemplary implementation, the operator inserts the insertion / extraction tool 900 into the first end 510 of the guide assembly 300, with the longitudinal groove 910 disposed on the side of the hollow space 580.

[0162] When the guide assembly 300 comprises the second and third bodies 400, 500, the operator inserts the insertion / extraction tool 900 into the first end 510 of the third body 500 with the longitudinal groove 910 arranged on the side of the hollow space 580.

[0163] In a second step, as illustrated in view (a) of Figure 7, the wire 950 is inserted into the tool 100.

[0164] In an exemplary implementation, the operator inserts the wire 950 into the longitudinal groove 910 of the insertion / extraction tool 900 and positions the wire 950 so that the shoulder of the contact 951 of the wire 950 bears against the free end 920 of the insertion / extraction tool 900. The operator also inserts the wire 950 into the guide assembly 300, more precisely between the two elements 610. The elements 610 being in the open position, the wire 950 is not blocked in the clamping zone by the two elements 610. The operator inserts the wire into the longitudinal chute. The wire remains held in said longitudinal chute by the wire holding means 870. The operator can thus manipulate the tool 100 with one hand.

[0165] In a third step, illustrated in view (b) of Figure 7, the contact 951 is inserted into one of the holes 1020 of the connector 1000.

[0166] In an exemplary implementation, the operator positions the tool 100 so that the contact 951 of the wire 950 comes opposite an orifice 1020, then the operator moves the tool 100 towards the connector 1000 to insert the contact 951 into the orifice. The movement of the tool 100 is represented by the arrow in view (b) of FIG. 7. The movement is carried out along the longitudinal axis X of the tool 100, in the insertion direction.

[0167] In a fourth step, illustrated in view (c) of Figure 7, a thrust force is applied to the tool 100, in the insertion direction, until it reaches its locked position.

[0168] In an exemplary implementation, the operator continues to advance the tool 100 in the direction of insertion, illustrated by the arrow, causing a translation of the first body 200 relative to the guide assembly 300 until the locking system 800 securely locks the first body 200 and the guide assembly 300. When the guide assembly 300 comprises the second and third bodies 400, 500, the first body 200 translates relative to the second body 400 which itself translates relative to the third body 500. The first body 200 thus slides on the second body 400, itself sliding on the third body 500 until the lug 820, or the ball according to the locking system 800, of the third body 500 is housed in the orifice of the first body 200.

[0169] In parallel with this translation, the displacement means 700 causes the clamping member 600 to move from the open position to the closed position. More precisely, when the guide assembly 300 comprises the second and third bodies 400, 500, the translation between the second body 400 and the third body 500 causes the clamping member 600 to move laterally from the open position to the closed position. The elements 610 are simultaneously moved by the slots 710, 720 of the second and third bodies 400, 500 and move closer to each other. Thus, when the tool 100 is in the locked position, the wire 950 is held securely between the two elements 610.

[0170] At the end of this step, the wire 950 is blocked by the clamping member 600 and the locking system 800 secures the first body 200 with the guide assembly 300. The wire 950 and the tool 100 are thus secured to each other. The movement of one causes the same movement for the other. In a final step, illustrated in views (d) and (e) of FIG. 7, a tensile force, in the retention direction, until reaching a force greater than the predetermined minimum force is applied to unlock the tool 100.

[0171] In an exemplary implementation, the operator pulls on the tool 100. The movement of the tool 100 is represented by the arrow in view (d) of figure 7. The movement is carried out along the longitudinal axis X of the tool 100, in the opposite direction to the direction of insertion.

[0172] When the clamping member 600 is a self-tightening clamping member, said self-tightening clamping member advantageously makes it possible to prevent the wire from slipping and to guarantee that there will be no slipping of the wire during the tensile force.

[0173] The tool 100 is calibrated so that as long as the tensile force exerted by the operator on the tool 100 is less than the predetermined minimum force, the tool 100 remains in the locked position and the clamping member 600 securely holds the wire 950.

[0174] If contact 951 does not protrude from the connector hole until this minimum force is applied, contact 951 is then considered to be correctly inserted into said hole.

[0175] As soon as the minimum force is reached, the tool 100 is unlocked, detaching the first body 200 from the guide assembly 300. When the guide assembly 300 comprises the second and third bodies 400, 500, the first body 200 detaches from the second and third bodies 400, 500. The force exerted by the operator is then sufficient for the lug 820, or the ball, secured to the third body 500 to emerge from the cavity of the first body 200. The first body 200 can then translate relative to the second body 400 which itself can translate relative to the third body 500. In parallel, the displacement means 700 causes the displacement of the clamping member 600 from the closed position to the open position. The two elements 610 are simultaneously moved, via the slots 710, 720 of the second and third bodies 400, 500 and move away from each other, releasing the wire 950.The automatic ejection device releases the wire 950 from the longitudinal chute 590. The tool 100 and the wire 950 are then no longer secured to each other and the tool 100 moves away from the connector 1000, without carrying the wire 950 with it, as illustrated in view (e) of figure 7.

[0176] The tool 100 then automatically returns to the rest position, by the action of the return member 850. The wire 950 is removed from the longitudinal groove 910 of the insertion / extraction tool 900. The operator can again use the tool 100 to plug a new wire 950 into another orifice of the connector 1000 or another connector 1000.

[0177] The tool 100 thus advantageously allows on the one hand the insertion of a contact 951 of wire 950 into a connector 1000 and on the other hand the verification that the contact 951 is properly plugged into the connector 1000.

[0178] It may also be envisaged to use the tool 100 only for checking that a contact 951 has been properly inserted into a connector 1000, without the prior insertion step. In this case, the operator simply needs to place a wire 950, whose contact 951 is already inserted into the connector 1000, in the guide assembly 300, apply a manual pushing force by the operator on the tool 100 to place it in the locked position and then apply the pulling force.

Claims

Claims Claim 1. Tool (100) for inserting a wire (950) into a connector (1000), comprising: - a first body (200), forming a grip handle, extending along a longitudinal axis (X), - a guide assembly (300), arranged in whole or in part in the first body (200) and intended to receive the wire (950), and comprising a first end (510) intended to receive an insertion / extraction tool (900), - a clamping member (600) intended to clamp the wire (950) arranged in the guide assembly (300), - a means (700) for moving the clamping member (600) between a so-called open position, in which the wire (950) is not clamped by the clamping member (600) and a so-called closed position, in which the wire (950) is kept blocked by the clamping member (600), - a locking system (800) of the first body (200) with the guide assembly (300), the first body (200) being movable in translation with the guide assembly (300), along the longitudinal axis (X), the tool (100) moving between a so-called rest position, in which the first body (200) and the guide assembly (300) are not blocked relative to each other by the locking system (800), and a so-called locked position where the first body (200) and the guide assembly (300) are blocked integrally by the locking system (800), the tool (100) being configured so that: - the translation of the first body (200) relative to the guide assembly (300), in a so-called insertion direction, from the rest position to the locked position, causes the clamping member (600) to move from the open position to the closed position, - the translation of the first body (200) relative to the guide assembly (300), in a direction opposite to the insertion direction, called the retention direction, from the locked position to the rest position, causes the clamping member (600) to move from the closed position to the open position, said translation only being made possible after application of a tensile force greater than a predetermined minimum force, characterized in that the guide assembly (300) comprises: - a body, called the second body (400), arranged in the first body (200), - a body, called the third body (500), arranged in whole or in part in the second body (400), the second body (400) being configured to be movable in translation with the first body (200), when the tool moves between the rest position and the locked position, the third body (500) being configured to be movable in translation with the second body (400), when the tool moves between the rest position and the locked position. Claim 2. Tool (100) according to claim 1 in which the clamping member (600) comprises two elements (610) movable relative to each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, called the transverse direction (Y), the wire (950) being intended to be inserted between the two movable elements (610), and in which the tool (100) is configured so that the translation of the first body (200) relative to the guide assembly (300) causes a translation, in the transverse direction (Y), of the two elements (610) relative to each other. Claim 3. Tool (100) according to claim 2 in which the clamping member (600) is a self-tightening clamping member. Claim 4. Tool (100) according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the displacement means (700) comprises: - a light (710), produced in the second body (400), and arranged along a transverse axis, - two lights (720), made in the third body (500), one light per element (610), the three lights (710, 720) being arranged so that, during the longitudinal translation of the second body (400) relative to the third body (500), in the direction of insertion, they tend to bring the two elements (610) closer to each other, in the transverse axis. Claim 5. Tool (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4 comprising a means (870) for holding the wire between the two elements (610) of the clamping member (600), when said clamping member is in the rest position. Claim 6. Tool (100) according to claim 5 comprising a device for automatically ejecting the wire (950) from the tool, configured to release the wire when the tool moves from the locked position to the rest position. Claim 7. Tool (100) according to one of the preceding claims comprising a return member (850) configured to return the tool (100) to the rest position, once the latter is unlocked. Claim 8. Tool (100) according to one of the preceding claims in which the locking system (800) comprises: - a cavity made in the first body (200), - a ball and a compression spring, both integral with the guide assembly (300), said compression spring exerting a force on the ball towards the first body (200), the cavity being arranged so that, when the tool (100) is in the locked position, the ball is arranged in said cavity of the first body (200). Claim 9. Tool (100) according to one of the preceding claims in which the locking system (800) comprises: - a cavity made in the first body (200), - a flexible tab (810) with a lug (820) of a shape complementary to the cavity, secured to the guide assembly (300), the cavity being arranged so that, when the tool (100) is in the locked position, the lug (820) is arranged in said cavity of the first body (200).

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