EP0859432A1 - Female electrical contact member - Google Patents

Abstract

The female electrical connector has a wiring connection section (2) connected (7) to a forward socket section. The socket has a forward ring (12) with a flexible elastic extending conical base (13,14). The ring takes the inserted male pin, and is connected to a flexible mount (20) which connects it to the rear end of the connector.

Description

The present invention relates to a contact member electric female.

The invention relates to a contact member electric female of the type comprising, at one end, means for fixing it to one end of a conductor electric, extended by an intermediate part of smaller section and provided with means for reception of a male organ.

These organs are generally housed in electrical connector channels.

It has been found that when the connectors are placed in places where they are subjected to vibrations, for example, in the vicinity of the compartment vehicle engine there was a slight displacement relative of male organs compared to female organs and thus these slippages caused corrosion contact elements.

It has been proposed to remedy these drawbacks to make connectors in which the organs of electrical contacts are assembled without play which leads to complex and expensive manufacturing and also to an expensive implementation.

It was also proposed to insert, between the parts of the connector subjected to vibrations and organs contact, an elastic part in which are formed female contact organs. Such an organ is complex because the elastic part must have a great flexibility, while the parts in contact must be closed to ensure a good electrical connection, such manufacture can only be carried out in a very specific and expensive material.

One of the aims of the present invention is to make a female electrical contact member which overcomes these various disadvantages.

The female electrical contact organ, according to the invention is of the type comprising a body with, at one end, means for fixing it to a conductor electric and a receiving device for engagement a male complementary electrical contact element, said female electrical contact member being characterized in that the body is extended by a socket, open at its free end for the passage of the male element, while the receiving body of the latter comprises an extended ring, towards the fixing means, to a electrical conductor by elastic tabs intended to enclose the male element, said ring being mounted sliding and floating in the socket and being connected by a flexible electrical connection to the body, means being provided to limit sliding of the ring in the socket.

Thanks to this arrangement, the body of the organ female electrical contact may be subject to vibration, these being weakly transmitted to the ring; however the latter vibrates without relative displacement with respect to the male organ, so that this is avoided corrosion between the contact members.

According to a particular characteristic, the ring has two opposite elastic tabs whose free ends are terminated by folds external, while in the socket are cut out stops bent towards the inside of said socket and arranged so that the folds bear against the stops to limit the sliding of the ring.

According to a first embodiment, the ring has two other opposing elastic tabs laterally having bars folded outwards for crimping one end of two flexible electrical conductors, the other ends of which are attached to the body.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the ring is extended on the side of the fixing means to an electrical conductor by two bands folded in a zig zag and whose free ends are fixed to said body.

According to yet another variant embodiment, the socket is attached to the body. We can thus realize the female organ of electrical contact in two metals one of which is a good electrical conductor, while the other has mechanical qualities superior to first.

According to another constructive characteristic, the body, at its end opposite to that provided with means for fixing it to an electrical conductor, present a rectangular section at the bottom of which a support surface is cut and folded for a braid flexible attached to the ring, in said section part rectangular being cut legs which are folded down on the flexible braid.

According to another constructive characteristic of this latter variant, the socket comprises, at one end, a bar intended to cooperate with the end of the body provided with means for fixing it to a conductor electric and terminated by legs intended to be crimped onto the body, while at the surface a puncture is made, the edges of which come coincide with the cut determining the support surface, a second puncture being made at the right of the party to rectangular section in which the legs folded over the flexible braid and whose edges coincide with the cut determining said legs.

We thus realize a very simple assembly and robust from the socket on the body.

According to another constructive detail, the socket is extended by two bands, one of which is finished by lugs for crimping the corresponding end flexible braid.

Finally, according to a last characteristic, the bands are connected by walls in each of which is cut a fold intended to cooperate with a stop from the socket.

Figure 1 est une vue en élévation d'un organe de contact femelle, selon l'invention.

Figure 2 est une vue en plan de l'organe de la figure 1.

Figure 3 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 3-3 de la figure 1.

Figure 4 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 4-4 de la figure 2.

Figure 5 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 5-5 de la figure 4.

Figure 6 est une vue en coupe partielle suivant la ligne 6-6 de la figure 3.

Figure 7 est une vue en coupe correspondant à la figure 3 d'une variante de réalisation.

Figure 8 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 8-8 de la figure 7.

Figure 9 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 9-9 de la figure 8.

Figure 10 est une vue en plan d'un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Figure 11 est une vue en élévation de l'organe de contact femelle de la figure 10.

Figure 12 est une vue en plan par dessous de l'organe de contact femelle des figures 10 et 11.

Figure 13 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 13-13 de la figure 12.

Figure 14 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 14-14 de la figure 13.

Figure 15 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 15-15 de la figure 11.

Figure 16 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 16-16 de la figure 13.

Figure 17 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 17-17 de la figure 11.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to particular embodiments given by way of example only and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a female contact member according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the member of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a partial sectional view along line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 3 of an alternative embodiment.

Figure 8 is a sectional view along line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view along line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 is an elevational view of the female contact member of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a plan view from below of the female contact member of Figures 10 and 11.

Figure 13 is a sectional view along line 13-13 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a sectional view along line 14-14 of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a sectional view along line 15-15 of Figure 11.

Figure 16 is a sectional view along line 16-16 of Figure 13.

Figure 17 is a sectional view along line 17-17 of Figure 11.

The female electrical contact member shown in the figures is made of a good conductive material of electricity and includes a body 1 cut from a metal blank and suitably folded to present, at one end, crimping lugs 2 and 3 and, at the other end, a circular section socket 4 having a retaining tab 5 for fixing it in a channel of a connector housing element and a boss 6 for guiding it in a groove of said channel. Between the socket 4 and the crimping lugs 3 an intermediate part 7 is provided.

Sleeve 4 is rolled and the two edges are fixed by welds 19.

The free end of the socket 4 forms a opening 8 for introducing a male element.

As seen in Figures 3 and 4 in the socket 8 is housed a member 10 for receiving the element male and which includes a ring 12 along an edge of which extend four tabs, two tabs 13 opposite and two opposite tabs 14.

The tabs 14 are arched to form an elastic clamp, the free ends being terminated by external folds 16.

The tongues 13 are arched and directed one next to the other and are in the vicinity of their free end, laterally extended by bars 17 which, folded outwards, allow crimping one end of two electrical conductors 20 the other ends of which are fixed in the part intermediate 7, on the one hand, by welding and, on the other hand, by crimping (see Figure 5). The drivers electrical 20 are flexible conductors, for example with single threads or braided or twisted threads.

In the socket 4 are cut two stops 22 which are arranged in the path of the outer folds 16.

When engaging a male contact member (shown in dashed lines) in the ring 12, this one abuts against the arched parts of the tabs 13 and 14 so that, the conductors 20 being flexible, the ring 10 slides in the socket 4 until the folds 16 bear against the stops 22. Continuing to push in the male element, the tabs 13 and 14 move apart by enclosing the latter.

In this position, the electrical connection is made and, like the connection between the male element and the ring 10 is perfectly rigid, but that the ring 10 is mounted floating, there is no relative movement between the ring and the male element.

Figures 7 to 9 show a variant of production.

In this embodiment, the contact member electric female is formed by a body 29 having from one end of the crimping lugs 30 and 31 for an electrical conductor an intermediate part 32 and a socket 33. These various elements are produced from a cut and folded metal strip.

The socket 33 is made in the same way the socket 4 with a retaining lug, a boss and two stops 34.

In the socket 33 is housed a member 35 of receiving the male element which includes a ring 36 one end of which is extended by two tabs 37 whose free ends are terminated by a fold 38 intended to bear against the stops 34 during engagement of the male contact member. The tabs 37 are arched to get closer to each other towards their end free.

The ring 36, on the side of the tabs 37, is extended by two bands 40 and 41. Band 40 has a first section 40a inclined towards the ends free of the tongues 37, a second inclined section 40b in opposite direction and sections 40c, 40d and 40e folded in a zig zag and terminated by a straight section 40f.

The strip 41 is shaped to present a first section 41a inclined towards the section 40a, a second section 41b inclined in opposite direction and sections 41c, 41d and 41e zig zag and finished by a straight section 41f. The zigzag parts zag of the two bands are folded in opposite directions so to form a kind of accordion folding; however, the first sections are shifted one in one direction and the other in the other so that the zigzag parts can meet without bumping into each other.

The ends 40f and 41f are welded in the intermediate part 32 and this is crimped onto said ends.

Thus, the ring 36 is mounted so as to be floating in the socket 33.

When inserting the male element, it abuts against the arched portions of the tongues 37 and sections 40a and 41a, the ring 30 is thus pushed in the socket 33 until its folds 38 cooperate with stops 34.

Figures 10 to 17 show a third embodiment of the invention.

The female electrical contact member of these figures is made in three parts, namely a body 50, a socket 51 and a member for receiving a male organ formed by a ring 52.

The body 50 has crimp tabs 53 and 54.

The body 50, on the side opposite the legs of crimping 53, 54, is extended by a section part rectangular 60 with a bottom 60a, two side walls 60b and two returns 60c. In the bottom 60a is practiced a cutout which determines a bearing surface 55 for a braid 56. In the wings 60b and in the returns 60c are cut two legs 57 intended for fixing flexible braid 56 on the bearing surface 57, a point solder 59 being made at the junction of the legs 57.

The cutting of the legs 57 forms, in the returns 60c, opening 69.

The socket 51 is made of a metal having mechanical qualities superior to those of the part 50 and comprises, at one end, a finished strip 63 by two legs 62 which are folded over the body 50 in the interval between the crimp tabs 53 and 54.

On the opposite side of the bar 63, the socket 51 is folded to affect a rectangular section with four sides 51a, 51b, 51c and 51d, the longitudinal edge on the side 51b coinciding with the longitudinal edge on the side 51a, these two edges being connected by welding points 65.

In the portion of the socket 51 located at right of the legs 57 is a punctured 67 so to fold inward the tabs which cooperate with opening 69 in which the legs are cut 57.

In this same portion of the socket 51, on the face 51c, a second puncture 68 is made, of which the edges coincide with the cut opening in the part 60 to form the bearing surface 55. Thus, the sleeve 51 is anchored on the part 50.

In the socket 51, at the free end in the faces 51b and 51c are cut two ears 70, while said free end is pierced with an opening 71 for the passage of a complementary male organ of rectangular section.

In the sides 51b and 51c are cut, of a hand, two retaining tabs 72 intended to block the female electrical contact member in a conduit a connector and two folds 74 which constitute shoulders to, for example, cooperate with a key locking, the ears 70 forming polarizing means so that said member can only be mounted in one direction.

The ring 52 has a substantially rectangular section and has, at one end, a corresponding opening 76 at the opening 71 to receive the male organ. Two opposite sides 52a and 52b of the socket 52 are cut out and folded to form a sort of elastic clamp with elastic contact tabs 77, while the two other opposite sides 52c and 52d are extended by bands 78 and 79 respectively, said band 79 being terminated by two lugs 80 for crimping the end braid 56.

In the walls 51d and 51a of the socket 51 holes 81 and 82 are respectively made. The edge of each hole forms a boss which constitutes a stop 83 and 84 respectively.

In the vicinity of the legs 80, the bands 78 and 79 are connected by two plates 87 which have, each, a fold back 88 one of which engages in the hole 81 and the other in the hole 82. Thus, the ring 52 is mounted free in the socket 51 between the free end of the socket 51 and the stops 83 and 84.

During the engagement of the male organ this one abuts elastic blades 77 and tends to push the ring 52 whose sliding is limited by the stops 83 and 84 so that said male organ can be completely inserted in said ring.

After fitting the male organ, the ring and the latter remain united without relative displacement of one compared to the other in all conditions of use.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described and represented. We can make many modifications detail without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

Female electrical contact member from type comprising a body (1, 29, 50) with, at one end, means (2, 3, 30, 31, 53, 54) for fixing it to a electrical conductor and a receiving member (10, 40, 52) for the elastic engagement of a male contact element complementary electric, characterized in that the body (1, 29, 50) is extended by an open socket (4, 33, 51) at its free end for the passage of the male element, while the receiving body of the latter comprises a ring (12, 36, 52) extended towards the fixing means to an electrical conductor (2, 3, 30, 31, 53, 54) by elastic tabs (13, 14, 37, 77) intended to enclose the male element, said ring (12, 36, 52) being sliding and floating rise in the socket (4, 33, 51) and being connected by a flexible electrical connection (20, 41, 56) to the body (1, 29, 50), means (16, 22, 34, 38, 84, 88) being provided to limit sliding of the ring (12, 36, 52) in the socket (4, 33, 51). Female electrical contact, according to claim 1, characterized in that the ring (12, 36) has two opposite elastic tongues (14, 37) whose free ends are terminated by external folds (16, 38), while in the sleeve (4, 33) are cut stops (22, 34) folded inwards of said socket and arranged so that the folds (16, 38) bear against the stops (22, 34) to limit the sliding of the ring (12, 36). Female electrical contact, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the ring (12) has two other opposed elastic tabs (13) laterally having bars (17) folded towards the outside for crimping one end two flexible electrical conductors (20), the other ends are fixed to the body (2). Female electrical contact, according to claim 1, characterized in that the ring (36) is extended on the side of the means of attachment to a conductor electric by two bands (40, 41) folded in a zig zag and whose free ends are fixed to the body (29). Female electrical contact, according to claim 1, characterized in that the socket (52) is attached to the body (50). Female electrical contact, according to claim 5, characterized in that the body (50), at its end opposite to that provided with the means (53, 54) for its attachment to an electrical conductor present a rectangular section (60) in the bottom of which is cut and folded a bearing surface (55) for a flexible braid (56) fixed to the ring (52), in said rectangular section (60) being cut out tabs (57) which are folded over the flexible braid (56). Female electrical contact, according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the socket (51) has, at one end, a bar (63) intended to cooperate with the end of the body (50) provided with means for fixing it to an electrical conductor (53, 54) and terminated by lugs (62) intended to be crimped on the body (50), while at the right of the bearing surface (55) a puncture is made (68) whose edges come coincide with the cut determining the support surface (55), a second puncture (67) being practiced at the right of the rectangular section (60) in which are cut the tabs (57) folded over the flexible braid (56) and whose edges coincide with the determining cutout said legs (57). Female electrical contact, according to claims 5, 6 and 7, characterized in that the socket (52) is extended by two bands (78, 79) of which one is terminated by lugs (80) for crimping of the corresponding end of the flexible braid (56). Female electrical contact, according to claim 8, characterized in that the strips (78, 79) are connected by walls (87) in each of which is cut a fold (88) intended to cooperate with a stop (83, 84) of the sleeve (51).

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