ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BETWEEN AT LEAST TWO ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE WIRES AND A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connector 2 comprising a first plate 5 and a second plate 6, a central recess 8 passing through the thickness of the electrical connector 2, The first plate 5 comprising: A first portion 51 having a first thickness and a second portion 52 having a second thickness less than the first thickness, At least two grooves 9 for receiving an end 10 of an electrically conductive wire 3 formed in a surface 11 of the first plate, the depth of each of the grooves 9 being substantially equal to the second thickness, At least two pads 12, each pad 12 being arranged opposite a portion of a respective one of the grooves 9, formed in the second portion 52 of the first plate 5, The second plate 6 comprising two extrusions 15 each extending opposite one of the grooves 9. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BETWEEN AT LEAST TWO ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE WIRES AND A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the electrical connection of electrically conductive wires on a printed circuit board, and more particularly relates to an electrical connector between at least two electrically conductive wires and a printed circuit board.

[0002] The invention finds interesting, but not exclusive, applications in the field of the automobile industry. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In a manner known per se, an electric cable may be composed of several electrically conductive wires, the ends of which are soldered to a printed circuit board.

[0004] By way of example, an inductive sensor for measuring the angular position of a rotating mechanical part, for example a rotation axis or a rotor of a rotating electrical machine, may comprise a printed circuit board to which an electrical cable formed of six electrically conductive wires is connected.

[0005] When it is desired to electrically connect the electrically conductive wires on the printed circuit board, each electrically conductive wire must be manually selected by an operator, then positioned at a precise location on the printed circuit board and finally soldered there.

[0006] This manual management is obviously not very suitable for industry and is a source of error.

[0007] For example, with regard to inductive sensors for measuring the angular position of a rotating mechanical part, if an electrically conductive wire through which a sine-type output signal is to pass is connected to a connection of the printed circuit board that is to receive a cosine-type output signal, in other words if two of the six electrically conductive wires are reversed, then the determined data, in particular the position of the target of the inductive sensor, will be erroneous. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention provides a solution to the problem mentioned above, by proposing an electrical connector between at least two electrically conductive wires and a printed circuit board making it possible to avoid incorrect positioning of the electrically conductive wires on the printed circuit board so as to ensure the safety of the vehicle.

[0009] To this end, the invention thus relates, in its broadest acceptance, to an electrical connector intended to hold at least two electrically conductive wires against a printed circuit board, the electrical connector comprising a first plate and a second plate superimposed in use, said electrical connector being remarkable in that it comprises a central recess passing through the thickness of said electrical connector via the first and second plates, and in that: • Said first plate comprises: • A first portion having a first thickness, • A second portion having a second thickness less than said first thickness, • At least two grooves for receiving a first end of an electrically conductive wire, provided in a first surface of said first plate, said first surface being located in use opposite a second surface of said second plate, a depth of each of said grooves being substantially equal to said second thickness of said second portion, • At least two studs, each stud being arranged opposite a part of a respective one of said grooves, formed in the second portion of said first plate, • Said second plate comprises at least two extrusions originating at the second surface of said second plate, each of said extrusions extending in use opposite a respective one of said grooves.

[0010] The electrical connector according to this implementation makes it possible to position the electrically conductive wires before soldering them onto a printed circuit board. Thus, during the routing of the electrically conductive wires, sandwiched between the first and second plates, from the supplier to the soldering station in the production plant, the positioning of the conductive wires is not modified. Consequently, when the operator wishes to connect the electrically conductive wires to a printed circuit board, it is not possible to reverse them. The safety requirements prohibiting any reversal of electrically conductive wires are therefore covered.

[0011] It should be noted that the printed circuit board must have holes for receiving the pads. When the pads are pressed into the holes in the printed circuit board, the electrically conductive wires come into contact with the soldering areas of the printed circuit board. This contact makes it easier to carry out the soldering process. welding.

[0012] In addition to the characteristics which have just been mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the connector according to the invention may have one or more additional characteristics among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0013] According to a non-limiting implementation of the invention, the first plate and the second plate are: • Secured together at a first end by a pivot connection; and • Able to be joined together at a second end by clipping means.

[0014] According to a non-limiting implementation of the invention, the electrical connector comprises as many pads as grooves, with a respective pad facing each groove.

[0015] According to a non-limiting implementation of the invention, the electrical connector comprises as many grooves as there are extrusions, with in use a respective extrusion opposite each groove.

[0016] According to a non-limiting implementation of the invention, the electrical connector comprises six grooves, six pads and six extrusions.

[0017] The invention also relates to an electrical connection assembly comprising an electrical connector according to any one of the implementations of the invention described above, at least two electrically conductive wires, and a printed circuit board arranged opposite the second portion of the first plate of said electrical connector, one face of said printed circuit board comprising at least two soldering zones arranged opposite the central recess of said electrical connector, said printed circuit board comprising at least two receiving orifices each receiving a respective pad, each electrically conductive wire having a first end arranged in a respective groove, with a stripped portion in electrical contact with a respective one of said soldering zones.

[0018] According to a non-limiting implementation of the invention, a soldering paste is placed on each welding zone.

[0019] According to a non-limiting implementation of the invention, each welding zone is extended by a conductive track formed on the printed circuit board and bypassing the orifices.

[0020] According to a non-limiting implementation of the invention, the electrical connection assembly comprises means for clipping the printed circuit board with the electrical connector.

[0021] According to a non-limiting implementation of the invention, each stripped part is tinned.

[0022] According to a non-limiting implementation of the invention, each first end of an electrically conductive wire is compressed between one of the grooves and one of the extrusions facing each other.

[0023] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures.

[0024] [Fig-1] is an exploded view of an electrical connection assembly according to an embodiment non-limiting work of the invention.

[0025] [Fig.2] illustrates, schematically, a lower part and an upper part of an electrical connector of the electrical connection assembly shown in the previous figure.

[0026] [Fig.3] illustrates, schematically, a three-dimensional view of the whole of electrical connection shown in [Fig.l].

[0027] [Fig.4] illustrates, schematically, a top view of the connection assembly electrical illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0028] [Fig.5] illustrates, in a schematic manner, a non-limiting example of an embodiment of a printed circuit board of an electrical connection assembly according to the invention.

[0029] The figures are presented for information purposes only and in no way limit the invention.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures has a single reference.

[0031] [Fig.l] shows an exploded view of an electrical connection assembly 1 comprising an electrical connector 2 between six electrically conductive wires 3 and a printed circuit board 4.

[0032] According to a non-limiting embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the electrical connector 2 comprises a first plate 5 and a second plate 6 of rectangular shape. It is understood that this rectangular shape is not limiting. The material of this electrical connector 2 may be plastic.

[0033] [Fig.2] illustrates, more particularly, the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 of the electrical connector 2 not assembled.

[0034] According to the illustrated embodiment, the first plate 5 and second plate 6 can pivot between them via a pivot connection formed by two hinges 7.

[0035] According to another non-limiting embodiment not illustrated, the first plate 5 and second plate 6 may not be connected to each other by any pivot connection.

[0036] The electrical connector 2 is furthermore crossed, over its entire thickness E, by a central recess 8. In other words, the electrical connector 2 forms a rectangular ring.

[0037] The first plate 5 comprises a first portion 5i having a first thickness Ei and a second portion 52 having a second thickness E2 less than the first thickness Eb. The second portion 52 is intended to be placed on the printed circuit board 4.

[0038] The first plate 5 comprises six grooves 9 for receiving a first end 10 of an electrically conductive wire 3. Each of the grooves 9 is formed in a first surface 11 of the first plate 5.

[0039] It should be noted that, according to this embodiment, the depth of each of the grooves 9 is equal to the second thickness E2 of the second portion 52. Thus, each of the grooves 9 passes through the thickness of the second portion 52.

[0040] According to a non-limiting embodiment not illustrated, each of the grooves 9 has a depth substantially equal to the second thickness E2 of the second portion 52. By substantially, we mean the fact that a groove 9 can have a depth less than the second thickness E2 of the second portion 52, this depth being less by a maximum of 1 mm than the second thickness E2 of the second portion 52.

[0041] It should be noted that the first plate 5 also comprises six circular-shaped pads 12.

[0042] Each stud 12 is arranged opposite a part of a respective one of the grooves 9, formed in the second portion 52 of the first plate 5.

[0043] A first end 10 of an electrically conductive wire 3 is arranged in each groove 9. Each of the first ends 10 of the electrically conductive wires 3 comprises, at the central recess 8, a stripped portion 13. In this non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the non-stripped portion 14 of the electrically conductive wire 3 is arranged outside the central recess 8. Thus, each of the grooves 9 can have two sections, a first section intended to receive the non-stripped portion 14 of the electrically conductive wire 3 and a second section smaller than said first section intended to receive the stripped portion 13.

[0044] In order to facilitate the soldering of the stripped parts 13 on the printed circuit board 4, each stripped part 13 is tinned.

[0045] The second plate 6 comprises six extrusions 15 originating at a second surface 16 of the second plate 6. When the first and second plates 5 and 6 are closed so as to form a housing, each of the extrusions 15 extends opposite one of the grooves 9. According to a non-limiting embodiment, a part of each of the extrusions 15 extends inside one of the grooves 9

[0046] According to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated, the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 are secured to each other by clipping means 17. These clipping means 17 are formed by split pins. These split pins are intended to be force-fitted into orifices 18 for holding these pins. slots made in the first plate 5.

[0047] According to another embodiment not illustrated, these clipping means 17 can be replaced by screws or any other means or method of securing.

[0048] When the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 are secured to each other, each first end 10 of one of the electrically conductive wires 3 is compressed between one of the grooves 9 and one of the extrusions 15. The first ends 10 of the electrically conductive wires 3 are consequently held in place in the electrical connector 2 and cannot move.

[0049] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 are superimposed in use. More particularly, the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 are superimposed in use along an axis orthogonal to the plane of the greatest extent of the first plate 5, respectively the second plate 6. This orthogonal axis extends in the direction of the thickness E of the electrical connector 2.

[0050] The printed circuit board 4 is arranged below the second portion 52 of the first plate 5 of the electrical connector 2. More particularly, a surface 19 of the second portion 52 is in contact with a surface 20 of the printed circuit board 4.

[0051] According to an embodiment not illustrated, in order to facilitate the securing of the printed circuit board 4 with the electrical connector 2, the electrical connection assembly 1 may also comprise means for clipping the printed circuit board 4 with the electrical connector 2.

[0052] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the surface 20 of the printed circuit board 4 comprises six welding zones 21. Each end of one of the electrically conductive wires 3 comprises a stripped part 13 in electrical contact with one of the welding zones 21.

[0053] The six welding zones 21 are arranged opposite the central opening 8 of the electrical connector 2. This central opening 8 thus forms an access zone to the first ends of the electrically conductive wires 3, and more particularly to the stripped parts 13 of these first ends. This access zone thus allows a welding machine, for example a machine using reflow soldering, to weld the stripped parts 13 to the welding zones 21. It is understood that other welding technologies can be implemented.

[0054] In order to facilitate soldering, a solder paste may be placed on each of the soldering zones 21 before the electrical connector 2 is placed on the printed circuit board 4.

[0055] In this embodiment, the printed circuit board 4 has six orifices 22 for receiving one of the pads 12 of the electrical connector 2. Each orifice 22 passes through the thickness of the printed circuit board 4 and is arranged opposite one of the welding zones 21. In other words, each orifice 22 is aligned with a welding zone welding 21.

[0056] Each pad 12 is inserted into one of the orifices 22 so that the surface 19 of the second portion 52 of the first plate 5 is in contact with the surface 20 of the printed circuit board 4.

[0057] Furthermore, each welding zone 21 is extended by a conductive track 23 formed on the printed circuit board 4 bypassing the orifices 22.

[0058] A first embodiment is illustrated in [Fig.l] according to which each of the conductive tracks 23 extending one of the welding zones 21 runs on the side of the orifice 22 aligned with said welding zone 21.

[0059] A second embodiment is illustrated in [Fig. 5] according to which three conductive tracks 23 each extending a welding zone 21 run on one of the sides of the printed circuit board 4 and the other three conductive tracks 23 run on the other side of the printed circuit board 4. This embodiment offers the advantage of being able to bring the receiving orifices 22 closer to each other and thus reduce the overall size of the electrical connection assembly 1.

[0060] According to a non-limiting application of the invention, each electrically conductive wire 3 comprises a second end, each second end being connected to a microcontroller of an inductive sensor for measuring the position of a mechanical part in rotation for an angular application or in translation for a linear application.

Claims

Claims

1. Electrical connector (2) intended to hold at least two electrically conductive wires (3) against a printed circuit board (4), said electrical connector (2) comprising a first plate (5) and a second plate (6) superimposed in use, said electrical connector (2) being characterized in that it comprises a central recess (8) passing through the thickness (E) of said electrical connector (2) via said first and second plates (5, 6), and in that: - Said first plate (5) comprises: • A first portion (5i) having a first thickness (EJ, • A second portion (52) having a second thickness (E2) less than said first thickness (EJ, • At least two grooves (9) for receiving a first end (10) of an electrically conductive wire (3), provided in a first surface (11) of said first plate (5), said first surface (11) being located in use opposite a second surface (16) of said second plate (6), a depth of each of said grooves (9) being substantially equal to said second thickness (E2) of said second portion (52), • At least two studs (12), each stud (12) being arranged opposite a part of a respective one of said grooves (9), formed in the second portion (52) of said first plate (5), - Said second plate (6) comprises at least two extrusions (15) originating at the second surface (16) of said second plate (6), each of said extrusions (15) extending in use opposite a respective one of said grooves (9).

2. Electrical connector (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first plate (5) and the second plate (6) are: - Joined together at one end by a pivot connection; and - Capable of being secured to each other at a second end by clipping means (17).

3. Electrical connector (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises as many pads (12) as grooves (9), with a respective pad (12) opposite each groove (9).

4. Electrical connector (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises as many grooves (9) as extrusions (15), with in use a respective extrusion (15) opposite each groove (9).

5. Electrical connector (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises six grooves (9), six studs (12) and six extrusions (15).

6. Electrical connection assembly (1) comprising an electrical connector (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, at least two electrically conductive wires (3), and a printed circuit board (4) arranged opposite the second portion (52) of the first plate (5) of said electrical connector (2), a face (20) of said printed circuit board (4) comprising at least two welding zones (21) arranged opposite the central recess (8) of said electrical connector (2), said printed circuit board (4) comprising at least two receiving orifices (22) each receiving a respective pad (12), each electrically conductive wire (3) having a first end (10) arranged in a respective groove (9), with a stripped portion (13) in electrical contact with a respective one of said welding zones (21).

7. Electrical connection assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that a soldering paste is arranged on each soldering zone (21).

8. Electrical connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that each welding zone (21) is extended by a conductive track (23) formed on the printed circuit board (4) and bypassing the orifices (22).

9. Electrical connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that each stripped part (13) is tinned.

10. Electrical connection assembly (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that each first end (10) of an electrically conductive wire (3) is compressed between one of the grooves (9) and one of the extrusions (15) facing each other.

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