EP3570381A1 - Electrical contact support for connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to an electrical contact support comprising: - means for fixing power contacts and data to the support, and- lights provided in a face of the support and for projecting external portions of the power contacts and data respectively, - means for retaining internal portions of the power and data contacts respectively, the retaining means being configured to define a first projection height of the outer portions of the power contacts through the lights and a second projection height external portions of the data contacts through the lights, the first projection height being greater than the second projection height, the retaining means being located on the face of the support, at one end of the lights opposite to the fixing means.

Description

1. Technical field

The present invention relates to a support for electrical contacts for a connector, for example for a docking base, or base supply / reloading mobile terminal. More particularly, the invention aims in particular to provide a contact support for ensuring the integrity of the signals exchanged between the terminal and the docking base on which it is connected.

The present invention further relates to an electrical connector comprising such a support of electrical contacts and a docking base comprising such an electrical connector.

The present invention applies more particularly to a docking station of a mobile electronic payment terminal.

The invention however more generally applies to any system comprising a mobile terminal and a corresponding docking base.

2. Prior Art

It is known, and reminded here in simplified manner, that a mobile electronic payment terminal comprises a box containing, inside thereof, at least one electronic card connected to various peripheral components ensuring the operation of the terminal. In general, such an electronic card is connected to an input keyboard, a display screen, a chip or magnetic card reader ... Usually, the electronic card is located at least partly under the input keyboard. Other peripheral components, such as a printer, a wireless communication module, etc., can also be provided.

In addition, the power supply of the terminal is provided by one or more battery packs disposed within the housing.

Such a mobile electronic payment terminal is usually provided with a docking station that can be connected to a computer via a wired connection, for example according to the USB standard, for "Universal Serial Bus" in English terminology, or RS232. Such a base makes it possible in particular to supply electrical energy to the terminal, for example to recharge its power supply batteries, and to exchange information with the terminal, by means of contacts present on the terminal and configured to cooperate with complementary contacts, said receiving contacts, present on the base.

To do this, the electronic payment terminals comprise several contacts intended to cooperate with base receiving contacts, including so-called power contacts, used to recharge the battery or batteries of the mobile electronic payment terminal and said data contacts, used to exchange information with the electronic payment terminal.

Thus, when the payment terminal is correctly positioned on its base, the contacts of the payment terminal come to bear against the receiving contacts of the base so as to establish an electrical connection between the base and the payment terminal.

However, when connecting the payment terminal contacts with the receiving contacts of the base, it has been noticed that electrostatic discharges may be formed which may cause a malfunction of the terminal, namely, for example, disturbances of the data signals sensitive and, in the most unfavorable cases, damage to the mobile terminal.

One solution to overcome the occurrence of such electrostatic discharges is to connect the power signals before connecting the sensitive data signals so as to equalize the electrical potentials of each electrical device (base and terminal). Thus, the operation of the mobile terminal is not disturbed.

To do this, known techniques are to use power contacts having pins longer than those of the data contacts to connect the power contacts first.

However, whatever the chosen technique, it has several disadvantages including the implementation of power contacts and data that have different structures.

Indeed, such techniques require the manufacture of several different pin references, which increases the time and cost of manufacturing an electrical connector comprising such pins.

Furthermore, the assembly of the electrical contacts on the electrical connector is complicated by the implementation of different pin structures.

There is therefore a need to provide a technique to overcome the occurrence of such electrostatic discharges so as to ensure the integrity of the mobile terminal at lower cost.

There is also a need for such a solution that can be manufactured easily and quickly.

There is also a need for such a technique that is compact and allows a simplified integration especially in reception sockets with significant dimensional constraints, for example small sizes.

3. Summary of the invention

• des moyens de fixation d'une pluralité de contacts de puissance et de données au support, et
• des lumières ménagées dans au moins une face du support et destinées à la saillie de portions externes des contacts de puissance et de données respectivement.

The proposed technique relates to an electrical contact carrier comprising:

• means for attaching a plurality of power and data contacts to the carrier, and
• lights in at least one side of the support and for projecting external portions of the power and data contacts respectively.

According to the invention, the electrical contact support comprises means for retaining internal portions of the power and data contacts respectively, the retaining means being configured to define at least a first projection height of the external portions of the power contacts at the through lumens and at least a second projection height of the outer portions of the data contacts through the lumens, the first projection height being greater than the second projection height. In addition, the retaining means are located on the face of the support, at one end of the lights opposite to the fixing means.

The proposed technique makes it possible, by the provision of such retaining means directly on the support of electrical contacts, to implement power contacts and data of identical structure (in particular of identical length, contrary to the prior art). ensuring the connection of the power signals before the connection of the data signals so as to avoid the occurrence of electrostatic discharges.

Furthermore, the retaining means thus cooperate with the free ends of the electrical contacts, that is to say the ends not secured to the contact support. Such a configuration allows on the one hand to ensure that they do not dislodge lights, and thus to ensure the long-term integrity of an electrical connector comprising such a support of electrical contacts, and of secondly to adapt the projection height of the relevant part of the electrical contacts, so for example to highlight more certain contacts (power for example) than others (data for example).

According to a particular embodiment, the retaining means are formed in the thickness of the face of the support.

According to this embodiment, the retaining means are formed by the support of electrical contacts itself, via a particular shaping of the support of electrical contacts. Such a configuration makes it possible to minimize the costs, especially in free from the implementation of an additional room for example. In another example, the retaining means are located on the face of the support, between the lights and the fixing means.

According to this other example, each retaining means cooperates with an internal portion of a contact disposed between the fixing portion and the outer portion. Such a configuration allows the implementation of electrical contacts having a relatively simple structure. Specifically, it is possible to minimize the length of the electrical contacts so as to allow, for example, reduce costs and simplify integration in devices with significant dimensional constraints.

According to a particular embodiment, the electrical contact support comprises an identical number of retaining means and lights.

This embodiment allows an optimal adaptation in terms of height of projection, for each contact, with each associated retaining means. Furthermore, such a configuration allows to arrange each retaining means according to the arrangement of the lights, and therefore the electrical contacts, on the support of electrical contacts. Thus, it is possible to arrange the electrical contacts in several rows, for example.

According to a particular embodiment, the retaining means defining a second projection height are located between two retaining means defining a first projection height.

This embodiment therefore allows a configuration where the power signal contacts are on each side of the data signal contacts, so as to optimally provide the connection of the power signals before the data signals.

In addition, the connection of the power signals before the data signals is ensured even in the case where the corresponding contacts of the electronic payment terminal are not oriented entirely horizontally. Indeed, if the electronic payment terminal is placed "crooked", it is the contacts located at one or the other end of the contacts that connect first, and therefore in this case at least one contact of power signal.

According to a particular embodiment, the electrical contact support comprises sixteen lights.

According to this embodiment, such a contact support finds particular application in the case of a mobile electronic payment terminal home base devoid of intelligence, as in Turkey for example. Indeed, in such cases it is necessary to provide a sufficiently large number of contacts to allow the transition of all data useful to the operation of the mobile electronic payment terminal, the base no longer ensuring the processing role of these data.

According to a particular embodiment, the electrical contact support is made of a plastic material.

According to this embodiment, the implementation of a plastic material makes it possible to ensure the electrical insulation between the various contacts intended to be arranged inside the contact support. Furthermore, a plastic material can be easily shaped especially for the definition of the retaining means. The use of such a material also makes it possible to minimize manufacturing costs.

The proposed technique further relates to an electrical connector comprising a plurality of power and data contacts, of identical structure, and a contact support according to any previously described embodiment.

Such an electrical connector allowing the implementation of a single structure of electrical contacts makes it possible to ensure the connection of the power contacts before the connection of the data contacts, so as to avoid the occurrence of electrostatic discharges, at lower costs. Indeed, the unique reference of electrical contacts can reduce the time and complexity of assembly and maintenance of such an electrical connector.

According to a particular embodiment, the contacts of the plurality are flexible metal blades.

According to this embodiment, the implementation of such blades allows the power and data contacts to be at an identical height of projection when they are coupled with electrical contacts of a complementary device and / or that the complementary device is supported on the receiving side of the support. Moreover, such blades allow the automatic return of the power and data contacts to their respective projection height, when they are no longer connected with the electrical contacts of a complementary device.

The proposed technique also relates to a docking station of a mobile terminal comprising a connector according to any previously described embodiment.

Thus, the implementation of such an electrical connector in a docking base allows it to ensure the connection of the power contacts before the connection of the data contacts, so as to avoid the occurrence of electrostatic discharges at lower costs.

4. Drawings

• la figure 1 illustre un exemple de support de contacts électriques selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 illustre un exemple d'agencement de contacts électriques destinés à être disposés à l'intérieur du support de contacts électriques de la figure 1 ;
• les figures 3 à 5 sont différentes vues illustrant un exemple de connecteur électrique formé par l'assemblage du support de contacts électriques de la figure 1 et des contacts électriques de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 6 illustre un exemple de socle d'accueil d'un terminal de paiement comprenant un connecteur selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ; et
• la figure 7 illustre un exemple de support de contacts électriques selon un autre exemple de l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of several particular embodiments, given as simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings, among which:

• the figure 1 illustrates an example of support of electrical contacts according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 illustrates an example of an arrangement of electrical contacts intended to be arranged inside the electrical contact support of the figure 1 ;
• the Figures 3 to 5 are different views illustrating an example of an electrical connector formed by the assembly of the electrical contact carrier of the figure 1 and electrical contacts of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 6 illustrates an example of a docking station of a payment terminal comprising a connector according to one embodiment of the invention; and
• the figure 7 illustrates an example of electrical contact support according to another example of the invention.

5. Description

For the sake of clarity, the same elements have been designated by the same references in the various figures.

5.1. General principle

The general principle of the present invention is that the electrical contact carrier is arranged to allow the power contacts to come out, via the lights provided for this purpose, more than the data contacts so as to be connected earlier. with the electrical contacts of the corresponding device. To do this, the electrical contact carrier comprises different holding means for the power contacts and the data contacts. More specifically, the support retaining means is configured to define at least a first projection height of the power contacts through the lights and at least a second projection height of the data contacts through the lights, the first projection height. being greater than the second projection height.

Moreover, such an electrical contact support is intended to support power contacts having an identical structure, and in particular an identical length, to the data contacts.

Thus, having such retaining means directly on the support of electrical contacts makes it possible to implement power and structure data contacts. identical while ensuring the connection of the power signals before the connection of the data signals so as to avoid the occurrence of electrostatic discharges. Such a configuration makes it possible to minimize the costs of manufacturing and assembling an electrical connector having such a function.

5.2. Description of an embodiment

The figure 1 illustrates an example of an electrical contact support having means for retaining the electrical contacts, the retaining means being configured so that the power contacts have a projection height greater than the projection height of the data contacts in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. realization of the proposed technique.

The support of electrical contacts 1 is a complex shaped element comprising securing means 10 for fixing the support of electrical contacts 1 to a device (not visible, such as a docking base or power supply) through suitable securing elements, such as latching means or screws for example.

Furthermore, the electrical contact support 1 comprises fixing means 11 of a plurality of electrical contacts, namely power and data, so as to secure them with the support of electrical contacts 1. For example, these Fastening means consist of a plurality of small slots each for receiving one end of an electrical contact.

The electrical contact holder 1 further comprises a plurality of slots 12 formed in at least one face 100 of the electrical contact holder 1, each slot 12 being intended to receive a portion of an electrical contact. More specifically, each light is configured to allow a portion of an electrical contact to protrude from the face 100 and thus to be able to provide the connection with the electrical contacts of a complementary device. According to this embodiment, the portion of the protruding electrical contacts has a substantially triangular shape so that the protruding portion does not correspond to an end of a contact. This allows the electrical contact to be better maintained in the support.

According to the proposed technique, the electrical contact holder 1 comprises a plurality of retaining means (not visible on the figure 1 ) a portion of the electrical contacts so that the power contacts have a projection height greater than the projection height of the data contacts.

As illustrated, the electrical contact support 1 is a one-piece piece of complex shape extending along a first axis, said longitudinal axis X. Moreover, the support of electrical contacts 1 is a part symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, passing through a second axis Y.

The electrical contact support 1 comprises a first face 100 and a second face 110 both extending along the longitudinal axis X.

The first face 100 is said to be external, since it is intended to partially form the outer surface of the device (for example a reception / supply base) in which the support of electrical contacts 1 is mounted, and the second face 110 is called internal because intended to be masked inside the device in which the support of electrical contacts 1 is mounted.

Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the second face 110 is located below the first face 100 and it is on this face 110 that are present the fixing means 11 described above. On the other hand, the first face 100 is located near a first lateral end of the electrical contact support 1 and the second face 110 is located near the second lateral end, opposite the first lateral end, of the electrical contact support. 1.

According to this embodiment, the slots 12 are formed through the first face 100 and intended to receive external portions of electrical contacts.

As illustrated, the lumens 12 are identical, elongated, substantially rectangular, and extend transversely to the longitudinal axis X of the electrical contact holder 1. The lights 12 are further arranged to define a single row oriented along the longitudinal axis X of the electrical contact carrier 1.

The electrical contact holder 1 further comprises openings 14, located between the slots 12 and the fixing means 11 and configured to allow the insertion of electrical contacts in the electrical contact holder 1.

The electrical contact support 1 further comprises an internal partition 15 disposed under the first face 100 and connecting it to the second face 110. The internal partition 15 extends in the plane of symmetry of the electrical contact holder 1. A such a partition 15 makes it possible to improve the mechanical strength of the support of electrical contacts 1 and makes it possible to facilitate the insertion, or even the assembly, of the electrical contacts in the support of electrical contacts 1.

The figure 2 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a plurality 200 of the electrical contacts to be disposed within an electrical contact holder 1 according to one or more embodiments of the proposed technique.

The plurality of electrical contacts 200 consists of several power contacts 210, in this case two (including one for the ground) according to this embodiment, and several data contacts 220.

The power contacts 210 are used to convey a first electrical signal having a sufficiently high voltage to allow reloading of a mobile terminal for example. The data contacts 220 are used to convey second electrical signals having a lower voltage than the first signal and configured to allow data transfer. Notwithstanding such signal differences, the electrical contacts 200, i.e. the power contacts 210 and the data contacts 220, have an identical structure, and more particularly an identical width and length. In other words, when the electrical contacts are not assembled in an electrical contact holder according to the proposed technique, it is not possible to distinguish the power contacts from the data contacts. Such a configuration makes it possible to minimize the time and the manufacturing costs of the electrical contacts 200.

As illustrated, the electrical contacts 200 comprise two power contacts 210 and fourteen data contacts 220.

The power contacts 210 and data 220 are for example identical flexible metal blades configured to be able to be deformed, by applying a biasing force on them, and to return to their respective initial position, by spring effect, when no effort of solicitation is applied.

Such deformation can be achieved by the retaining means provided in an electrical contact holder according to the proposed technique. Indeed, these are configured to apply a biasing force on the inner portion of the power contacts and data.

• une première portion, dite portion de fixation 211, 221 respectivement, destinée à être fixée à des moyens de fixation 11 (décrits ci-dessus) ménagés sur un support de contacts conforme à la technique proposée ;
• une deuxième portion, dite portion externe 212, 222 respectivement, destinée à faire saillie dans une lumière 12 (décrite ci-dessus) correspondante ménagée sur un support de contacts conforme à la technique proposée ; et
• au moins une troisième portion, dite portion interne 213, 223 respectivement, destinée à être plaquée contre un des moyens de retenue ménagés sur un support de contacts conforme à la technique proposée.

More precisely, according to this embodiment, each electrical contact, of power 210 and data 220, comprises, respectively:

• a first portion, said fixing portion 211, 221 respectively, intended to be fixed to fixing means 11 (described above) provided on a contact support according to the proposed technique;
• a second portion, said outer portion 212, 222 respectively, intended to project into a slot 12 (described above) corresponding formed on a support contacts according to the proposed technique; and
• at least a third portion, said internal portion 213, 223 respectively, intended to be pressed against one of the retaining means provided on a contact support according to the proposed technique.

In the embodiment described, the fixing portion 211, 221 is located at a first longitudinal end of the electrical contacts 210, 220 respectively, the portion internal 213, 223 is located at the second longitudinal end, opposite the first longitudinal end, the electrical contacts 210, 220 respectively and the outer portion 212, 222 is located between the fixing portion 211, 221 and the inner portion 213, 223 respectively.

The fixing portions 211, 221 of the power contacts 210 and data 220 respectively are arranged on a strip 20, forming a support, so as to facilitate the insertion and fixing of the electrical contacts 210, 220 to a support of electrical contacts complies to the proposed technique.

According to this embodiment, the data contacts 220 are arranged between the power contacts 210. In other words, the power contacts are on each side of the data contacts. Thus, the connection of the power signals before the data signals is optimal, because of their greater height of projection, even in the case where the corresponding contacts of a mobile terminal are not perfectly aligned with those of the contact support at the time of the connection of the terminal on its base for example.

The Figures 3 to 5 illustrate an example of electrical connector 3 formed by the assembly of a plurality of identical electrical contacts 200 (formed for example by identical flexible metal blades), in a support of electrical contacts 1 according to the proposed technique.

According to this embodiment, the electrical contact support 1 comprises first retaining means 16 configured to define a first projection height h ₁ of the outer portions 212 of the power contacts 210 through the slots 12 and the second retaining means 17 configured to define a second projection height h ₂ of the outer portions 222 of the data contacts 220 through the lumens 12. Furthermore, the retaining means 16, 17 are configured to retain the inner portions 213, 223 of the power contacts 210 and data 220 respectively.

In other words, the first retaining means 16 are configured to apply a first biasing force on the internal portions 213 of the power contacts 210, and thus not only to retain the internal portions 213 but also to highlight the portions. external 212 of a first predetermined height h ₁ . Similarly, the second retaining means 17 are configured to apply a second biasing force on the internal portions 223 of the data contacts 220, and thus not only to retain the internal portions 223 but also to bring out the outer portions 222 of the data. a second predetermined height h ₂ . Such solicitation efforts allow in fact elastically deform the electrical contacts so as to determine the heights h ₁ , h ₂ of the outer portions 212, 222 respectively.

Furthermore, the retaining means 16, 17 are configured so that the first projection height h ₁ is greater than the second projection height h ₂ , so as to allow the power contacts 210 to establish an electrical connection before the contacts 220. Such a configuration thus makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of electrostatic discharges when two electronic devices having different electrical potentials are connected.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining means 16, 17 are formed in the thickness of the first face 100 of the electrical contact support 1, that is to say integrally formed with the support of electrical contacts. Thus, the proposed technique makes it possible to overcome the appearance of electrostatic discharges at a lower cost because no additional parts are necessary.

More specifically, the first retaining means 16 have a first thickness e ₁ and the second retaining means 17 have a second thickness e ₂ greater than the first thickness e ₁ , as illustrated in FIG. figure 4 . Such a configuration makes it possible to ensure that the outer portions 212 of the power contacts 210 have a key height h ₁ greater than the key height h ₂ of the external portions 222 of the data contacts 220. In other words, the The values of the heights h ₁ , h ₂ are inversely proportional to the values of the thicknesses e ₁ , e ₂ of the holding means 16, 17 respectively.

For example, the first and second thicknesses e ₁ , e ₂ are determined in such a way that the outer portions 212 of the power contacts 210 have a height of h ₁ greater than 1 to 3 mm, preferably 2 mm, at the contact height. h ₂ external portions 222 of the data contacts 220.

Moreover, according to this embodiment and in connection with the figure 2 illustrating the electrical contacts, the support of electrical contacts 1 comprises an identical number of retaining means 16, 17 as power contacts 210 and data 220 respectively, that is to say two first retaining means 16 and fourteen seconds retaining means 17 so as to cooperate with the two power contacts 210 and the fourteen data contacts 220.

The first retaining means 16 are associated with the slots 12 located at each longitudinal end of the electrical contact holder 1 and the second retaining means 17 are associated with the slots 12 situated between the two end slots 12. In other words, the first and sixteenth lights 12 are respectively associated with a first means 16 and the second to fifteenth slots 12 are respectively associated with a second retaining means 17. Thus, the power contacts 210 are arranged at each longitudinal end of the support 1 so as to ensure optimal connection of the signals of power before connecting the data signals.

Furthermore, each retaining means 16, 17 is located at a longitudinal end of the light 12 with which it is associated. More specifically, the retaining means 16, 17 are located at the opposite end to the fastening means 11 so that the retaining means 16, 17 retain the longitudinal ends 213, 223 opposite the fastening ends 211, 221 of the electrical contacts. 210, 220 respectively, as illustrated in figures 3 and 5 .

Such a configuration makes it possible to ensure that the external portions of the electrical contacts do not dislodge the lights so as to ensure the long-term integrity of the electrical connector.

Furthermore, the electrical contact support 1 comprises a plurality of stops 18 located under the first face 100 and disposed between each lumen 12. Each stop 18 is in the form of a plate projecting parallel to the plane of symmetry, c ' that is to say vertically.

Such stops facilitate assembly of the electrical connector 3 by guiding the passage and positioning of the outer portions 212, 222 of the power contacts 210 and data 220 respectively in the slots 12 of the electrical contact holder 1. The stops allow in addition to maintain a predetermined distance between each neighboring electrical contact even when they are pressed into the electrical connector.

The figure 6 illustrates an example of a docking base 4 comprising an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the proposed technique.

The reception base 4 is intended to receive a mobile electronic payment terminal (not shown) and is configured to supply electrical energy to the payment terminal, via power contacts 210, and to exchange data. with the payment terminal, through data contacts 220.

As illustrated, the reception base 4 comprises a protection case having a receiving face 40 of a mobile electronic payment terminal on which the power contacts 210 and data 220 are arranged via the connector 3 previously described. .

More specifically, the receiving face 40 has a housing, complementary in shape to the first face 100 of the electrical contact support 1, oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis Z of the reception base 4.

The housing is configured to receive the first face 100, called the outer face, of an electrical contact support 1 according to the proposed technique, that is to say the face on which the power contacts 210 and 220 data projection. As already indicated above, the second face 110 of the electrical contact support 1 is not apparent when the connector 3 is mounted in the docking base 4.

Furthermore, as illustrated, the power contacts 210 have a projection height greater than the projection height of the data contacts 220. Such a configuration is obtained by the implementation of retaining means (not visible) described herein. above and arranged in the electrical contact holder 1 itself. More specifically, the retaining means are configured to carry an inner portion of each electrical contact 210, 220 so as to obtain different heights of the frame while using electrical contacts of identical structure.

When the electrical contact support 1 is correctly assembled with the reception base 4, by means of securing means, the first face 100 of the electrical contact support 1 is flush with the surface of the reception face 40 of the base of the base. home 4 so that the first side 100 partially forms the outer surface of the docking base 4.

Such a configuration makes it possible to simplify the positioning, in particular the sliding, of the mobile terminal on the base of reception.

The positioning of the mobile terminal on the reception base 4 is further improved by the implementation of a guide projection 13 disposed among the power contacts 210 and data 220, and intended to cooperate with complementary means on the mobile terminal.

The figure 7 is a cross section of an electrical connector 3 'formed by the assembly of a plurality of identical electrical contacts 200' (formed for example by identical flexible metal blades), in an electrical contact holder 1 'according to another example of the proposed technique illustrating an alternative embodiment of the means for retaining power contacts and data.

This example of an electrical contact support differs from the first embodiment in locating the means for retaining the power and data contacts.

More specifically, each retaining means is located at the longitudinal end of the slots 12 which is located closest to the fastening means 11 so as to retain an intermediate portion, forming an inner portion, located between the fixing portion and the outer portion each electrical contact 210 ', 220'.

Such a location of the retaining means makes it possible to minimize the size of an electrical contact support 1 ', for example by reducing the length of the electrical contacts.

As for the first embodiment, the first (non-visible) retaining means of the power contacts 210 'have a first thickness and the second retaining means 17' of the data contacts 220 'have a second thickness greater than the first thickness so that the outer portions 212 'of the power contacts 210' have a greater surface height than the projection height of the outer portions 222 'of the data contacts 220'.

As illustrated on the figure 7 , only a second retaining means 17 ', configured to exert a biasing force on the inner portion 223' located between the fixing portion 221 'and the outer portion 222' of a data contact 220 ', is visible.

The first retaining means (not visible) of the power contacts 210 'and the second retaining means 17' of the data contacts 220 'are therefore formed in the thickness of the first face 100 and are situated between the lights 12 and the fastening means 11.

This example makes it possible in particular to use shorter power and data contacts than in the first embodiment, because of the location of the "other side" retaining means of the lights with respect to the first embodiment. Indeed, according to this example, it is no longer necessary for the contacts to have an end intended to be held in the connector in the extension of the outer portion 222 '.

5.3. Other features and embodiments

In the embodiments described, the differences in the projection heights h ₁ , h ₂ of the outer portions 212, 222 of the respective power and data contacts 220 are thus obtained during the assembly of the electrical connector 3; that is, when the contacts are inserted assembled with the carrier, as described below.

According to the various embodiments described, the power contacts 210 and data 210, which are identical electrical contacts 200, are inserted in the electrical contact holder 1 through the openings 14. At this stage, the external portions 212 , 222 power contacts 210 and data 210 are aligned.

When the fastening portions 211, 221 of the respective power contacts 210 and data 220 are folded towards the fastening means 11 of the electrical contact carrier, the outer portions 212, 222 of the respective power contacts 210 and data 220 are gradually introduce into the lights 12 of the electrical contact holder 1.

According to the first embodiment described, during the progressive introduction of the outer portions 212, 222 in the slots 12, the inner portions 213, 223 of the respective power contacts 210 and data 220 are also progressively plated against the retaining means 16, 17. Thus, the outer portions 212, 222 of the respective power contacts 210 and data 220 tend gradually to their respective projection height h ₁ , h ₂ .

Then, when the fastening portions 211, 221 of respective power contacts 210 and data 220 are plated by the attachment means 11 of the electrical contact carrier 1, the outer portions 212, 222 of the respective power contacts 210 and data 220 have a respective projection height h ₁ , h ₂ predetermined.

Finally, the securing of the fastening portions 211, 221 of the respective power and data contacts 220 to the attachment means 11 of the electrical contact support 1 makes it possible to maintain the external portions 212, 222 of the respective power and data contacts 210. 220 at the projection heights h ₁ , h ₂ predetermined.

In an electrical connector according to the embodiments described, when a biasing force is applied to the outer portion of an electrical contact (so as to make its projection height substantially zero or even zero), the internal portion of this contact electrical separates from the associated retaining means. Such a solicitation effort can be provided by a mobile electronic payment terminal when it is positioned on the docking base comprising a connector according to the proposed technique.

Then, when the external pressure is released, the elasticity of the electrical contact allows the inner portion thereof to automatically return to contact with the associated retaining means so that the outer portion projects from the contact support, the predetermined projection height. Such a reaction is due to the implementation of flexible metal blades forming the power contacts and data.

In the embodiments described, the electrical contact support is made of a plastic material so as to electrically isolate each electrical contact.

In the described embodiments, the electrical connector comprises, in total, sixteen power and data contacts. However, the proposed technique can be implemented in any type of electrical connector comprising at least two power contacts and at least one data contact.

Of course, the proposed technique is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be considered by those skilled in the art in the context of the problematic posed and in particular any combination of the various embodiments described above, which can be taken separately or in combination.

Claims (9)

An electrical contact carrier (1) comprising: means (11) for fixing a plurality of power (210) and data (220) contacts to said support (1), and lights (12) formed in at least one face (100) of said support and intended to project external portions (212, 222) of said power (210) and data (220) contacts respectively, said electrical contact carrier (1) being characterized in that it comprises means (16, 17) for retaining internal portions (213, 223) of said power (210) and data (220) contacts respectively, said means retainers (16, 17) being configured to define at least a first projection height (h ₁ ) of said outer portions (212) of said power contacts (210) through said slots (12) and at least one second projection height (h ₂ ) said outer portions (222) of said data contacts (220) through said lumens (12), said first projection height (h ₁ ) being greater than said second projection height (h ₂ ), and
in that said retaining means (16, 17) are located on said face (100) of said support, at one end of said apertures (12) opposite to said fixing means (11). An electrical contact carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that said retaining means (16, 17) are formed in the thickness of said face (100) of said support. Electrical contact carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an identical number of retaining means (16, 17) and lights (12). Electrical contact holder according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the retaining means (17) defining a second projection height (h ₂ ) are situated between two retaining means (16) defining a first height protrusion (h ₁ ). An electrical contact carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises sixteen lumens (12). Electrical contact carrier according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is made of a plastic material. Electrical connector (3) characterized in that it comprises a plurality (200) of power contacts (210) and data (220) of identical structure, and a contact carrier (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 6. Electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the contacts of said plurality (200) are flexible metal blades. Receiving base (4) of a mobile terminal characterized in that it comprises a connector (3) according to claim 7 or 8.

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