Connector including a fixing contact

Abstract

Primary connector (1) comprising: - first primary contacts (15); - a second primary contact (22) comprising an external termination (23) and an internal termination (25), the internal termination of the second primary contact being arranged to be electrically connected to the electrical device, the external termination of the second primary contact being arranged to cooperate with a fastening member of the secondary connector to mechanically fix the secondary connector to the primary connector. ABRIDGED FIGURE: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Connector comprising a fixing contact

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electrical connectors, capable of being used in any field: railway, aeronautics, telecommunications, etc.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In most industrial fields, we find equipment designed to operate outdoors for extended periods.

[0004] Such equipment is, for example, an end-of-travel detector (on an overhead crane, for example).

[0005] This equipment comprises a housing on which a connector is mounted. A cable, comprising at one of its ends a complementary connector, is connected to the equipment via said connectors. The connection must be waterproof.

[0006] The connectors in question are for example circular, and the coupling between the connectors is for example a screw coupling (the connector at the end of the cable is then provided with a threaded ring) or uses a bayonet coupling.

[0007] We seek to improve the electrical performance of the connection, particularly with regard to electromagnetic compatibility constraints.

[0008] We are also seeking to improve the way in which the connectors are mechanically coupled.

[0009] This improvement must relate to at least one of the following points.

[0010] The aim is to facilitate the connection and disconnection of these connectors, so that these operations can be carried out more easily and more quickly by the technician.

[0011] Furthermore, since the equipment is located outside and is therefore accessible, there is a risk that malicious individuals may attempt to disconnect the connectors.

[0012] We are therefore seeking to design connectors equipped with an anti-vandalism device to ensure that the disconnection of the connectors can only be carried out by an approved technician with the correct unlocking tools. The anti-vandalism device must be simple to use, inexpensive and not bulky.

[0013] However, the coupling devices which have just been mentioned (with threaded ring or bayonet) generally do not allow the integration of an effective anti-vandalism device.

[0014] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The object of the invention is to improve the electrical performance of the connection between two complementary connectors, and the mechanical coupling between said connectors. Summary of the invention

[0016] In order to achieve this goal, a primary connector is proposed comprising:

[0017] - first primary contacts each comprising an external termination and a internal termination, the external terminations of the first primary contacts being arranged to be brought into contact with secondary contacts of a secondary connector connectable to said primary connector, the internal terminations of the first primary contacts being arranged to be electrically connected to an electrical device connectable to said primary connector, the primary connector thus making it possible to electrically connect the secondary contacts of the secondary connector to said electrical device;

[0018] - a second primary contact comprising an external termination and a ter internal termination, the internal termination of the second primary contact being arranged to be electrically connected to the electrical device, the external termination of the second primary contact being arranged to cooperate with a fixing member of the secondary connector to mechanically fix the secondary connector to the primary connector.

[0019] By electrically connecting the fixing member of the secondary connector to a ground wire and / or to a shield of the cable at the end of which it is located, and by electrically connecting the second primary contact of the primary connector to a ground of the electrical device, the ground connection and therefore the electrical performance of the connection with respect to electromagnetic compatibility constraints are improved.

[0020] A contact is therefore added to the primary connector while reducing its volume and mass, since this contact also has the role of a fixator.

[0021] The coupling of the primary connector and the secondary connector via the second primary contact and the fixing member makes it possible to connect and disconnect (and lock and unlock) the primary connector and the secondary connector very easily and very quickly.

[0022] This coupling makes it possible to simply integrate an anti-vandalism device into the connection system, in particular when the second primary contact comprises a tapping and the fixing member a thread.

[0023] A primary connector as previously described is further provided, in which the external termination of the second primary contact comprises a thread arranged to be complementary to a thread formed on the fixing member.

[0024] A primary connector as previously described is further provided, wherein the outer termination of the second primary contact is arranged to cooperate with a finger of a stop pin integrated into the secondary connector.

[0025] There is further provided a primary connector as previously described, wherein the internal termination of the second primary contact is arranged to be connected to a mass of the electrical device.

[0026] A primary connector as previously described is further provided, the external terminations of the first primary contacts extending in a peripheral portion inside a sleeve of the primary connector, and the second primary contact extending in a central portion inside said sleeve.

[0027] A primary connector as previously described is further provided, wherein the external terminations of the first primary contacts are hermaphroditic terminations.

[0028] A primary connector as previously described is further provided, wherein the first primary contacts and the second primary contact are made of nickel-plated brass.

[0029] A connection system is further proposed comprising a primary connector as previously described, and a secondary connector comprising the fixing member.

[0030] A connection system as previously described is further proposed, further comprising an anti-vandalism device requiring a specific tool to disconnect the secondary connector from the primary connector.

[0031] A connection system is further proposed as previously described, in which the anti-vandalism device comprises an imprint formed on the fixing member, and the specific tool comprises a complementary imprint.

[0032] We also propose equipment comprising:

[0033] - a housing on which the primary connector as previously described is mounted;

[0034] - an electrical device, which is integrated into the housing and to which the internal terminations of the first primary contacts and the internal termination of the second primary contact of the primary connector.

[0035] We further propose equipment as previously described, the equipment being a magnetic switch.

[0036] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description of particular non-limiting embodiments of the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Reference will be made to the attached drawings, among which:

[0038] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents an electrical equipment provided with a connector primary, a cable, a secondary connector and other equipment;

[0039] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective and front view of a primary connector according to a first embodiment;

[0040] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective and rear view of the primary connector;

[0041] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective and sectional view of the primary connector, according to a plane perpendicular to its base;

[0042] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a second primary contact;

[0043] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a sectional view of the second primary contact, according to a plane passing through its longitudinal axis;

[0044] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the primary connector and the connector secondary according to a first embodiment;

[0045] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a sectional view of the primary connector and the secondary connector coupled, along a plane perpendicular to the base of the primary connector;

[0046] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a figure similar to [Fig.8], the primary connector and the secondary connector not being coupled, on which we also see a locking tool;

[0047] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of the internal terminations of the primary contacts;

[0048] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a figure similar to [Fig.7], with a primary connector and a secondary connector according to a second embodiment;

[0049] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a figure similar to [Fig.8], with the primary connector and the secondary connector according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] With reference to [Fig. 1], the primary connector 1 is mounted on the housing 2 of an electrical equipment 3 in which an electrical device is integrated, in this case an electrical card 4.

[0051] The electrical equipment 3 is any equipment, from any industrial field. It is for example an end-of-travel detector (on an overhead crane for example), a magnetic switch, a train passage detector, etc.

[0052] With reference to figures 2 to 4, the primary connector 1 is here a base "equipped" (i.e. provided with contacts). The base is made, for example, of polycarbonate. The primary connector 1 comprises a square base 5 having rounded corners. The base 5 comprises, for each corner, a hole 6 formed near said corner. The holes 6 allow the primary connector 1 to be fixed to the housing 2 of the electrical equipment 3.

[0053] The primary connector 1 further comprises a sleeve 8 of cylindrical shape with a circular section, which extends perpendicularly to a plane in which the base 5 extends. The sleeve 8 is hollow and extends from the external face of the base 5. The primary connector 1 also comprises an internal protrusion 10, of cylindrical shape with a circular section, solid, which extends from the internal face of the base 5.

[0054] Here, for the primary connector 1, by "external" is meant on the outside of the housing 2 (when the primary connector 1 is mounted on the housing 2), and by “internal” means the inside of the housing 2.

[0055] The sleeve 8 and the internal portion 10 are coaxial with axis X.

[0056] The primary connector 1 further comprises a flat seal 11, positioned against the internal face of the base 5, and which covers the entire surface of said internal face (with the exception of the holes 6 and the internal protrusion 10 of the connector 1).

[0057] The primary connector 1 also comprises two grooves 12 formed on the sleeve 8, positioned successively along the length of the sleeve 8, and which each extend along the circumference of the sleeve 8 on its outer wall. Each groove 12 is intended to accommodate an O-ring 14.

[0058] The primary connector 1 further comprises primary contacts which extend in the sleeve 8 and in the internal protrusion 10, parallel to their longitudinal axis X.

[0059] The primary contacts here comprise six first primary contacts 15 (for example with a diameter of 3 mm). The first six primary contacts 15 are integrated into the base and overmolded with it.

[0060] The first primary contacts 15 each comprise an external termination 16 and an internal termination 17.

[0061] The external terminations 16 of the first primary contacts 15 extend in a peripheral portion of the sleeve 8 parallel to the longitudinal axis X thereof, and are regularly distributed angularly along the circumference of the sleeve 8. The internal terminations 17 of the first primary contacts 15 extend from a peripheral portion of the internal protrusion 10 parallel to the longitudinal axis X thereof, and are regularly distributed along the circumference of the internal protrusion 10.

[0062] The external terminations 16 are arranged to be brought into contact with secondary contacts of a secondary connector connectable to the primary connector 1. The secondary connector will be described later in this description.

[0063] The external terminations 16 of the first primary contacts 15 are hermaphroditic terminations. The first primary contacts 15 are therefore hermaphroditic contacts, which can therefore be coupled at their external termination 16 with contacts of the same shape. This type of contact has many advantages, and in particular very good electrical characteristics (low contact resistance in particular) and mechanical characteristics (mechanical stability of the contact connection, good resistance to vibrations and shocks in particular). The contacts are identical on the primary connector and the secondary connector (no “male” or “female” contact).

[0064] The internal terminations 17 are arranged to be electrically connected to the electrical card 4 integrated in the housing 2 of the electrical equipment 3.

[0065] The primary connector 1 thus makes it possible to electrically connect the se- secondary connector to the electrical board 4.

[0066] The internal terminations 17 are intended to be connected to wires (by soldering for example) themselves connected (by soldering for example) to the electrical card 4. The internal terminations 17 each comprise a base 18 and an extension 19, coaxial, which extend successively from the internal protrusion 10. The extensions 19 allow soldering to be carried out to connect the electrical cables to the terminations.

[0067] Each internal termination 17 is hollow and has a through orifice 20, located at its base 18 and allowing the gas emitted during brazing to escape.

[0068] The primary connector 1 further comprises a second primary contact 22. The second primary contact 22 is integrated into the base and overmolded with it.

[0069] The second primary contact 22, better visible in Figures 5 and 6, comprises an external termination 23, an intermediate part 24 and an internal termination 25. The external termination 23 and the intermediate part 24 are positioned in a cavity 26 formed in the central part of the base, of variable diameter and adapted to the dimensions of the second primary contact 22. The cavity 26 extends inside a tube 33 of longitudinal axis X and which is formed in a central part of the sleeve 8, and extends into the thickness of the base 5 and the internal protrusion 10.

[0070] The external termination 23 extends into said tube 33. The internal termination 25 extends from a central portion of the internal protrusion 10, parallel to the longitudinal axis X thereof.

[0071] The diameter of the tube 33 is smaller than that of the sleeve 8, and the external terminations 16 of the first primary contacts 15 extend between the outer wall of the tube 33 and the inner wall of the sleeve 8.

[0072] The external termination 23 is hollow, cylindrical in shape. A thread 27 is formed on the inner wall of the external termination 23.

[0073] The intermediate portion 24 of the second primary contact 22 extends into the thickness of the base 5 and the internal protrusion 10. The intermediate portion 24 is a solid portion, with a diameter greater than that of the external termination 23 and that of the internal termination 25. A flat 28 is formed on the outer surface of the intermediate portion 24. The flat 28 extends to the shoulder separating the external termination 23 from the intermediate portion 24. A complementary excess thickness, formed on the inner surface of the cavity 26, is positioned in the flat 28, which prevents the second primary contact 22 from rotating when the threaded rod of the secondary connector is screwed or unscrewed (this will be explained below). The intermediate portion 24 fulfills the following functions: circular centering function, axial stop in the base, rotational locking with the flat.The correct position of the central contact (second primary contact) in the base is determined by this mechanical part.

[0074] The internal termination 25 comprises a base 29 and a brazing extension 30, coaxial and cylindrical, which extend successively from the internal protrusion 10 of the sleeve 8.

[0075] The internal termination 25 is hollow and has a through orifice 31, located at its base 29 and allowing the gas emitted during brazing to escape.

[0076] The sleeve 8 further comprises three longitudinal keying ribs 32, positioned at 120° and extending on the inner wall of the sleeve 8, parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

[0077] With reference to Figures 7 to 9, the secondary connector 40 (shown schematically in these figures), for its part, comprises a main body 41, a sleeve 42 and an external portion 43.

[0078] The main body 41 has a cylindrical shape with a square section. It comprises an internal face and an external face.

[0079] For the secondary connector 40, “internal” means on the side of the housing 2 (when the secondary connector 40 is connected to the primary connector 1), and “external” means on the other side.

[0080] The sleeve 42 has a cylindrical shape of circular section and extends from a central portion of the internal face of the main body 41, perpendicular thereto. The external portion 43 has a cylindrical shape of circular section and extends from a central portion of the external face of the main body 41, perpendicular thereto.

[0081] The sleeve 42 and the external portion 43 are coaxial with the longitudinal axis Y, said axis Y being coincident with a central axis of the main body 41 passing through the center of its internal face and the center of its external face.

[0082] The sleeve 42 comprises a solid part comprising longitudinal holes which extend in a peripheral part of the sleeve 42, parallel to its longitudinal axis Y, and which are regularly distributed along the circumference of the sleeve 42.

[0083] The secondary connector comprises secondary contacts 50 which extend into said longitudinal holes and therefore parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 42.

[0084] The secondary contacts 50 are here six in number.

[0085] The secondary contacts 50 are hermaphroditic contacts, which have external terminations identical to those of the first primary contacts 15.

[0086] The secondary contacts 50 are connected (for example by soldering) to wires of a cable 51. The secondary connector 40 is connected to one end of the cable 51, the other end of said cable 51 being connected to another piece of electrical equipment 52 (visible in [Fig.l]).

[0087] The solid part of the sleeve 42 further comprises a first hole 53 of cylindrical shape, with longitudinal axis Y coinciding with that of the sleeve 42.

[0088] The main body 41 comprises a second hole 54 of cylindrical shape, with a longitudinal axis Y, of diameter smaller than that of the first hole 53. A thread 55 is formed in the inner wall of the second hole 54. The thread 55 is connected, inside the main body 41, to a ground wire of the cable 51 and to a shield of the cable 51 (not shown).

[0089] The external portion 43 comprises a cavity 56 which is also cylindrical in shape and has a longitudinal axis Y.

[0090] The first hole 53, the second hole 54 and the cavity 56 form a housing in which extends a threaded rod 57, which is screwed over part of its length into the second tapped hole 54. The head 58 of the rod 57 comprises on its external face a non-conventional key imprint 59, here of triangular shape.

[0091] The solid part of the sleeve 42 further comprises three longitudinal keying grooves (not shown), formed on its inner wall, positioned at 120° and which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis Y of the sleeve 42.

[0092] We will now describe how the primary connector 1 and the secondary connector 40 are connected.

[0093] To connect the electrical equipment 52 to the electrical equipment 3 via the cable 51, the technician brings the secondary connector 40 axially so that the sleeve 42 of the secondary connector 40 surrounds the sleeve 8 of the primary connector 1. The keying ribs 32 of the sleeve 8 slide in the keying grooves of the sleeve 42 to angularly position the sleeve 42. The external terminations of the secondary contacts 50 of the secondary connector 40 come into contact with the external terminations 16 of the first primary contacts 15 of the primary connector 1.

[0094] Once the free end of the sleeve 42 of the secondary connector 40 is in contact with the external face of the base 5 of the primary connector 1, and the free end of the sleeve 8 of the primary connector 1 is in contact with the internal face of the main body 41 of the secondary connector 40, the technician uses a specific tool 62, in this case a rotating tip having a recess 63 complementary to the recess 59 of the head 58 of the threaded rod 57. He positions the tip 62 so that its recess 63 penetrates into the recess 59 of the rod 57 and turns the tip to screw the external end of the threaded rod 57 into the tapped hole (tapping 27) of the external termination 23 of the second primary contact 22. The internal face of the head 58 of the threaded rod 57 then comes into contact against the bottom of the cavity 56 formed in the external portion 43 of secondary connector 40.The secondary connector 40 is thus securely connected and locked to the primary connector 1.

[0095] To disconnect the cable 51 from the electrical equipment 3, the technician uses the tip 62 to unscrew the threaded rod 57 then axially moves the connector se- secondary 40 of primary connector 1.

[0096] This time again, the tip 62 is mandatory to disconnect the secondary connector 40.

[0097] The connection system formed by the primary connector 1 and the secondary connector 40 therefore comprises an anti-vandalism locking device, which requires a specific tool (tip 62) to be manipulated. This allows disconnection during maintenance operations only by an authorized technician equipped with the correct tool.

[0098] The connection of the secondary connector 40 to the primary connector 1 therefore makes it possible to connect the cable 51 to the electrical card 4 of the electrical equipment 3.

[0099] The second primary contact 22 therefore has a dual function: threaded mechanical connection (and locking), electrical ground connection.

[0100] We therefore have six electrical connections established thanks to the first primary contacts 15 and the secondary contacts 50.

[0101] There is also a seventh electrical connection, made via the threaded rod 57 and the second primary contact 22 (tapping 27 and second internal termination 25). This electrical connection makes it possible to electrically connect the ground wire of the cable 51 and the shielding of the cable 51 to a ground of the equipment 3.

[0102] This significantly improves the ground recovery and therefore the electrical performance of the connection between the equipment (in particular with regard to electromagnetic compatibility constraints).

[0103] We are now interested in the choice of material for the contacts of the primary connector 1.

[0104] The material chosen for the primary contacts of the primary connector 1 (first primary contacts 15 and second primary contact 22) is here nickel-plated brass (for example CuZn40).

[0105] Brass is easily machinable and has good electrical conductivity. The nickel layer allows good sliding without degrading the conductivity. The thickness of the chemical nickel plating layer is here between 5 and 10 qm.

[0106] It would have been possible to use another material, for example copper with a nickel plating layer. Copper is a better conductor. However, it does not have the same anti-corrosion characteristics, and is more expensive. In addition, copper is not suitable for a threaded connection from the point of view of mechanical strength (degradation of the thread after several screwings / unscrewings), and does not have anti-seize properties allowing several screwings / unscrewings and prolonged outdoor use.

[0107] As regards the thread 27 of the external termination 23 of the second primary contact 22 (central contact), brass also has the following advantages: it is easy to machine and, with the surface nickel plating, it allows screwing and unscrewing without risk of seizure, even with a stainless steel interface. The threaded rod 57 of the secondary connector 40 is made of stainless steel, for anti-corrosion and mechanical strength reasons.

[0108] The choice of nickel-plated brass is also relevant with regard to the galvanic couple.

[0109] As seen, the threaded rod 57 of the secondary connector 40 is screwed and unscrewed by a specific tool 62 (rotating tip) with a specific key imprint 63 (complementary to the imprint 59 of the rod 57).

[0110] The rod is made of stainless steel and the thread 27 in the second primary contact 22 of the primary connector 1 is made of nickel-plated brass.

[0111] The brass / stainless steel galvanic couple is 400mV, which is acceptable and does not create any risk of corrosion.

[0112] The nickel layer on the brass improves this condition: the nickel / stainless steel couple is 180 mV, which allows the brass / stainless steel galvanic couple to be lowered and allows a very satisfactory galvanic ratio to be obtained.

[0113] The choice of nickel-plated brass for the central contact 22 is therefore satisfactory in terms of galvanic torque.

[0114] The secondary contacts 50 (hermaphroditic contacts) of the secondary connector 40 are here made of nickel-plated copper. The brass / copper couple is 80 mV, and is therefore very satisfactory.

[0115] We are interested in the breakdown distance and the disruptive voltage for the primary contacts 15, 22 of the primary connector 1.

[0116] The voltage resistance indicated in the technical documentation is 2000 V.

[0117] The commonly used value of breakdown voltage in air is given below:

[0118] || Disruptive(air) || «3.6x 106 Vm-ï «36000 V.cm-i

[0119] Taking into account this disruptive voltage, we can calculate the breakdown distance between two contacts at atmospheric pressure.

[0120] With p = 1 bar = 105 Pa, we have:

[0121] Dislodged = 0.56 mm.

[0122] Now, here, with reference to [Fig. 10], on the primary connector 1, the distance between two contact surfaces on the primary connector 1 is equal to at least dmini= 3mm

[0123] We have well defined > deciquing,

[0124] so that the primary connector 1 does not present any risk of breakdown.

[0125] We are now interested in the tightening torque of the threaded rod 57.

[0126] The tightening torque usually recommended for an M6 screw in A2-70 stainless steel (standard range stainless steel screws) is 7 to 9 Nm

[0127] As there is no shear or tensile force on this threaded connection in normal conditions of use and the interface thread is made of nickel-plated brass with lower mechanical resistance, a tightening torque of approximately 6 Nm is recommended. This ensures the connection and ensures the electrical grounding interface.

[0128] The table in Appendix 1 gives some values ​​of parameters relating to the mechanical interface between the threaded rod and the tapping.

[0129] A second embodiment of the primary connector 70 and the secondary connector 71 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0130] The fixing mechanism this time uses the principle of the stop pin, which allows rapid connection / disconnection (but does not include an anti-vandalism system here).

[0131] The outer termination 72 of the second primary contact 74 of the primary connector 70 again has a cylindrical outer shape and is hollow. The outer termination 72 has at its outer end a circular opening whose diameter gradually reduces longitudinally, which defines a conical cavity 75 inside the outer termination 72.

[0132] The secondary connector 71 comprises a sleeve 76 and a main body 77.

[0133] The sleeve 76 comprises a solid part which comprises a first hole 78 of cylindrical shape, with longitudinal axis Y coincident with that of the sleeve 76.

[0134] The main body 77 comprises a second cylindrical hole 79, with a diameter smaller than that of the first hole 78. The inner surface of the second hole 79 is connected to a ground wire of the cable and to the shielding of the cable at the end of which the secondary connector 71 is mounted.

[0135] The main body 77 comprises an external cavity 80 also of cylindrical shape, with longitudinal axis Y, which opens outwards.

[0136] The secondary connector 71 further includes a ball lock pin 82 which includes a handle 83, a finger 84 attached to the handle 83, and a snap button 85 positioned in the center of the handle 83.

[0137] The finger 84 is hollow. A longitudinal cavity 86 extends over the entire length of the finger 84 inside the latter. A crown 87 is formed projecting from the inner wall of the finger 84, which reduces the diameter of the cavity 86 at the level of said crown 87.

[0138] The handle 83 comprises a central cavity 88 which extends in the extension of the longitudinal cavity 86.

[0139] The stop pin 82 further comprises a rod 89 slidably mounted in the cavity 86 and the cavity 88. The press stud 85 is secured to the outer end of the rod 89.

[0140] The stop pin 82 also includes a spring 90, positioned between the crown 87 and the internal face of the head of the press stud 85.

[0141] The rod 89 further comprises an excess thickness 92 extending radially all around the rod 89 near the outer end thereof.

[0142] The outer end of the finger 84 is conical in shape. The finger 84 comprises two holes 95 formed in its thickness, diametrically opposed and located at the base of this conical shape.

[0143] The stop pin 82 further comprises two balls 96 which can move in the holes 95 without coming out.

[0144] The attachment of the secondary connector 71 to the primary connector 70 is carried out in the following manner.

[0145] The secondary connector 71 is positioned on the primary connector 70, as previously described: the sleeve 76 surrounds the sleeve 97 of the primary connector 70.

[0146] The technician exerts pressure on the handle 83, which brings the conical end of the finger 84 towards the conically shaped cavity 75 inside the external termination 72 of the second primary contact 74 of the primary connector 70. The technician presses the pressure button 85, which advances the rod 89 towards the external end of the finger 84. The excess thickness 92 follows this movement, which brings the balls 96 radially towards the inside of the finger 84 and allows the conical end of the finger 84 to be positioned in the cavity 75 against the inner wall thereof.

[0147] The electrical contact for the ground connection is therefore made by surface contact of the male and female conical parts. The conical shape ensures a better electrical contact surface and a progressive introduction of the finger 84 into the external termination 72 to limit the risk of seizure.

[0148] By releasing the pressure button 85, the balls 96 spring back radially and position themselves partially in housings provided for this purpose at the entrance of the external termination 72, which blocks the finger 84 in position and locks the secondary connector 71 on the primary connector 70.

[0149] Disconnection is accomplished by pressing the snap button 85, which pulls the balls 96 back toward the inside of the finger 84 and releases the finger 84, and by pulling the handle 83 of the stop pin 82.

[0150] The outer surface of the end of the finger 84 is in contact with the inner surface of the second hole 79, which makes it possible to connect the ground and the shielding of the cable to the second primary contact 74 and therefore to the ground of the equipment on which the primary connector 70 is mounted.

[0151] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0152] The number, shape and arrangement of the contacts of the primary and se-

[0153]

[0154]

[0155]

[0156]

[0157]

[0158]

[0159]

[0160] condary may be different from those described here. Contacts are therefore not necessarily hermaphroditic contacts. The shape of the connectors themselves can be different (and is not necessarily circular). The second primary contact (fixer) is not necessarily a center contact, it could have a different position in the connector. The primary connector may include several second primary contacts (used for attaching the connectors to each other). The fixing member of the secondary connector is not necessarily a threaded rod or a locking pin. The fixing can be achieved in a different way, for example by elastic fitting. The fixing member of the secondary connector and the second primary contact of the primary connector are not necessarily connected to ground. It is perfectly possible to use this connection to transmit a non-zero voltage, for example a supply voltage or an electrical signal containing data. The transmission can be carried out from the cable, at the end of which is the secondary connector, to the equipment comprising the primary connector, or in the other direction. The electrical device to which the internal terminations of the first primary contacts are electrically connected is not necessarily an electrical board. It may be, for example, several boards, one or more electrical components, a board and an electrical or mechanical ground, etc. The connectors described here can be used in any application in any field (railway, aeronautics, automotive, military, telecommunications, industrial detection, etc.). The equipment on which the connectors are mounted may possibly be designed to operate outdoors for extended periods, but this is not mandatory. Appendix Geometric characteristics nominal diameter 6 mm thread pitch 1 mm helix angle 3.04 deg core diameter 4.77 mm thread flank diameter 5.35 mm core section 18 mm2 thread length in engagement 10 mm average diameter of the supporting face 8.2 mm section subject to peening 86 mm2 section subject to shear 150 mm2 torsion modulus 21 mm3 Stress balance screw tension 4571 N coefficient of friction 0.2 - friction torque under head 3.7 Nm friction torque in the thread 3.1 Nm tightening torque 6.9 Nm Stress balance screw strength class 5.8 - breaking strength 500 Mpa elastic limit 400 MPa stress rate 90% permissible stress 360 MPa maximum permissible peening 180 MPa peening stress (value reached if less than the maximum permissible peening) 53 MPa tensile stress 255 MPa shear stress 30 MPa torsional stress 146 MPa resulting stress 360 MPa

Claims

Claims

1. Primary connector (1; 70) comprising: - first primary contacts (15) each comprising an external termination (16) and an internal termination (17), the external terminations of the first primary contacts being arranged to be brought into contact with secondary contacts (50) of a secondary connector (40; 71) connectable to said primary connector, the internal terminations of the first primary contacts being arranged to be electrically connected to an electrical device (4) connectable to said primary connector, the primary connector thus making it possible to electrically connect the secondary contacts of the secondary connector to said electrical device; - a second primary contact (22;74) comprising an external termination (23) and an internal termination (25), the internal termination of the second primary contact being arranged to be electrically connected to the electrical device, the external termination of the second primary contact being arranged to cooperate with a fixing member (57; 82) of the secondary connector to mechanically fix the secondary connector to the primary connector.;

2. A primary connector according to claim 1, wherein the outer termination (23) of the second primary contact (22) comprises a thread (27) arranged to be complementary to a thread formed on the fixing member (57).

3. A primary connector according to claim 1, wherein the outer termination (72) of the second primary contact (74) is arranged to cooperate with a finger (84) of a stop pin (82) integrated in the secondary connector (71).

4. Primary connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal termination (25) of the second primary contact is arranged to be connected to a ground of the electrical device (4).

5. Primary connector according to one of the preceding claims, the external terminations (16) of the first primary contacts (15) extending in a peripheral part inside a sleeve (8; 97) of the primary connector, and the second primary contact (22; 74) extending in a central part inside said sleeve.

6. Primary connector according to one of the preceding claims, in which the external terminations (16) of the first primary contacts (15) are hermaphroditic endings.

7. A primary connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the first primary contacts and the second primary contact are made of nickel-plated brass.

8. Connection system comprising a primary connector (1; 70) according to one of the preceding claims, and a secondary connector (40; 71) comprising the fixing member (57; 82).

9. Connection system according to claim 8, further comprising an anti-vandalism device requiring a specific tool (62) to disconnect the secondary connector from the primary connector.

10. Connection system according to claims 2 and 9, in which the anti-vandalism device comprises an imprint (59) formed on the fixing member, and the specific tool comprises a complementary imprint (63).

11. Equipment (3) comprising: - a housing (2) on which the primary connector according to one of claims 1 to 7 is mounted; - an electrical device (4), which is integrated in the housing (2) and to which the internal terminations (17) of the first primary contacts and the internal termination (25) of the second primary contact of the primary connector are connected.

12. Equipment according to claim 11, the equipment being a magnetic switch.

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