EP0539250A1 - Electrical connector - Google Patents
Electrical connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0539250A1 EP0539250A1 EP92402623A EP92402623A EP0539250A1 EP 0539250 A1 EP0539250 A1 EP 0539250A1 EP 92402623 A EP92402623 A EP 92402623A EP 92402623 A EP92402623 A EP 92402623A EP 0539250 A1 EP0539250 A1 EP 0539250A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- rigid
- connector
- flexible
- contact
- electrical contact
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 22
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 22
- 238000003032 molecular docking Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 3
- 210000000056 organ Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 2
- 240000008042 Zea mays Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000135 prohibitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
- H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
- H01R13/2442—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted with a single cantilevered beam
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/193—Means for increasing contact pressure at the end of engagement of coupling part, e.g. zero insertion force or no friction
Definitions
- the invention relates to electrical connectors.
- the cooperating elements of a connector comprise at least one rigid conductive element coming into mechanical and electrical contact with a flexible contact element (that is to say elastically deformable) relative to which it can move in relative motion. Subsequently, these elements will be called “rigid element” and “flexible element”, but in practice the rigid element is also designated “pin” or “male element”, the flexible element then being designated “socket” or " female element ".
- the rigid element 1 extends in a longitudinal direction ⁇ and the flexible contact element (s) 2 extends substantially parallel to this same direction ⁇ .
- the rigid element 1 is approached by moving it in the longitudinal direction ⁇ , which has the effect of pushing the free end of the flexible element (s) transversely, this that is to say in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction ⁇ (position marked with dashed lines in the figure).
- This connector structure has several advantages.
- the length of the contact path i.e. the location of the successive contact points along the length of the insertion stroke
- the self- cleaning of the contact point by friction is ensured without difficulty.
- this type of connector requires only a moderate insertion and holding force: in FIG. 3, the characteristic F / d (insertion force / insertion length) has been illustrated for this type of connector.
- the curvilinear segment OA corresponds to the force necessary to radially deform the flexible elements 2; when the deformed position is reached, a peak A is reached, the amplitude of which can be limited by an appropriate choice of the cooperating shapes. Then, if the insertion is continued (segment AB), the insertion force is substantially constant over the entire length of the useful stroke D.
- this type of connector has the disadvantage of premature wear, precisely because the contact point, which is practically fixed, sees a very long length of the rigid element scroll since the length of the contact path is the same as the mechanical stroke of the connector.
- the flexible contact element extends in a general transverse direction, substantially perpendicular (or strongly oblique) with respect to the direction ⁇ in which the rigid contact element 1 extends.
- the connection is then made by simple pressing, at the end, on the free end of the flexible element which curves progressively as the insertion of the rigid element 1.
- One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a connector which overcomes these various drawbacks and provides at the same time a long stroke, a low insertion force and a very high reliability (low wear and self-cleaning).
- the connector of the invention belongs to the second type mentioned above, that is to say that it comprises at least one flexible lamellar electrical contact element, elastically deformable, and at least one rigid electrical contact element of rounded shape, by example of an essentially circular section, the two elements coming into electrical and mechanical contact by the relative displacement of the rigid element in the direction of the flexible element, this direction intersecting the general orientation of the flexible element which is thus tensioned elastic.
- the free end of the flexible element has a curved area whose concavity is turned towards the rigid element and whose radius of curvature is greater than the radius of the section of the rigid element, this curved area being extended by a bent docking area.
- the flexible element in the rest position, bears against the shoulders of a connector body, so as to obscure, in this position, the opening of the connector body receiving the rigid element.
- FIGS 1 and 2 schematically illustrate two general types of connectors.
- FIG. 3 illustrates the characteristic insertion force / relative displacement of the contact elements of the connectors of FIGS. 1 and 2.
- Figure 4 is an overview of a connector according to the invention.
- Figure 5 shows, enlarged and for several positions functional, the cooperating surfaces of the two elements of the connector of FIG. 4.
- FIG. 6 illustrates the characteristic force of insertion / displacement of this same connector.
- FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment ensuring protection of the contacts.
- FIG 4 there is shown in section the connector of the invention, which comprises rigid contact elements 1, for example two parallel series of rigid contact elements, carried by a plug body 3.
- the plug body 3 is placed in a homologous housing of a base body 4 carrying the flexible contact elements 2 coming to cooperate with the rigid contact elements 1.
- the contact elements have been illustrated at the time of docking, that is to say in the intermediate insertion position where the elements arrive in mechanical contact, well before full insertion, which will correspond to the mechanical locking position of the connector.
- FIG. 5 there is shown in enlarged view a rigid element 1 and a flexible element 2, in three different successive positions: the right position, in solid lines, corresponds to the docking of the two elements (position in FIG. 4 ), the left position, also in solid lines, corresponds to the fully inserted position, connector locked, while the central position, in dashed lines, is a particular intermediate position, which will be described below.
- the rigid element 1 has, in section, a substantially circular end shape, of radius ⁇ 1.
- the flexible element 2 is produced in the form of a flexible blade whose free end has a curved zone 5 turning its concavity towards the rigid element, and whose radius of curvature ⁇ 2 is greater than the radius ⁇ 1 of the circular section of the rigid element 1.
- This curved area 5 is followed by a bent docking area 6, therefore turning its convexity towards the rigid element.
- the total stroke D ⁇ has been broken down into a prior stroke d1 (between the docking point O and the point A ⁇ corresponding to the force F1 ensuring sufficient pressure to allow suitable electrical contact) and a useful stroke d2 (between point A ⁇ and the full insertion point B ⁇ corresponding to the locking of the connector).
- FIG. 7 an alternative embodiment has been illustrated in which the flexible element 2 abuts against two shoulders 13, 14 of the base body 4, which thus makes it possible to protect the interior volume of the base by obscuring the orifice 15 intended to receive the rigid element 1; a protected contact element is thus produced, very simply from cut elements (the blade constituting the flexible contact element 2), while these protected contact elements were until now mainly produced by pistons retractable, imposing a low-cut manufacturing much more expensive and complex to implement.
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- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
Description
L'invention concerne les connecteurs électriques.The invention relates to electrical connectors.
Elle concerne plus particulièrement les connecteurs présentant les caractéristiques fonctionnelles suivantes :
- ― grand nombre de manoeuvres (typiquement 5000 à 50 000 manoeuvres), ce qui nécessite de prendre des mesures pour, d'une part, éviter une usure prématurée des pièces venant frotter les unes sur les autres et, d'autre part, pour réaliser un auto-nettoyage des organes venant en contact électrique,
- ― large plage de contact, c'est-à-dire que les éléments mobiles homologues du connecteur doivent pouvoir assurer un contact électrique satisfaisant sur toute la longueur d'une course d'insertion relativement importante, et ce, avec des tolérances dimensionnelles relativement élevées,
- ― force modérée d'insertion et de maintien en pression (en fin de course), ce qui est généralement le cas des connecteurs pour lesquels le verrouillage en fin de course est réalisé par un organe mécanique extérieur au connecteur proprement dit : dans ce cas il faut que l'effort de maintien en pression soit limité (car il sera fourni par l'organe extérieur) et, d'autre part, que le connecteur accepte des tolérances dimensionnelles relativement larges ― ce qui ramène à la caractéristique précédente ―, car la précision mécanique de l'accostage (approche mécanique des éléments mobiles) et celle de la course d'insertion ne dépendent pas du connecteur lui-même mais de l'organe extérieur.
- - large number of operations (typically 5,000 to 50,000 operations), which requires taking measures to, on the one hand, avoid premature wear of the parts rubbing against each other and, on the other hand, to perform self-cleaning of organs coming into electrical contact,
- - wide contact range, that is to say that the homologous mobile elements of the connector must be able to ensure satisfactory electrical contact over the entire length of a relatively large insertion stroke, and this, with relatively high dimensional tolerances ,
- - moderate force for insertion and pressure maintenance (at the end of travel), which is generally the case for connectors for which end-of-travel locking is performed by a mechanical member external to the connector itself: in this case it the pressure maintenance effort must be limited (since it will be provided by the external member) and, on the other hand, the connector must accept relatively wide dimensional tolerances - which brings back to the previous characteristic -, because the mechanical precision of docking (mechanical approach of the moving parts) and that of the insertion stroke do not depend on the connector itself but on the external member.
Les éléments coopérants d'un connecteur comprennent au moins un élément conducteur rigide venant en contact mécanique et électrique avec un élément de contact souple (c'est-à-dire élastiquement déformable) par rapport auquel il peut se déplacer d'un mouvement relatif. Par la suite, on appellera ces éléments "élément rigide" et "élément souple", mais dans la pratique l'élément rigide est également désigné "broche" ou "élément mâle", l'élément souple étant alors désigné "douille" ou "élément femelle".The cooperating elements of a connector comprise at least one rigid conductive element coming into mechanical and electrical contact with a flexible contact element (that is to say elastically deformable) relative to which it can move in relative motion. Subsequently, these elements will be called "rigid element" and "flexible element", but in practice the rigid element is also designated "pin" or "male element", the flexible element then being designated "socket" or " female element ".
Dans un premier type de connecteur, illustré figure 1, l'élément rigide 1 s'étend dans une direction longitudinale Δ et le (ou les) élément(s) de contact souple(s) 2 s'étend(ent) de façon sensiblement parallèle à cette même direction Δ. Pour réaliser le contact électrique, on approche l'élément rigide 1 en le déplaçant selon la direction longitudinale Δ, ce qui a pour effet de repousser l'extrémité libre du (ou des) élément(s) souple(s) transversalement, c'est-à-dire dans une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire à la direction Δ (position repérée en tiretés sur la figure).In a first type of connector, illustrated in FIG. 1, the
Cette structure de connecteur présente plusieurs avantages.This connector structure has several advantages.
Tout d'abord, il est possible d'obtenir sans difficulté une course importante, car la déformation des éléments souples (écartement transversal) ne dépend que du diamètre de l'élément rigide, donc la course selon la direction Δ, longitudinale, peut être allongée sans difficulté lors de la conception du connecteur.First of all, it is possible to obtain without difficulty a large stroke, because the deformation of the flexible elements (transverse spacing) depends only on the diameter of the rigid element, therefore the stroke in the longitudinal direction Δ, can be easily extended when designing the connector.
En second lieu, du fait que la longueur du chemin de contact (c'est-à-dire le lieu des points de contact successifs sur la longueur de la course d'enfoncement) est égale à la course du connecteur, l'auto-nettoyage du point de contact par frottement est assuré sans difficulté.Secondly, because the length of the contact path (i.e. the location of the successive contact points along the length of the insertion stroke) is equal to the travel of the connector, the self- cleaning of the contact point by friction is ensured without difficulty.
Enfin, ce type de connecteur ne nécessite qu'une force modérée d'insertion et de maintien: sur la figure 3, on a illustré en I la caractéristique F/d (force d'insertion/longueur d'enfoncement) pour ce type de connecteur. Le segment curviligne OA correspond à l'effort nécessaire pour déformer radialement les éléments souples 2 ; lorsque la position déformée est atteinte, on arrive à un pic A, dont l'amplitude peut être limitée par un choix approprié des formes coopérantes. Ensuite, si l'on poursuit l'enfoncement (segment AB), la force d'enfoncement est sensiblement constante sur toute la longueur de la course utile D.Finally, this type of connector requires only a moderate insertion and holding force: in FIG. 3, the characteristic F / d (insertion force / insertion length) has been illustrated for this type of connector. The curvilinear segment OA corresponds to the force necessary to radially deform the
Ce type de connecteur présente cependant l'inconvénient d'une usure prématurée, précisément en raison du fait que le point de contact, qui est pratiquement fixe, voit défiler une très grande longueur de l'élément rigide puisque la longueur du chemin de contact est la même que celle de la course mécanique du connecteur.However, this type of connector has the disadvantage of premature wear, precisely because the contact point, which is practically fixed, sees a very long length of the rigid element scroll since the length of the contact path is the same as the mechanical stroke of the connector.
Dans un second type de connecteur, illustré schématiquement figure 2 et qui est celui auquel se rattache le connecteur de l'invention, l'élément de contact souple s'étend dans une direction générale transversale, sensiblement perpendiculaire (ou fortement oblique) par rapport à la direction Δ suivant laquelle s'étend l'élément de contact rigide 1. La connexion se fait alors par appui simple, en bout, sur l'extrémité libre de l'élément souple qui se courbe progressivement au fur et à mesure de l'enfoncement de l'élément rigide 1.In a second type of connector, illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2 and which is the one to which the connector of the invention is attached, the flexible contact element extends in a general transverse direction, substantially perpendicular (or strongly oblique) with respect to the direction Δ in which the
La longueur du chemin de contact étant beaucoup plus limitée que dans le cas précédent, l'usure devient beaucoup plus faible, ce qui permet une plus grande longévité. En revanche, l'auto-nettoyage est beaucoup plus réduit, du fait de cette réduction du chemin de contact.The length of the contact path being much more limited than in the previous case, the wear becomes much lower, which allows a longer service life. On the other hand, the self-cleaning is much more reduced, due to this reduction in the contact path.
Mais surtout, l'inconvénient majeur de ce type de connecteur est la force d'insertion relativement élevée qu'il nécessite, tout particulièrement en fin de course : ainsi, on a porté sur la figure 3, en II, la caractéristique correspondante F/d. On voit que, après un faible effort (segment OA′) pour arriver au point A′ auquel le contact électrique est assuré dans de bonnes conditions, lorsque l'on poursuit l'enfoncement de l'élément rigide la force nécessaire augmente très rapidement (segment A′B′) du fait de la résistance progressivement croissante opposée par le bras de levier de l'élément souple, contraint de plus en plus fortement. En outre, la course utile D′ est beaucoup plus réduite que dans le cas précédent.But above all, the major drawback of this type of connector is the relatively high insertion force that it requires, particularly at the end of the travel: thus, we have shown in FIG. 3, in II, the corresponding characteristic F / d. It can be seen that, after a slight effort (segment OA ′) to arrive at point A ′ at which the electrical contact is ensured under good conditions, when the rigid element is pushed in the force required increases very rapidly ( segment A′B ′) due to the progressively increasing resistance opposed by the lever arm of the flexible element, which is constrained more and more strongly. In addition, the useful stroke D ′ is much smaller than in the previous case.
Ces inconvénients (force d'insertion élevée et course réduite) sont en particulier rédhibitoires dans les applications évoquées plus haut où le maintien en pression des deux éléments du connecteur est assuré par un organe extérieur au connecteur proprement dit: on dépasse alors très rapidement l'effort maximal Fmax permis pour le maintien en pression du connecteur dans sa position verrouillée ; en outre, la course relativement faible D′ ne permet pas d'assurer un rattrapage satisfaisant des tolérances dimensionnelles, et impose donc une construction très soignée de l'organe extérieur de verrouillage, car c'est de la précision dimensionnelle de celui-ci que dépend la qualité fonctionnelle du connecteur.These drawbacks (high insertion force and reduced stroke) are in particular prohibitive in the applications mentioned above where the pressure maintenance of the two elements of the connector is ensured by a member external to the connector itself: we then very quickly exceed the maximum force F max allowed for maintaining the pressure of the connector in its locked position; in addition, the relatively short stroke D ′ does not allow a satisfactory take-up of the dimensional tolerances, and therefore requires a very careful construction of the external locking member, because it is the dimensional precision of the latter that depends on the functional quality of the connector.
L'un des buts de la présente invention est de proposer un connecteur qui remédie à ces différents inconvénients et procure à la fois une course longue, un faible effort d'insertion et une très grande fiabilité (faible usure et auto-nettoyage).One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a connector which overcomes these various drawbacks and provides at the same time a long stroke, a low insertion force and a very high reliability (low wear and self-cleaning).
Le connecteur de l'invention appartient au second type précité, c'est-à-dire qu'il comporte au moins un élément de contact électrique souple lamellaire, élastiquement déformable, et au moins un élément de contact électrique rigide de forme arrondie, par exemple de section essentiellement circulaire, les deux éléments venant en contact électrique et mécanique par le déplacement relatif de l'élément rigide en direction de l'élément souple, cette direction intersectant l'orientation générale de l'élément souple qui est ainsi mis en tension élastique.The connector of the invention belongs to the second type mentioned above, that is to say that it comprises at least one flexible lamellar electrical contact element, elastically deformable, and at least one rigid electrical contact element of rounded shape, by example of an essentially circular section, the two elements coming into electrical and mechanical contact by the relative displacement of the rigid element in the direction of the flexible element, this direction intersecting the general orientation of the flexible element which is thus tensioned elastic.
Selon l'invention, l'extrémité libre de l'élément souple présente une zone cintrée dont la concavité est tournée en direction de l'élément rigide et dont le rayon de courbure est supérieure au rayon de la section de l'élément rigide, cette zone cintrée étant prolongée par une zone d'accostage contrecoudée.According to the invention, the free end of the flexible element has a curved area whose concavity is turned towards the rigid element and whose radius of curvature is greater than the radius of the section of the rigid element, this curved area being extended by a bent docking area.
Avantageusement, l'élément souple, en position de repos, vient en appui contre des épaulements d'un corps de connecteur, de manière à occulter, dans cette position, l'ouverture du corps de connecteur recevant l'élément rigide.Advantageously, the flexible element, in the rest position, bears against the shoulders of a connector body, so as to obscure, in this position, the opening of the connector body receiving the rigid element.
On va maintenant décrire en détail l'invention, en référence aux figures annexées.We will now describe in detail the invention, with reference to the accompanying figures.
Les figures 1 et 2, précitées, illustrent schématiquement deux types généraux de connecteurs.Figures 1 and 2, above, schematically illustrate two general types of connectors.
La figure 3 illustre la caractéristique force d'insertion/déplacement relatif des éléments de contact des connecteurs des figures 1 et 2.FIG. 3 illustrates the characteristic insertion force / relative displacement of the contact elements of the connectors of FIGS. 1 and 2.
La figure 4 est une vue d'ensemble d'un connecteur selon l'invention.Figure 4 is an overview of a connector according to the invention.
La figure 5 montre, de façon agrandie et pour plusieurs positions fonctionnelles, les surfaces coopérantes des deux éléments du connecteur de la figure 4.Figure 5 shows, enlarged and for several positions functional, the cooperating surfaces of the two elements of the connector of FIG. 4.
La figure 6 illustre la caractéristique force d'insertion/déplacement de ce même connecteur.FIG. 6 illustrates the characteristic force of insertion / displacement of this same connector.
La figure 7 illustre une variante de réalisation assurant une protection des contacts.FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment ensuring protection of the contacts.
Sur la figure 4, on a représenté en coupe le connecteur de l'invention, qui comporte des éléments de contact rigides 1, par exemple deux séries parallèles d'éléments de contact rigides, portés par un corps de fiche 3. Le corps de fiche 3 vient se placer dans un logement homologue d'un corps d'embase 4 portant les éléments de contact souples 2 venant coopérer avec les éléments de contact rigides 1.In Figure 4, there is shown in section the connector of the invention, which comprises
Sur la figure 4, les éléments de contact ont été illustrés à l'instant de l'accostage, c'est-à-dire dans la position intermédiaire d'enfoncement où les éléments arrivent en contact mécanique, bien avant l'enfoncement complet, qui correspondra à la position de verrouillage mécanique du connecteur.In FIG. 4, the contact elements have been illustrated at the time of docking, that is to say in the intermediate insertion position where the elements arrive in mechanical contact, well before full insertion, which will correspond to the mechanical locking position of the connector.
Sur la figure 5, on a représenté en vue agrandie un élément rigide 1 et un élément souple 2, en trois positions successives différentes : la position de droite, en trait plein, correspond à l'accostage des deux éléments (position de la figure 4), la position de gauche, également en trait plein, correspond à la position d'enfoncement complet, connecteur verrouillé, tandis que la position centrale, en tiretés, est une position intermédiaire particulière, que l'on décrira ci-dessous.In FIG. 5, there is shown in enlarged view a
L'élément rigide 1 présente, en section, une forme d'extrémité sensiblement circulaire, de rayon ρ1.The
L'élément souple 2 est réalisé sous forme d'une lame flexible dont l'extrémité libre présente une zone cintrée 5 tournant sa concavité vers l'élément rigide, et dont le rayon de courbure ρ₂ est supérieur au rayon ρ₁ de la section circulaire de l'élément rigide 1. Cette zone cintrée 5 est suivie par une zone d'accostage 6 contrecoudée, donc tournant sa convexité vers l'élément rigide.The
La cinématique d'insertion se décompose en deux phases:
- ― Au moment de l'accostage (position illustrée à droite de la figure), le contact se forme entre le point 7 de l'élément rigide 1 et un point 10 de l'élément souple situé sur la zone contrecoudée. Lorsque l'on continue à déplacer l'élément rigide 1 dans la direction Δ, le point de contact se déplacer de 7 vers 8 sur l'élément rigide et de 10 vers 11 sur l'élément souple. On atteint alors la position illustrée en tiretés sur la figure 5, où l'on voit que le point de contact s'est déplacé, sur l'élément souple, de la zone contrecoudée 6 jusqu'au début de la zone cintrée 5, c'est-à-dire sensiblement au niveau du point d'inflexion raccordant ces deux zones.
- ― Lorsque l'on poursuit le mouvement, le point de contact se déplace de 8 en 9 sur l'élément fixe et de 11 en 12 sur l'élément mobile.
On voit que, dans cette seconde phase, le point de contact s'est déplacé, sur l'élément rigide, en direction du point d'accostage initial 10 et que, sur l'élément souple, le point de contact a parcouru toute l'étendue de la zone cintrée 5.
- - At the time of docking (position illustrated on the right of the figure), contact is formed between point 7 of the
rigid element 1 and a point 10 of the flexible element located on the bent area. When one continues to move therigid element 1 in the Δ direction, the contact point will move from 7 to 8 on the rigid element and from 10 to 11 on the flexible element. We then reach the position illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 5, where we see that the contact point has moved, on the flexible element, from thebent zone 6 to the start of thecurved zone 5, c that is to say substantially at the point of inflection connecting these two zones. - - When the movement is continued, the contact point moves from 8 to 9 on the fixed element and from 11 to 12 on the mobile element.
It can be seen that, in this second phase, the contact point has moved, on the rigid element, in the direction of the initial docking point 10 and that, on the flexible element, the contact point has traversed all of the extent of thearched area 5.
Ainsi, sur l'étendue D˝ de la course du connecteur, il y a eu sur l'élément rigide un mouvement d'aller et retour du point de contact (de 7 en 8, puis de 8 en 9) tandis que, sur l'élément souple, il y a eu un mouvement continu (de 10 en 11, puis de 11 et 12) sur un chemin relativement long, correspondant à l'étendue de la zone cintrée 5, et ce, malgré un déplacement final (la seconde phase précitée) relativement faible dans la direction Δ. Le mouvement d'aller et retour procure en particulier un excellent auto-nettoyage des surfaces en contact.Thus, over the extent D˝ of the travel of the connector, there was a movement of the contact point back and forth on the rigid element (from 7 to 8, then from 8 to 9) while, on the flexible element, there was a continuous movement (from 10 to 11, then from 11 and 12) on a relatively long path, corresponding to the extent of the
Du point de vue de la statique, durant cette seconde phase, du fait que le déplacement de l'élément rigide (selon la direction Δ) est très faible, celui de l'élément souple est également très faible et l'effort de réaction du bras de levier ne croît donc que très lentement.From the static point of view, during this second phase, because the displacement of the rigid element (in the direction Δ) is very small, that of the flexible element is also very small and the reaction force of the lever arm therefore grows only very slowly.
Cette propriété apparaît clairement sur la caractéristique effort/ déplacement de la figure 6.This property appears clearly on the effort / displacement of figure 6.
Sur cette figure, on a décomposé la course totale D˝ en une course préalable d₁ (entre le point d'accostage O et le point A˝ correspondant à la force F₁ assurant une pression suffisante pour permettre un contact électrique convenable) et une course utile d₂ (entre le point A˝ et le point d'enfoncement complet B˝ correspondant au verrouillage du connecteur).In this figure, the total stroke D˝ has been broken down into a prior stroke d₁ (between the docking point O and the point A˝ corresponding to the force F₁ ensuring sufficient pressure to allow suitable electrical contact) and a useful stroke d₂ (between point A˝ and the full insertion point B˝ corresponding to the locking of the connector).
On voit ainsi que, entre les points A˝ et B˝, l'effort à fournir ne varie (entre F₁ et F₂) que de façon relativement modérée malgré la course très longue : dans un exemple de réalisation, on peut ainsi obtenir une large plage de fonctionnement, avec une course initiale d₁ = 0,2 mm et une course utile d₂ = 1,6 mm, l'effort F ne variant, typiquement, qu'entre F₁ = 10 N et F₂ = 25 N, ce qui procure des caractéristiques très supérieures à celles rencontrées avec les connecteurs classiques.It can thus be seen that, between the points A˝ and B˝, the effort to be provided varies (between F₁ and F₂) only relatively moderately despite the very long travel: in an exemplary embodiment, it is thus possible to obtain a large operating range, with an initial stroke d₁ = 0.2 mm and a useful stroke d₂ = 1.6 mm, the force F typically varying only between F₁ = 10 N and F₂ = 25 N, which provides characteristics far superior to those encountered with conventional connectors.
Sur la figure 7, on a illustré une variante de réalisation dans laquelle l'élément souple 2 vient en butée contre deux épaulements 13, 14 du corps d'embase 4, ce qui permet ainsi de protéger le volume intérieur de l'embase en occultant l'orifice 15 destiné à recevoir l'élément rigide 1 ; on réalise ainsi un élément de contact protégé, de façon très simple à partir d'éléments découpés (la lame constituant l'élément de contact souple 2), alors que ces éléments de contact protégés étaient jusqu'à présent principalement réalisés grâce à des pistons rétractables, imposant une fabrication décolletée beaucoup plus coûteuse et complexe à mettre en oeuvre.In FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment has been illustrated in which the
Claims (3)
connecteur caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité libre de l'élément souple présente une zone cintrée (5) dont la concavité est tournée en direction de l'élément rigide et dont le rayon de courbure est supérieure au rayon de la section de l'élément rigide, cette zone cintrée étant prolongée par une zone d'accostage (6) contrecoudée.A connector, comprising at least one flexible electrical contact element (2) lamellar, elastically deformable, and at least one rigid electrical contact element (1) of rounded shape, the two elements coming into electrical and mechanical contact by the relative displacement of the rigid element in the direction of the flexible element, this direction intersecting the general orientation of the flexible element which is thus put in elastic tension,
connector characterized in that the free end of the flexible element has a curved zone (5) whose concavity is turned towards the rigid element and whose radius of curvature is greater than the radius of the section of the element rigid, this curved zone being extended by a bent landing zone (6).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR9111844A FR2681985B1 (en) | 1991-09-26 | 1991-09-26 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. |
| FR9111844 | 1991-09-26 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0539250A1 true EP0539250A1 (en) | 1993-04-28 |
| EP0539250B1 EP0539250B1 (en) | 1994-12-28 |
Family
ID=9417312
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP92402623A Expired - Lifetime EP0539250B1 (en) | 1991-09-26 | 1992-09-24 | Electrical connector |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5326290A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0539250B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH05283122A (en) |
| DE (2) | DE539250T1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2066584T3 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2681985B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5791947A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1998-08-11 | The Panda Project | Contact beam for electrical interconnect component |
| US5616045A (en) * | 1995-07-14 | 1997-04-01 | Augat Inc. | Squib connector for automotive air bag assembly |
| US5882224A (en) * | 1996-08-28 | 1999-03-16 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Squib connector socker assembly having shorting clip for automotive air bags |
| US6247972B1 (en) | 1997-08-14 | 2001-06-19 | Silicon Bandwidth, Inc. | Electrical connector assembly with a female electrical connector having internal flexible contact arm |
| JP3351999B2 (en) * | 1997-08-28 | 2002-12-03 | ヒロセ電機株式会社 | Electrical connector |
| US7094238B2 (en) * | 2002-11-22 | 2006-08-22 | Sdgi Holdings, Inc. | Variable angle adaptive plate |
| US6830469B1 (en) | 2004-03-19 | 2004-12-14 | Molex Incorporated | Electrical connector assembly |
| US7473364B2 (en) * | 2006-03-07 | 2009-01-06 | Siemens Water Technologies Corp. | Multivalent metal ion management for low sludge processes |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4900278A (en) * | 1988-08-04 | 1990-02-13 | Molex Incorporated | Electric connector of low-insertion force |
| EP0147076B1 (en) * | 1983-12-27 | 1991-02-27 | Amp Incorporated | Electrical terminal having a receptacle contact section of low insertion force and terminating section therefor |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2443509A (en) * | 1944-03-22 | 1948-06-15 | Railroad Accessories Corp | Connector |
| US2539230A (en) * | 1944-09-28 | 1951-01-23 | Rowe & Co Proprietary Ltd H | Electrical power outlet and power plug |
| US3933405A (en) * | 1974-05-16 | 1976-01-20 | General Motors Corporation | Electrical connector with deflectable butt contact terminal |
| US4002400A (en) * | 1975-08-01 | 1977-01-11 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Electrical connector |
| JPS55109383A (en) * | 1979-02-15 | 1980-08-22 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Lamp socket |
| US4703986A (en) * | 1986-08-15 | 1987-11-03 | G & H Technology, Inc. | Butt contact for an electrical connector having EMI shielding |
-
1991
- 1991-09-26 FR FR9111844A patent/FR2681985B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1992
- 1992-09-16 US US07/945,329 patent/US5326290A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-09-24 DE DE199292402623T patent/DE539250T1/en active Pending
- 1992-09-24 JP JP4279329A patent/JPH05283122A/en active Pending
- 1992-09-24 ES ES92402623T patent/ES2066584T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-09-24 DE DE69201046T patent/DE69201046T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-09-24 EP EP92402623A patent/EP0539250B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0147076B1 (en) * | 1983-12-27 | 1991-02-27 | Amp Incorporated | Electrical terminal having a receptacle contact section of low insertion force and terminating section therefor |
| US4900278A (en) * | 1988-08-04 | 1990-02-13 | Molex Incorporated | Electric connector of low-insertion force |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2681985B1 (en) | 1993-12-31 |
| FR2681985A1 (en) | 1993-04-02 |
| DE69201046T2 (en) | 1995-05-11 |
| US5326290A (en) | 1994-07-05 |
| JPH05283122A (en) | 1993-10-29 |
| DE539250T1 (en) | 1993-09-02 |
| DE69201046D1 (en) | 1995-02-09 |
| ES2066584T3 (en) | 1995-03-01 |
| EP0539250B1 (en) | 1994-12-28 |
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