ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WITH ANTI-TRANSLATION CLAMPING PART
The electrical equipment uses a clamping piece with tabs and support stops to secure connectors and electronic cards, addressing decoupling and damage issues, ensuring reliable operation under mechanical stress.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2019013137
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2019-11-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2039-11-22
AI Technical Summary
In electrical equipment, connectors are prone to decoupling and damage due to vibrations and shocks, especially when installed vertically, leading to malfunctions, fires, or loss of function, particularly in vehicles where space is limited and components need to be translated.
The electrical equipment incorporates a clamping piece with tabs that prevent translation of terminals out of the connector cavity, using a support with stops to secure the clamping piece and electronic card, ensuring secure coupling even under tension.
Prevents decoupling and damage to connectors and wires, maintaining functionality and safety by securing the clamping piece and electronic card, even under mechanical stress.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WITH ANTI-TRANSLATION CLAMPING PIECE Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to electrical equipment comprising a functional part provided with a first connector to which a second connector is coupled by clipping. State of the art
[0002] In certain technical fields, such as for example that of vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, electrical equipment is used which comprises a functional part provided with a first connector to which a second connector is coupled by clipping. Thus, in a land vehicle such electrical equipment may, for example, be an optical unit in which the functional part may, for example, be a reflector.
[0003] In certain electrical equipment, the second connector delimits an internal cavity which houses at least one terminal coupled to an electrical wire, for example for the electrical supply and / or the control of electronic or electrical components, possibly secured to an electronic card secured to the functional part.
[0004] Frequently, the electrical wires are stretched and therefore pull on the second connector to which they are coupled via their terminals. Consequently, in the presence of vibrations and shocks, as is particularly the case in a vehicle, the second connector may become unclipped from the first connector and / or at least one terminal may become decoupled from the second connector and / or electrical wires may be damaged, or even severed, due to their small cross-section. These three risks are amplified due to the action of gravity when the first and second connectors are installed substantially vertically, for example when the space available for the connection is reduced and / or when the functional part must be able to be translated vertically during adjustments.
[0005] Unclipping and / or decoupling and / or damage may cause a malfunction of the electrical equipment (for example, light flickering when it constitutes an optical unit), or heating followed by a possible fire if the electrical contact between the internal tabs of the first and second connectors is too weak and therefore an electric arc occurs, or even a loss of function(s) (possibly with the impossibility of repair).
[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention
[0007] For this purpose, it proposes in particular electrical equipment comprising a functional part provided with a first connector to which is coupled by clipping a second connector delimiting an internal cavity housing at least one terminal coupled to an electrical wire.
[0008] This electrical equipment is characterized by the fact that it also comprises a clamping part coupled by clipping to the second connector and provided with at least one tab housed in the internal cavity and comprising a free end preventing translation of the terminal towards the outside of the internal cavity.
[0009] Thanks to the invention, the terminals no longer risk coming out of the second connector, even when their electrical wires are taut.
[0010] The electrical equipment according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:
[0011] - its functional part can be provided with at least one stop placed behind the part clamping in order to prevent a translation of the latter away from the second connector;
[0012] - its functional part can be provided with a support comprising each stop;
[0013] - the support can be secured to the functional part;
[0014] - the internal cavity of the second connector can accommodate a number N of terminals, with N > 2, and the clamping part may comprise N tabs associated respectively with the N lugs;
[0015] - each tab can run along a part of an electric wire and can have a curvature defining a concave housing partially accommodating this part of the electric wire;
[0016] - it can include an electronic card secured to the functional part and having a lower face to which the first connector is secured;
[0017] - the electronic card can be secured to the functional part by a screw also ensuring the support is secured to the functional part;
[0018] - it can constitute an optical unit intended to equip a vehicle;
[0019] - its functional part can be a reflector.
[0020] The invention also provides a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising at least one electrical equipment of the type presented above. Brief description of the figures
[0021] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:
[0022] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, a part of an exemplary embodiment of electrical equipment according to the invention,
[0023] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a front view, an upper sub-part of the part of the electrical equipment of [Fig.l],
[0024] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, a terminal crimped onto one end of an electrical wire of electrical equipment according to the invention,
[0025] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a vertical plane, the coupling between the first and second connectors, on the one hand, and between the clamping part and the second connector housing electrical wire terminals, on the other hand, of the part of the electrical equipment of [Fig.l],
[0026] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a horizontal plane, the respective positions of the tabs of the clamping part and of the electrical wires in the internal cavity of the second connector of the part of the electrical equipment of [Fig.l],
[0027] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the example of a clamping part of the part of the electrical equipment of [Fig.l],
[0028] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the intermediate coupling between the functional part and the support of the part of the electrical equipment of [Fig.l], and
[0029] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view, the final coupling between the functional part, the electronic card and the support of the part of the electrical equipment of [Fig.l]. Detailed description of the invention
[0030] The invention aims in particular to propose electrical equipment EE comprising a functional part PF provided with a first connector C1 to which is coupled by clipping a second connector C2 delimiting an internal cavity CI housing at least one terminal CF coupled to an electrical wire FE and held in position by a clamping part PB.
[0031] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the electrical equipment EE is intended to be part of a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type. But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, the electrical equipment EE can be part of any system, device (possibly household appliance), installation (possibly industrial), or building. Thus, it can be part of any vehicle (land, sea (or river), air or space).
[0032] Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the electrical equipment EE constitutes an optical unit of a motor vehicle, and that its functional part PF is a reflector responsible for reflecting the photons coming from at least one light source towards a window closing the front part of a cavity of a housing that houses it. But the invention is not limited to this type of electrical equipment EE.
[0033] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates part of an exemplary embodiment of electrical equipment EE (here an optical unit) according to the invention.
[0034] As illustrated in [Fig.l], an electrical equipment EE, according to the invention, comprises at least one functional part PF, a first connector C1, a second connector C2, at least one electrical wire FE, and a clamping part PB.
[0035] The functional part PF is provided with the first connector Cl. For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the electrical equipment EE may also comprise an electronic card CE secured to its functional part PF and having a lower face FI to which the first connector Cl is secured, for example by welding. For example, the electronic card CE may be secured to the functional part PF by means of at least one screw VS cooperating with an internal thread defined in a hole in the functional part PF.
[0036] The second connector C2 is coupled by clipping to the first connector CL. For this purpose, the second connector C2 may comprise at least one first clipping tab PCI cooperating with a first clipping notch CCI defined on the outer face of the first connector Cl, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 2. As a variant, it is the first connector Cl which could comprise at least one first clipping tab cooperating with a first clipping notch defined on the outer face of the second connector C2.
[0037] As illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 4 and 5, the second connector C2 delimits an internal cavity CI which houses at least one terminal CF coupled to an electrical wire FE.
[0038] The coupling between a CF terminal and one of the ends of an electrical wire FE can be done, for example, by crimping, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 3]. Each CF terminal contacts an internal metal tab of the second connector C2 which contacts a corresponding internal metal tab of the first connector CL
[0039] The clamping part PB is coupled by clipping to the second connector C2. For this purpose, the clamping part PB may comprise at least one second clipping tab PC2 cooperating with a second clipping notch CC2 defined on the outer face of the second connector C2, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6. Alternatively, it is the second connector C2 which could comprise at least one second clipping tab cooperating with a second clipping notch defined on the outer face of the clamping part PB.
[0040] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in figures 1, 2, 5 and 6 the clamping part PB comprises two second clipping tabs PC2 cooperating respectively with two second clipping notches CC2 defined on the outer face of the second connector C2. But in an alternative embodiment not shown, the clamping part PB could comprise only a single second clipping tab PC2 cooperating with a single second clipping notch CC2 defined on the outer face of the second connector C2.
[0041] The clamping part PB comprises at least one tab LB which is housed in the internal cavity CI of the second connector C2 and which has a free end preventing a translation of the (at least one) terminal CF towards the outside of the internal cavity CI. In the example illustrated without limitation, the first C1 and second C2 connectors and the clamping part PB are installed one below the other substantially in the vertical direction. Consequently, the free end of each tab LB prevents the downward translation of the (at least one) terminal CF.
[0042] Thus, the CF terminals no longer risk coming out of the second connector C2, even when their electrical wires FE are taut (here inside the housing of the optical unit EE).
[0043] The internal cavity CI can house a number N of lugs CF, with N > 2, and the clamping part PB can comprise N tabs LB associated respectively with the N lugs CF. This is particularly the case in the example illustrated non-limitingly (at least partially) in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6, because the clamping part PB comprises eight tabs LB whose free ends prevent the downward translation of eight lugs CF respectively. But the number M of tabs LB of the clamping part PB can take any value greater than or equal to one (1). Similarly, the number N of lugs CF (and therefore of electrical wires FE) of the electrical equipment EE can take any value greater than or equal to one (1). In addition, the number M can be greater than or equal to the number N.
[0044] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1, 2 and 7, that the functional part PF can be provided with at least one stop Blj placed behind (here under) the clamping part PB in order to prevent a translation of the latter PB (here downwards) moving it away from the second connector C2. This is particularly advantageous because it prevents not only a decoupling of the clamping part PB from the second connector C2 but also a decoupling of the second connector C2 from the first connector CL.
[0045] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly (at least partially) in Figures 1, 2 and 7, the functional part PF is provided with two stops B11 and B12 (j = 1 or 2). But it could only comprise a single stop Blj.
[0046] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly (at least partially) in Figures 1, 2 and 7 the functional part PF is provided with a support SC which comprises each stop Blj. More precisely, in this example the support SC is an added part which is secured to the functional part PF, in particular (and for example) via the screw VS presented above. But in a variant (not shown) the support SC could be an integral part of the functional part PF. In this case, the support SC could consist of only one or two tabs (or protuberances) preventing the translation (here downwards) of the clamping part PB.
[0047] Here, the clamping part PB comprises in its lower part two lateral extensions ELj constituting two support tabs opposite each other and intended to rest on the corresponding stops Blj to prevent its translation downwards.
[0048] In the example illustrated non-limitingly (at least partially) in the figures 1, 2, 7 and 8 the functional part PF comprises on its rear face (opposite its reflection face) two grooves RI located at the same level opposite each other and housing, sliding, respectively two first ribs NI of the support SC located at the same first level opposite each other. In addition, the support SC comprises two second ribs N2 located at the same second level (located below the first level) opposite each other. These two second ribs N2 are intended to slide respectively under the lower parts of the two grooves RI. There are thus two pairs of grooves nested within each other and ensuring precise wedging of the support SC, here in the direction perpendicular to the contacts in the grooves RI.
[0049] It will be understood that the coupling of the support SC to the functional part PF is done by introducing the first ribs NI into the grooves RI then translation.
[0050] It will also be noted that in the presence of as many tabs LB as there are lugs CF, each tab LB can run along a portion of a corresponding electrical wire FE and can have a curvature defining a concave housing LC partially housing this portion of electrical wire FE, as illustrated non-limitingly (at least partially) in Figures 5 and 6. This makes it possible to keep the terminal portions of the electrical wires FE (housed in the internal cavity CI) straight, in order to avoid creating mechanical tensions at the level of the crimping of the electrical wires FE in the associated lugs CF (protection against bending / shearing).
[0051] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1, 2 and 8, that in the presence of an electronic card CE, the latter (CE) can be secured to the functional part PF by a screw VS which also ensures the securing of the support SC to the functional part PF, for example by passing through a first through hole defined in the latter (PF) and a second blind hole TB provided with an internal thread. It will be understood that this makes it possible to prevent any translation of the support SC and the electronic card CE relative to the functional part PF.
[0052] The assembly of the electronic card CE, the first connector C1, the second connector C2, the electrical wires FE, and the clamping part PB to the functional part PF can be done as indicated below.
[0053] We can start by coupling by translation the possible support SC to the clamping part PB. Then, we can house the terminals CF of the electrical wires FE in the internal cavity CI of the second connector C2. Then, we can introduce the tabs LB of the clamping part PB into the internal cavity CI of the second connector C2 until the clamping part PB is coupled by clipping to the second connector C2. Then, we can couple by clipping the second connector C2 to the first connector C1 which has been previously secured to the electronic card CE. Then, we can place the electronic card CE on the part of the functional part PF which is dedicated to this purpose, so that the lateral extensions ELj of the clamping part PB are placed just in front of (or just above) the corresponding stops Blj of the support SC. Then, we can screw the screw VS in order to secure the electronic card CE and the support SC to the functional part PF.
Claims
Claims
1. Electrical equipment (EE) comprising a functional part (PF) provided with a first connector (Cl) to which is coupled by clipping a second connector (C2) delimiting an internal cavity (CI) housing at least one terminal (CF) coupled to an electric wire (FE), characterized in that it further comprises a clamping part (PB) coupled by clipping to said second connector (C2) and provided with at least one tab (LB) housed in said internal cavity (CI) and comprising a free end preventing a translation of said terminal (CF) towards the outside of said internal cavity (CI); equipment characterized in that it comprises an electronic card (CE) secured to said functional part (PF) and having a lower face (FI) to which said first connector (Cl) is secured.
2. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that said functional part (PF) is provided with at least one stop (Blj) placed behind said clamping part (PB) in order to prevent a translation of the latter (PB) moving it away from said second connector (C2).
3. Equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that said functional part (PF) is provided with a support (SC) comprising each stop (Blj).
4. Equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that said support (SC) is secured to said functional part (PF).
5. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said internal cavity (CI) houses a number N of lugs (CF), with N > 2, and said clamping part (PB) comprises N tabs (LB) associated respectively with said N lugs (CF).
6. Equipment according to the combination of claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said electronic card (CE) is secured to said functional part (PF) by a screw (VS) also ensuring said securing of the support (SC) to said functional part (PF).
7. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it constitutes an optical unit intended to equip a vehicle.
8. Equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that said functional part (PF) is a reflector.
9. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one electrical equipment (EE) according to one of the preceding claims.