Electrical connector for control camera and associated control camera

Abstract

Electrical connector for control camera and associated control camera The present invention relates to an electrical connector for control camera, comprising: comprising a main body (12) and a first (14) and a second (16) connection elements, the main body comprising a front surface (32), each of the first and second connection elements forming an axial projection relative to said front surface, the first connection element comprising a support (34) and at least one terminal (36, 38); the at least one terminal comprising a connection member (46), elastically deformable by axial pressure; the electrical connector being configured so that the first (14) and second (16) connection elements are capable of being connected to a first and a second distinct electrical device. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical connector for control camera and associated control camera

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector for a control camera, of the type comprising: a main body and first and second connection elements, the main body extending along a main axis and comprising a front surface substantially perpendicular to said main axis, each of the first and second connection elements forming an axial projection relative to said front surface, the first connection element comprising: a support, extending in projection relative to the front surface of the body as far as an end surface; and at least one terminal assembled to said end surface; the at least one terminal comprising a connection member, elastically deformable by pressure along the main axis.

[0002] The invention applies particularly to control cameras for motor vehicles. Such a camera is described in document US9628680.

[0003] Such cameras are for example fixed in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, to be incorporated into a system for monitoring the driver and / or the occupant(s) of said vehicle. The arrangement of the different components of such a camera must take into account a limited available space.

[0004] The present invention aims to propose an improvement in the arrangement of control cameras for motor vehicles. To this end, the invention relates to an electrical connector of the aforementioned type, configured so that the first and second connection elements are capable of being connected to a first and a second separate electrical device.

[0005] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the electrical connector comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

[0006] - the connection member of the at least one terminal comprises a first tab extending from the end surface of the support to a free end, said first leg comprising a contact portion further from said end surface than said free end;

[0007] - the at least one terminal further comprises: a second leg, integral with the first leg; and a spring disposed between the second leg and the support, said spring being compressed so as to exert on the first leg a force opposite to said support;

[0008] - the electrical connector further comprises at least a first and a second electric cables, fixed to the main body and connected respectively to the first and the second connecting elements.

[0009] The invention further relates to a control camera comprising: an optical lens; a light diode; a first and a second printed circuit, fixed respectively to the light diode and to the optical lens; a first and a second electrical device, arranged respectively on the first and on the second printed circuit and connected respectively to the light diode and to the optical lens; and an electrical connector as described above, such that the first and second connection elements are simultaneously connected to the first and to the second electrical device.

[0010] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the control camera comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0011] - the first electrical device comprises at least one pressed connection area against the at least one terminal so as to elastically deform the connection member of said at least one terminal and to ensure electrical contact between said at least one terminal and said first electrical device;

[0012] - the first and second printed circuits are arranged substantially parallel to each other and separated by a non-zero distance;

[0013] - one edge of the second printed circuit has a U-shaped cutout and the support of the first connection element of the connector is arranged in said cutout.

[0014] The invention further relates to a vehicle equipped with a control camera as described above.

[0015] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0016] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a detail view of an electrical connector according to a method of realization of the invention;

[0017] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a detail view of the electrical connector of [Fig.l];

[0018] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a detail view of a control camera according to a mode of embodiment of the invention, with the electrical connector of figures 1 and 2; and

[0019] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a detailed view of elements of the control camera of [Fig.3].

[0020] [Fig.l] shows an electrical connector 10 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0021] The electrical connector 10 comprises: a main body 12; and a first 14 and a second 16 connection element.

[0022] In the embodiment shown, the electrical connector 10 further comprises at least a first 20, 22 and a second 24 electrical cable; and at least one mechanical fixing element 26, 28.

[0023] The main body 12 extends along a main axis 30, between a first and a second opposite end. The first end is materialized by a front surface 32, substantially perpendicular to the main axis 30.

[0024] The main body 12 is formed from an electrically insulating material such as one or more plastic materials.

[0025] Each of the first 14 and second 16 connection elements forms an axial projection relative to the front surface 32 of the main body 12.

[0026] The first connection element 14 comprises a support 34 and at least one first terminal 36. In the embodiment shown, the first connection element 14 further comprises a second terminal 38.

[0027] The support 34 extends from the front surface 32 of the main body 12, parallel to the main axis 30, to an end surface 40. Preferably, said end surface 40 is substantially perpendicular to the main axis 30.

[0028] In the embodiment shown, the end surface 40 has an elongated shape, extending along a secondary axis 42 substantially perpendicular to the main axis 30; and each of the first 36 and second 38 terminals is arranged at the level of said end surface 40, said first 36 and second 38 terminals being aligned along the secondary axis 42.

[0029] In the embodiment shown, the first 36 and the second 38 terminals are substantially identical and will be described simultaneously below, under the name “the terminal”.

[0030] The terminal 36, 38 comprises an annular body 44 and a first leg 46. In the embodiment shown, the terminal 36, 38 further comprises a second leg 48 and a spring 50. The second leg 48 is formed in one piece with the annular body 44 and the first leg 46.

[0031] The annular body 44 comprises a blade closed on itself and arranged around an axis parallel to the main axis 30. The annular body 44 is assembled to the support 34, so that at least one edge 52 of said annular body 44 is flush with the end surface 40 of said support or projects slightly relative to said end surface 40.

[0032] The first leg 46 forms an axial projection relative to the annular body 44. More precisely, the first leg 46 extends from the edge 52 of the annular body 44, to a first free end 54.

[0033] The first leg 46 has a hook shape between said edge 52 and said first free end 54. More precisely, the first leg 46 comprises a contact portion 56, arranged between said edge 52 and said first free end 54. Along the main axis 30, the contact portion 56 is further away from the surface end 40 of the support 34 than the first free end 54 of the first leg 46.

[0034] The second leg 48 extends from the edge 52 of the annular body 44, to a second free end. The second leg 48 is arranged axially between the end surface 40 of the support 34 and the first leg 46.

[0035] The second leg 48 comprises a support portion 58, extending substantially parallel to the end surface 40 of the support 34.

[0036] The spring 50 is a compression spring. More precisely, the spring 50 extends and compresses parallel to the main axis 30, between a first end (not shown), received inside the support 34, and a second end bearing on the bearing portion 58 of the second leg 48. The spring 50 is in a semi-compression state, so as to exert on the second leg 48 an axial force opposite the front surface 32 of the main body 12. The axial force is transmitted to the first leg 46 via the annular body 44.

[0037] Preferably, the terminal 36, 38 is assembled to the support 34 with axial play, so that the spring 50 is able to push the first 46 and second 48 legs away from the front surface 32.

[0038] The second connecting element 16 extends from the front surface 32 of the main body 12, parallel to the main axis 30, to an end edge 60.

[0039] As will be described below, the first 14 and second 16 connection elements are configured to be connected to separate electrical devices.

[0040] In the embodiment shown, a first distance 62 between the end surface 40 of the support 34 and the front surface 32 is greater than a second distance 64 between the end edge 60 of the second connection element 16 and said front surface 32.

[0041] The first 20, 22 and second 24 electrical cables are fixed to the main body 12 and electrically connected, respectively, to the first 14 and the second 16 connection elements. Preferably, the first 20, 22 and second 24 electrical cables are fixed to the second end of the main body 12, opposite the front surface 32.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, the connector 10 comprises two first electrical cables 20, 22 connected respectively to the first 36 and to the second 38 terminals of the first connection element 14.

[0043] The at least one mechanical fixing element 26, 28 is intended to secure the connector 10 to an electrical device or to an electrical assembly. In the embodiment shown, the connector 10 comprises two mechanical fixing elements 26, 28, in the form of two screws inserted into orifices of the main body 12.

[0044] [Fig. 3] shows a control camera 70 according to an embodiment of the invention. The camera 70 is for example intended to be fixed in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle (not shown).

[0045] The camera 70 comprises a connector 10 as described above.

[0046] The camera 70 further comprises: a first 72 and a second 74 circuits printed; a first 76 and a second 78 electrical devices; a light diode 80; and an optical lens 82.

[0047] The camera 70 further comprises an envelope (not shown) enclosing at least the first 72 and second 74 printed circuits.

[0048] The first 72 and second 74 printed circuits are partially shown in [Fig.4],

[0049] The first printed circuit 72 comprises a first substantially planar substrate 84, said first substrate comprising a first 86 and a second 88 opposite and substantially planar faces.

[0050] The first electrical device 76 is arranged on the first face 86 of the first substrate 84. The light diode 80 is fixed to the second face 88 of said first substrate.

[0051] In the embodiment shown, the first printed circuit 72 further comprises a first electrical connection (not shown) between the first electrical device 76 and the light diode 80.

[0052] The first electrical device 76 is capable of being electrically connected to the first connection element 14 of the connector 10.

[0053] In the embodiment shown, the first electrical device 76 comprises a first 90 and a second 92 connection zones, intended to be electrically connected, respectively to the first 36 and to the second 38 terminals of the first connection element 14.

[0054] Preferably, each of the first 90 and second 92 connection areas is formed of a metal layer or a metal sheet. In a first embodiment, said metal layer is deposited on the first face 86 of the first substrate 84. In a second embodiment, a surface of said first face 86 is formed of an insulating layer, said metal layer is disposed under said insulating layer and a light is provided in said insulating layer to strip said metal layer in order to form each of the first 90 and second 92 connection areas.

[0055] The second printed circuit 74 comprises a second substantially planar substrate 100, said second substrate comprising a first 102 and a second 104 opposite and substantially planar faces.

[0056] The second electrical device 78 is arranged on the first face 102 of the second substrate 100. The optical lens 82 is fixed to the second face 104 of said second substrate.

[0057] In the embodiment shown, the second printed circuit 74 further comprises a second electrical connection (not shown) between the second electrical device 78 and the optical lens 82.

[0058] The second electrical device 78 is capable of being electrically connected to the second connection element 16 of the connector 10. In the embodiment shown, said second connection element 16 and said second electrical device 78 are capable of being assembled by translation perpendicular to the first face 102 of the second substrate 100.

[0059] In the embodiment shown, the first 72 and second 74 printed circuits of the camera 70 are fixed to the casing (not shown) of said camera so that the first 84 and second 100 substrates are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The first face 86 of the first substrate 84 and the second face 104 of the second substrate 100 are oriented towards each other. The first 84 and second 100 substrates are spaced apart by a third non-zero distance 105, perpendicular to said substrates.

[0060] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, an edge 106 of the second substrate 100, located opposite the first substrate 84, comprises a U-shaped cutout 108.

[0061] In an operating configuration of the camera 70, visible in [Fig. 3], the first 14 and second 16 connection elements of the connector 10 are connected simultaneously to the first 76 and to the second 78 electrical devices.

[0062] More precisely, in the operating configuration of the camera 70, the contact portion 56 of the first tab 46 of each of the first 36 and second 38 terminals of the first connection element 14 is pressed respectively against the first 90 and against the second 92 connection zone of the first electrical device 76. The first tab 46 is slightly elastically deformed, so as to generate a pressure force between each contact portion 56 and the corresponding connection zone 90, 92.

[0063] An electrical contact is thus established between each terminal 36, 38 and the corresponding connection zone 90, 92. The spring effect exerted by the first legs 46 makes it possible to maintain said electrical contact in the event of shocks or vibrations suffered by the camera 70, in particular in the case where said camera is fitted to a motor vehicle.

[0064] Preferably, the pressure exerted by the spring 50 makes it possible to further improve the maintenance of electrical contact, in the event of shocks or vibrations suffered by the camera 70.

[0065] Furthermore, in the operating configuration of the camera 70, the second connection element 16 of the connector 10 is connected to the second device electrical 78. The first 62 and second 64 distances of the connector and the third distance 105 between the first 84 and second 100 substrates are configured to allow such simultaneous connection of the first 14 and second 16 connection elements with the first 76 and second 78 electrical devices.

[0066] In the embodiment shown, in the operating configuration of the camera 70, the support 34 of the first connection element 14 of the connector 10 is received in the cutout 108 of the second substrate 100. Such a configuration allows better ergonomics of the connector.

[0067] Preferably, in the operating configuration of the camera 70, the at least one mechanical fixing element 26, 28 mechanically secures the main body 12 of the connector 10 with the casing (not shown) of the camera.

[0068] The connector 10 described above combines a small footprint with an efficient electrical connection, thanks to the spring effect exerted by the terminals 36, 38 of the first connection element 14 of said connector on the connection zones 90, 92 of the first electronic device 76.

[0069] The association of said connector with two superimposed printed circuits 72, 74 makes it possible to produce a camera 70 that is compact and easy to integrate into a vehicle interior.

Claims

Claims

1. An electrical connector (10), comprising a main body (12) and first (14) and second (16) connection elements, the main body extending along a main axis (30) and comprising a front surface (32) substantially perpendicular to said main axis, each of the first and second connection elements forming an axial projection relative to said front surface, the first connection element comprising: a support (34), extending in projection relative to the front surface (32) of the body up to an end surface (40); and at least one terminal (36, 38) assembled to said end surface; the at least one terminal comprising a connection member (46), elastically deformable by pressure along the main axis; the electrical connector being configured so that the first (14) and second (16) connection elements are capable of being connected to a first and a second distinct electrical device.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member of the at least one terminal (36, 38) comprises a first tab (46) extending from the end surface (40) of the support to a free end (54), said first tab comprising a contact portion (56) further from said end surface than said free end.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the at least one terminal further comprises: a second leg (48), integral with the first leg (46); and a spring (50) disposed between the second leg and the support (34), said spring being compressed so as to exert on the first leg a force opposite to said support.

4. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least a first (20, 22) and a second (24) electrical cable, fixed to the main body (12) and connected respectively to the first (14) and to the second (16) connection elements.

5. A monitoring camera (70), comprising: an optical lens (82); a light diode (80); a first (72) and a second (74) printed circuit, respectively fixed to the light diode and to the optical lens; a first (76) and a second (78) electrical device, respectively arranged on the first and on the second printed circuit and respectively connected to the light diode (80) and to the optical lens (82); and an electrical connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, such that the first (14) and second (16) connection elements are simultaneously connected to the first (76) and second (78) electrical devices.

6. Control camera according to claim 5, in which the first electrical device (76) comprises at least one connection zone (90, 92) pressed against the at least one terminal (36, 38) so as to elastically deform the connection member (46) of said at least one terminal (36, 38) and to ensure electrical contact between said at least one terminal (36, 38) and said first electrical device (76).

7. A control camera according to claim 6, wherein the first (72) and second (74) printed circuits are arranged substantially parallel to each other and separated by a non-zero distance (105).

8. A monitoring camera according to claim 7, wherein: an edge (106) of the second printed circuit (74) comprises a U-shaped cutout (108); and the support (34) of the first connection element (14) of the connector is disposed in said cutout.

9. Vehicle equipped with a control camera (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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