Connector subassembly or connector for cable with at least one insulated electrical wire, comprising a metal body housing at least one central contact connected to a cable wire and comprising a rear crimping portion around a crimping ferrule on the cable.
The connector subassembly with a ferrule and protrusions/through openings provides secure crimping, addressing deformation and slippage issues, maintaining electrical performance and mechanical stability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2024000161
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing connectors with crimping ferrules face issues of demanding crimping forces, deformation of cables, degradation of electrical impedance, and risks of slippage due to loose crimping, particularly at high frequencies, compromising mechanical holding and electrical performance.
A connector subassembly with a ferrule designed to provide axial and rotational stops through protrusions and openings, ensuring secure crimping without deforming the cable, using a single-piece metal body with a crimping zone and a ferrule that includes through openings and harpoons for stable attachment.
The solution enhances cable retention, reduces axial and rotational sliding, maintains electrical performance, and prevents cable breakage, ensuring reliable mechanical and electrical continuity even under stress.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Connector subassembly or connector for cable with at least one insulated electrical wire, comprising a metal body housing at least one central contact connected to a cable wire and comprising a rear crimping portion around a crimping ferrule on the cable. Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical and / or data transmission connectivity.
[0002] It relates more particularly to a connector of which each central contact is connected, preferably crimped to a stripped end of an electric cable wire.
[0003] The invention applies in particular to the connection for data transmission using cables comprising a wire, a pair of wires or several pairs of shielded or unshielded transmission wires.
[0004] The invention applies more generally to any type of connection for transmitting electrical signals and / or data and / or radiofrequency (RF) signals, including coaxial connectors comprising a single central conductor.
[0005] An interesting application is the connection for motor vehicles. Prior art
[0006] In the field of connection technology for transmitting electrical signals and / or data and / or radiofrequency (RF) signals, RF connectors are known with an electrically insulating block in which one or more central contacts are housed, where appropriate pre-assembled, each being crimped or intended to be crimped around a stripped end of an electrical cable wire.
[0007] A subassembly 1 of coaxial connector of this type is illustrated in [Fig.l].
[0008] The subassembly 1 comprises a single-piece metal body 10 produced by cutting and rolling, forming an electromagnetic shielding body.
[0009] This shielding body 10 holds within it an electrical insulating block inside which is inserted a central contact comprising a crimping end portion which extends by being offset in projection towards the rear of the insulating block.
[0010] This end portion of the central contact is crimped around a stripped end of core 21 of wire of a coaxial electrical cable 2 which may comprise a metal braid 23 for electromagnetic shielding surrounding the insulated conductor.
[0011] An electrically insulating sheath 24 can directly surround the core 21 of the wire.
[0012] In addition to crimping the central contact, it is known to carry out the assembly of such a connector on another part of the cable, such as its metal braid 23, by crimping an external body forming an electrical mass of the connector around said part.
[0013] The crimping force has a direct influence on the mechanical holding force between connector and cable.
[0014] However, crimping causes a corresponding deformation of the cable and / or one or more components of the connector. This deformation may possibly have a detrimental effect on the electrical properties of the assembly formed, consisting of the connector crimped on the cable.
[0015] Also, it is generally necessary to find a compromise between sufficient mechanical holding force and good electrical properties, such as the characteristic impedance of the transmission line formed by the connector.
[0016] Such a compromise may be difficult or even impossible to achieve, particularly in uses where the signals are at high frequency.
[0017] To improve this, it has already been proposed to insert a sleeve, also called a ferrule 16, between the crimping part of the outer ground body of the connector and the part of the cable around which it is intended to be arranged, as shown in [Fig.l].
[0018] This ferrule is thus first crimped onto a stripped part of the outer sheath of the cable, in particular onto the metal braid, then at least one crimping part of the outer ground body of the connector is in turn crimped onto the ferrule.
[0019] The major disadvantage of known solutions with insertion of crimping ferrule is that de facto they require demanding crimping forces.
[0020] Indeed, crimping the ferrule too tightly on the cable causes deformation of the cable and therefore a degradation of the electrical impedance and / or signal transmission performance, particularly at high frequency. Conversely, in order to preserve signal transmission performance, crimping that is too loose creates a risk of the ferrule slipping on the metal braid during insertion into the external ground body.
[0021] Furthermore, the crimping of the outer mass body onto the ferrule may also leave a risk of slippage in translation and / or rotation of the ferrule and the crimped area of the outer body, in the event of mechanical stresses being applied to the cable. The robustness of the attachment of the cable to the connector, as well as the electrical continuity between the conductive parts of the cable and the connector may also be called into question.
[0022] Patent US10468786B2 discloses a connector with a crimping ferrule which has several major drawbacks. This ferrule, referenced 200, first requires the production of locking projections, referenced 240. In addition, the assembly must be precise: the alignment of the locking tabs, referenced 440 of the outer mass body with the projections 240, requires high angular precision. Finally, the crimping jaws used to perform the crimping must have specific shapes with areas that must not physically interfere with the projections. This does not allow the ferrule to be pressed evenly in order to crimp it. This also complicates the angular positioning of the crimping jaws relative to the ferrule 200, so as not to crush the projections 200.
[0023] There is therefore a need to further improve connectors incorporating a crimping ferrule on a cable, in their external ground body, in particular in order to achieve axial and / or rotational locking of the ferrule relative to the cable and the ground body, which is reliable and simple to achieve, and this without harming the electrical performance of signal transmission, in particular RF through the connector and the cable to which it is connected.
[0024] The invention aims to meet all or part of this need. Statement of the invention
[0025] To do this, the invention relates, according to one of its aspects, to a subassembly for a connector, intended to be electrically connected to an electrical cable comprising at least one insulated wire comprising a core and an electrically insulating sheath, a metal braid surrounding the at least one insulated wire, an outer sheath of electrically insulating material surrounding the metal braid;
[0026] the subassembly extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising: - at least one central contact, intended to be connected, preferably crimped to the stripped end of the cable wire, - an electrically insulating block comprising at least one cavity into which the central contact(s) is / are intended to be plugged, - an electrically conductive body, comprising:
[0027] a front part delimiting a housing for housing and holding the electrical insulating block,
[0028] a rear part comprising at least one crimping zone provided internally with at least one protrusion, - a ferrule, intended to be crimped around the stripped metal braid end of the outer cable sheath, comprising at least one through opening adapted to accommodate the protrusion(s), when the rear part of the shielding body is crimped, so as to form an axial stop between the ferrule and the shielding body, the ferrule being further adapted to allow an axial stop of the ferrule against the end of the outer cable sheath, when the ferrule is crimped around the metal braid end, prior to crimping the rear part of the shielding body on the ferrule.
[0029] Advantageously, the shielding body is a single piece.
[0030] Advantageously, the opening of the ferrule is adapted to form a rotational stop between the ferrule and the shielding body.
[0031] According to a first embodiment, the ferrule is of a partially hollow cylindrical general shape with a solid-walled cylindrical front portion, a central portion which extends in the extension of the front portion along only part of the periphery of the cylinder, forming an offset face and which comprises at least one through opening and a solid-walled rear portion which extends in the extension of the central portion along only part of the periphery of the cylinder and which is intended to provide the axial stop of the ferrule, against the end of the outer cable sheath, when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.
[0032] According to a second embodiment, the ferrule is of generally hollow cylindrical shape with a solid-walled cylindrical front portion, a cylindrical central portion which extends in the extension of the front portion and which comprises at least one through opening and a solid-walled cylindrical rear portion which extends in the extension of the central portion and which is intended to provide the axial stop of the ferrule, against the end of the outer cable sheath, when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid,
[0033] According to this second mode, and according to an advantageous variant embodiment: - the ferrule comprises two or three openings distributed angularly on the periphery of the cylinder; - the rear part of the armor body comprises two or three angularly distributed protrusions, each adapted to fit into a through opening.
[0034] Preferably, the ferrule is rolled on itself to be crimped around the end of the metal braid.
[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment variant, the rear part of the shielding body comprises two crimping zones, one of which is provided internally with at least the protrusion and another at the rear is provided internally with at least one harpoon adapted to harpoon the outer sheath of the cable, when the rear part of the shielding body is crimped.
[0036] Preferably, the protrusion(s) and where appropriate the harpoon(s) is / are each constituted by a stamping of the rear part of the armor body.
[0037] More preferably, the shielding body and the ferrule are produced by cutting and rolling.
[0038] According to another advantageous embodiment, the subassembly comprises two central contacts whose rear part is intended to be crimped around the conductive core of a wire stripped at its end, the insulating block comprising two cavities parallel to each other in each of which one of the two central contacts is plugged, and a protrusion projecting longitudinally at the rear and adapted to guide each of the two central contacts each crimped onto the conductive core of a wire stripped during its plugging. The rear protrusion of the insulating block therefore facilitates the plugging of the central contacts already individually crimped to an electric wire.
[0039] The invention also relates to a connector, comprising: - at least one subassembly as described previously, - a housing in which the subassembly is housed and fixed.
[0040] The invention also relates to a ferrule, intended to be crimped around the stripped metal braid end of the outer cable sheath, of generally hollow cylindrical shape with a solid-walled cylindrical front portion, a cylindrical central portion which extends in the extension of the front portion and which comprises at least one through-opening and a solid-walled cylindrical rear portion which extends in the extension of the central portion and which is intended to provide the axial stop of the ferrule, against the end of the outer cable sheath, when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.
[0041] The invention also relates to a ferrule, intended to be crimped around the stripped metal braid end of the outer cable sheath, of a partially hollow cylindrical general shape with a solid-walled cylindrical front portion, a central portion which extends in the extension of the front portion along only a part of the periphery of the cylinder, forming an offset face, and which comprises at least one through opening and a solid-walled rear portion which extends in the extension of the central portion along only a part of the periphery of the cylinder and which is intended to provide the axial stop of the ferrule, against the end of the outer cable sheath, when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.
[0042] The invention finally relates to a method of assembling a connector subassembly as described previously to an electric cable comprising at least one insulated wire comprising a conductive core and an electrically insulating sheath, a metal braid surrounding the at least one insulated wire, an outer sheath of electrically insulating material surrounding the metal braid, the method comprising the following steps:
[0043] i / mounting the electrical insulating block in its housing provided for this purpose in the shielding body;
[0044] ii / crimping the ferrule onto the metal braid with axial abutment of a rear face of the ferrule against the front end of the outer sheath of the cable and folding of the front end of the braid onto the ferrule;
[0045] iii / stripping the end of the wire(s) of the cable to reveal its electrically conductive core and crimping the central contact(s) to the electrical wire(s) of the electrical cable;
[0046] iv / plugging the wired central contact(s) into its / their housing cavity provided for this purpose in the insulating block, preferably with guidance by a protrusion at the rear of the insulating block and insertion of the ferrule crimped onto the cable in the rear crimping part of the mass body;
[0047] v / crimping the crimping zone of the rear part of the shielding body on the braid and the ferrule so that each protrusion is housed in a through opening of the ferrule in order to block in translation and preferably in rotation the ferrule relative to the mass body;
[0048] vi / crimping the crimping zone of the rear part of the shielding body on the outer cable sheath so that each harpoon comes to harpoon, that is to say penetrates the sheath, in order to block in translation and preferably in rotation the sheath of the cable relative to the mass body,
[0049] step ii / can be carried out before step i / ,
[0050] steps v / and vi / can be carried out simultaneously or sequentially.
[0051] Thus, the invention essentially consists of a connector subassembly with an electrically insulating block housing one or more central contacts to be crimped to electrical wires of a cable and with an external shielding body housing a ferrule.
[0052] The ferrule is first crimped onto the metal braid of the cable in a configuration allowing a rear axial stop against the outer sheath of the cable. In other words, an axial stop is formed between the rear end of the ferrule and the front end of the outer sheath of the cable.
[0053] Once the ferrule is crimped onto the braid, and the front end of the braid is folded back onto the external face of the ferrule, the crimping zone(s) of the rear part of the shielding body are crimped at least onto the ferrule.
[0054] During the last crimping, each protrusion arranged internally in the crimping zone is housed in a through opening of the ferrule provided for this purpose.
[0055] In the event of a push / pull or twisting force on the cable, a protrusion is likely to come into axial and / or radial abutments against a front or rear or lateral edge of an opening.
[0056] Within the scope of the invention, a through opening may be constituted by a through window, that is to say an opening which completely passes through the ferrule material while being surrounded by the latter, or by the space devoid of material which results from a clearance.
[0057] Compared to state-of-the-art solutions, cable retention is improved. in the connector due to the limited setback distance and the increased mechanical strength of the braid and the axial sliding of the ferrule in the mass body is reduced.
[0058] Thus, the advantages of the invention compared to connectors according to the state of the art are numerous, among which we can cite: - optimal pre-positioning of the ferrule when inserting it into the mass body, and before crimping the latter onto the ferrule; - the possible limitation of axial and / or rotational sliding of the ferrule relative to the cable and the mass body; - an increase in retention force by crimping; - an absence or at least a limitation of the risk of breakage of the braid metallic cable; - an absence of impact on the electrical performance of signal transmission, in particular RF through the connector and the cable to which it is connected
[0059] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of examples of implementation of the invention given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the following figures. Brief description of the drawings
[0060] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] shows a side view and partial section of an example of a coaxial connector according to the state of the art, the central contact of which is crimped to an electric cable wire.
[0061] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of a subassembly of coaxial connector with central contact according to a first embodiment of the invention and a cable, in a configuration before crimping the cable on the ferrule and the central contact.
[0062] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] repeats [Fig.2] but illustrates the coaxial connector as a whole with its housing.
[0063] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the outer body of mass according to the invention with its rear part shown in a form before its crimping.
[0064] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a longitudinal sectional view of the rear portion of the outer mass body according to [Fig.4].
[0065] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view showing a rough embodiment of a crimping ferrule according to the first embodiment of the invention.
[0066] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the ferrule according to [Fig.6] in its shape as it is once crimped onto the metal braid of the cable.
[0067] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a longitudinal sectional view of the ferrule according to [Fig.7].
[0068] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a partially sectioned side view of the rear portion of the body external mass of the connector with the cable according to the first mode, the ferrule being in its crimped form around the cable braid, while the rear part of the outer ground body is not yet crimped around the ferrule.
[0069] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] repeats [Fig.9] but with the rear part of the outer mass body in its crimped form around the ferrule and in a situation where a pull on the cable is exerted towards the rear.
[0070] [Fig.lOA] [Fig.lOA] is a cross-sectional view of [Fig. 10].
[0071] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] repeats [Fig. 10] in a situation where a twist on the cable is exercised.
[0072] [Fig.llA] [Fig.llA] is a cross-sectional view of [Fig.11].
[0073] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] repeats [Fig. 10] in a situation where a push on the cable is exercised, forward.
[0074] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of a center contact coaxial connector subassembly according to a second embodiment of the invention and a cable, in a configuration before crimping the cable onto the ferrule and the center contact.
[0075] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is a perspective view showing a rough embodiment of a crimping ferrule according to the second embodiment of the invention.
[0076] [Fig. 15] [Fig. 15] is a perspective view of the ferrule according to [Fig. 14] in its form as it is once crimped onto the metal braid of the cable.
[0077] [Fig. 16] [Fig. 16] is a perspective view of the ferrule according to [Fig. 15] comprising only two through openings.
[0078] [Fig. 17] [Fig. 17] is a side view in partial section of the rear part of the outer ground body of the connector with the cable according to the second mode, the ferrule being in its crimped form around the braid of the cable, while the rear part of the outer ground body is not yet crimped around the ferrule.
[0079] [Fig. 18] [Fig. 18] repeats [Fig. 17] but with the rear part of the outer mass body in its crimped form around the ferrule.
[0080] [Fig. 18A] [Fig. 18A] is a cross-sectional view of [Fig. 18].
[0081] [Fig.19] [Fig.19] is an exploded view of a contact connector subassembly central contacts according to the invention and a cable, in a configuration in which two central contacts are crimped onto the wires of a cable, the ferrule is in its uncrimped form on the metal braid of the cable.
[0082] [Fig.20] [Fig.20] is a side view in partial section of the rear portion of the outer ground body of the connector with the cable of the subassembly according to [Fig. 19], the ferrule being in its crimped form around the braid of the cable, while the rear portion of the outer ground body is not yet crimped around the ferrule.
[0083] [Fig.21] [Fig.21] repeats [Fig.20] but with the rear part of the outer body mass in its crimped form around the ferrule. Detailed description
[0084] Throughout the present application, the terms "front" and "rear" are to be understood in relation to the connection face of a connector subassembly according to the invention. Thus, the front portion of a connector component is that intended to be closest to the complementary connector with which the connector is intended to connect. Thus, the front face of the electrical insulating block of the connector is that intended to be in contact with that of a complementary connector and the front portion of a central contact is that intended to be coupled with a central contact of the complementary connector.
[0085] For the sake of clarity, the same numerical reference is used for the same element of a subassembly according to the state of the art and of a subassembly according to the invention.
[0086] [Fig. 1] has already been described in detail in the preamble. It will therefore not be commented on below.
[0087] Figures 2 and 3 show a coaxial connector subassembly 1 according to the invention, as well as a coaxial connector 4 integrating such a subassembly.
[0088] The connector subassembly 1 extends along a longitudinal axis X, is pre-assembled, because it comprises an electrically insulating block 11 pre-assembled in a metal body, in particular a single-piece 10 forming an electromagnetic shielding body.
[0089] The subassembly 1 is connected and mounted on a coaxial cable 2 with insulated wire.
[0090] The cable 2 comprises an outer sheath 20 made of electrically insulating material and an electrical conductor 21, insulated from the outside by the outer sheath 20.
[0091] The cable 2 also includes a metal braid 23 for electromagnetic shielding surrounding the insulated conductor.
[0092] An electrical insulating sheath 24 is interposed between the core 21 of the insulated conductor and the metal braid 23.
[0093] The single-piece metal body 10 forming the electromagnetic shielding body is produced by cutting and rolling, and ensures electrical ground continuity and impedance matching.
[0094] The metal body 10 may in particular comprise a metal casing 1000 and, where appropriate, a protective tube 1010 assembled at least in part around the casing 1000.
[0095] The metal casing 1000 is made up of three parts: a front part 100, an intermediate part 101 and a rear part 102, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4.
[0096] The front part 100 internally delimits a housing in which the electrical insulating block 11 is held.
[0097] In a cavity 111 of the electrical insulating block 11 provided for this purpose, a central contact 12 comprising a crimping end portion 14 which extends, in particular by being offset in projection, towards the rear of the insulating block 11. The single central contact 12 can be formed from a single-piece metal blank produced by a cutting technique, preferably rolled from a continuous strip 18.
[0098] The end portion 14 of the central contact 12 is crimped around a stripped end of core 21 of a wire of the coaxial electrical cable 2.
[0099] In the example illustrated, the central contact 12 is of the male type.
[0100] The intermediate part 101 of the shielding body 10 is narrowed. This narrowed part 101 makes it possible to adapt the impedance between the rear part of the subassembly 1 where the crimping of the cable 2 is carried out, preferably under shielding braid, and the front part comprising the insulating block 11 in which the central contact 12 is plugged.
[0101] The rear part 102 of the shielding body 10 comprises two crimping zones 103, 104, one in the rear extension of the other.
[0102] The crimping zone 103 internally comprises one or more inwardly projecting protrusions 105.
[0103] The crimping zone 104 internally comprises one or more harpoons 106 projecting inwards. The protrusions 105 and harpoons 106 may be produced by stamping, preferably simultaneously and may have, where appropriate, the same shape and / or the same dimensions. The protrusions 105 and harpoons 106 may be produced in any form allowing a mechanical stop to be produced.
[0104] The subassembly 1 further comprises a crimping ferrule 16 which comprises within it a through opening 160.
[0105] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the ferrule 16 may be formed from a single-piece metal blank made by a cutting technique, preferably rolled from a continuous strip 17.
[0106] In its crimped configuration shown in Figures 7 and 8, the ferrule 16 is of a generally hollow, partially cylindrical shape with a solid-walled cylindrical front portion 161, a central portion 162 which extends in the extension of the front portion along only part of the periphery of the cylinder and which includes the through opening 160 and a solid-walled rear portion 163 which extends in the extension of the central portion along only part of the periphery of the cylinder.
[0107] This rear portion 163 is intended to provide, by means of its rear face 164, the axial stop of the ferrule, against the end of the outer cable sheath.
[0108] The rear face 164 may optionally include a fastener, a residue from cutting the ferrule from the continuous strip 17. This fastener has a thickness from the rear face 164 of 0 to 0.3 mm.
[0109] The rear face 165 of the cylindrical front portion 161 constitutes an offset face longitudinally, towards the front, from the rear face 164 of the rear portion 163. This offset face 165 makes it possible to obtain a material recess, constituting a through opening 160, facilitating the angular orientation of the ferrule in the rear part of the body, and in doing so, limiting the risks of interference between protrusions of the mass body and ferrule during assembly and crimping.
[0110] A subassembly 1 which has just been described is housed and fixed in the housing 40 of a suitable box 4 as shown in [Fig.3], with the central contact 12, already crimped by its crimping part 14, at the stripped end of the wire 21, of the cable 2.
[0111] To assemble a subassembly 1 which has just been described to a cable 2, the following steps are carried out.
[0112] It is specified beforehand that the outer sheath 20 of an electric cable 2 is stripped to reveal the metal braid 23 over a predetermined distance.
[0113] The assembly steps are as follows:
[0114] i / mounting the electrical insulating block 11 in its housing provided for this purpose in the metal casing 1000, and where appropriate assembly of the protective tube 1010 on the metal casing;
[0115] ii / crimping the ferrule 16 onto the metal braid 23 with axial abutment B1 of the rear face 164 of the rear portion 163 of the ferrule 16 against the front end of the outer sheath 20 of the cable 2 ([Fig.9]). The front end of the braid is then folded back onto the outer face of the ferrule;
[0116] iii / stripping the end of the core 21 of the cable 2 to reveal its electrically conductive core and crimping the central contact 12 to the electrical wire 21 of the electrical cable 2;
[0117] iv / plugging in the central contact 12, wired into its housing cavity 111, provided for this purpose in the insulating block 11, and inserting the ferrule 16 crimped onto the cable in the rear crimping part of the mass body;
[0118] v / crimping of the crimping zone 103 of the rear part 102 of the shielding body on the braid and the ferrule 16 so that each protrusion 105 is housed in a through opening 160 of the ferrule ([Fig. 10]), in order to block the ferrule in translation and in rotation relative to the mass body;
[0119] vi / crimping of the crimping zone 104 of the rear part 102 of the shielding body on the outer sheath 20 of the cable 2 so that each harpoon 106 comes to harpoon, that is to say penetrate the sheath 20 ([Fig. 10]), in order to block in translation and in rotation the sheath of the cable relative to the mass body.
[0120] Step ii / can be carried out before step i / .
[0121] Steps v / and vi / can be carried out simultaneously or sequentially. Step ii / allows satisfactory crimping to be achieved while locking the ferrule 16 backwards against the end of the outer sheath of the cable. This implementation stop allows the ferrule to be correctly positioned relative to the mass body, before crimping the rear part of the latter onto the braid and the ferrule.
[0122] The assembly produced makes it possible to improve crimping compared to state-of-the-art solutions, even in the event of mechanical stress on the cable.
[0123] Thus, in the event of traction on the cable 2, towards the rear, as illustrated by the arrow T in [Fig. 10], the front edge of the through opening 160 and / or the rear edge of the front portion 161 comes into axial abutment B2 against the front face of the protrusions 105. In other words, thanks to this axial abutment B2, the distance of recoil of the cable 2 is limited and the retention force of the cable is increased.
[0124] In the event of twisting on the cable 2, as illustrated by the arrow R in [Fig.l 1], a lateral edge of the through opening 160 and / or a lateral edge of the central portion 162 comes into radial abutment against the lateral faces of the protrusions 105. In other words, thanks to this radial abutment, the sliding of the ferrule 16 in rotation in the mass body 10 is limited and the mechanical strength of the braid strands 23 is improved because total breakage of the strands is avoided even in the event of high twisting on the cable 2.
[0125] In the event of a push on the cable 2, towards the front, as illustrated by the arrow P in [Fig. 12], the rear face of the protrusions 105 comes into axial abutment B3 against the rear edge of the through opening 160 delimited by the rear portion 163.
[0126] In other words, thanks to this axial stop B3, the axial sliding of the ferrule in translation in the mass body 10 is limited.
[0127] This configuration therefore makes it possible to prevent the forces on the cable from being transmitted to the connector and to its interface with the complementary connector.
[0128] In other words, the assembly produced makes it possible to limit the relative movement in translation and / or in rotation between the ferrule 16 and the mass body 10, thus reducing the risk of breakage of the braid and breakage of the connection between the cable and the connector.
[0129] Figures 13 to 18A illustrate a second embodiment in which only the ferrule 16 has a structure different from that previously detailed.
[0130] In these figures 13 to 18A, the ferrule 16 is of generally hollow cylindrical shape with a front portion 161 which is cylindrical with a solid wall, a central cylindrical portion 162 which extends in the extension of the front portion and which includes the through opening 160 and a rear portion 163 which is cylindrical with a solid wall which extends in the extension of the central portion.
[0131] As illustrated in [Fig. 15], the ferrule 16 preferably comprises three through openings 160 distributed angularly at approximately 120° from each other, each intended to accommodate a protrusion 105.
[0132] Alternatively, according to [Fig. 16], the ferrule 16 may comprise only two or through openings, according to an angular distribution adapted to the position of the protrusions 105 on the mass body. The reduction in the number of openings allows a greater tolerance of angular positioning around the X axis of the ferrule in the mass body.
[0133] The rear portion 163, over the entire cylindrical periphery of the ferrule 16, makes it possible to optimize the surface of the ferrule bearing against the front end of the sheath 20 of the cable.
[0134] Other variations and improvements may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0135] If in the illustrated examples, the coaxial connector subassembly is configured to plug a single central contact 12 into a housing cavity 111, the invention can be implemented for two central contacts to be plugged into two cavities parallel to each other or for a number greater than two of central contacts to be plugged into the same electrical insulating block.
[0136] Such a connector subassembly 1' with two central contacts 12, 13 and ferrule 16 crimped around the end of the stripped metal braid 23 of the outer sheath 20 of a cable 2 is illustrated in figures 19 to 21.
[0137] The rear part 14, 15 of the contacts 12, 13 is crimped around the conductive core 21, 22 of a wire of the cable 2, stripped at its end.
[0138] Each of the two contacts 12, 13 is plugged into one of the two cavities parallel to each other of an insulating block 11.
[0139] As visible in [Fig.19], the insulating block 11 comprises a protrusion 110 projecting longitudinally at the rear and adapted to guide each of the two central contacts 12, 13 during its insertion. Thus, this rear protrusion 110 facilitates the insertion of the central contacts 12, 13 already individually crimped to the electric wire.
[0140] In [Fig.20], the assembly consisting of the electrical insulating block 11 and the contacts 12 and 13 crimped onto the core 21 and 22 of the cable 2 is in the inserted position in the housing of the ground body 10. The braid 23 is turned around the crimped ferrule 16. In other words, the braid 23 first passes inside the crimped ferrule 16, then passes outside the crimped ferrule 13.
[0141] In [Fig.21], the crimping zones 103, 104 of the mass body 10 are respectively in the crimped state on the braid 23 and the ferrule 16 on the one hand, and on the outer sheath 20 of the cable 2 on the other hand. Following the crimping of the zone 103, the protrusion 105 is positioned in the through opening 160, constituted by either a window or a material recess, of the ferrule. And following the crimping of the zone 104, the harpoon 106 penetrates the sheath 20.
[0142] In the case of an embodiment with two central contacts, the electrical cable comprises two insulated wires, each insulated wire comprising a conductive core 21 surrounded by an electrical insulating sheath 24, the two insulated wires being surrounded by a metal braid 23. The metal braid may be surrounded by an outer insulating sheath.
[0143] The shape and / or dimensions of the protrusions 105 may differ from those illustrated and take any form of protrusion. They may, for example, take the form of a straight parallelepiped or a rounded bulge or other...
Claims
Claims
1. Subassembly for connector or connector (1), intended to be electrically connected to an electric cable (2) comprising at least one insulated wire comprising a core (21) and an electrically insulating sheath (24), a metal braid (23) surrounding the at least one insulated wire, an outer sheath (20) made of electrically insulating material surrounding the metal braid; the subassembly extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising: - at least one central contact (12, 13), intended to be connected, preferably crimped to the stripped end of the cable wire (21), - an electrically insulating block (11) comprising at least one cavity (111) in which the central contact(s) is / are intended to be plugged, - an electrically conductive body (10), comprising: a front part (100) delimiting a housing for housing and holding the electrically insulating block,a rear part (102) comprising at least one crimping zone (103) provided internally with at least one protrusion (105), - a ferrule (16), intended to be crimped around the stripped metal braid end of the outer cable sheath, comprising at least one through opening (160) adapted to accommodate the protrusion(s), when the rear part of the shielding body is crimped, so as to form an axial stop between the ferrule and the shielding body, the ferrule being further adapted to allow an axial stop of the ferrule against the end of the outer cable sheath, when the ferrule is crimped around the metal braid end, prior to crimping the rear part of the shielding body onto the ferrule.,
2. Subassembly according to claim 1, the shielding body (10) being in one piece.
3. Subassembly according to claim 1 or 2, the through opening (160) of the ferrule (16) being adapted to form a rotation stop. between the ferrule and the shield body.
4. Subassembly according to claim 1 to 3, the ferrule being of a partially hollow cylindrical general shape with a front portion (161) cylindrical with a solid wall, a central portion (162) which extends in the extension of the front portion along only part of the periphery of the cylinder, forming an offset face (165), and which comprises at least one through opening and a rear portion (163) with a solid wall which extends in the extension of the central portion along only part of the periphery of the cylinder and which is intended to provide the axial stop of the ferrule, against the end of the outer cable sheath, when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.
5. Subassembly according to one of claims 1 to 3, the ferrule being of generally hollow cylindrical shape with a front portion (161) cylindrical with solid wall, a central portion (162) cylindrical which extends in the extension of the front portion and which comprises at least one through opening and a rear portion (163) cylindrical with solid wall which extends in the extension of the central portion and which is intended to provide the axial stop of the ferrule, against the end of the outer cable sheath, when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.
6. Subassembly according to claim 5, in which: - the ferrule comprises two or three openings distributed angularly on the periphery of the cylinder; - the rear part of the shielding body comprises two or three protrusions distributed angularly and each adapted to fit into a opening.
7. Subassembly according to one of the preceding claims, the ferrule being rolled on itself to be crimped around the end of the metal braid.
8. Subassembly according to one of the preceding claims, the rear part of the shielding body comprising two crimping zones, one of which is provided internally with at least the protrusion and another at the rear is provided internally with at least one harpoon adapted to harpoon the outer sheath of the cable, when the rear part of the shielding body is crimped.
9. Subassembly according to one of the preceding claims, the ex-growth(s) and where appropriate the harpoon(s) each being constituted by a stamping of the rear part of the armor body
10. Subassembly according to one of the preceding claims, the shielding body and the ferrule being produced by cutting and rolling.
11. Connector (3) comprising: - a subassembly according to one of the preceding claims, - a housing (4) in which the subassembly is housed and fixed.
12. Ferrule, intended to be crimped around the stripped metal braid end of the outer cable sheath, of generally hollow cylindrical shape with a front portion (161) cylindrical with solid wall, a central portion (162) cylindrical which extends in the extension of the front portion and which comprises at least one through opening and a rear portion (163) cylindrical with solid wall which extends in the extension of the central portion and which is intended to provide the axial stop of the ferrule, against the end of the outer cable sheath, when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.
13. Ferrule, intended to be crimped around the stripped metal braid end of the outer cable sheath, of a generally hollow partially cylindrical shape with a solid-walled cylindrical front portion, a central portion which extends in the extension of the front portion along only a part of the periphery of the cylinder, forming an offset face (165), and which comprises at least one through opening and a solid-walled rear portion which extends in the extension of the central portion along only a part of the periphery of the cylinder and which is intended to provide axial abutment of the ferrule, against the end of the outer cable sheath, when the ferrule is crimped around the end of the metal braid.
14. Method for assembling a connector subassembly according to one of claims 1 to 10 to an electrical cable (2) comprising at least one insulated wire comprising a conductive core (21) and an electrically insulating sheath (24), a metal braid (23) surrounding the at least one insulated wire, an outer sheath (20) of electrically insulating material surrounding the metal braid, the method comprising the following steps: i / mounting the electrically insulating block (11) in its housing provided for this purpose in the shielding body (10); ii / crimping the ferrule (16) onto the metal braid (23) with axial abutment (Bl) of a rear face (164) of the ferrule (16) against the front end of the outer sheath (20) of the cable (2) and folding of the front end of the braid onto the ferrule; iii / stripping the end of the wire(s) of the cable (2) to reveal its electrically conductive core (21) and crimping the central contact(s) (12, 13) to the electrical wire(s) (21) of the electrical cable; iv / plugging in the central contact(s) (12, 13) wired into its housing cavity (111) provided for this purpose in the insulating block (11), and inserting the ferrule (16) crimped onto the cable in the rear crimping part of the ground body; v / crimping the crimping zone (103) of the rear part (102) of the shielding body on the braid and the ferrule (16) so that each protrusion (105) is housed in a through opening (160) of the ferrule in order to block the ferrule in translation and preferably in rotation relative to the mass body; vi / crimping the crimping zone (104) of the rear part (102) of the shielding body onto the outer sheath (20) of the cable (2) so that each harpoon (106) comes to harpoon, that is to say penetrates the sheath (20) in order to block in translation and preferably in rotation the sheath of the cable relative to the ground body, step ii / being able to be carried out before step i / ,
Citation Information
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