EP0247945B1 - Electrical connecting device between two parts, particularly for the supply of logometers in motor vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors.

Or document JP-A-59 27 555 is known an electrical connection device for a printed circuit board having a support body and an elastic contact piece.

The present invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to an electrical connection device for the supply of logometers for motor vehicles.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a simple and economical electrical connection device for reliably and quickly connecting two electrical members whose relative positioning can admit wide tolerances.

• un corps support qui définit :
  • . un canal recevant par engagement coulissant une broche destinée à être reliée électriquement à un premier organe, et qui possède
  • . une embase d'appui destinée à reposer sur le second organe, formé par exemple d'un circuit imprimé, pour maintenir l'axe du canal fixe par rapport à celui-ci lors de l'engagement de la broche dans le canal, et
• une pièce de contact en fil électriquement conducteur possédant au moins deux branches pliées en U,
  • . une première branche dont l'extrémité libre est destinée à être fixée au second organe et qui peut fléchir librement, et
  • . une seconde branche, plus courte, logée dans le canal du corps support pour venir en contact avec la broche, et
  • . un coude de la pièce de contact qui relie les deux branches reposant contre la bordure du canal.

For this, the present invention provides an electrical connection device between two members which comprises:

• a support body which defines:
  • . a channel receiving by sliding engagement a pin intended to be electrically connected to a first member, and which has
  • . a support base intended to rest on the second member, formed for example of a printed circuit, to keep the axis of the channel fixed relative to the latter when the spindle is engaged in the channel, and
• a contact piece of electrically conductive wire having at least two branches bent in a U,
  • . a first branch whose free end is intended to be fixed to the second member and which can flex freely, and
  • . a second, shorter branch, housed in the channel of the support body to come into contact with the spindle, and
  • . a bend in the contact piece which connects the two branches resting against the edge of the channel.

The electrical connection provided between the branch of the contact piece housed in the channel and the pin engaged in sliding in the latter can admit wide tolerances between the two bodies to be connected in the direction of the axis of the channel. Furthermore, the bending of the first branch of the contact piece allows a wide positioning tolerance between the two members to be connected, in any direction transverse to the axis of the channel.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the elbow of the contact piece connecting the two branches rests against the edge of the channel to avoid any deformation of the contact piece during the insertion of the pin into the channel.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the contact piece of electrically conductive wire has four "W" branches, two side branches having a free end intended to be fixed to the second member and two shorter, central branches, housed in the channel of the support body, to come into contact with the spindle, the elbows between each of the lateral branches and the adjacent central branch resting against the edge of the channel of the support body.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique en coupe d'un corps support selon un plan de coupe référencé I-I sur la figure 2,
• la figure 2 représente une vue de dessus du corps support,
• la figure 3 représente une vue de dessous du corps support,
• la figure 4 représente une vue schématique latérale du corps support ,
• la figure 5 représente une vue schématique en coupe verticale du corps support selon un plan de coupe référencé V-V sur la figure 2 et orthogonal au plan de coupe I-I précité,
• la figure 6 représente une vue latérale d'une pièce de contact en fil électriquement conducteur,
• la figure 7 représente une vue schématique en coupe de cette pièce de contact selon un plan de coupe référencé VII-VII sur la figure 6,
• la figure 8 représente une vue en bout de cette pièce de contact, et
• la figure 9 représente une vue schématique d'une broche utilisée dans un dispositif de connexion électrique.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example and in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a schematic sectional view of a support body according to a section plane referenced II in FIG. 2,
• FIG. 2 represents a top view of the support body,
• FIG. 3 represents a bottom view of the support body,
• FIG. 4 represents a schematic side view of the support body,
• FIG. 5 represents a schematic view in vertical section of the support body according to a section plane referenced VV in FIG. 2 and orthogonal to the above-mentioned section plane II,
• FIG. 6 represents a side view of a contact piece of electrically conductive wire,
• FIG. 7 represents a schematic sectional view of this contact piece according to a section plane referenced VII-VII in FIG. 6,
• FIG. 8 represents an end view of this contact piece, and
• FIG. 9 represents a schematic view of a pin used in an electrical connection device.

We will first describe the structure of the support body shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

This support body 10 comprises, as indicated above, a support base 20 and a channel 50.

The support base comprises two generally parallel lateral webs 22, 24 interconnected by a median web 26 which is perpendicular to them. The free edges 23, 25, 27 of the three aforementioned webs 22, 24, 26, the most distant from the channel 50 are coplanar and determine the bearing surface of the base 20 on the second member to be connected, for example a printed circuit .

Opposite the abovementioned bearing edges 23, 25, 27 the base 20 is provided with a wall 30 which carries the channel 50. The wall 30 extends substantially parallel to the bearing plane delimited by the edges 23 , 25 and 27 of sails 22, 24 and 26.

The channel 50 is formed by a sleeve 51 having a through central bore 52 whose axis 53 extends perpendicular to the support plane delimited by the free edges 23, 25 and 27.

More specifically, the sleeve 51 is carried by the aforementioned wall 30.

On the outside of the sleeve 51 the wall 30 is provided with two through holes 31, 32, substantially diametrically opposite with respect to the axis 53 of the channel. The orifices 31, 32 are intended to receive the branches of the contact piece 100 shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 connected to said second member.

As shown in FIG. 1, preferably, the orifices 31, 32 are flared at 33, 34 at the level of the surface 35 of the wall 30 directed towards the channel 50.

The edge of the channel 50 opposite the support base 20 has two grooves 54, 55 substantially diametrically opposite with respect to the axis 53. The grooves 54, 55 are intended to receive the contact piece as will be explained by the after.

More precisely, the plane of symmetry of the grooves 54, 55, parallel to the web 26 of the base passes through the axes 36, 37 of the orifices 31, 32 formed in the wall 30.

Furthermore, it will be noted that the edge of the channel 51 opposite the support base 20 is rounded to facilitate the insertion of the pin 150 shown in Figure 9 in the channel.

Finally, it will be noted, in particular on examining FIG. 5, that the support base 20 is provided, opposite the bore 52 of the channel 50, with a latching lug 40. This lug 40 is intended to serve as a point of attachment for the branch or branches of the contact piece 100 housed in the bore 52 of the channel in order to maintain the contact piece 100 on the support body 10 in the form of a unitary assembly.

More specifically, the lug 40 is integral with the internal surface 38 of the web 26. The plane of symmetry of the lug 40 passes through the axis 53 of the bore 52 of the channel. The lug 40 has a hooking surface 41 parallel to the support plane defined by the free edges 23, 25 and 27, that is to say perpendicular to the axis 53. The lug 40 also has a engagement surface 42 opposite to the web 26. The engagement surface 42 diverges from the web 26 in approach to the attachment surface 41 on which it ends.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the axis 53 of the bore 52 of the channel 50 is perpendicular to the bearing surface delimited by the edges 23, 25, 27 of the base 20. However, where appropriate, the axis 53 of the bore 52 of the channel 50 may be oblique on the support plane delimited by the edges 23, 25 and 27 of the base 20.

We will now describe the structure of the contact piece 100 shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

This contact piece 100 is made of electrically conductive wire.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the contact piece 100 has 4 branches 110, 120, 130 and 140 folded in the general shape of W. More specifically, the contact piece 100 comprises two lateral branches 110, 140 parallel to each other, the free end 111, 141 of which is intended to be fixed to the second member to be connected, for example a printed circuit. Preferably, said free ends 111, 141 of the lateral branches 110, 140 are intended to be engaged in holes in the printed circuit to be soldered thereon.

The contact piece 100 also has two shorter central branches 120, 130. The central branches 120, 130 are connected together by an elbow 122. In addition, one of the central branches 120 is connected to the adjacent lateral branch 110 by an elbow 112 while the other central branch 130 is connected to the adjacent lateral branch 140 by an elbow 142 symmetrical with the above-mentioned elbow 112.

The parallel, central branches 120, 130 are intended to be engaged in the bore 52 of the channel 50 in order to come into contact with the spindle 150. During such engagement of the branches 120, 130 in the bore 52 of the channel, the elbow 122 comes into the hooking position on the lug 40, to retain the contact piece 100 on the support body 10. In parallel, the lateral branches 110, 140 are engaged in the orifices 31, 32 of the wall 30 connecting the 'support base 20 to channel 50.

The elbows 112, 142 are engaged respectively in the grooves 54, 55 provided at the edge of the channel.

For this, the distance D shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6 corresponding to the projection parallel to the longitudinal axis of the branches 110, 120, 130, 140, of the distance separating the bottom of the concave surface of the elbow 122 from the bottom of the concave surface of one or other of the elbows 112 or 142 symmetrical must be equal to the clearance close to the distance separating on the support body 10 the bottom of the grooves 54, 55 of the attachment surface 41 of the lug 40.

In addition, preferably, as appears in particular on examining FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the central branches 120, 130 of the contact piece 100 is provided near the elbow 112, 142 which connects it to a lateral branch 110, 140 of a camber 123, 133 facilitating the contact between these branches 120, 130 and the pin 150 engaged in the channel.

The spindle 150 shown in Figure 9 is formed of a cylindrical barrel 151

The two ends 152, 153 of the spindle 150 intended to be engaged one in one of the members to be connected, the other in the bore 52 of the channel are preferably tapered.

In FIG. 9, the end 152 is tapered in a frustoconical shape while the other end 153 is tapered with a spherical cap.

Preferably, the spindle 150 is moreover provided, substantially at mid-length with a projecting peripheral rib 154 limiting the engagement of the spindle 150 in both of the member to be connected and of the support body. 10.

To use the electrical connection device comprising in combination the support body 10 and the contact piece 100 which have just been described, it is first necessary to place the contact piece 100 on the support body 10.

For this, the ends 111, 141 of the lateral branches 110, 140 of the contact piece are placed opposite the orifices 31, 32 and pushed into them. The elbow 122 and the shorter central branches 120, 130 then penetrate into the bore 52 of the channel 50. During this insertion the elbow 122 comes to bear against the engagement surface 42 and slides thereon inducing a elastic deformation of the central branches 120, 130. When the elbow 122 escapes from the surface engagement 42 coming to bear against the attachment surface 41 the central branches 120, 130 return to their rest position. The contact piece 100 is then hung on the support body 10 by means of the elbow 122 and the hooking lug 40. The support body 10 and the contact piece 100 form a unitary assembly. In this position, the free end 111, 141 of the longest side branches 110, 140 protrude beyond the support plane of the base 20 delimited by the edges 23, 25 and 27. These ends 111, 141 of the lateral branches can be engaged in the holes of a printed circuit and soldered on it. It then suffices to engage in the bore 52, in contact with the central branches 120, 130, a pin 150 connected to an accessory to be supplied to electrically connect this accessory and the electrically conductive tracks of the aforementioned printed circuit.

It will be noted that, during the engagement of the spindle 150 in the bore 52 of the channel 50, the bearing surface of the base delimited by the edges 23, 25, 27 maintains the axis 53 of the channel 52 in a fixed position with respect to the aforementioned printed circuit, and preferably perpendicular thereto. Furthermore, the elbows 112 and 142 rest in the grooves 54, 55 of the edge of the channel 50. These provisions prevent the introduction of the spindle 150 into the bore 52 of the channel 50 from inducing a deformation of the workpiece. contact 100. Conversely when the pin 150 is removed from the bore 52 of the channel 50, the contact piece 100 is held firmly on the printed circuit by its lateral branches 110, 140, which allows a simple and quick disconnection of the pin 150 and side branches 120, 130 without deterioration of the latter.

The electrical connection device according to the present invention which has just been described makes it possible to reliably connect two electrical members, for example a printed circuit and a logometer of motor vehicles, despite large positioning tolerances between these members.

The tolerances between these members in a direction parallel to the axis 53 of the bore of the channel are made up by inserting more or less the pin 150 in the bore. The positioning tolerances between these same two members in all directions transverse to the axis 53 of the bore 52 of the channel are caught up by elastic bending of the lateral branches 110, 140 of the contact piece.

As indicated previously, although it is currently considered preferable for the axis 53 of the channel 52 to be perpendicular to the support plane delimited by the free edges 23, 25, 27, the axis 53 may be oblique on this plane d 'support.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment which has been described previously, the contact piece 100 has 4 branches folded in W.

However, the contact piece 100 could comprise only two branches bent in a U, of which a first branch 110 would have a free end 111 intended to be fixed to the printed circuit, while being able to flex freely, and of which a second branch 120, shorter , would be intended to be housed in the channel 50 of the support body 10 to come into contact with the pin 150.

According to yet another alternative embodiment, the contact piece 100 could comprise 3 branches folded in Z, generally parallel to each other, of which a first branch 110 would have a free end 111 intended to be fixed to the printed circuit and the second and third 120, 130, shorter, would be intended to be housed in the channel 50 of the support body 10 to come into contact with the spindle 150.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the support body 10 is provided with a single channel 50 and associated with a single contact part 100.

However, the support body 10 may if necessary have a plurality of channels 50 and be associated with the same number of contact parts 100. Such an arrangement proves to be advantageous for supplying a multipole accessory.

Preferably, the support body 10 is produced by plastic molding.

Of course, in the case where the support piece 10 has a plurality of channels 50 and is associated with the same number of contact pieces 100 it is imperative that the support body 10 is made of an electrically insulating material.

Claims (9)

1. Device for electrical connection between two members, comprising:

   - a support body (10) which defines:

   . a channel (50) receiving, by sliding engagement, a pin (150) intended to be connected electrically to a first member, and which has

   . a bearing base intended to rest on the second member, formed for example from a printed circuit, in order to maintain the axis (53) of the channel (50) fixed with respect to the latter, when the pin (150) is engaged in the channel (50), and

   - a contact piece (100), made from electrically conductive wire, having at least two arms (110, 120) bent into a U shape,

   . a first arm (110) placed outside the channel, the free end (111) of which is intended to be fixed to the second member and which can bend freely,

   . a second, shorter arm (120) housed in the channel (50) of the support body in order to come into contact with the pin (150), and

   . a bend (112) of the contact piece (100) which connects the two arms (110, 120) resting against the rim (54, 55) of the channel (50).
2. Device for electrical connection according to Claim 1, characterised in that the contact piece (100) made from electrically conductive wire has at least three arms (110, 120, 130) in a Z shape, which arms are generally parallel to one another, in which a first arm (110) has a free end (111) intended to be fixed to the second member, and a second and a third arm (120, 130), which are shorter, are housed in the channel (50) of the support body (10) in order to come into contact with the pin (150).
3. Device for electrical connection according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the contact piece (100) made from electrically conductive wire has four arms in a W shape (110, 120, 130, 140), in which two side arms (110, 140) have a free end (111, 141) intended to be fixed to the second member, and two central shorter arms (120, 130) are housed in the channel (50) of the support body in order to come into contact with the pin (150), the bends between each of the side arms (110, 140) and the adjacent central arm (120, 130) resting against the rim (54, 55) of the channel.
4. Device for electrical connection according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each of the arms (120, 130) of the contact piece (100) housed in the channel (50) of the support piece (10) is provided, in proximity to the bend (112, 142) which connects it to an arm (110, 140) fixed to the second member, with a curvature (123, 133) facilitating the contact between the said arm (120, 130) and the pin (150).
5. Device for electrical connection according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the bearing base (20) of the support body (10) has a wall (30) transverse to the axis of the channel (50) and having at least one bore (31) for receiving each arm (120, 130) of the contact piece (100) connected to the second member.
6. Device for electrical connection according to Claim 5, characterised in that the transverse wall (30) is formed at the level of the joining zone between the bearing base (20) and the channel (50).
7. Device for electrical connection according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the bearing base (20) is equipped, opposite the channel (50), with a fastening catch (40) for the arm or arms of the contact piece (100) which is or are housed in the channel (50), so as to maintain the contact piece in the channel (50) and to maintain the contact piece (100) on the support body (10) in the form of an integral unit.
8. Device for electrical connection according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of channels (50) and an equal number of contact pieces (100).
9. Device for electrical connection according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the bearing base (20) maintains the axis (53) of the channel (50) perpendicular to a main bearing surface of the second member.

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