EP0161961B1 - Connector, process for inserting a male contact into a female contact and apparatus for carrying out the process - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to connectors, methods of inserting a male contact into a female contact and devices for implementing the methods applicable to the transmission of multiple electrical information, in particular for telephone exchanges, but not exclusively.

In the field of telecommunications in the broad sense of the term, that is to say when it comes to transmitting electrical information from a station "A" to a station "B" distant from each other , it is necessary to use connectors in order to connect the various elements together. Thus, the connection must be as secure as possible. In fact, a bad connection, at the level of a contact, with respect to its respective housing, automatically causes the non-functioning of one of the elements constituting the assembly transmitting the electrical information. For this, it is necessary to call a technician to, firstly, locate the fault and secondly, carry out the repair itself. So the need to have equipment as safe as possible in terms of its design, manufacture and control, is paramount.

The quality in this field of information transmission by means of connectors is a major concern which manufacturers of this type of equipment must scrupulously respect, particularly in the case of multiple electrical connections, that is to say say using several tens of contacts arranged in an area as small as possible (of the order of a few cm ² ) and whose contacts must cooperate with a complementary connector or, more precisely according to the subject of the invention, with a printed circuit board in which are arranged additional orifices suitable for receiving the contacts of a connector.

More specifically, the connectors currently used for this kind of connection include contacts or plugs which cooperate in housings formed in an insulating body thus serving as a support. The number of these contacts placed in this body is determined according to the use and the standards in force and is thus very variable.

During the manufacture of this assembly constituted by the insulating body and the contacts, the latter are positioned in the body so as to remove any possible degree of freedom from them, and are therefore integral with the latter. So when we assemble, by means of a suitable machine, or even manually see this assembly with orifices provided on a printed circuit board, it happens in particular, when the number of contacts is large (for example between 50 and 100) that one or more of these do not come completely in correspondence with the respective orifice practiced in the card mainly because of the problem of manufacturing tolerances linked to the respective assembly of the contacts, of the insulator, and card holes. As a result, the end of the contact deteriorates, for example, the conductive layer deposited on the printed circuit before penetrating into the orifice, thereby causing an electrical cut off at the level of the circuit.

Also, the contacts having difficulties in engaging in their orifices undergo mechanical stresses of the bending and buckling type which can cause their partial or total deformation.

The state of the art can be illustrated by document US-A-3 807 045 in which is described a connection element composed of numerous rods which have been cut individually from a flat metal sheet and which are held together by the introduction by dint of their middle part in the holes of a thick plate of insulating plastic. To this end, this middle part has an enlarged zone analogous to a trapezoid with which is associated an anti-recoil zone with a triangle profile. When the rods are being driven into the respective holes of the plate, each triangle zone crosses the latter and at the moment when it has just crossed each trapezoid zone is included in the thickness of the plate. The two enlarged zones have the same width which is greater than that of the holes provided in the thick plate. This document also describes a method for the simultaneous assembly of many rods with a single thick plate this method consists in joining the rods by one of their ends by threading them in a flexible band, then holding the assembly in a clamp leaving the opposite end of the rods to protrude, inserting these ends into the holes of a thick plate, opening the pliers and pushing on the strip to force the enlarged zones into the thick plate.

In this document, the rods do not have successive zones or surfaces with increasing straight sections which can serve to guide them during their insertion and the method does not involve the use of any means which could help their guidance during this operation.

Document EP-A-0 065 146 also describes a connection element having a body which contains numerous connection rods projecting through one of their end parts. In the body are provided housings in each of which is slidably mounted a pair of rods. The latter are pushed inside the body using a sort of double comb so that, during their sliding, the projecting extreme part of each rod is inserted into a corresponding hole in a printed circuit board. Each rod has an extra thickness on one outer side showing a shoulder on which the end of a comb tooth rests. While sliding inside the body, each rod is held and guided between an interior surface of its housing against which slides a generator of its end part and an external surface of its housing against which the external face of the excess thickness slides. The end part of each rod which is intended to be introduced into a hole in the printed circuit board has a part of size greater than that of this hole, which is preceded by a terminal part of smaller size with a third connection part. between these two parts.

But there does not really exist on the rods of this connection element an additional part with a further increased cross-section and serving to guide it during the displacement of the rods in the body likewise, in the latter, it is only produced '' partial guidance of the rods.

Thus, this kind of connector, which technicians call connector by global insertion, owing to the fact that the contacts are integral with the insulating body in which they are arranged, has some drawbacks which, despite the current manufacturing quality, can cause incidents such as mentioned above.

The present invention aims to overcome these various drawbacks by proposing for this, a method of inserting a male contact into a female contact thus avoiding possible deterioration of the printed circuit board, of electrical breaks in the conductive layer deposited on the card and to ensure good mechanical resistance of the contacts.

A connector according to the invention comprising a female connection element having an orifice of section 0 2 and a male connection element having a first part of section 0 1 slightly greater than said section 0 2, a second part in extreme end position of section Ø 3 smaller than said section 0 2, a third connection part with progressively decreasing section from Ø 1 to 0 3 between the first part and the second part is characterized in that the male connection element has at least a fourth part or shoulder, located above, in the connector mounting position, of the first part, concentric therewith and of cross section greater than that of this first part.

Preferably, there exists above the fourth part a fifth part, or shoulder, spaced in an axial direction from this fourth part and of cross section greater than that of this same fourth part.

Other secondary characteristics are defined in an appended sub-claim.

The invention also relates to a mounting method and an insertion device for carrying out the mounting of a connector according to the invention.

This method of mounting a preferred connector as defined above proceeds by insertion into the female connection element of the male connection element during a first phase, the second part is placed substantially opposite the orifice. of the female connection element while exerting a lateral maintenance of this male element; in a second phase, the second part is introduced by longitudinal translation into said orifice until the third connection part comes into contact with the edge of said orifice; in a third phase, the retention in the lateral direction of the male element is released; in a fourth phase, a thrust is exerted in the longitudinal direction on said male element to introduce the first part into the orifice of the female element; characterized in that, with a male element as defined above first and comprising four parts, the holding is carried out in the lateral direction by containing the fourth part in the transverse direction, leaving it free to slide in the longitudinal direction; with a preferred male element having five parts as defined above, the holding is carried out in the lateral direction by simultaneously containing the fourth part and the fifth part in the transverse direction, leaving them free to slide in the longitudinal direction, this or these maintaining in the transverse direction being released simultaneously only when the third part comes into contact with the edge of the orifice of the female connection element.

The insertion device for mounting a connector with a four-part male element as defined above comprises: a support part for the female connection element, a body for gripping the male connection element having a through passage for holding in transverse direction and for guiding in longitudinal direction of said male element, a pushing piece of the same male element acting on a shoulder of the latter, and it is characterized in that the pushing piece or cap is composed of two elements mounted sliding one inside the other, a first element having on the one hand a main surface capable of being applied against the gripping body, on the other hand a boss capable of being applied against a corresponding shoulder of the male element and a second element having a main surface capable of being applied against the gripping body, maneuvering means acting on said elements in the direction of assembly of the connector and in opposite direction, led it through passage having an active holding and guiding length determined in relation to the longitudinal translational stroke executed during the second phase of the process.

For the mounting of a connector with a male element with five parts, the insertion device according to the invention is characterized in that the through passage of the gripping body has two successive coaxial passages, spaced in an axial direction whose sections are in correspondence respectively with the fourth part and the fifth part of the male element to ensure the maintenance in the lateral direction and the sliding guide in the longitudinal direction of the said male element, the active length and the axial spacing of these passages being determined in relation with the longitudinal translation stroke performed during the second phase of the process.

• - la figure 1 représente sous forme schématique un exemple d'un connecteur mâle et femelle pour illustrer le principe de la mise en oeuvre de leur insertion l'un dans l'autre selon l'invention de façon partielle et schématique un mode de mise en oeuvre du procédé suivant l'invention,
• - la figure 2 représente de façon partielle et schématique un dispositif permettant le mettre en oeuvre le procédé suivant l'invention dont les étapes sont représentées sur les figures 3 A, 3 B, 3 C et 3 D.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear during the following description, given with reference to the figures appended for illustration, but in no way limitative in which:

• - Figure 1 shows in schematic form an example of a male and female connector to illustrate the principle of the implementation of their insertion into one another according to the invention in a partial and schematic way of implementation work of the process according to the invention,
• - Figure 2 partially and schematically shows a device for implementing the method according to the invention, the steps of which are shown in Figures 3 A, 3 B, 3 C and 3 D.

Returning more particularly to FIG. 1, this represents a set of a connector comprising a male contact 101 capable of cooperating with a female contact 102. The female contact comprises an orifice 103 having a determined section, for example 0 2, the edges are generally metallized by different means and constitute a jacket 104 of an electrically conductive material.

It is obvious that this female contact can be of different kinds, and in particular of a particular use consisting of a printed circuit. For its part, the male contact 101 comprises a first part 105 of a section 0 1 which is slightly greater than that 0 2 of the orifice 103. The part 105 is continued by a second part 106 having a section 0 3 in particular less in section 0 2 of orifice 103. The two parts 105 and 106 being connected by a third part 107 with progressive section, such as for example a truncated cone passing section 0 1 from the first part 105 to the section 0 3 of part two 106.

Advantageously, all of the elements mentioned above will be described for parts of revolution around an axis of symmetry which is the axis 108 for the male contact, and 109 for the axis of symmetry of the orifice 103.

For the implementation and the insertion of the contact 101 in the orifice 103, the contact 101 is maintained laterally by any means, such as those illustrated as pads at 110 in FIG. 1 which can lead, in a first step, the second part substantially opposite the orifice 103 so that the two axes 103 and 109 are located close to one another, if not combined. Then, a translation is carried out of the assembly of the two contacts with respect to each other, so that the second part 106 which has a cross section significantly smaller than that of the orifice 103 penetrates without difficulty into that -this, even if the two axes 108 and 109 are not of course confused within acceptable limits.

This translation is carried out while still maintaining the male contact by the pads 110 until the third part 107 comes into contact with the edge 111 of the orifice 103, at least at one point if the two axes are not merged.

Arrived in this position, the lateral support of the male contact is released, and simultaneously there is exerted a pressure to introduce the first part 105 in the orifice 103 generally by pressing on the male contact, and as the lateral maintenance of the contact does not exist more, if the two axes 108 and 109 are not perfectly merged to apply this longitudinal pressure along the axis 108, the male contact can be centered there by slight lateral displacements, so that its axis of symmetry 108 comes merge with the axis 109 of the female orifice 103. By exerting additional pressures in a known manner, the part 105 comes completely into the orifice 103 in order to ensure a perfect electrical connection, specifying, of course, that this male contact is made of a material at least its electrically conductive part 105. We therefore see with this schematic example the advantage of the process which allows whatever the initial relative positions of the male contact and the female contact to obtain a perfect introduction of these two contacts into one another.

Of course, this same process can be applied simultaneously to several pairs of male and female contacts as illustrated in FIG. 1 and particular advantageous means of lateral retention of these contacts can be produced in order to obtain an implementation of the industrial process. FIGS. 2 and 3 A to D show an example of an advantageous industrial implementation according to the characteristics of the process which has been illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1.

Returning to FIG. 2, this represents a device for implementing the insertion method according to the invention which comprises, schematically and briefly, a machine 1 consisting of a frame 2 on which a column is mounted 3. The frame 2 carries a table 4 which has the possibility of moving according to two coordinates in X and Y thus defining a plane. The means of displacement of this table 4, with respect to its frame 2 are not illustrated, but do not present any difficulty of understanding since they are well known to those skilled in the art in the matter.

On the column 3 is fixed, on the one hand, a support plate 6 which comprises holding means 5 and on the other hand, a device such as a jack 9 supplied by any fluid (hydraulic, pneumatic) consisting of a cylinder 10 and a rod 11 whose end 12 of the latter is equipped to receive a cap 13. Obviously, the support plate 6 and the jack 9 are arranged along the same vertical axis 7. On the table 4 of the frame 2, is arranged a card 14 consisting of a printed circuit and which is fixed by positioning and retention means defined, for example, by fingers 16 or any other means providing the same result.

On this printed circuit board 14 are provided holes 17 able to cooperate with the fingers 16.

Thus the card 14 rests only on these fingers 16, and therefore the inner surface facing the table 4 of the card 14 is not in contact with the latter and thus does not risk deteriorating. On this printed circuit card 14 is already provided the orifices 65 constituting female contacts, which will be able to receive the male contacts of a connector, as well as the various electrically conductive layers connecting the various circuits of this card.

To return to the support plate 6, linked to the column 3, the latter comprises holding means 5 represented schematically by springs by acting under pressure against a support plate receiving the connector in order to maintain it. This connector is defined by an insulating body 15 in which is formed a plurality of housings or holes 19 which are, for example, ninety six in three rows of thirty two housings.

Thus, in these housings 19 are maintained the male contacts or plugs 18 whose adjustment and positioning, in the insulating body 15 will be more fully described with reference to FIGS. 3 A to 3 D which represent a male contact in its housing at a larger scale.

To return to the jack 9, the end 12 of the rod 11 of the jack is equipped with a cap 13 which more precisely will correspond to the complement of the assembly formed by the body 15 and its contacts 18. This cap 13 will therefore comprise as many cells as there are contacts 18, that is to say in this case, ninety six. These cells being, for example, made in a light alloy element and which will marry, during its operation, the interior of the body 15 from which emerge the upper ends of the contacts 18. The structure and above all the operation of said cap which will act as press, will be more precisely explained with reference to the various figures 3 A to 3 D which represent the operating process of said process.

Before introducing this process, it is quite obvious that all the adjustments of table 4, at the level of these coordinates in X and Y, and of the jack 9, at the level of its stroke, will be carried out beforehand by an operator. Consequently, the ninety-six contacts defined above, of the insulating body 15, will be substantially in the axis of ninety-six orifices belonging to the printed circuit board 14. Also, the control means ensuring the various operating sequences of the organs in motion, will be given using a servo block 8.

Returning more particularly to the description of FIGS. 3 A to 3 D, these show the various steps of the method applied on a single contact, but it is obvious that the operation is the same for a connector equipped with a plurality contacts, in this case 96 contacts.

The representation of FIG. 3A shows the contact 18 mounted in the housing 19 of the body 15. In more detail, this contact 18 consists of a first zone 20 corresponding to one end 22 of this contact 18 called the connection defining a first section clearly smaller than the section of the orifice 65 of the card 4, a second zone 25 located between the first zone 20 and a shoulder 28 called connection zone inserted by force defining a second section, and a third zone 30 located from the shoulder 28 to the second end 32 of the contact called the male activity zone which is able to cooperate with a female element not shown in the figures. This third zone also has a second shoulder 34.

Thus when the contact 8 is introduced into the housing 19 of the body 15, during a previous mounting phase, the shoulders 28 and 34, of different sections, perfectly match two passages 36 and 38 which define the housing 19. The section of the shoulder 28 and the passage 36 is substantially identical, as is the section of the shoulder 34 with the passage 38.

Thus, the adjustment made between the contact and the housing of the body is sufficiently tight so that the contact does not present any play. This adjustment is sufficiently effective so that this contact does not take up lateral play during any operation, but on the other hand this contact-housing connection, allows, by means of a suitable tool on said press machine, such as the cap previously defined, to slide this contact in its housing.

In addition, in the structure of the contact 18, it should be noted that the connection between the two zones 20 and 25, that is to say, the first and the second takes place by means of a chamfer 39, which in the method of inserting the contact into the orifice 65 of the printed circuit board, will have two well-defined functions, namely, a first stop function and a second centering function.

Prior to mounting of the entire insulating body provided with its contacts 18 in the support plate 6 of the machine 1, these contacts 18 are engaged in the body 15 during a first operation carried out on a specific machine and this introduction of the contacts 18 in the housings 19 is determined so that the distance A defined between the end 32 of the contact 18 and the outer surface 40 of the bottom 41 of the body 15 is less than the distance B defined between the same end 32 and the shoulder 34 of the contact. This dimension B corresponds substantially to the standard in force for the use of this type of connector. Thus, when this assembly leaves this machine, the ends 32 of the contact 18 all emerge from the same dimension A relative to the bottom 41 of the block 15.

At this time, the connector can be brought and positioned in the machine as defined schematically from Figure 2 and more particularly in the support plate 6 while being maintained, by means of pressure plates pushed by the springs and it is exerted around the body 15 of the assembly. Obviously, these holding means can be of different design, their purpose being to ensure sufficient guidance and grip of the body.

Thus the operator, after having verified that the positioning of the various contacts, relative to the orifices provided in the printed card, is substantially effected, the control means arranged in the servo unit 8 can then be actuated and trigger the process of insertion according to the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 A, the rod 11 of the jack 9, under the effect of a pressure of the fluid, moves in a vertical direction defined by the axis 7, and its end 12 supporting the cover 3 begins to at this time, to cover the assembly formed by the body 15 and the contacts 18.

Structurally, the cap 13 consists of two elements 50 and 51 able to move relative to one another and / or one with the other, according to the various sequences of the control. The press element 50 consists of a number of blind or cell openings 52 equal to the number of contacts 18 (in this case 96) and opens onto a main surface 55 capable of pressing against the internal surface 40 of the bottom 41 belonging to the insulating body 15. The ends of each cell, facing the main surface 55, include a boss 56 adapted to come opposite, by its surface 57, the shoulder 34 of each contact. Also the internal diameter of the cells is slightly greater than the diameter of the end 32 of the contacts 18 so as not to deteriorate the latter during the introduction of the cells.

The press element 51 envelops the first element 50 and is of shape substantially complementary to the internal volume defined by the bottom 41 and the lateral edges 42 of the body 15. This element moves to come into contact with the internal surface 40, previously defined , by means of its main surface 58.

Thus, the first element 50 arrives opposite the end 32 of the contact 18 and as this element descends, the cells will cover the ends 32 of the different contacts and this until the main surface 55 of the element 50 comes into contact with the internal surface 40 of the body 15. In this position, almost the entire end 32 of the contact, more precisely, the third zone 30, is partly covered by this element 50, while the element 51 stops at a certain distance from the internal surface 40. It should be noted that the introduction of the contacts into the cells 52 of the element 50 takes place without problem, since in the boss 56 is practiced a chamfer thus ensuring better guidance during the introduction of the ends of these contacts. Thus, as previously defined, the first element 50 is in contact with the insulating body 15 by its main surface 55 and therefore, since the pressure is always applied in the rod of the jack 9, this element 50 continues its descent by carrying with it the insulating body 15. The force or more precisely, the pressure exerted by the main surface 55 against the internal surface 40 is sufficient to overcome the friction due to the adjustment of the contact (s) 18 in their housing 19, in particular at the level of their two shoulders 34 and 28 which cooperate with the passages 38 and 36 of the housing 19. Thus as the body driven by the element 50 descends, the shoulders 34 and 28 of the contact will no longer be maintained in their respective passage and as a result, there will be a certain clearance between the lateral surface of the shoulder 28 and the passage 38 as well as with the lateral surface of the shoulder 34 with a third passage 60 of larger section than the passage 38. But, well before this phenomenon occurs at the shoulders, the end 22 of the contact 18 and more particularly the first zone 20 defining the connection zone, was introduced at the level of the orifice 65 formed in the printed circuit board 14.

Thus, while lowering the body 15 and gradually releasing the shoulders maintained in the respective adjustment, the end 22 was engaged in turn, in the orifice 65 of the card 14.

Figure 3B precisely shows this presentation in this previously described sequence where we see that the two shoulders 28 and 34 of the contact 18 are no longer maintained in their respective passage 36 and 38, and are opposite with the passage 38 for the shoulder 28 and the passage 60 for the shoulder 34 due to their difference in section. In addition, the first connection area 20 is fully returned in the orifice 65 of the card 14 up to the level of the chamfer 39 previously defined and which there acts as a stop. Thus in this position, the contacts 18 are free in the lateral direction, thus comprising a certain clearance, and are caught between the printed circuit board which maintains the end 22 of the contact 18 and the socket 52 which maintains the other end 32 of the contact. Thus the contact 18 no longer follows the housing 19 of the insulating body 15. In addition, in this phase of operation, the surface 57 of the boss 56 of the element 40 has come almost substantially into contact with the shoulder 34.

FIG. 3 C represents, more precisely, the fitting of the contact 18 which is effected by means of the surface of the boss 56 against the shoulder 34. In this figure, the second press element 51 continues its descent carrying with it, by its main surface 58, the insulating body 15 as shown in this FIG. 3C, which also shows that the contact 18 is sandwiched against the boss 56 of the element 50 and the orifice 65 of the card 14.

Figure 3 D shows the phase after insertion tion proper from the contact in the orifice 65 of the card 14 until it is completed.

Thus, the pressure exerted on the element 50 by the fluid coming from the jack 9, is sufficient to overcome the feedback forces which are located at the orifice 65 against the chamfer 39. Gradually, the insertion of this second zone 25 of the contact 18 is effected by modifying the section of this second zone which is deformed to thus ensure adhesion with the corresponding orifice 65 sufficiently solid to avoid, subsequently, a disconnection. This force insertion process actually replaces the welds previously used for this kind of technique. It should be noted that because the contact was no longer in its housing of the body 15 since it was no longer facing the respective shoulders, this contact is therefore returned, with a certain mobility thanks to its functional play and that 'Consequently the end 22 is self-centered in the orifice 65 without in any way damaging the metallization of the orifices. At the end of insertion, the body 15 is in abutment on the card, but obviously does not rest on active parts thereof, while the descent of the first element 50 stops once the dimension B previously defined and corresponding to the standard in force, is reached. In this final representation of this FIG. 3 D, we also note that the contact 18 is still floating at the level of its housing 19, but is no longer in contact with the passages which cooperated with its shoulders. Thus, during the fitting of another connector, opposite the ends 32 of the contact, these will also be able to orient themselves by a certain value, in order to engage in the orifices which will correspond to the ends 32 .

Once these various sequences have been completed, the following operation consists in raising the rod of the jack fitted with its cover and in moving the table 4 of the machine by a certain amount in order to re-establish the process of electrical connection with another connector in look at corresponding holes in the card.

Thus, this method makes it possible to obtain a very rigorous connection while avoiding all the drawbacks mentioned above, drawbacks which originated from the type of connector used in which the contacts were mounted integral with the insulating body. It is obvious that such a process would work just as well for the use of a connector comprising fewer contacts, or even just one. This method is advantageous, in particular in the case of a connector with several contacts where the problem of centering and introduction between the axes defined by the contacts and the axes defined by the orifices is resolved.

Claims (8)

1. A connector comprising a female connection element (102, 14) having an opening (103, 65) of section 0 2 and a male connection element (101, 18) having a first part (105, 25) of section 0 1 which is slightly greater than said section 0 2, a second part at a terminal end position (106, 22) of section 0 3 which is smaller than said section 0 2, a third connecting part (107, 39) of a section which progressively decreases from 0 1 to 0 3 between the first part (105, 25) and the second part (106, 22), characterized in the male connection element (101, 18) has at least one fourth part (28) or shoulder which is disposed, in the position of fitment of the connector, above the first part (105, 25), concentric with respect thereto and of larger section than said first part.

2. A connector according to claim 1 characterised in that above the fourth part (28) it comprises a fifth part (34) or shoulder, which is spaced axially from said fourth part (28) and which is larger in section than said fourth part (28).

3. A connector according to either one of claims 1 and 2 characterized in that on the male connection element (101, 18), the third connecting part (107, 39) of decreasing section is in the form of a truncated cone while the first part (105, 25) and the second part (106, 22) are cylindrical.

4. A process for fitting a connector according to claims 1 and 2 by insertion of the male connection element (101, 18) into the female connection element (102, 14), wherein in a first phase the second part (106, 22) is disposed substantially facing the opening (103, 65) of the female connection element (102, 14) while holding said male element (101, 18) in a lateral direction; in a second phase the second part (106, 22) is introduced into said opening (103, 65) by longitudinal translatory movement until the third connecting part (107, 39) comes into contact with the edge of said opening (103, 65); in a third phase the lateral holding of the male element (101, 18) is released; in a fourth phase a thrust force is applied in the longitudinal direction to said male element to introduce the first part (105, 25) into the opening (103, 65) of the female element (102, 14), characterized in that, with a connector as set forth in claim 1, the male element is held in the lateral direction by containing the fourth part (28) in the transverse direction, while leaving it free for sliding movement in the longitudinal direction, and, with a connector as set forth in claim 2, the male element is held in the lateral direction by simultaneously containing the fourth part (28) and the fifth part (34) in the transverse direction, while leaving the free for sliding movement in the longitudinal direction, the holding effect or effects in the transverse direction being released simultaneously only at the moment at which the third part (107, 39) comes into contact with the edge of the opening (103, 65) in the female connection element.

5. An insertion apparatus for fitting a connector according to either one of claims 1 and 3 in accordance with the process of claim 4 comprising a member (4) for supporting the female connection element (14), a body (15) for gripping the male connection element (18), having a passage (19) passing therethrough for holding said male element in the transverse direction and for guiding said male element (18) in the longitudinal direction, and a member (13) for applying a thrust force to the same male element (18), acting on a shoulder (34) thereon, characterized in that the thrust member or cap (13) comprises two elements (50, 51) which are mounted slidably one within the other, a first element (50) having on the one hand a main surface (55) suitable for being applied against the gripping body (15), and on the other hand a boss means (56) suitable for being applied against a corresponding shoulder (34) on the male element, and a second element (51) having a main surface (58) suitable for being applied against the gripping body (15), actuating means acting on said elements (50, 51) in the direction of fitting of the connector and in the opposite direction, said through passage (19) having an active holding and guiding length which is determined in relation to the longitudinal translatory travel which is produced during the second phase of the process.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 for fitting a connector according to claim 2 characterized in that the passage (19) passing through the gripping body (15) has two successive coaxial passages (36, 38) which are spaced in the axial direction and whose sections are respectively in correspondence with the fourth part (28) and the fifth part (34) of the male element (18) to provide for holding the male element in the lateral direction and for guiding it in respect of sliding movement in the longitudinal direction, the active length and the spacing in the axial direction of said passages (36, 38) being determined in relation to the longitudinal translatory travel produced during the second phase of the process.

Images