Bulkhead feedthrough

Abstract

The invention relates to a bulkhead feedthrough as well as to a method for producing such a bulkhead feedthrough, the bulkhead feedthrough comprising a first connector (20), including at least one pin of a first type (30), and a second connector (50), including at least one pin of a second type (60), wherein the connection portion of the pin of the second type (60) takes the form of a cylindrical sleeve comprising a cut-out leading to forming a constricted portion wherein the diameter of the cylindrical sleeve is elastically reduced, and wherein the straight rod of the pin of the first type (30) is inserted into the cylindrical sleeve of the pin of the second type (60), the constricted portion of the cylindrical sleeve exerting an elastic pressing force against the straight rod of the pin of the first type (30).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Partition crossing Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a bulkhead fitting and a method of manufacturing such a bulkhead fitting. Prior art

[0002] In electronics, bulkhead connectors are devices that allow one or more lines to pass through a partition, such as a machine casing or a room enclosure. Some may be hermetic, when it is necessary to maintain the watertightness of the partition.

[0003] A bulkhead connector thus comprises one or more channels in the form of metal pins contained in a housing. Generally, the bulkhead connector comprises a first connector, provided at a first end of the housing and carrying a first set of metal pins, and a second connector, provided at a second end of the housing and carrying a second set of metal pins: the two connectors are then connected to each other by electrically connecting each pin of the first set with the corresponding pin of the second set.

[0004] This electrical connection is generally ensured by tin soldering. The pins of the first set, generally called "pin contacts", each have a straight rod while the pins of the second set, generally called "barrel contacts", each have a semi-circular solder barrel. Thus, the assembly of such a bulkhead feedthrough requires the tinning of at least one of the sets of pins and then the individual and manual soldering of each pin contact into the solder barrel of the corresponding contact barrel.

[0005] We therefore understand of course that such an operation is long, delicate and tedious. In particular, in bulkhead crossings respecting the standard Mil-DTL-83513, of the type commonly called "micro-D", the pitch between each contact, therefore between each pin, is equal to 1.27mm. This soldering operation therefore requires extremely careful handling, which is difficult to automate.

[0006] In addition, some new-generation connectors are so miniaturized that the space available between the pins is no longer even sufficient to allow such soldering, whether manual or automated. This is particularly the case for bulkhead connectors complying with the MÜ-DTL32139 standard, of the type commonly called "nano-D", in which the pitch between each contact, and therefore between each pin, is equal to 0.635 mm.

[0007] There is therefore a real need for a bulkhead fitting and a method of manufacturing such a bulkhead fitting which are free, at least in part, from the drawbacks inherent in the aforementioned known method. Statement of the invention

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a bulkhead feedthrough, comprising a first connector, including at least one conductive pin of a first type, passing through the first connector and having, on the one hand, a contact portion accessible from the external face of the first connector and configured to be connected to a contact of an external connector and, on the other hand, a connection portion extending from the internal side of the first connector, a second connector, including at least one conductive pin of a second type, passing through the second connector and having, on the one hand, a contact portion accessible from the external face of the second connector and configured to be connected to a contact of an external connector and, on the other hand, a connection portion extending from the internal side of the second connector, in which the connection portion of the pin of the first type takes the form of a rectilinear rod,in which the connection portion of the pin of the second type takes the form of a cylindrical barrel comprising a cutout leading to the formation of a, constricted portion in which the diameter of the cylindrical shaft is elastically reduced, and in which the straight shank of the spindle of the first type is engaged in the cylindrical shaft of the spindle of the second type, the constricted portion of the cylindrical shaft exerting an elastic pressure force against the straight shank of the spindle of the first type.

[0009] Thus, thanks to this constricted portion, an elastic pressure force is applied against the straight shank of the pin of the first type when it is inserted into the cylindrical barrel of the pin of the second type, which ensures the electrical connection of the two pins and helps to keep them in place relative to each other without the need for brazing or another form of adhesion. In fact, this elastic pressure force increases the friction force exerted by the cylindrical barrel of the pin of the second type on the straight shank of the pin of the first type, which leads to an increase in the force required to disengage the pin of the first type from the pin of the second type.

[0010] The steps of tinning and then soldering the pins therefore become superfluous, which greatly reduces the time required to assemble the bulkhead while greatly facilitating the work of operators. In particular, it becomes possible to assemble very small connectors, in particular “nano-D” type connectors. In addition, in the absence of tinning and soldering, the use of substances harmful to operators and / or the environment that may be included in the tinning flux or soldering product is reduced, which promotes compliance with the European RoHS and REACH Directives. Finally, this avoids subjecting the bulkhead to repetitive thermal shocks normally caused by soldering.

[0011] Furthermore, when the two connectors are pre-assembled, with all their pins in place, it is possible to connect all the pins simultaneously by bringing the first connector onto the second connector, which further reduces manufacturing time. In addition, such an operation can be automated much more easily, which saves time- man for other more detailed operations. It should be noted that the first connector and the second connector are both double connectors in the sense that each of them can be connected to a separate connector on each of its two opposite sides / faces. In other words, the connection portion and the contact portion of each of the first connector and second connector each form a possible contact portion with a connector. To achieve this, the contact portion of each of the first connector (double connector) and second connector (double connector) must always remain physically accessible from or on the external face of the connector in question to quickly and easily allow connection with another external connector.This means in particular that the contact portion must not be masked and taken inside an external filling material (e.g. resin), the material covering the external face of the connector in question, for example for holding purposes. In other words, the external face must allow an easy and rapid electrical connection and, to do this, it must not already be used through a permanent connection that cannot be quickly and easily dismantled.

[0012] In some embodiments, the bulkhead fitting comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion assembled together to form a housing having an internal cavity. Such a housing may in particular be metallic, for example made of steel. The two housing portions may be assembled by laser welding, or by screwing with the addition of O-ring type seals.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one of the connectors includes a body carrying each of the pins of said connector.

[0014] In some embodiments, said body is metallic, possibly made of steel.

[0015] In some embodiments, each pin of the connector is electrically insulated from the connector body. This prevents possible short circuits between pins, particularly when the body is metallic.

[0016] In certain embodiments, for each pin of the connector, a cylindrical glass sleeve surrounds said pin at least from the external face to the internal face of the body so as to electrically insulate said pin from the body of the connector. Such a sleeve can also ensure the hermeticity of the connector, and therefore of the bulkhead feed-through, when the body of the connector is directly formed by the housing part. In particular, such sleeves can be obtained using the techniques taught in patents FR 3 036 396 or FR 3 083 794.

[0017] In some embodiments, said body is electrically insulating.

[0018] In some embodiments, said body comprises a positioning insert, comprising two parallel main faces and, for each pin of the connector, a positioning passage extending axially between the two main faces, said pin being engaged in said positioning passage. Such a positioning insert facilitates the positioning of the pins by imposing their arrangement at the time of assembly of the connector. It can in particular be made of insulating material, for example polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

[0019] In some embodiments, said body comprises a sealing material, filling the spaces between the pins of the connector and / or the spaces between the pins of the connector and the positioning insert. Such a sealing material makes it possible to fix the position of the pins within the body. It can also fill the spaces between the pins and the walls of the internal cavity of a housing part to fix the connector in the housing part. This sealing material can in particular be a polymeric resin, for example an epoxy resin.

[0020] In some embodiments, said body is an integral part of a housing portion. This configuration is particularly suitable when the bulkhead penetration must be hermetic.

[0021] In some embodiments, said housing portion is hermetic. In particular, it may have a helium leak rate of less than 5.10-11 mbar.l / s measured according to a method defined by Mil-STD-833.

[0022] In certain embodiments, said body is housed in an internal cavity of a housing part. It can in particular be applied against a shoulder of the housing part. It can in particular be secured in the internal cavity using a sealing material as defined above.

[0023] In some embodiments, at least one pin, and optionally all pins, is metallic, e.g., copper or copper alloy, and optionally coated, e.g., with a nickel and / or gold coating.

[0024] In some embodiments, each connector comprises a plurality of pins, organized in one or more rows. Each connector may in particular comprise at least 9 pins, possibly at least 21 pins, possibly still at least 51 pins. In particular, each connector may comprise the same number of pins, organized symmetrically.

[0025] In some embodiments, each row of pins includes at least twice as many pins as the number of rows. The connector is then elongated and the bulkhead has planar top and bottom surfaces.

[0026] In some embodiments, each row of pins comprises at most twice as many pins as the number of rows, possibly at most as many pins as the number of rows. The connector is then circular in shape, as is the bulkhead.

[0027] In some embodiments, the pitch between each pin is less than 1.3mm, possibly less than 0.7mm. The diameter of the pins may be less than 0.45mm which corresponds to the diameter of the contact.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first connector and the second connector comply with Mil-DTL-83513 or Mil-DTL-32139.

[0029] In some embodiments, all pins of a single connector have the same length. This length may be between 3.0 mm and 15.0 mm.

[0030] In some embodiments, the contact portions of all pins of a single connector protrude from the outer face of said connector.

[0031] In some embodiments, the cutout of the cylindrical shaft of at least one pin of the second type comprises a longitudinal slot, optionally made from the distal end of the cylindrical shaft.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cutout of the cylindrical shaft of at least one pin of the second type comprises two longitudinal slots, possibly diametrically opposed. These two slots make it possible to bend the material extending between the two slots so as to locally reduce the diameter of the cylindrical shaft.

[0033] In some embodiments, the two slots define, at the distal end of the cylindrical barrel, lips converging towards each other and forming a narrowed portion. In their rest position, these lips are therefore inclined towards each other, while remaining at a distance from each other; they are elastically pushed outwards (radially) when the straight rod of a pin of the first type is axially engaged in the cylindrical barrel and therefore exert in reaction an elastic pressure force on the straight rod in order to ensure its mechanical retention.

[0034] In some embodiments, at least one slot extends at least 0.5mm, optionally at least 0.6mm.

[0035] In some embodiments, at least one slot extends at most 1.0 mm, optionally at most 3.0 mm.

[0036] In some embodiments, at least one slot has an increasing width toward the bottom of the slot. This facilitates convergence of the lips in their resting position.

[0037] In some embodiments, the maximum width of at least one slot is at least 0.1 mm, optionally at least 0.5 mm.

[0038] In some embodiments, the elastic pressure force of the constricted portion of the cylindrical barrel results in having to exert a disengagement force greater than 0.14 N, possibly between 0.6 and 1.3 N, to disengage the straight rod from the first type pin of the cylindrical barrel. Such values ​​are compatible with the requirements of Mil-DTL-83513.

[0039] In some embodiments, the elastic pressure force of the constricted portion of the cylindrical barrel results in having to exert an engagement force of less than 1.7 N, possibly between 0.7 and 1.1 N, to engage the straight shank of the pin of the first type in the cylindrical barrel. Such values ​​are compatible with the requirements of Mil-DTL-83513.

[0040] In some embodiments, no soldering, welding, or bonding is provided between the pins of the first type and the pins of the second type.

[0041] In some embodiments, the bulkhead feedthrough comprises an interface insert having two parallel main faces and, for each pin of the second type, a positioning passage extending axially between the two main faces, said pin of the second type being engaged in said positioning passage. Such an interface insert makes it possible to maintain the position of the ends of the cylindrical barrels of the pins of the second type and to guide the straight rods of the pins of the first type, which facilitates the simultaneous connection of all the pins by reducing the risk of misalignment. This interface insert may in particular be made of an insulating material, for example polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

[0042] In some embodiments, for each positioning passage of the interface insert, a pin of the second type is engaged by one end of said positioning passage and a pin of the first type is engaged by the other end of said positioning passage. The connection area between the pins of the first type and the pins of the second type is therefore located inside the passages of the interface insert, which makes it possible to protect this connection area.

[0043] In some embodiments, the interface insert is housed in an internal cavity of a housing portion. It may in particular be pressed against a shoulder of this internal cavity. Optionally, it may also be pressed against a stop surface of the other housing part to prevent it from moving in the housing.

[0044] In some embodiments, the bulkhead feedthrough comprises at least one interface seal, made of elastomeric material, attached to the external face or the internal face of at least one connector. Such an interface seal provides additional protection for the surface of the connector.

[0045] In some embodiments, said at least one pin of the second type is a single-piece unit. In other words, the contact portion and the connection portion of said at least one pin are an integral part of a single part, which facilitates its manufacture (also reducing the manufacturing time), its placement in the device and makes the part more robust.

[0046] The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a bulkhead feedthrough according to any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising the following steps: providing a first connector, including at least one pin of a first type, conductive, passing through the first connector and having, on the one hand, a contact portion accessible from the external face of the first connector and configured to be connected to a contact of an external connector and, on the other hand, a connection portion extending from the internal side of the first connector, in which the connection portion of the pin of the first type takes the form of a rectilinear rod, providing a second connector, including at least one pin of a second type, conductive, passing through the second connector and having, on the one hand,a contact portion accessible from the external face of the second connector and configured to be connected to a contact of an external connector and, on the other hand, a connection portion extending from the internal side of the second connector, in which the connection portion of the pin of the second type takes the form of a cylindrical barrel comprising a cutout leading to the formation of a narrowed portion in which the diameter of the cylindrical barrel is elastically reduced, and, mechanical insertion of the straight rod of each pin of the first type into the cylindrical shaft of a pin of the second type.

[0047] In some embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of: providing an interface insert having two parallel main faces and, for each pin of the second type, a positioning passage extending axially between the two main faces, and before the mechanical insertion step, engaging the pins of the second type in the positioning passages of the interface insert.

[0048] In some embodiments, the method does not include any soldering, welding, or gluing of the pins.

[0049] In this disclosure, the terms "axial", "longitudinal", "transverse", and their derivatives are defined relative to the main axis of the bulkhead passage; "axial plane" means a plane passing through this main axis of the bulkhead passage; the terms "internal" and "external" are defined relative to the housing, more precisely for the internal components of the housing relative to the assembly plane of the two housing parts.

[0050] The above-mentioned features and advantages, as well as others, will become apparent from the following detailed description of examples of the bulkhead crossing and the proposed manufacturing method. This detailed description refers to the attached drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0051] The attached drawings are schematic and are intended primarily to illustrate the principles of the presentation.

[0052] In these drawings, from one figure to another, identical elements (or parts of elements) are identified by the same reference signs. In addition, elements (or parts of elements) belonging to different embodiments but having a similar function are identified in the figures by numerical references incremented by 100, 200, etc.

[0053] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a bulkhead crossing, seen from the rear.

[0054] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first example of bulkhead penetration, seen from the front.

[0055] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the first example of bulkhead penetration, seen from the rear.

[0056] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the first example of bulkhead penetration, seen from the front.

[0057] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is an axial sectional view of the first example of a bulkhead crossing.

[0058] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is an enlargement of area VI of Figure 5.

[0059] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a side view of a spindle of the second type.

[0060] [Fig. 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second example of a bulkhead crossing, seen from the rear.

[0061] [Fig. 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the second example of bulkhead penetration, seen from the front.

[0062] [Fig. 10] Figure 10 is an exploded view of the second example of bulkhead penetration, seen from the rear.

[0063] [Fig. 11] Figure 11 is an axial sectional view of the second example of bulkhead penetration.

[0064] [Fig. 12] Figure 12 is an enlargement of area XII of Figure 11.

[0065] [Fig. 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a third example of a bulkhead crossing, seen from the rear.

[0066] [Fig. 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the third example of bulkhead penetration, seen from the front.

[0067] [Fig. 15] Figure 15 is an exploded and half-sectional view of the third example of bulkhead penetration, seen from the rear.

[0068] [Fig. 16] Figure 16 is an axial sectional view of the third example of bulkhead penetration. Description of the embodiments

[0069] In order to make the disclosure more concrete, examples of bulkhead fittings and methods of manufacturing such bulkhead fittings are described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is recalled that the invention is not limited to these examples.

[0070] Figures 1 and 2 represent, in perspective, a first example of a partition wall crossing 1. Figures 3 and 4 represent this same partition wall crossing 1 in exploded form. Finally, Figure 5 represents this same partition wall crossing 1 in axial section along a plane passing through its main axis A and its lateral extension axis B.

[0071] This first example of a bulkhead crossing 1 comprises a metal housing 10, made here of steel, formed of two housing parts, a front housing part 10a and a rear housing part 10b, assembled together using two screws 19.

[0072] The front housing part 10a here takes a generally oblong shape and comprises an external face 11, an internal face 12 and a peripheral surface 13. The front housing part 10a forms a first connector 20 (fig. 2) comprising a body 21, corresponding to the central part of the front housing part 10a, and a set of metal pins of a first type 30.

[0073] More specifically, the body 21 comprises an external face 22, coinciding with the external face 11 of the front housing part 10a, an internal face 23, coinciding with the internal face 12 of the front housing part 10a, and a set of through passages 24 extending axially between the external face 22 and the internal face 23 of the body 21 of the connector 20. Each passage 24 is crossed by a pin of the first type 30 so as to project both on the external face 22 and the internal face 23 of the connector 20. A glass sleeve 25 is provided around each pin 30 so as to electrically insulate the latter with respect to the front housing part 10a. This glass sleeve 25 also provides a watertight and airtight barrier to make the bulkhead crossing 1 airtight.

[0074] Each pin of the first type 30, made here from copper alloy UNS-C17300, has, at its external end, a contact portion 31 (freely accessible from the external face 11) intended to be connected with a contact of an external connector (not shown) and, at its internal end, a connection portion 32 taking the form of a rectilinear and circular rod intended to be engaged in a female connection portion of the second connector 50 of figure 1. The first connector 20 is thus a double connector.

[0075] In this first example, the connector 20 comprises 25 pins 30 organized in two parallel rows extending in the lateral extension direction B of the bulkhead feedthrough 1: the first row comprises 13 pins 30 while the second row comprises 12 pins 30, arranged in a staggered manner relative to the pins 30 of the first row. The connector 20 is of the type commonly called “nano-D” conforming to the Mil-DTL-32139 standard: the pitch between each pin 30 is thus equal to 0.635 mm. Here, the contact portions 31 of all the pins 30 are of the female type; however, they could also be of the male type. All the pins of the first type 30 have the same length, here equal to 6.0 mm.

[0076] The rear housing part 10b here takes a generally oblong shape corresponding to that of the front housing part 10a. It comprises an external face 41, an internal face 42 and a peripheral surface 43. It further comprises an internal cavity 44 completely passing through the housing part 10b between its external face 41 and its internal face 42.

[0077] The bulkhead feedthrough 1 further comprises a rear connector 50. This rear connector 50 comprises a body 51 and a set of metal pins of a second type 60.

[0078] More precisely, the body takes the form of a positioning insert 51, here made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), comprising an external face 52 and an internal face 53 parallel and a set of through passages 54 extending axially between the external face 52 and the internal face 53 of the positioning insert 51. Each passage 54 is crossed by a pin of the second type 60 so as to project both on the external face 52 and the internal face 53 of the positioning insert 51. A sealing material 55, here made of epoxy resin, fills the spaces between each pin 60 and the positioning insert 51; it also fills the spaces between the pins 60 and the walls of the internal cavity 44 of the housing part 10b on the surface of the internal face 53 of the positioning insert 51.

[0079] The positioning insert 51 is housed in the internal cavity 44 of the rear housing part 10b. More precisely, a shoulder 56 of the positioning insert 51, directed towards the internal side, bears against a shoulder 45, directed towards the external side, of the rear housing part 10b.

[0080] As can be seen more clearly in Figure 7, each pin of the second type 60, made here of nickel-coated copper, has, at its outer end, a contact portion 61 (freely accessible from the outer face 22) intended to be connected with a contact of another external connector (not shown) and, at its inner end, a connection portion 62 taking the form of a cylindrical and circular barrel intended to be engaged on a male connection portion 32 of the first connector 20 of Figure 2. The second connector 50 is thus a double connector. The pin 60 is a single piece in the sense that the contact portion 61 and the connection portion 62 form a single piece which is manufactured in one piece.

[0081] The cylindrical shaft 62 of each of the pins of the second type 60 has, at its distal end, a cutout formed of two diametrically opposed slots 63. These two slots 63 delimit, at the distal end of the cylindrical shaft 62, two lips 64 which, by means of the slots 63, converge towards each other without however touching: the two converging lips 64 thus form a narrowed portion 65 at the distal end of the cylindrical shaft 62 at which the diameter of the cylindrical shaft 62 is reduced.

[0082] The rear connector 50 includes the same number of pins 60 as the front connector 20, organized in the same way. In fact, the pins of the second type 60 are positioned exactly in line with the pins of the first type 30. More precisely, the straight rod 32 of each pin of the first type 30 is inserted into the cylindrical barrel 62 of the pin of the second type 60 arranged opposite. On this occasion, the straight rod 32 radially separates the lips 64 of the cylindrical barrel relative to their rest position (in the rest position, the lips are radially separated from each other by a sufficient radial distance to allow the rod 32 to engage between them and to be elastically separated): consequently, the lips 64 separated from each other by the presence of the straight rod 32 exert an elastic pressure force on the straight rod 32, contributing to mechanically maintaining the latter engaged in the cylindrical barrel 62 and to maintaining the electrical connection between the pin of the first type 30 and the pin of the second type 60.

[0083] Here, the contact portions 61 of all the pins 60 are of the female type; however, they could also be of the male type. All the pins of the second type 60 have the same length, here equal to 7.14 mm.

[0084] The bulkhead feedthrough 1 further comprises an interface insert 70, here made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), comprising a parallel outer face 72 and an inner face 73 and a set of through passages 74 extending axially between the outer face 72 and the inner face 73 of the interface insert 70. Each passage 74 receives, by its outer end, the distal end of a pin of the second type 60 and, by its inner end, the distal end of the pin of the first type 30 engaged in said pin of the second type 60. The connection zone between the pin of the first type 30 and the pin of the second type 60 is therefore located inside the passage 74 of the interface insert 70.

[0085] Each passage 74 has, on an internal section, a first diameter corresponding, to within a clearance, to the diameter of the rectilinear rod 32 of the pins of the first type 30 and, on an external section, a second diameter corresponding, to within a clearance, to the diameter of the cylindrical barrel 62 of the pins of the second type 60.

[0086] The interface insert 70 is housed in the internal cavity 44 of the rear housing part 10b. More precisely, a shoulder 76 of the interface insert 70, directed towards the external side, bears against a shoulder 46, directed towards the internal side, of the rear housing part 10b. In addition, when the two housing parts 10a, 10b are assembled against each other, the internal face 73 of the positioning insert 70 is blocked against a stop surface 14 of the internal face of the front housing part 10a.

[0087] A method of manufacturing such a bulkhead feedthrough will now be described.

[0088] The front connector 20, integrated into the front housing part 10a, is first manufactured using one of the techniques taught in patents FR 3 036 396 or FR 3 083 794.

[0089] The pins of the second type 60 are then prepared. In particular, they undergo a series of heat treatments. For example, a heat treatment at 315°C for 1.5 hours on the pin contact and on the barrel contact increases the hardness of the contacts from 88-133 HV to 360-400 HV.

[0090] The rear connector 50 is, for its part, manufactured by installing the pins of the second type 60 in the passages 54 of the positioning insert 51, itself installed in the rear housing part 10b, then by injecting and solidifying the sealing material 55 around the pins 60 in and on the internal side of the positioning insert 51.

[0091] The interface insert 70 is then attached to the rear connector 50, in the cavity 44 of the rear housing part 10b, by engaging the cylindrical barrels 62 of the pins of the second type 60 in the passages 74 of the interface insert 70.

[0092] The front housing part 10a is then brought against the rear housing part 10b, engaging the rectilinear rods 32 of the pins of the first type 30 in the passages 74 of the interface insert 70. In doing so, the rectilinear rods 32 are automatically guided, simultaneously, until they engage in the cylindrical barrels 62 of the pins of the second type 60.

[0093] In this instance, it is necessary to overcome the elastic pressure force exerted by the lips 64 (spaced apart from each other at rest) of the cylindrical barrels 62. In the present example, the necessary insertion force is between 0.7 and 1.1 N. Once engaged, the rectilinear rods 32 are retained by the elastic pressure force exerted by the lips 64 of the cylindrical barrels 62. In the present example, the disinsertion force necessary to disengage the rectilinear rods 32 is between 0.6 and 1.3 N.

[0094] The two housing parts 10a, 10b can then be assembled together, here by screwing, using the screws 19.

[0095] Figures 8 to 12 illustrate a second example of bulkhead feedthrough 101 similar to the first example but using another type of connector. Indeed, in this second example, the connectors 120 and 150 are of the type commonly called “micro-D” conforming to the Mil-DTL-83513 standard: the pitch between each pin 130 is thus equal to 1.27 mm.

[0096] In this second example, the connectors 120 and 150 comprise 51 pins 130, 160 arranged in a staggered manner in three parallel rows extending in the lateral extension direction B of the bulkhead 101: the first row comprises 16 pins 130, 160; the second comprises 17 pins 130, 160; and the third comprises 18 pins 130, 160. Here, the contact portions 131, 161 of all the pins 130, 160 of the first and second types are of the female type; however, they could also be of the male type. All the pins of the first type 130 have the same length, here equal to 11.65 mm; all the pins of the second type 160 have the same length, here equal to 10.57 mm.

[0097] This second example of partition wall crossing 101 comprises a metal housing 110 in two parts 110a, 110b similar to that of the first example.

[0098] The front housing portion 110a forms a first connector 120 similar to that of the first example, only the number of pins 130 and their arrangement being different.

[0099] The pins of the first type 130 are analogous to those of the first example.

[0100] The bulkhead feedthrough 101 further comprises a rear connector 150, including a positioning insert 151, similar to that of the first example.

[0101] The pins of the second type 160 are analogous to those of the first example.

[0102] The bulkhead crossing 101 further comprises an interface insert 170 similar to that of the first example.

[0103] Unlike the first example, the bulkhead feedthrough 101 of this second example further comprises interface seals 180a, 180b, 180c. Each interface seal 180a, 180b, 180c takes the form of a flexible plate made of elastomeric material having the same geometry as the connectors 120, 150 and comprising as many holes 181 as pins 130, 160 so as to be able to be arranged on the external or internal face of a connector 120, 150, by being inserted between the pins of the connector 120, 150. In this example, a first interface seal 180a is arranged against the external face 122 of the front connector 120; a second interface seal 180b is arranged against the internal face 123 of the front connector 120; and a third interface seal 180c is disposed against the outer face 152 of the rear connector 150.

[0104] Figures 13 to 16 illustrate a third example of bulkhead feedthrough 201 similar to the first example but using another type of connector. Indeed, in this third example, the connectors 220 and 250 are of the “micro-D” type, with a pitch equal to 1.27 mm between each pin 230, 260, but the pins 230, 260 are arranged compactly within a circular connector 220, 250.

[0105] Thus, in this third example, the connectors 220 and 250 comprise 12 pins 230, 260 arranged in a staggered manner in four parallel rows: the first row comprises two pins 230, 260; the second comprises three pins 230, 260; the third comprises four pins 230, 260; and the fourth comprises three pins 230, 260. Here, the contact portions 231, 261 of all the pins 230, 260 of the first and second types are of the female type; however, they could also be of the male type. All the pins of the first type 230 have the same length, here equal to 10.44 mm; all pins of the second type 260 have the same length, here equal to 8.8mm.

[0106] This third example of bulkhead feedthrough 201 comprises a metal housing 210 in two parts 210a, 210b similar to that of the second example except that it has a generally circular shape. In addition, the front housing part 210a comprises a threaded sleeve 211a, intended to cooperate with the threaded sleeve of an external connector, projecting on its external face 211 and a threaded sleeve 212a projecting on its internal face 212.The rear housing part 210b comprises for its part a threaded sleeve 241a, intended to cooperate with the threaded sleeve of an external connector, projecting on its external face 241 and a ring 243a projecting on its peripheral surface 243 so as to form a first shoulder 247 intended to be pressed against the end of the threaded sleeve 212a of the front housing part 210a and a second shoulder 248 intended to be retained by the shoulder 218a of a threaded ring 218 screwed onto the threaded sleeve 212a of the front housing part 210a.

[0107] The front housing portion 210a forms a first connector 220 similar to that of the first example, except that it is circular and the number of pins 230 and their arrangement are different.

[0108] The pins of the first type 230 are analogous to those of the second example.

[0109] The bulkhead feedthrough 201 further comprises a rear connector 250, including a positioning insert 251, similar to that of the second example except that it is circular and no sealing material is provided.

[0110] The pins of the second type 260 are analogous to those of the second example.

[0111] The bulkhead crossing 201 further comprises an interface insert 270 similar to that of the second example except that it is circular.

[0112] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it is obvious that modifications and Changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various illustrated / mentioned embodiments may be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. [0113JII is also obvious that all the characteristics described with reference to a method are transposable, alone or in combination, to a device, and conversely, all the characteristics described with reference to a device are transposable, alone or in combination, to a method.

Claims

Claims

1. Bulkhead feedthrough, comprising a first connector (20), including at least one pin of a first type (30), conductive, passing through the first connector (20) and having, on the one hand, a contact portion (31) accessible from an external face (22) of the first connector (20) and configured to be connected to a contact of an external connector and, on the other hand, a connection portion (32) extending from the internal side (23) of the first connector (20), a second connector (50), including at least one pin of a second type (60), conductive, passing through the second connector (50) and having, on the one hand, a contact portion (61) accessible from an external face (52) of the second connector (50) and configured to be connected to a contact of an external connector and, on the other hand, a connection portion (62) extending from the internal side (53) of the second connector (50),wherein the connecting portion of the pin of the first type (30) takes the form of a straight rod (32), wherein the connecting portion of the pin of the second type (60) takes the form of a cylindrical shaft (62) having a cutout (63) leading to the formation of a constricted portion (65) in which the diameter of the cylindrical shaft (62) is elastically reduced, and wherein the straight rod (32) of the pin of the first type (30) is engaged in the cylindrical shaft (62) of the pin of the second type (60), the constricted portion (65) of the cylindrical shaft (62) exerting an elastic pressure force against the straight rod (32) of the pin of the first type (30).,

2. A bulkhead bushing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the connectors (20) comprises a body (21) carrying each of the pins (30) of said connector (20), wherein said body (21) is metallic, possibly made of steel, and wherein, for each pin (30) of the connector (20), a sleeve (25), cylindrical and made of glass, surrounds said pin (30) at least from the external face (22) to the internal face (23) of the body (21) so as to electrically insulate said pin (30) relative to the body (21) of the connector (20).

3. A bulkhead fitting according to claim 2, wherein said body (21) is an integral part of a housing part (10a), and wherein said housing part (10a) is hermetic, and may in particular have a helium leak rate of less than 5.10- 11 mbar.l / s measured according to a method defined by Mil-STD-833.

4. A bulkhead feedthrough according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each connector (20, 50) comprises a plurality of pins (30, 60), arranged in one or more rows.

5. Bulkhead bushing according to claim 4, in which the pitch between each pin (30, 60) is less than 1.3 mm, possibly less than 0.7 mm.

6. Bulkhead feedthrough according to claim 4 or 5, wherein all the pins (30, 60) of a single connector (20, 50) have the same length.

7. Partition feedthrough according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the cutout of the cylindrical shaft (62) of at least one pin of the second type (60) comprises two longitudinal slots (63), possibly diametrically opposed.

8. Partition feedthrough according to claim 7, in which the two slots (63) define, at the distal end of the cylindrical barrel (62), lips (64) converging towards each other and forming a narrowed portion (65).

9. A bulkhead bushing according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the elastic pressure force of the constricted portion (65) of the cylindrical shaft (62) results in having to exert a disengagement force greater than 0.14 N, possibly between 0.6 and 1.3 N, to disengage the straight rod (32) from the pin of the first type (30) of the cylindrical shaft (62).

10. A bulkhead fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein no brazing, welding or bonding is provided between the pins of the first type (30) and the pins of the second type (60).

11. A bulkhead fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising an interface insert (70) having two parallel main faces (72, 73) and, for each pin of the second type (60), a positioning passage (74) extending axially between the two main faces (72, 73), said pin of the second type (60) being engaged in said positioning passage (74).

12. A bulkhead fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said at least one pin of the second type (60) is in one piece.

13. A method of manufacturing a bulkhead feedthrough according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the following steps: providing a first connector (20), including at least one pin of a first type (30), conductive, passing through the first connector (20) and having, on the one hand, a contact portion (31) accessible from the external face (22) of the first connector (20) and configured to be connected to a contact of an external connector and, on the other hand, a connection portion (32) extending from the internal side of the first connector (20), in which the connection portion of the pin of the first type (30) takes the form of a rectilinear rod (32), providing a second connector (50), including at least one pin of a second type (60), conductive, passing through the second connector (50) and having, on the one hand,a contact portion (61) accessible from the external face (52) of the second connector (50) and configured to be connected to a contact of an external connector and, on the other hand, a connection portion (62) extending from the internal side of the second connector (50), in which the connection portion of the pin of the second type (60) takes the form of a cylindrical barrel (62) comprising a cutout (63) leading to, form a narrowed portion (65) in which the diameter of the cylindrical barrel (62) is elastically reduced, and mechanical insertion of the rectilinear rod (32) of each pin of the first type (30) into the cylindrical barrel (62) of a pin of the second type (60).

Images