Method for assembling a set of printed circuit boards with centering control

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for assembling at least two printed circuit boards (14, 16) intended to be electrically interconnected along an axial connection direction (A1), the method comprising a step of assembling at least one centering piece (36) onto at least one connecting pin (26). The centering piece (36) is intended to cooperate with at least one centering pin (26) carried by a support element so as to guide one of the printed circuit boards (16) relative to the other printed circuit board (14) along a radial plane. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for assembling a set of printed circuit boards with centering control. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the assembly of printed circuit boards and the electrical connection of these boards to each other.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a method of assembly and electrical connection for a set of electrical circuits comprising several printed circuit boards stacked one on top of the other. Technical background

[0003] The automatic assembly process of automotive parts leads to stacking printed circuit boards in housings and achieving electrical interconnection using solutions that connect the printed circuit boards together without using flexible electrical wires.

[0004] Existing solutions generally use connecting blades / pins to interconnect two printed circuit boards in a single assembly step.

[0005] To correctly insert a male connection pin, or blade, into a female contact during the automatic assembly of printed circuit boards, centering solutions are implemented.

[0006] However, existing centering solutions are not entirely satisfactory because they are particularly bulky, which is incompatible with the need to miniaturize components and increase the density of printed circuit boards.

[0007] In addition, existing centering solutions often require customizing components according to the type of electrical assembly to be manufactured, which increases the number of part references required for assembly. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention proposes a method for assembling at least two printed circuit boards intended to be electrically interconnected along an axial connection direction, the method comprising the following steps: a) mounting at least one male interconnect element on the first interconnect face of a first printed circuit board, the male interconnect element having at least one connecting pin extending parallel to the axial direction of connection, b) mounting at least one female interconnecting element on the second interconnecting side of a second printed circuit board, the female interconnecting element having a housing suitable for receiving the connection pin by insertion of the male interconnecting element, c) positioning of the second printed circuit board axially opposite the first printed circuit board, by means of a first support element which carries the first printed circuit board and by means of a second support element which carries the second printed circuit board, so that the male interconnecting element is axially aligned with the associated female interconnecting element, d) electrical connection of the two printed circuit boards by bringing the two printed circuit boards together until each connecting pin is received in the housing of the associated female interconnecting element in order to establish an electrical interconnection.

[0009] The method according to the invention further comprises a step A) of assembling at least one centering piece on at least one connecting pin, before step d).

[0010] Furthermore, during step d), the centering piece cooperates with at least one centering pin carried by the second support element so as to guide the second printed circuit board relative to the first printed circuit board along a radial plane, and step d) is followed by a step e) of checking the state of the connection between the male interconnecting element and the female interconnecting element by checking the relative axial position of the centering pin with respect to the second support element, the centering pin being mounted axially movable with respect to the second support element.

[0011] The method according to the invention makes it possible to assemble and interconnect printed circuit boards blindly while being able to determine if the interconnections are complete, without recourse to complex sensors.

[0012] The method according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the bulk of the parts forming the assembly of printed circuit boards by reducing the size of the parts required for centering when interconnecting several printed circuit boards.

[0013] It is no longer necessary to provide permanent centering pins on printed circuit boards, which reduces the integration constraints due to the length of the centering pins used previously.

[0014] Thanks to the invention it is possible to reduce the number of part references when the printed circuit board assembly includes boards arranged at different heights.

[0015] The centering function is obtained with greater precision, which improves the quality of the assemblies and reduces defects on the assembled parts.

[0016] According to other features of the invention:

[0017] - the centering pin has several axial reference marks distributed axially on its length and, during step e), the axial position of the centering pin is de- completed by visual detection of one of the axial landmarks;

[0018] - the centering pin is mounted on the second support element by via an elastic return element which forces the centering pin towards an axial rest position such that, at the end of step d), depending on the state of the connection: — if the connection is successful, the centering pin is received in support within the centering piece and occupies an axial connection position offset axially relative to the rest position, — if the centering pin is radially offset from the centered position, the centering pin occupies an axial offset position distinct from the axial connection position;

[0019] - the centering piece has a centering hole designed to receive axially the centering pin when the connection is successful, the bearing surface being provided in the centering hole and having a complementary profile of a bearing surface provided on the centering pin;

[0020] - during step A), the centering piece is positioned in the vicinity of a free end of the connecting pin by threading the centering piece onto the connecting pin through an associated mounting hole arranged on the centering piece. Brief description of the figures

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig.l] is a diagram which represents an electronic unit equipped with an electrical interconnection solution between a first and a second printed circuit board according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] is a perspective view which schematically represents a first embodiment of an interconnection assembly intended to equip the electronic unit of the [Fig.1];

[0024] [Fig.3] is similar to that of [Fig.2] which schematically represents a second embodiment of an interconnection assembly intended to equip the electronic unit of [Fig.1];

[0025] [Fig.4] is a side view which schematically represents an intermediate step for the assembly and connection of the male interconnecting elements on the first printed circuit board of [Fig.1];

[0026] [Fig. 5] is a side view that schematically represents another intermediate step for interconnecting the first printed circuit board to the second printed circuit board;

[0027] [Fig.6] is a diagram that represents the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board before centering;

[0028] [Fig.7] is a diagram that represents the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board after centering;

[0029] [Fig.8], [Fig.9], [Fig.10], [Fig.11] are diagrams similar to those in Figures 6 and 7 which represent assembly and interconnection steps and means for detecting the axial position of a centering pin at the end of the interconnection step. Detailed description of the invention

[0030] In the description that follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

[0031] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an electronic unit 10 comprising a housing 12 in which several interconnected printed circuit boards 14, 16 are arranged. Each printed circuit board 14, 16 comprises a series of electronic components 18 which are intended to be electrically powered and controlled through printed circuits (not shown) and electrical interconnection elements 20, 22 which will be described later.

[0032] According to the simplified example shown in [Fig.1], the electronic unit 10 forms an assembly comprising a first printed circuit board 14, here located in the upper part of the housing 12, and a second printed circuit board 16, here located in the lower part of the housing 12. The two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are therefore superimposed along an axial direction of electrical connection Al which corresponds here to a vertical orientation.

[0033] The first printed circuit board 14 has on its first interconnection face 24 at least one male interconnection element 20 having at least one connection pin 26 extending parallel to the axial direction of electrical connection AL. In the example shown, the male interconnection element 20 has two parallel connection pins 26.

[0034] Each connecting pin 26 is here inserted into a housing 28 belonging to an associated female interconnecting element 22, mounted on a second interconnecting face 30 of the second printed circuit board 16.

[0035] According to the example shown, the female interconnecting element 22 consists of two female connectors 32 which are mounted on the second interconnecting face 30 of the second printed circuit board 16 and which respectively include two housings 28 provided to receive the free end of each connection pin 26.

[0036] According to the example shown, the male interconnecting element 20 consists of two female connectors 32, similar to those of the female interconnect element 22 and mounted on the first interconnect face 24 of the first printed circuit board 16, and the two connecting pins 26.

[0037] Advantageously, the two connecting pins 26 are equipped with a centering piece 36 which is threaded onto the connecting pins 26 and which has a centering hole 38 suitable for cooperating with a centering pin 40 when the connecting pins 26 are plugged into the female interconnecting element 22. This step of the assembly process will be described later, particularly in relation to Figures 6 and 7.

[0038] The centering orifice 38 here comprises a first frustoconical section 39, or chamfer, at its entrance 41 and a second cylindrical section 43 complementary to an end cylindrical section 45 of the centering spindle 40.

[0039] Figure 2 shows in more detail a first embodiment of an interconnection assembly 34 according to the invention. This first embodiment relates to an interconnection assembly 34 for a power supply line using two connection pins 26, here in the form of flat blades, to carry a supply current from the first printed circuit board 14 to the second printed circuit board 16.

[0040] It is noted that the interconnection assembly 34 is represented here in reverse order with respect to the configuration shown in [Fig.1], the male interconnection element 20 being located in the lower part and the female interconnection element 22 being located in the upper part.

[0041] It is noted that the interconnection assembly 34 is shown here with the associated female connectors 32, plugged into each free end of the connection pins 26. It is understood of course that these female connectors 32 are previously mounted on the printed circuit boards 14, 16 before the connection pins 26 are plugged into these female connectors 32.

[0042] According to this first embodiment, the centering piece 36 has two mounting holes 42, each with a cross-section complementary to that of the connecting pins 26, i.e., in this case, a rectangular cross-section. These two mounting holes 42 are arranged at each radial end of the centering piece 36, on either side of the centering hole 38. The centering hole 38 is therefore arranged in the center of the centering piece 36, between the two connecting pins 26.

[0043] Advantageously, the male interconnecting element 20 is equipped with a stabilizer 44 which bears against the first printed circuit board 14 so as to hold the connecting pins 26 in the axial direction. The axial holding of the connecting pins 26 by the stabilizer 44 is particularly useful when mounting the male interconnecting element 20 onto the first printed circuit board 14, as will explained later.

[0044] Advantageously, the stabilizer 44 has two mounting studs 46, each of which is inserted into an associated mounting hole 48 provided in the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. Each mounting stud 46 is connected to the main body 50 of the stabilizer 44 by a radial arm 52 and has a radial collar 54 which butts against the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0045] In the example shown, the two fixing points 46 of the stabilizer 44 are diametrically opposed, on either side of the main body 50.

[0046] Advantageously, the stabilizer 44 also includes feet 56 which bear against the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. The feet 56 are here two in number and are diametrically opposed with respect to the main body 50. The feet 56 are here generally aligned along an axial plane passing through the two connection pins 26.

[0047] The main body 50 of the stabilizer 44 is provided here with two mounting holes 58 which serve to thread the stabilizer 44 onto the two connection pins 26.

[0048] According to the first embodiment shown, each connecting pin 26 comprises a first stop element 60 which axially retains the centering piece 36 in a predetermined axial position on the connecting pin 26, and a second stop element 62 which axially retains the stabilizer 44 in a predetermined axial position. In the case where each connecting pin 26 is formed from a metal blade, as in [Fig. 2], the stop elements 60, 62 consist of bosses formed by stamping.

[0049] A second embodiment of an interconnection assembly 34 according to the invention is now described in relation to [Fig. 3]. This second embodiment relates to an interconnection assembly 34 designed to transmit data. It uses a series of eight connecting pins 26 in the form of elongated rods that allow data signals to be transmitted from the first printed circuit board 14 to the second printed circuit board 16.

[0050] This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in the centering piece 36, which comprises a main body 64 with a series of eight mounting holes 42 allowing the centering piece 36 to be threaded onto the eight connecting pins 26. The centering piece 36 here has two centering holes 38 arranged on either side of the main body 64. These two centering holes 38 are intended to cooperate with two centering pins 40, as will be described later.

[0051] The second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment by the stabilizer 44, which here comprises a series of eight mounting holes 58 allowing to thread the stabilizer 44 onto the eight connection pins 26. Otherwise, the stabilizer 44 is broadly similar to the stabilizer 44 of the first embodiment.

[0052] The assembly and electrical connection method according to the invention is now described with reference in particular to figures 4 to 7. The method is described in the context of the assembly of two printed circuit boards 14, 16 comprising several interconnection sets 34 provided for interconnecting the two printed circuit boards 14, 16.

[0053] Of course, this method can be implemented to assemble more than two printed circuit boards, as is the case in a complex electronic unit 10 comprising more than two printed circuit boards arranged one above the other and interconnected, in particular when they are integrated into a relatively compact housing 12 compared to the number of electronic components 18 to be housed.

[0054] Fig. 4 illustrates a first step a) of mounting the male interconnecting elements 20 on the first interconnecting face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0055] This step a) aims to enable the mounting of the male interconnection elements 20 on the first interconnection face 24 so that the connection pins 26 extend parallel to the axial direction of connection Al, here downwards, when the first printed circuit board 14 is oriented vertically.

[0056] Step a) includes a first substep al) of mounting the female connectors 32 on the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. Each female connector 32 has a housing 28 suitable for receiving an associated connection pin 26 in order to form the male interconnection element 20.

[0057] In order to insert the connecting pins 26 into the female connectors 32, the method proposes a substep a1.1) in which the stabilizers 44 are assembled on the connecting pins 26 by threading them onto the connecting pins 26 through their mounting holes 42. Each stabilizer 44 is positioned in the vicinity of a first free end 66 of the connecting pins 26 in order to be mounted on the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0058] The method includes a step A) in which the centering pieces 36 are assembled onto the connecting pins 26 by threading them onto the connecting pins 26 through their mounting holes 42. Each centering piece 36 is positioned on a second free end 68 of the connecting pins 26, on the side opposite the stabilizer 44.

[0059] Advantageously, the method includes a substep (a.2) in which the connecting pins 26, equipped with their stabilizers 44 and their parts of centering 36 are positioned on an intermediate support element 70 suitable for carrying these connection pins 26.

[0060] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the intermediate support element 70 can be in the form of a plate 72 comprising several platforms 74 of different heights for receiving connecting pins 26 of different lengths. This plate 72 allows the connecting pins 26 to be held in an axial position A1, so that they all extend in a direction parallel to the axial direction of electrical connection A1 and that the first free ends 66 of the connecting pins 26, which carry the stabilizers 44, are positioned at the same height, or at a suitable height, to allow their insertion into the female connectors 32 installed on the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0061] In the illustrated example, all the female connectors 32 are mounted directly on the first interconnect face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14, without differences in height, so that the first free ends 66 of the connecting pins 26 are all at the same height.

[0062] During a substep a2), the first printed circuit board 14 and the intermediate support element 70 are brought together. For example, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], a first support element 76 carries the first printed circuit board 14 with its first interconnect face 24 facing the intermediate support element 70 and allows the first printed circuit board 14 to be moved towards the intermediate support element 70, along the axial direction of electrical connection A1, until all the connection pins 26 carried by the intermediate support element 70 are inserted into the associated female interconnect elements 22.

[0063] At the end of the approach operation, the stabilizers 44 are supported against the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14 by their feet 56 and the fixing pads 46 are received in the associated fixing holes 48, as illustrated in the upper part of [Fig.5].

[0064] Fig. 5 represents the first printed circuit board 14 equipped with its male interconnecting elements 20, ready to be interconnected with the second printed circuit board 16 already assembled in the housing 12 of the electronic unit 10. It is noted that the connecting pins 26 extend here axially A1 downwards with their centering pieces 36 on the side of the second free end 68.

[0065] During a step b), the female interconnection elements 22 are mounted on the second interconnection face 30 of the second printed circuit board 16, this second interconnection face 30 being here turned upwards in the axial direction of electrical connection Al.

[0066] The female interconnection elements 22 are here in the form of female connectors 32 similar to those used on the first printed circuit board 14 and intended to receive by insertion the connection pins 26 of the male interconnection elements 20.

[0067] During a step c), the first printed circuit board 14 is positioned opposite the second printed circuit board 16, shown above, by means of a first support element 76 which carries the first printed circuit board 14 and a second support element 78 which carries the second printed circuit board 16 so that the male interconnecting elements are axially aligned Al with the associated female interconnecting elements.

[0068] In the example shown in [Fig.5], the second support element 78 carries the housing 12 already pre-assembled with printed circuit boards and electronic components 18.

[0069] During a step d), the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are electrically connected by interconnection by bringing the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 closer together until each connecting pin 26 is received in the housing of the associated female connector 32.

[0070] During step d), the centering pieces 36 cooperate with centering pins 40 carried by the second support element 78 so as to guide the second printed circuit board 16 relative to the first printed circuit board 14 along a radial plane.

[0071] The guidance during step d) will be better understood by referring to figures 6 and 7 which schematically represent assembly steps for the interconnection of printed circuit boards 14, 16. In figures 6 and 7, the different elements have been represented in a simplified manner to facilitate understanding.

[0072] In [Fig.6] the first support element 76 is schematically represented, which carries the first printed circuit board 14 equipped with a male interconnection element 20 formed here of two female connectors 32 equipped with two connection pins 26. The male interconnection element 20 is equipped with its stabilizer 44 which is mounted in the first interconnection face 24 and which provides a certain rigidity to the assembly, in particular so that the connection pins 26 are held in the axial direction AL. The male interconnection element 20 is also equipped with its centering piece 36 which here has the centering hole 38 in its center, i.e. between the two connection pins 26.

[0073] Also shown is the second support element 78 which carries the second printed circuit board 16 equipped with two female connectors 32 suitable for receiving the second free end 68 of the two associated connection pins 26. The second support element 78 is equipped with a centering pin 40 which extends axially towards the first printed circuit board 14, here looking upwards, through the second printed circuit board 16.

[0074] The second printed circuit board 16 here has a window 80 which allows the passage of the centering pin 40.

[0075] In [Fig.6], the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are axially aligned so that the free end of each connecting pin 26 is opposite the associated female connector 32 of the second printed circuit board 16.

[0076] To achieve the electrical connection by interconnection between the two printed circuit boards 14, 16, the two support elements 76, 78 are gradually brought closer together. For example, the first support element 76 is moved axially towards the second support element 78. During this movement, the centering pin 40 is brought close to the centering hole 38.

[0077] If the centering is perfect, that is to say that the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are perfectly positioned relative to each other in a radial plane, then the centering pin 40 enters the center of the centering hole 38 and passes through it to an axial position in which the connecting pins 26 are received in the female connectors 32 of the second printed circuit board 16, as illustrated by [Fig.7].

[0078] If the centering is imperfect, i.e., if the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are slightly radially offset from each other, relative to the desired position for the interconnection, then the centering pin 40 comes into contact with the first frustoconical section 39, formed at the entrance of the centering hole 38, and then slides on this first frustoconical section 39 until it guides the centering pin 40 towards the center of the centering hole 38 and its second cylindrical section 43. The free end of the centering pin 40 has a suitable shape, for example a substantially hemispherical or rounded end, in order to ensure sliding on the first frustoconical section 39.

[0079] In the case where the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are so radially offset from each other that the centering pin 40 comes into contact with the centering piece 36 next to the entrance of the centering hole 38, then the relative movement of the first support element 76 and the second support element 78 is stopped, or a signal representative of a misalignment preventing interconnection is emitted.

[0080] Of course, the axial direction of the connection A1 could be oriented differently, for example, extending in a horizontal direction instead of a vertical one. It is understood that the printed circuit boards 14, 16 could be oriented differently; for example, the first printed circuit board 14 could be arranged under the second printed circuit board 16.

[0081] With reference to Figures 8 to 11, another aspect of the assembly and interconnection process is now described, aimed at enabling monitoring of the correct electrical connection between the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 during a verification step e).

[0082] In figures 8 to 11, the set of printed circuit boards 14, 16 is shown in reverse order compared to the previous figures, with the first printed circuit board 14 at the bottom and the second printed circuit board 16 at the top.

[0083] According to an advantageous embodiment, the centering pin 40 is mounted to slide axially on the second support element 78 to allow it to occupy several axial positions relative to the support element 78 providing an indication of the state of the electrical connection between the male interconnection elements 20 and female interconnection elements 22.

[0084] The centering pin 40 is here connected to the second support element 78 by means of a spring return element 82 which forces the centering pin 40 towards an axial rest position illustrated by [Fig. 8]. The spring return element 82 is, for example, fixed on one side to the support element 78 and on the other to a fastening member 84 integral with the centering pin 40 in axial sliding, which defines an initial distance dO between the second support element 78 and the fastening member 84.

[0085] Advantageously, the centering pin 40 has several axial markers R0, RI, R2 distributed axially along its length so as to allow a sensor 88, such as a camera, to easily determine the axial position of the centering pin 40 relative to the second support element 78. The sensor 88 is, for example, fixed in axial movement to the second support element 78.

[0086] Before interconnection, it is the initial position marker R0 which is identified by the sensor 88, as illustrated by [Fig.8].

[0087] At the end of step d) of electrical connection, when the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 have been correctly aligned with each other, as illustrated by [Fig.9], the centering pin 40 is received in the centering hole 38 of the centering piece 36.

[0088] Advantageously, the centering pin 40 has a bearing surface 86 which bears against the first frustoconical section 39, or chamfer, so that the axial position of the centering pin 40, or axial connection position, when the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are interconnected, corresponds to a connection distance dl, between the second support element 78 and the fixing member 84, distinct from the initial distance dO, by stressing the elastic return element, here in extension, as illustrated by [Fig.9].

[0089] In this interconnection position, an interconnection marker RI is located in

[0090]

[0091]

[0092]

[0093] with respect to sensor 88, which allows the completion of the interconnection to be validated visually. At the end of step d) of connection, if the centering pin 40 has passed by the centering piece 36, as shown in [Fig. 10], the centering pin 40 has not encountered axial support in its downward stroke so that it is in the same starting axial position as in [Fig. 8], relative to the second support element 78. The distance between the second support element 78 and the fixing member 84 is still the initial distance d0 and the sensor 88 detects the initial position mark R0. At the end of step d) of connection, if the centering pin 40 is off-center and resting against the centering piece 36, as shown in [Fig. 1 1], the centering pin 40 occupies an axially off-center position in which the distance d2 between the second support element 78 and the fastening member 84 is greater because the fastening member 84 has moved away from the rear face of the second support element 78. The fastening member 84 pulls on the elastic return element 82. The sensor 88 then detects a second marker R2 representing an off-center position of the centering member 40 and an absence of connection for the associated interconnecting elements. LEGEND 10: electronic unit 12: case 14: First printed circuit board 16: Second printed circuit board 18: Electronic components 20: Male interconnecting element 22: female interconnecting element 24: first interconnection face 26: Connection pin 28: Housing 30: second interconnection face 32: female connector 34: Interconnection set 36: centering piece 38: Centering hole 39: first truncated conical section 40: Centering pin 41: entrance 42: Mounting hole 43: second cylindrical section stabilizer cylindrical end section mounting point, mounting hole, main body of the radial arm stabilizer radial collar foot mounting hole first stop element second stop element main body of the centering piece, first free end, second free end intermediate support element platinum platform first supporting element second support element window elastic return element fastening device sensor range : axial direction of connection

Claims

Claims

1. Method for assembling at least two printed circuit boards (14, 16) intended to be electrically interconnected in an axial connection direction (Al), the method comprising the following steps: a) mounting at least one male interconnection element (20) on the first interconnection face (24) of a first printed circuit board (14), the male interconnection element (20) comprising at least one connection pin (26) which extends parallel to the axial connection direction (Al), b) mounting at least one female interconnection element (22) on the second interconnection face (30) of a second printed circuit board (16), the female interconnection element (22) comprising a housing (28) capable of receiving by insertion the connection pin (26) of the male interconnection element (20), c) positioning the second printed circuit board (16) axially opposite the first printed circuit board (14), by means of a first support element (76) which carries the first printed circuit board (14) and by means of a second support element (78) which carries the second printed circuit board (16), so that the male interconnection element (20) is axially aligned with the associated female interconnection element (22), d) electrically connecting the two printed circuit boards (14, 16) by bringing the two printed circuit boards (14, 16) together until each connection pin (26) is received in the housing (28) of the associated female interconnection element (22) in order to establish an electrical interconnection, characterized in that it further comprises a step A) of assembling at least one centering part (36) on at least one connection pin (26), before step d), in that, during step d),the centering part (36) cooperates with at least one centering pin (26) carried by the second support element (78) so as to guide the second printed circuit board (16) relative to the first printed circuit board (14) along a radial plane, and in that step d) is followed by a step e) of verifying the state of the connection between the male interconnection element (20) and the element, female interconnection (22) by controlling the relative axial position of the centering pin (40) with respect to the second support element (78), the centering pin (40) being mounted axially movable with respect to the second support element (78).

2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the centering pin (40) comprises several axial markers (RO, RI, R2) distributed axially along its length and in that, during step e), the axial position of the centering pin (40) is determined by visual detection of one of the axial markers (RO, RI, R2).

3. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the centering pin (40) is mounted on the second support element (78) by means of an elastic return element (82) which biases the centering pin (40) towards an axial rest position so that, at the end of step d), depending on the state of the connection: - if the connection is successful, the centering pin (40) is received in abutment in the centering part (36) and occupies an axial connection position axially offset relative to the rest position, - if the centering pin (40) is radially offset relative to the centered position, the centering pin (40) occupies an axial offset position distinct from the axial connection position.

4. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the centering part (36) comprises a centering orifice (38) provided to axially receive the centering pin (40) when the connection is successful, the bearing surface being arranged in the centering orifice (38) and having a profile complementary to a bearing surface (86) arranged on the centering pin (40).

5. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that during step A), the centering piece (36) is positioned in the vicinity of a free end of the connection pin (40) by threading the centering piece (36) onto the connection pin (40) through an associated mounting orifice (42) arranged on the centering piece (36).

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