Electrical and / or optical contact comprising a body and a cable sleeve configured to prevent accidental unlocking of the connection, connector or adapter housing such a contact.

Abstract

An electrical and / or optical contact comprising a body and a cable sleeve configured to prevent accidental unlocking of the connection, connector, or adapter housing such a contact. The invention relates to an electrical and / or optical contact (1, 4) that incorporates a means for temporarily retaining the cable sleeve, on which a push / pull force is applied to intentionally lock / unlock the connector contact(s) in its / their receiving cavity. This retaining means is dimensioned to generate a force that balances the pull force exerted on the sleeve as long as the latter remains below a predetermined threshold. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical and / or optical contact comprising a body and a cable sleeve configured to prevent accidental unlocking of the connection, connector or adapter housing such a contact. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical and / or optical contacts.

[0002] It relates more particularly to locking / unlocking solutions for a contact in a receiving cavity for a connector insert, connector or adapter.

[0003] The invention aims primarily to improve the reliability of the locking between an electrical / optical contact and its receiving cavity of a connector insert or of a connector or of an adapter installed on equipment, by reducing the risk of unlocking and therefore of unintentional disconnection.

[0004] Although described with reference to an optical contact, the invention can be implemented with an electrical contact and generally with all types of optical or electrical contacts.

[0005] Although described with reference to an application in the aeronautical field, the invention can be applied in other fields such as railways, industry, medicine, or even telecommunications, particularly in harsh environments. In particular, the invention is applicable to aeronautical connectors conforming to the standards ARINC 600, ARINC 404, MIL 38999, EN2997, EN4644, and EN4165, as well as to direct optical adapters and railway connectors conforming to the EN50467 standard.

[0006] The invention can be implemented in any type of connector in which at least one optical or electrical contact is inserted, for example multi-contact connectors or connectors forming adapters / fittings dedicated to equipment, harnesses or other... Previous technique

[0007] In the field of electrical and / or data and / or radio frequency (RF) signal transmission connectors, it is known that electrical, fiber optic, and other connections are made using two mutually fitting connectors, generally in the form of male and female connectors coupled together. This can also be a connector in the form of an adapter or a fitting.

[0008] Each male or female connector has mutually located electrical contacts, optical contacts or other contacts configured to provide a connection between them when the male and female connectors are mated together.

[0009] A general specification in the field of connectors is to ensure that, when a connector is equipped with its contact or contacts, or when two complementary connectors are mated and locked, their contacts cannot be inadvertently unlocked during assembly or use, in order to guarantee the electrical and / or optical connection.

[0010] Such inadvertent uncoupling / disconnection during assembly or use may cause malfunctions by breaking the signal(s) to be transmitted between the connectors.

[0011] Unexpected disconnection may be the result of one or both of the following causes: - accidental pulling by the operator on the cable connected to one or more contacts of a connector in connected and locked configuration; - accidental pulling by the operator on the unlocking mechanism of one or more contacts of a connector in a connected and locked configuration; - severe operating conditions, such as shocks and / or vibrations and / or accelerations; - a significant pressure differential between an internal environment delimited by the connector itself and the outside, which can be described as a "champagne cork" effect. Such a differential can, for example, occur in the case of altitude-related depression.

[0012] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a connection and locking assembly between a male connector CM and a complementary female connector CF with optical contacts 1 and 2, in their connected configuration which defines an optical coupling zone Z.

[0013] Each of these two contacts 1, 2 extends along a longitudinal axis XI, X2 coincide in their connected configuration.

[0014] Each of these two contacts 1, 2 includes firstly at the front a central body 10, 20 to house and hold at least one optical ferrule intended to be connected to one end of a cable Cl, C2.

[0015] A peripheral locking / unlocking body 11, 21, usually called a stripper, is mounted to slide around the central body 10, 20. The mounting of a stripper 11 or 21 on the central body 10 or 20 can be achieved by a press fit or a clip / snap fastening.

[0016] Each stripper 11,21 is slidably mounted inside a sleeve 12, 22 adapted to house the cable Cl, C2 and to move backward or forward relative to the central body 10, 20. This assembly can be achieved by snapping complementary shapes of a part of these pieces together.

[0017] Furthermore, each of the CM, CF connectors comprises at least one cavity 130, 230 or an insert 13, 23 with at least one cavity 130, 230 into which the central body 10, 20 is inserted and preferably held in place by clips. Each of the inserts 13, 23 is mounted in a housing 14, 24. Alternatively, an insert 13, 23 may also be an integral part of a housing 14, 24. As illustrated, each central body 10, 20 may have, on at least one of its lateral edges, one or more clipping lugs 100, 200 for clipping the body 10, 20 into the corresponding cavity 130, 230. This clipping ensures the correct mechanical installation of the contact 1, 2 in the CM, CF connectors, enabling, once the connectors are mated, an optical connection and proper transmission. optical signals.

[0018] At least one elastic return means, for example a return spring R, is mounted between the central body 10, 20 and the stripper 11, 21 mounted around it. This return spring allows the stripper 11, 21 to be returned from an unlocked position in which the clipping lug(s) 100, 200 can be unclipped from their cavity 130, 230 to a locked position in which the stripper 11, 21 prevents the clipping lug(s) 100, 200 from being unclipped from their cavity 130, 230.

[0019] The connection and locking of a contact 1, 2 in an insert 13, 23 is done in the following manner.

[0020] The optical and / or electrical contact 1, 2 is inserted into the dedicated cavity 130, 230: for this, the sleeve 12, 22 pushes on the rear central body 18, then under the action of a clip 131, 231 within the insert 13, 23, the stripper 11, 21 then moves back relative to the central body 10, 20, which frees access to the clipping lugs 100, 200 allowing the clip 131, 231 to be clipped onto the body 10, 20 in the dedicated cavity 130, 230. Then, under the effect of the return spring, the stripper 11,21 moves forward, covering the complementary shapes 131, 231 of clipping to the lugs 100, 200 of the cavity 130, 230, which prevents the unlocking of the contact.

[0021] Voluntary unlocking and disconnection are carried out as follows.

[0022] By exerting a rearward pulling force on the sleeve 12, 22, the stripper 11,21, which is integral with the sleeve, is moved backward, making the complementary reliefs 131, 231 of the cavity 130, 230 visible, thus allowing the contact of the latter to be unclipped.

[0023] This configuration is generally satisfactory. However, there is a risk of accidental unlocking and therefore of an unexpected disconnection.

[0024] Indeed, the sleeve 12, 22 can be accidentally pulled backwards by an operator or an unwanted snagging during cable handling or other..., which moves the stripper 11,21 towards the rear and therefore causes the unlocking by unclipping the lugs 100, 200 and therefore ultimately the disconnection of the optical and / or electrical contact with the associated loss of signal.

[0025] There is therefore a need to prevent the unintentional unlocking of an optical, electrical or data contact in a cavity of a connector using a sleeve for voluntary locking / unlocking.

[0026] The invention aims to meet all or part of this need. Description of the invention

[0027] To this end, the invention relates, according to one of its aspects, to an electrical and / or optical contact comprising:

[0028] - at least one central body extending along a longitudinal axis (X), comprising

[0029] a front part adapted to house and retain at least one electrically conductive element and / or an optical ferrule intended to be connected to one end of a cable; the front part comprising at least one means for locking / unlocking the connection between the contact and the cavity in which it is intended to be inserted;

[0030] a rear part adapted to house the end of the cable;

[0031] - a sleeve adapted to house the cable and to move backwards / forward by relative to the central body, the sleeve comprising at least one means of temporarily retaining the sleeve on the central body or on a component of the connector fixed relative to the body, the temporary retaining means being active in the event of a tensile force (Fl) exerted on the sleeve less than or equal to a predetermined threshold (F2), preventing the activation of the unlocking means which disconnects the contact.

[0032] Preferably, the traction force (F3) to be exerted on the sleeve to activate the unlocking means is greater than the predetermined threshold.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment, the temporary restraint means is arranged such that once inactive, the sleeve moves backwards along a non-zero stroke to activate the unlocking means.

[0034] According to a first advantageous configuration, the contact comprises, as locking / unlocking means:

[0035] - a peripheral body, called a stripper, mounted to slide around the central body,

[0036] - one or more clipping lugs on at least one of the lateral edges of the body central for clipping the latter into the cavity,

[0037] the temporary restraint means being a flexible arm fixed or made entirely with the sleeve, the flexible arm being adapted to come to and be retained against a shoulder of the central body, in case of a tensile force (F1) exerted on the sleeve less than or equal to the predetermined threshold (F2), and be deflected and disengage from the stop beyond this predetermined threshold, the sleeve being mounted sliding backwards relative to the central body and the stripper along a stroke beyond the stop until it catches one or more ridges of the stripper and moves it backwards in case of a tensile force (F3) into an unlocking position in which it releases the lug(s) and thus activates its / their unclipping.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment, the contact comprises two central bodies, one of which constitutes the front part in which the optical ferrule is housed and the other constitutes the rear part mounted in the sleeve.

[0039] According to another advantageous embodiment, the contact includes at least one return spring mounted between the central body and the stripper and adapted to return the stripper from its unlocking position to its locking position in which it prevents the unclipping of the clipping lug(s) from their cavity.

[0040] According to this first configuration, the contact comprises an optical ferrule of the MT ferrule type, having a plurality of optical paths adapted to individually house an optical fiber, the optical ferrule being housed in the central body. The optical ferrule can allow a connection from an optical cable in the form of a ribbon with at least 8 optical fibers, to provide a multi-fiber optical connection, such as that commonly found in MPO or MTP type connectors.

[0041] According to an advantageous configuration, the contact includes, as a locking / unlocking means, at least one lever pivotally mounted on the central body, the temporary retention means being a lug fixed to or integrally formed with the sleeve, the lug being adapted to come to and be retained against a recess in the central body, in the event of a tensile force (F1) exerted on the sleeve less than or equal to the predetermined threshold (F2), and to disengage from the stop beyond this predetermined threshold, the sleeve including at least one through opening in which the lever is housed, the sleeve being mounted to slide backward relative to the central body along a stroke beyond the stop until the edge of the opening pivots the lever in the event of a tensile force (F3) into an unlocking position in which it unlocks the contact.

[0042] According to this configuration, the LC type contact includes an optical ferrule, having a central optical channel adapted to house a single optical fiber, the optical ferrule being housed in the central body.

[0043] The sleeve is preferably made of polymer material.

[0044] The contact according to the invention may advantageously include a sealing gasket arranged at the periphery of the sleeve to seal the cavity(ies) in into which the contact(s) is / are intended to be inserted. The sealing gasket can be mounted around the periphery of the sleeve or overmolded with it.

[0045] The invention also relates to a connector comprising at least one cavity in which the contact(s) as described above is / are intended to be inserted.

[0046] The invention also relates to an adapter comprising a body defining the cavity(ies) in which the contact(s) as described above is / are intended to be inserted.

[0047] The invention also relates to the use of a connector or adapter as described above to make an electrical and / or optical connection in the aeronautical field, the predetermined threshold being at least equal to 8N.

[0048] Thus, the invention essentially consists of a contact which incorporates a means of temporarily retaining the cable sleeve on which a push / pull force is exerted to effect the voluntary locking / unlocking of the contact(s) of the connector in its (their) receiving cavity, this retaining means being dimensioned to generate a force balancing the pull force exerted on the sleeve as long as the latter remains below a predetermined threshold.

[0049] This prevents accidental, i.e., unintentional unlocking in the event of insufficient traction. This predetermined threshold can be adjusted by design, particularly according to the required application criteria.

[0050] The advantages of the invention are numerous, among which we can mention:

[0051] - the elimination of the risk of unintentional unlocking of a contact from its cavity receiver of an electrical and / or optical connector and thereby the loss of signal transmission;

[0052] - the simplicity of implementing the temporary restraint means which does not increase the size of the contact and / or connector and therefore allows for a high integration density;

[0053] - the ability to easily adjust the predetermined threshold beyond which the withholding temporary is no longer effective, and in particular increasing it for applications, especially aeronautical ones, for which a watertight connector may be subjected to strong vacuums.

[0054] - the ability to easily adjust the predetermined threshold beyond which the withholding temporary is no longer effective, all without impacting the integration effort.

[0055] - connection compatibility with prior art contacts.

[0056] Other advantages and features of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of examples of implementation of the invention given by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the following figures. Brief description of the drawings

[0057] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] shows in partial longitudinal sectional view an optical connection assembly, of the MPO contact type (Anglo-Saxon acronym for "Multiple-Fibre Push-On / Pull-off"), according to the state of the art in connected and locked configuration.

[0058] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is another partial longitudinal sectional view of a set of connection according to [Fig.l].

[0059] [Fig. 3] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view of an MPO-type optical contact, according to the invention.

[0060] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is an exploded view of a contact according to [Fig.3].

[0061] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a contact along the [Fig.3] or 4.

[0062] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a contact along one figures 3 to 5 in its configuration installed in a connector insert or adapter.

[0063] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a contact along one Figures 3 to 5 illustrate the flexible arms as temporary restraint means according to the invention, in their restraint position and showing the insert and its cavity into which the optical contacts are inserted.

[0064] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] reproduces part of [Fig.7] illustrating one of the flexible arms in its unobstructed position which allows for voluntary unlocking.

[0065] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] shows in partial longitudinal sectional view a set of optical connection, of the MPO contact type, according to the invention in connected and locked configuration.

[0066] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of an MPO type contact according to the invention in a connected and locked configuration in an adapter installed on electronic equipment.

[0067] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of a duplex LC (Lucent Connector) type optical contact according to the invention in a locking configuration.

[0068] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is another perspective view of the contact according to [Fig. 11] in an unlocking configuration, the temporary retaining means being in a clear position.

[0069] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] reproduces [Fig. 11] in side view. Detailed description

[0070] Throughout this application, the terms "internal" and "external" are to be understood in relation to an electrical and / or optical contact according to the invention or of a electrical and / or optical contact accessory according to the invention.

[0071] For the sake of clarity, the same numerical reference is used for the same element of an electrical connection assembly according to the prior art and of an electrical connection assembly according to the invention.

[0072] Figures 1 and 2 have already been described in detail in the preamble. They will therefore not be discussed further below.

[0073] Figures 3 to 5 show a first embodiment of a sealed MPO type optical contact according to the invention.

[0074] This contact 1 extends along a longitudinal axis XI and includes first of all, at the front, a central front body 10.

[0075] It also includes a sealing gasket 15 mounted on the rear of the sleeve 12 and providing a seal between a cable Cl and the rear end of the sleeve 12 mounted around it. An additional sealing gasket 16, for example an O-ring, is mounted on the periphery and rear of the sleeve 12, providing a seal between the contact 1 and the cavity 130. These gaskets 15 and 16 thus create a sealing zone inside the cavity 130 in which the central body 10 is mounted.

[0076] This sealing zone is therefore delimited inside the cavity 130 around the optical and / or electrical contact 1 in its configuration connected at the level of the coupling zone Z.

[0077] The contact 1 further includes an optical ferrule 17 comprising one or more optical channels, typically 8, 12 or 24, housed and retained in the front central body 10. This ferrule 17 is intended to be connected to one end of an optical cable CL

[0078] The contact 1 includes, at the rear, a rear central body 18 fitted into the front body 10 and which is intended to be traversed by a part of the cable CL. The rear central body 18 can itself be composed of one or more parts.

[0079] The front central body 10 includes one or more clipping lugs 100 on its lateral edges allowing the central body 10 to be clipped into its receiving cavity and to ensure the connection of the optical channels within the ferrule 17 in the connected configuration of the connector 1.

[0080] A stripper 11 is mounted to slide around the front central body 10. The mounting of the stripper 11 on the front central body 10 can be achieved, for example, by a press fit or a clip / snap fastening, in particular by at least one tab 111.

[0081] The stripper 11 is further mounted to slide inside a sleeve 12 adapted to house the cable Cl and to move forward / backward relative to the front central body 10. This assembly can be achieved by snapping complementary shapes onto a portion of these parts. For example, clip protrusions 110 can be arranged at the rear of the stripper 11: they clip into the sleeve 12, as detailed later.

[0082] At least one return spring 19, preferably in the form of a helical spring, is mounted between the central body 10 and the stripper 11 mounted around it. This return spring 19 allows the stripper 11 to be returned from an unlocked position in which the clipping lug(s) 100 can be unclipped from their receiving cavity to a locked position in which the stripper 11, 21 prevents the clipping lug(s) 100 from being unclipped from their cavity 130, 230.

[0083] According to the invention, the sleeve 12 comprises at least one flexible arm 120 whose function is, in the event of rearward traction, to temporarily retain the sleeve 12 in an intermediate position, referred to as the retention position, in which unlocking of the contact is prevented. More specifically, as illustrated in [Fig. 7], the flexible arm 120 comprises a protrusion that temporarily abuts against a shoulder 101 at the rear of the front central body 10. The temporary retention force is adjustable by dimensioning the flexible arm 120 as desired. Typically, this force is greater than or equal to 8 N, for an MPO-type contact.

[0084] Alternatively, the flexible arm 120 may have a notch, receiving a rib projecting from the front central body 10, enabling the retention function to be performed.

[0085] By applying additional traction to the sleeve 12, with a force exceeding the holding force, the arm 120 is deflected so that it is no longer abutted against the shoulder 101, as illustrated in [Fig. 8]. The front face of the sleeve 12 can then exert a recoil force on the stripper 11 via the protrusions 110, and the stripper 11 can thus recoil backward, thereby unlocking the central body 10 and the optical ferrule 17 and thus disconnecting the optical contact 1, 2 from their receiving cavity.

[0086] The connection and locking of a wired contact to an optical cable Cl in an insert is done in the following manner.

[0087] The optical contact 1, comprising the optical ferrule 17 defining the optical channels, is inserted into the dedicated insert cavity: the sleeve 12 pushes against the rear central body 18 and the front central body 10; the stripper 11 then retracts relative to the front central body 10, 20, which frees access to the clipping lugs 100, thus enabling the front body 10 to be clipped onto the complementary ridges 131, 231 of the corresponding insert ([Fig. 2]). Then, under the effect of the return spring 19, the stripper 11 moves forward, covering the complementary ridges 131, 231 in the insert, which prevents the contact from unlocking.

[0088] Unlocking and disconnecting are carried out in the following manner.

[0089] By applying a rearward pulling force to the sleeve 12, the sleeve moves relative to the central body 10, 18 and the stripper 11 until the arm 120 of the sleeve comes to rest against shoulder 101 of the central body before 10.

[0090] As long as the tensile force Fl is less than the threshold value F2, typically equal to 8N, the flexible arm 120 comes to rest against the shoulder 101 of the front body 10, which prevents any recoil of the unstripper 11 and thus keeps the lugs 100 clipped ([Fig.7]). This prevents any unintentional unlocking.

[0091] In the event of deliberate traction with a tensile force F3 exceeding the threshold value F2, the arm 120 is deflected, which releases it from the stop 101 ([Fig.8]) and thus allows further retraction of the stripper 11 until the additional ridges 131, 231 in the insert become visible, thereby enabling the contact of the latter to be unclipped. The deliberate unlocking is then performed.

[0092] Thanks to the flexible arm 120 according to the invention, any unintentional unlocking is prevented in the event of the sleeve 12 being accidentally pulled backwards by an operator or an unwanted snagging during cable handling or other...

[0093] Furthermore, in the sealed version using seals 15 and 16, any unlocking that could occur as a result of an external depression in the sealed area delimited by the seals 15 and 16 is prevented. Thus, even in the event of a pressure differential between the inside of this area and the outside, for example when using a CM, CF connection assembly at altitude, in an aeronautical or space application, which would exert a tensile force on the sleeve 12 below the threshold value F2, the flexible arm 120 comes and remains against the shoulder 101 of the front body 10. In other words, the invention also prevents any unintentional unlocking that could be caused by an external depression.

[0094] Fig. 9 shows a connection assembly with two CM, CF connectors with complementary contacts 1, 2 according to the invention, in a connected and locked configuration, each in their respective insert 13, 23 itself mounted in a housing 14, 24.

[0095] Fig. 10 shows another example of a connection between a contact 1 such as that described with reference to Figures 3 and 5 and an MPO contact 5 according to the prior art wired to an optical cable C3, coupled within an adapter 6, installed on an electronic equipment 3.

[0096] Here, the electronic equipment 3 includes an MPO contact 5 according to the prior art with a front central body 30 in which is housed an optical ferrule 37 which is coupled with the optical ferrule 17 of the contact 1 in the optical coupling zone Z.

[0097] The MPO 5 contact also includes a rear central body 38 at the rear of the front body 30 and a stripper 32 located around the front central body 30.

[0098] The adapter 6 is here screwed in a sealed manner to the housing 33 of the electronic equipment 3.

[0099] Figures 11 to 13 relate to a second embodiment of a duplex LC type optical contact according to the invention.

[0100] The optical contact 4 comprises two optical channels, of the LC simplex type, side-by-side wired to an optical cable C4, each of the two optical channels comprising a body 40 in which is mounted a ceramic type optical ferrule 4L. The rear part 400 of the body 40 houses the end of the optical cable C4.

[0101] A sleeve 42 directly surrounds the two bodies 40 from the rear as well as the end of the cable C4.

[0102] The sleeve 42 includes two through openings 420 into each of which is inserted the free end 430 of a locking / unlocking lever 43 pivotally mounted on one of the bodies 40. In the illustrated example, the lever 43 is made integrally with the body 40 and can be deflected.

[0103] According to the invention, at least one of the lateral edges of the two bodies 40 includes a recess 44 forming a retaining stop for a lug 45 which protrudes from the inside of the sleeve 42.

[0104] Thus, when the connector 4 is in the connected and locked configuration, in the event of a rearward pull below a predetermined threshold value, the lug 45 is held clipped by the stop formed by the recess 44. And in this case the free end 430 of each lever 43 remains undeflected in the corresponding opening 420 of the sleeve 42.

[0105] In the event of traction beyond the predetermined threshold value, the lug 45 is unclipped from the stop, the rearward movement of the sleeve 42 then causes the edge of each opening 420 to come to rest on the free end 430 of the lever 43 until the latter is deflected and thus unlocks each contact.

[0106] The positions of the lug 45 and the recess 44 can be located at any other point on the periphery of the contact. The lug 45 can also be formed on the body of the LC contact, while the recess 44 can be formed on the sleeve 42. Alternatively, the lug 45 can be replaced by an elastic clip. More generally, any means of interference that can deform elastically is suitable.

[0107] Other variants and improvements may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0108] The illustrated temporary retention means for MPO-type contacts is a flexible arm formed entirely on the cable sleeve, which abuts against a shoulder of the central body. Other forms of means and fixed retention points arranged on a connector component other than the central body, such as the insert or the housing, can be envisaged. The same applies to all connectors to which the invention applies.

Claims

Demands

1. Electrical and / or optical contact (1,4), comprising: - at least one central body (10, 18, 40, 400) extending along a longitudinal axis (X), comprising: a front portion (10, 40) adapted to house and retain at least one electrically conductive element and / or an optical ferrule (17, 41) intended to be connected to one end of a cable; the front portion comprising at least one means for locking / unlocking the connection between the contact (1) and the cavity (130) into which it is intended to be inserted; a rear portion (18, 400) adapted to house the end of the cable;- a sleeve (12, 42) adapted to house the cable and to move backwards / forward relative to the central body, the sleeve comprising at least one means for temporarily retaining the sleeve on the central body or on a component of the connector (13, 23, 14, 24) fixed relative to the body, the temporary retaining means being active in the event of a tensile force (F1) exerted on the sleeve less than or equal to a predetermined threshold (F2), preventing the activation of the unlocking means which disconnects the contact.

2. Contact according to claim 1, the tensile force (F3) to be exerted on the sleeve to achieve the activation of the unlocking means being greater than the predetermined threshold.

3. Contact according to claim 1 or 2, the temporary restraint means being arranged such that once inactive, the sleeve moves backwards along a non-zero stroke to activate the unlocking means.

4. Contact according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising as locking / unlocking means: - a peripheral body (11), called a stripper, mounted to slide around the central body, - one or more clipping lugs (100) on at least one of the lateral edges of the central body (10) for clipping the latter into the cavity (130), - the temporary retention means being a flexible arm (120) fixed to or formed entirely with the sleeve (12), the flexible arm being adapted to come abut against a shoulder (101) of the central body (10) in the event of a tensile force (Fl) exerted on the sleeve less than or equal to the predetermined threshold (F2), and be deflected and disengage from the stop beyond this predetermined threshold, the sleeve being mounted sliding backward relative to the central body and the stripper along a stroke beyond the stop until it catches one or more ridges (110) of the stripper and moves it backward in case of a pulling force (F3) into an unlocking position in which it releases the lug(s) (100) and thus activates its / their unclipping.

5. Contact according to claim 4, comprising two central bodies (10, 18), one of which constitutes the front part in which the optical ferrule is housed and the other constitutes the rear part mounted in the sleeve.

6. Contact according to claim 4 or 5, comprising at least one return spring (19) mounted between the central body (10) and the stripper (11) and adapted to return the stripper (11) from its unlocking position to its locking position in which it prevents the clipping lug(s) (100) from being unclipped from the cavity (130, 230).

7. Contact according to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising an optical ferrule of the MT ferrule type, having a plurality of optical paths adapted to individually house an optical fiber, the optical ferrule being housed in the central body (10).

8. Contact according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising as a locking / unlocking means, at least one lever (43) pivotally mounted on the central body (40), the temporary retention means being a lug (45) fixed to or integrally formed with the sleeve (42), the lug being adapted to come to and be retained against a recess (44) of the central body (40), in the event of a tensile force (F1) exerted on the sleeve less than or equal to the predetermined threshold (F2), and to disengage from the stop beyond this predetermined threshold, the sleeve comprising at least one through opening (420) in which the lever is housed, the sleeve being mounted to slide rearward relative to the central body along a stroke beyond the stop until the edge of the opening pivots the lever in the event of a tensile force (F3) into an unlocking position in which it unlocks the contact.

9. Contact, of type LC, according to claim 8, comprising an optical ferrule (41), having a central optical channel adapted to house a single optical fiber, the optical ferrule being housed in the central body (40).

10.

11.

12.

13.

14. Contact according to one of the preceding claims, the sleeve being based on polymer material. Contact according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a sealing gasket (16) arranged at the periphery of the sleeve to seal the cavity(ies) in which the contact(s) is / are intended to be inserted. Connector (CM, CF) comprising at least one cavity (130, 230) in which the contact(s) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is / are intended to be inserted, Adapter (6) comprising a body defining the cavity(ies) (130, 230) in which the contact(s) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is / are intended to be inserted. Use of a connector or adapter according to one of the preceding claims to make an electrical and / or optical connection in the aeronautical field, the predetermined threshold being at least equal to 8N.

Images