EP0259205B1 - Electrical contact for multicontact connectors and connector using such an electrical contact - Google Patents

Electrical contact for multicontact connectors and connector using such an electrical contact Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0259205B1
EP0259205B1 EP87401802A EP87401802A EP0259205B1 EP 0259205 B1 EP0259205 B1 EP 0259205B1 EP 87401802 A EP87401802 A EP 87401802A EP 87401802 A EP87401802 A EP 87401802A EP 0259205 B1 EP0259205 B1 EP 0259205B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
connector
shape memory
housing
memory material
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP87401802A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0259205A1 (en
Inventor
Alain Jarry
Paul Djian
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FCI France SA
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Souriau et Cie
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0259205A1 publication Critical patent/EP0259205A1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/01—Connections using shape memory materials, e.g. shape memory metal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
    • H01R13/428—Securing in a demountable manner by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members
    • H01R13/434—Securing in a demountable manner by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members by separate resilient locking means on contact member, e.g. retainer collar or ring around contact member
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S439/00—Electrical connectors
    • Y10S439/932—Heat shrink material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical contact for a multi-contact connector and to the connector comprising such electrical contacts.
  • the multicontact connectors currently used and distributed commercially most often include, as shown in longitudinal section in FIG. 1, a male part denoted A and a female part denoted B, the male or female contacts being arranged in blocks.
  • the connector shown is a round connector meeting the specifications of the American standard MILC 482 G.
  • the housing 4 In order to ensure the mechanical retention of the contacts in their housings 4 formed in the insulating blocks, it is necessary to provide a fixing system consisting for each contact in a locking clip 42 constituted by an elastic metal strip. In order to obtain a blocking of each contact by means of the clip, the housing 4 must necessarily have a profile seen in section suitably arranged, as shown in FIG. 1, so as to provide in a chamber shoulders to allow the clip to be wedged. correspondent and / or contact against them.
  • each housing at the level of the chamber results in a significant increase in the diameter of the housing at the level thereof with the effect of limiting the contact population for a given type of connector due in particular to the minimum distance. necessary between two adjacent electrical contacts to ensure the required electrical insulation qualities.
  • insulating blocks provided with their housing being obtained by molding an electrically insulating plastic material, molding can only be carried out in molds having molding pins on which parts, chemically degradable, to the exact dimensions of the desired profile are reported.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy all of the aforementioned drawbacks by implementing an electrical contact for a multiple connector having a retention system by which the retention of the electrical contact is no longer ensured by wedging but essentially by friction. .
  • Another object of the electrical contact object of the invention is the implementation of a multi-contact electrical connector in which, due to the specific features of the retention system of each contact, the diameter of the housings of each of the electrical contacts is at most equal , substantially, to the diameter or transverse dimension, overall, of the contact body which makes it possible to obtain an increase in the density of contact population for a type of connector of determined dimensions.
  • Another object of the electrical contact which is the subject of the invention is also, due to the particular structure of the retention system, a very great simplification of the operating mode of producing a connector comprising such contacts, the degradation phase of the added parts. on the molding pins being removed or greatly reduced in importance.
  • the electrical contact for a multi-contact connector according to the invention is described in claim 1.
  • the preamble of claim 1 is described in document FR-A-1,500,265.
  • the multicontact connector comprising a plurality of such electrical contacts is described in claim 6.
  • the invention finds application in the production of multicontact electrical connectors used in the aeronautical field, radar systems, and more generally in industrial electronics control and regulation systems.
  • the electrical contact comprises a barrel 1 in which the cable of the electrical connector can be inserted in order to ensure mechanical cohesion and the electrical connection between the electrical contact and the conductors of the cable to be connected.
  • the electrical contact further comprises a retention zone denoted 2 and an active part 3.
  • the active part 3 can be constituted for example, as shown in FIG. 2a, by a female socket intended to receive the corresponding male part of a contact electric male.
  • the barrel 1, the retention zone 2 and the active part 3 are formed by an electrically conductive contact body, the retention zone 2 being formed by a contact zone. reduced section 20.
  • an element 21 made of shape memory material 21 is engaged in the reduced section area intended to ensure the retention of the contact in its housing 4 during assembly. of it.
  • the housing 4 is shown formed in the insulating block 100 of the male or female part of the connector.
  • the element 21 made of shape memory material consists of a sleeve.
  • the element 21 is made so as to have a sufficient longitudinal dimension, in order to exert in a first state of memorized shape, sufficient pressure on the walls of the orifice 4 and a suitable friction against them, the blocking of the contact is thus ensured in its housing.
  • the longitudinal dimension of the sleeve 21 can be reduced.
  • an additional housing 42 can be provided at the wall of the housing 4 at the reduced section area 20 of the electrical contact.
  • the housing 42 may be produced so as to form shoulders on which the sleeve 21 bears, so as to wedge the electrical contact in its housing 4.
  • the shoulders thus formed and the housing 42 can thus, advantageously, be constituted by an offset of small value relative to the corresponding dimension of the electrical contact or of the contact body.
  • the electrical contact has been shown here as consisting of a contact body of substantially circular section.
  • the sleeve 21 can have cut parts 210 intended to block the contact along the wall housing 4.
  • the element 21 of shape memory material can advantageously be made of a material included in the nickel-titanium, nickel-titanium-iron, copper-zinc-aluminum and copper-aluminum-nickel group in the form of an intermetallic compound or in the form ally.
  • the element of shape memory material 21 is capable of reversibly occupying a first state of memorized shape noted I in FIG. 3a in which the element 21, or the cut parts 210 of it, are in an expanded state.
  • the element or the cut parts thereof are thus projecting relative to the contact body in order to allow the retention of the contact in its housing 4 after mounting thereof.
  • the element made of shape memory material 21 is capable of occupying a second state of memorized form denoted II, in which the element, or the cut parts 210 thereof, are in the shrunk state, the element thus being substantially retracted into the reduced section area 20 forming the retention area.
  • the second memorized form state II is shown in FIG. 3b.
  • the transition from the first I to the second II memorized shape state and vice versa is obtained by only varying the temperature of the shape memory element 21 in order to bring it below or above the transition temperature Ms of the material of which it is made.
  • the contact or contacts of a considered connector can advantageously be brought to a temperature at the end of martensitic state corresponding to the state of memorized shape II by lowering their temperature and in particular of the shape memory element 21, by any cold source available in an industrial environment, such as than a source of liquid nitrogen.
  • the memorized state of shape I corresponds to the critallographic state of martensitic type, state in which a large force is applied by the shape memory element 21 to the wall of the housing 4, thus allowing the maintenance of each contact in its corresponding housing.
  • the sleeve 21 or the shape memory element makes it possible to apply to the wall of the housing 4 a force or constraint which, with respect to a metallic element of conventional type of analogous shape, has an amplitude at least two times higher, which allows proper retention of the contacts inside their housing.
  • the shape memory element 21 could advantageously be made up of a composition comprising substantially 4% ⁇ 0.5% aluminum, 27 to 29% zinc, the rest of the percentage being made up of copper .
  • the percentages indicated are in atomic percent. These percentages allow a judicious choice of the various components to determine with a good degree of precision the transition temperature Ms of the alloy considered.
  • the percentages indicated could, for example, correspond to 4% of aluminum, 28% of zinc and the complement of copper, to obtain a transition temperature Ms substantially equal to -80 ° C.
  • the shape memory element 21 constituted by a sleeve or by a sleeve comprising cut parts 210 is subjected, prior to its installation at the level of the reduced cross-section area 20 of the contact, to an education process thus than previously cited.
  • the eduction process that can be used for conditioning the shape memory element 21 of the electrical contact which is the subject of the invention, reference may advantageously be made to the patent application. Europe on behalf of the Applicant published under No. 0,161,952 on November 21, 1985.
  • the connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts as previously described.
  • the housings 4 of the blocks of insulating material of the male part A, respectively female B of the connector are constituted by at most two coaxial cylindrical orifices of different diameter noted 40, respectively 41, so as to form a shoulder with a low offset.
  • connector comprising electrical contacts of 1.06 mm diameter, or a number of contacts equal to 32, it was possible to increase this number of contacts to substantially 70 contacts, while respecting the electrical insulation standards between the various electrical contacts making up the connector.
  • this number of contacts is also possible by assigning a number of contacts greater than 1 for the same electrical connection channel, to obtain a significant increase in the intensity of passage of the corresponding electrical current.
  • the blocks 100 of material insulating from the male parts A, respectively female B, are formed by molding, the corresponding housings 4 being obtained by molding the insulating material in a mold comprising pins molding noted 10, 11, at the dimensions and dimensions of the housings 4.
  • the molding pins 10, 11 are shown in broken lines, the aforementioned molding pins being able to be separated at their common part 110, their removal can be carried out in the respective directions represented by the arrows.
  • FIG. 4b the molding pins 10, 11 are shown in broken lines, the aforementioned molding pins being able to be separated at their common part 110, their removal can be carried out in the respective directions represented by the arrows.
  • the operating mode for producing the blocks insulators 100 is particularly simplified due to the fact of the elimination of the chemical attack phase of inserts on the molding pins, in the absence of the latter.
  • a housing with a low offset pieces added to the molding pins can be used. In this case, these patches have corresponding dimensions of low value and the importance of the chemical attack phase in the operating mode can be reduced, in particular in duration, due to a shorter dissolution time.
  • the electrical contact object of the invention, is particularly advantageous in that it allows the definition of electrical connectors of the new type, that is to say electrical connectors likely to include a much larger number of contacts than the existing connectors currently for the same external dimension.

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  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un contact électrique pour connecteur multicontacts et le connecteur comportant de tels contacts électriques.The present invention relates to an electrical contact for a multi-contact connector and to the connector comprising such electrical contacts.

Les connecteurs multicontacts actuellement mis en oeuvre et distribués dans le commerce comprennent le plus souvent,ainsi que représenté en coupe longitudinale sur la figure 1,une partie mâle notée A et une partie femelle notée B, les contacts mâles ou femelles étant disposés dans des blocs isolants 100A, 100B, pris dans un corps de connecteur mâle, femelle respectivement. Sur la figure 1, le connecteur représenté est un connecteur rond répondant aux spécifications de la norme américaine MILC 482 G.The multicontact connectors currently used and distributed commercially most often include, as shown in longitudinal section in FIG. 1, a male part denoted A and a female part denoted B, the male or female contacts being arranged in blocks. insulators 100A, 100B, taken in a male, female connector body respectively. In FIG. 1, the connector shown is a round connector meeting the specifications of the American standard MILC 482 G.

Afin d'assurer la rétention mécanique des contacts dans leurs logements 4 ménagés dans les blocs isolants, il est nécessaire de prévoir un système de fixation consistant pour chaque contact en un clip de blocage 42 constitué par un lamelle métallique élastique. Afin d'obtenir un blocage de chaque contact au moyen du clip, le logement 4 doit nécessairement présenter un profil vu en coupe convenablement agencé, ainsi que représenté sur la figure 1, de façon à ménager dans une chambre des épaulements permettant le coincement du clip correspondant et/ou du contact contre ces derniers.In order to ensure the mechanical retention of the contacts in their housings 4 formed in the insulating blocks, it is necessary to provide a fixing system consisting for each contact in a locking clip 42 constituted by an elastic metal strip. In order to obtain a blocking of each contact by means of the clip, the housing 4 must necessarily have a profile seen in section suitably arranged, as shown in FIG. 1, so as to provide in a chamber shoulders to allow the clip to be wedged. correspondent and / or contact against them.

Ce profil très particulier de chaque logement au niveau de la chambre a pour conséquence une augmentation importante du diamètre du logement au niveau de celle-ci avec pour effet une limitation de population de contacts pour un type de connecteur déterminé en raison notamment de la distance minimale nécessaire entre deux contacts électriques adjacents pour assurer les qualités d'isolement électrique requises. En outre, en raison du profil complexe de chaque logement tel que précédemment décrit, des blocs isolants munis de leur logement étant obtenus par moulage d'un matériau plastique isolant électrique, le moulage ne peut être effectué que dans des moules comportant des broches de moulage sur lesquelles des pièces, dégradables chimiquement, aux dimensions exactes du profil recherché sont rapportées. Le matériau plastique sous forme liquide ou pâteuse ayant été coulé dans le moule muni des broches précédemment décrites, il est alors nécessaire,après refroidissement et solidification du bloc isolant,de procéder à une attaque chimique des pièces rapportées sur chaque contact afin de pouvoir libérer le bloc isolant du moule et ainsi récupérer celui-ci.This very particular profile of each housing at the level of the chamber results in a significant increase in the diameter of the housing at the level thereof with the effect of limiting the contact population for a given type of connector due in particular to the minimum distance. necessary between two adjacent electrical contacts to ensure the required electrical insulation qualities. In addition, due to the complex profile of each housing as previously described, insulating blocks provided with their housing being obtained by molding an electrically insulating plastic material, molding can only be carried out in molds having molding pins on which parts, chemically degradable, to the exact dimensions of the desired profile are reported. The plastic material in liquid or pasty form having been poured into the mold provided with the pins described above, it is then necessary, after cooling and solidification of the insulating block, to carry out a chemical attack on the inserts on each contact in order to be able to release the insulating block of the mold and thus recover it.

Ce mode opératoire, s'il donne satisfaction, nécessite cependant la mise en oeuvre de phases opératoires nombreuses, longues et donc coûteuses. En outre, en raison de la difficulté d'assurer dans une même durée opératoire, une attaque chimique identique de chaque pièce rapportée, la dégradation de celles-ci pouvant être ainsi plus ou moins parfaite, en fonction de conditions opératoires au niveau de chaque broche de moulage,conditions liées à la géométrie et à la configuration du bloc isolant muni de ses logements, une mauvaise dégradation des pièces rapportées d'une ou plusieurs broches de moulage a pour effet, lors de la libération du bloc isolant considéré, une détérioration d'un ou plusieurs logements. Les blocs isolants présentant de telles détériorations doivent alors être mis au rebut sans possibilité de récupération.This operating mode, if satisfactory, however requires the implementation of numerous, long and therefore costly operating phases. In addition, due to the difficulty of ensuring, in the same operating time, an identical chemical attack on each insert, the degradation of these being thus more or less perfect, depending on operating conditions at the level of each spindle. molding, conditions related to the geometry and the configuration of the insulating block provided with its housings, poor degradation of the inserts of one or more molding pins has the effect, upon release of the insulating block considered, a deterioration of one or more dwellings. Insulating blocks with such deterioration must then be discarded without the possibility of recovery.

La présente invention a pour but de remédier à l'ensemble des inconvénients précités par la mise en oeuvre d'un contact électrique pour connecteur multiple présentant un système de rétention grâce auquel la rétention du contact électrique est assuré non plus par coincement mais essentiellement par frottement.The object of the present invention is to remedy all of the aforementioned drawbacks by implementing an electrical contact for a multiple connector having a retention system by which the retention of the electrical contact is no longer ensured by wedging but essentially by friction. .

Un autre objet du contact électrique objet de l'invention est la mise en oeuvre d'un connecteur électrique multicontacts dans lequel, en raison des spécificités du système de rétention de chaque contact, le diamètre des logements de chacun des contacts électriques est au plus égal, sensiblement, au diamètre ou dimension transversale, hors tout, du corps de contact ce qui permet d'obtenir une augmentation de la densité de population de contacts pour un type de connecteur de dimensions déterminées.Another object of the electrical contact object of the invention is the implementation of a multi-contact electrical connector in which, due to the specific features of the retention system of each contact, the diameter of the housings of each of the electrical contacts is at most equal , substantially, to the diameter or transverse dimension, overall, of the contact body which makes it possible to obtain an increase in the density of contact population for a type of connector of determined dimensions.

Un autre objet du contact électrique objet de l'invention est également, en raison de la structure particulière du système de rétention, une très grande simplification du mode opératoire de réalisation d'un connecteur comportant de tels contacts, la phase de dégradation des pièces rapportées sur les broches de moulage étant supprimée ou très réduite en importance.Another object of the electrical contact which is the subject of the invention is also, due to the particular structure of the retention system, a very great simplification of the operating mode of producing a connector comprising such contacts, the degradation phase of the added parts. on the molding pins being removed or greatly reduced in importance.

Le contact électrique pour connecteur multicontacts selon l'invention est décrit dans la revendication 1.
Le préambule de la revendication 1 est décrit dans le document FR-A-1.500.265.
Le connecteur multicontacts comportant une pluralité de tels contacts électriques est décrit dans la revendication 6.The electrical contact for a multi-contact connector according to the invention is described in claim 1.
The preamble of claim 1 is described in document FR-A-1,500,265.
The multicontact connector comprising a plurality of such electrical contacts is described in claim 6.

L'invention trouve application à la réalisation de connecteurs électriques multicontacts utilisés dans le domaine de l'aéronautique, les sytèmes radar, et de manière plus générale dans les systèmes de commande et de régulation d'électronique industrielle.The invention finds application in the production of multicontact electrical connectors used in the aeronautical field, radar systems, and more generally in industrial electronics control and regulation systems.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description et à l'observation des dessins ci-après dans lesquels outre la figure 1, relative à l'art antérieur :

  • les figures 2a, 2b et 2c représentent en coupe longitudinale, différents modes de réalisation d'un contact électrique conformément à l'objet de l'invention,
  • les figures 3a et 3b représentent le contact électrique de la figure 2a dans lequel les différentes positions de fonctionnement, le contact étant en situation d'insertion ou de retrait du logement,sont représentées,
  • les figures 4a et 4b représentent respectivement en coupe partielle, un connecteur du type connecteur rond multicontacts comportant des contacts électriques tels que représentés en figures 2a à 2c, et une représentation en coupe d'un bloc isolant et d'un logement de contact au cours de la phase opératoire de fabrication par moulage de ce dernier.
The invention will be better understood on reading the description and on observing the following drawings in which, in addition to FIG. 1, relating to the prior art:
  • FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c show in longitudinal section, different embodiments of an electrical contact in accordance with the object of the invention,
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b represent the electrical contact of FIG. 2a in which the different operating positions, the contact being in the position of insertion or withdrawal of the housing, are shown,
  • FIGS. 4a and 4b respectively show in partial section, a connector of the multi-contact round connector type comprising electrical contacts as represented in FIGS. 2a to 2c, and a representation in section of an insulating block and a contact housing during the operative phase of manufacturing by molding the latter.

Le contact électrique pour connecteur multicontacts objet de l'invention sera tout d'abord décrit en liaison avec la figure 2a.The electrical contact for a multicontact connector which is the subject of the invention will firstly be described in connection with FIG. 2a.

Ainsi qu'il apparaît sur la figure précitée, le contact électrique comprend un fût 1 dans lequel le câble du connecteur électrique peut être inséré afin d'assurer la cohésion mécanique et la liaison électrique entre le contact électrique et les conducteurs du câble à raccorder. Le contact électrique comprend en outre une zone de rétention notée 2 et une partie active 3. La partie active 3 peut être constituée par exemple,ainsi que représentée en figure 2a,par une douille femelle destinée à recevoir la partie mâle correspondante d'un contact électrique mâle.As it appears in the aforementioned figure, the electrical contact comprises a barrel 1 in which the cable of the electrical connector can be inserted in order to ensure mechanical cohesion and the electrical connection between the electrical contact and the conductors of the cable to be connected. The electrical contact further comprises a retention zone denoted 2 and an active part 3. The active part 3 can be constituted for example, as shown in FIG. 2a, by a female socket intended to receive the corresponding male part of a contact electric male.

Conformément à un aspect particulièrement avantageux du contact électrique objet de l'invention, le fût 1, la zone de rétention 2 et la partie active 3 sont formés par un corps de contact électriquement conducteur, la zone de rétention 2 étant formée par une zone de section réduite 20. Conformément à une caractéristique avantageuse du contact électrique objet de l'invention, sur la zone de section réduite 20 est engagé un élément 21 en matériau à mémoire de forme destiné à assurer la rétention du contact dans son logement 4 lors du montage de celui-ci. Sur la figure 2a, le logement 4 est représenté ménagé dans le bloc isolant 100 de la partie mâle ou femelle du connecteur.In accordance with a particularly advantageous aspect of the electrical contact which is the subject of the invention, the barrel 1, the retention zone 2 and the active part 3 are formed by an electrically conductive contact body, the retention zone 2 being formed by a contact zone. reduced section 20. In accordance with an advantageous characteristic of the electrical contact which is the subject of the invention, an element 21 made of shape memory material 21 is engaged in the reduced section area intended to ensure the retention of the contact in its housing 4 during assembly. of it. In Figure 2a, the housing 4 is shown formed in the insulating block 100 of the male or female part of the connector.

Selon une autre caractéristique avantageuse du contact électrique objet de l'invention, l'élément 21 en matériau à mémoire de forme est constitué par un manchon. L'élément 21 est réalisé de façon à présenter une dimension longitudinale suffisante, afin d'exercer dans un premier état de forme mémorisé,une pression suffisante sur les parois de l'orifice 4 et un frottement convenable contre celles-ci, le blocage du contact étant ainsi assuré dans son logement.According to another advantageous characteristic of the electrical contact which is the subject of the invention, the element 21 made of shape memory material consists of a sleeve. The element 21 is made so as to have a sufficient longitudinal dimension, in order to exert in a first state of memorized shape, sufficient pressure on the walls of the orifice 4 and a suitable friction against them, the blocking of the contact is thus ensured in its housing.

Bien entendu, ainsi que représenté en figure 2b, la dimension longitudinale du manchon 21 peut être réduite. Dans ce cas, un logement supplémentaire 42 peut être prévu au niveau de la paroi du logement 4 au niveau de la zone de section réduite 20 du contact électrique. Dans ce cas, en fonction de la nature du matériau choisi, le logement 42 pourra être réalisé de façon à former des épaulements sur lesquels le manchon 21 prend appui, de façon à réaliser le coincement du contact électrique dans son logement 4. Les épaulements ainsi formés et le logement 42 peuvent ainsi, de manière avantageuse, être constitués par un décrochement de faible valeur par rapport à la dimension correspondante du contact électrique ou du corps de contact. le contact électrique a été représenté ici comme constitué d'un corps de contact de section sensiblement circulaire.Of course, as shown in Figure 2b, the longitudinal dimension of the sleeve 21 can be reduced. In this case, an additional housing 42 can be provided at the wall of the housing 4 at the reduced section area 20 of the electrical contact. In this case, depending on the nature of the material chosen, the housing 42 may be produced so as to form shoulders on which the sleeve 21 bears, so as to wedge the electrical contact in its housing 4. The shoulders thus formed and the housing 42 can thus, advantageously, be constituted by an offset of small value relative to the corresponding dimension of the electrical contact or of the contact body. the electrical contact has been shown here as consisting of a contact body of substantially circular section.

Selon une autre variante de réalisation du contact électrique objet de l'invention, le manchon 21 peut présenter des parties 210 découpées destinées à assurer le blocage du contact selon la paroi du logement 4.According to another alternative embodiment of the electrical contact which is the subject of the invention, the sleeve 21 can have cut parts 210 intended to block the contact along the wall housing 4.

L'élément 21 en matériau à mémoire de forme peut avantageusement être constitué en un matériau compris dans le groupe nickel-titane, nickel-titane-fer, cuivre-zinc-aluminium et cuivre-aluminium-nickel sous forme de composé intermétallique ou sous forme alliée.The element 21 of shape memory material can advantageously be made of a material included in the nickel-titanium, nickel-titanium-iron, copper-zinc-aluminum and copper-aluminum-nickel group in the form of an intermetallic compound or in the form ally.

Suite à un processus dit d'éducation,l' élément en matériau à mémoire de forme 21 est susceptible d'occuper de manière réversible un premier état de forme mémorisé noté I sur la figure 3a dans lequel l'élément 21,ou les parties découpées 210 de celui-ci,sont dans un état expansé. L'élément ou les parties découpées de celui-ci sont ainsi en saillie par rapport au corps de contact afin de permettre la rétention du contact dans son logement 4 après montage de celui-ci. L'élément en matériau à mémoire de forme 21 est susceptible d'occuper un deuxième état de forme mémorisé noté II, dans lequel l'élément,ou les parties découpées 210 de celui-ci,sont à l'état rétreint, l'élément étant ainsi sensiblement escamoté dans la zone de section réduite 20 formant la zone de rétention.Following a so-called education process, the element of shape memory material 21 is capable of reversibly occupying a first state of memorized shape noted I in FIG. 3a in which the element 21, or the cut parts 210 of it, are in an expanded state. The element or the cut parts thereof are thus projecting relative to the contact body in order to allow the retention of the contact in its housing 4 after mounting thereof. The element made of shape memory material 21 is capable of occupying a second state of memorized form denoted II, in which the element, or the cut parts 210 thereof, are in the shrunk state, the element thus being substantially retracted into the reduced section area 20 forming the retention area.

Le deuxième état de forme mémorisé II est représenté en figure 3b.The second memorized form state II is shown in FIG. 3b.

Le passage du premier I au deuxième II état de forme mémorisés et réciproquement est obtenu par seule variation de la température de l'élément à mémoire de forme 21 afin d'amener celui-ci en deçà ou au-delà de la température de transition Ms du matériau constitutif de celui-ci. En fait, le contact ou les contacts d'un connecteur considéré peuvent avantageusement être amenés à une température de fin d'état martensitique correspondant à l'état de forme mémorisé II par abaissement de leur température et en particulier de l'élément à mémoire de forme 21, par toute source de froid disponible en milieu industriel, telle qu'une source d'azote liquide. L'élément à mémoire de forme 21 en état martenstique ou, état de forme mémorisé II de la figure 3b,sur réchauffement à la température ambiante passe alors à l'état de forme mémorisé I, l'ensemble des contacts électriques ayant été inséré dans les logements correspondants du bloc isolant préalablement. L'état de forme mémorisé I correspond alors à l'état critallographique de type martensitique, état dans lequel une force importante est appliquée par l'élément à mémoire de forme 21 sur la paroi du logement 4, permettant ainsi le maintien de chaque contact dans son logement correspondant. Dans cet état, le manchon 21 ou l'élément à mémoire de forme permet d'appliquer sur la paroi du logement 4 une force ou contrainte qui, par rapport à un élément métallique de type classique de forme analogue, présente une amplitude au moins deux fois supérieure, ce qui permet une rétention convenable des contacts à l'intérieur de leur logement.The transition from the first I to the second II memorized shape state and vice versa is obtained by only varying the temperature of the shape memory element 21 in order to bring it below or above the transition temperature Ms of the material of which it is made. In fact, the contact or contacts of a considered connector can advantageously be brought to a temperature at the end of martensitic state corresponding to the state of memorized shape II by lowering their temperature and in particular of the shape memory element 21, by any cold source available in an industrial environment, such as than a source of liquid nitrogen. The shape memory element 21 in martenstic state or, memorized form state II of FIG. 3b, on warming up to room temperature then passes to memorized form state I, all the electrical contacts having been inserted in the corresponding housings of the insulating block beforehand. The memorized state of shape I then corresponds to the critallographic state of martensitic type, state in which a large force is applied by the shape memory element 21 to the wall of the housing 4, thus allowing the maintenance of each contact in its corresponding housing. In this state, the sleeve 21 or the shape memory element makes it possible to apply to the wall of the housing 4 a force or constraint which, with respect to a metallic element of conventional type of analogous shape, has an amplitude at least two times higher, which allows proper retention of the contacts inside their housing.

A titre d'exemple, l'élément à mémoire de forme 21 pourra avantageusement être constitué en une composition comportant sensiblement 4 % ± 0,5 % d'aluminium, 27 à 29 % de zinc, le reste du pourcentage étant constitué par du cuivre. Les pourcentages indiqués s'entendent en pourcentage atomique. Ces pourcentages permettent par un choix judicieux des différents composants de déterminer avec un bon degré de précision la température de transition Ms de l'alliage considéré. Les pourcentages indiqués pourront, par exemple, correspondre à 4 % d'aluminium, 28 % de zinc et le complément en cuivre, pour obtenir une température de transition Ms égale sensiblement à -80°C.By way of example, the shape memory element 21 could advantageously be made up of a composition comprising substantially 4% ± 0.5% aluminum, 27 to 29% zinc, the rest of the percentage being made up of copper . The percentages indicated are in atomic percent. These percentages allow a judicious choice of the various components to determine with a good degree of precision the transition temperature Ms of the alloy considered. The percentages indicated could, for example, correspond to 4% of aluminum, 28% of zinc and the complement of copper, to obtain a transition temperature Ms substantially equal to -80 ° C.

En outre, l'élément à mémoire de forme 21 constitué par un manchon ou par un manchon comportant des parties découpées 210 est soumis,préalablement à son installation au niveau de la zone de section réduite 20 du contact, à un processus d'éducation ainsi que précédemment cité. Pour une description plus détaillée du processus d'éduction susceptible d'être utilisé pour le conditionnement de l'élément à mémoire de forme 21 du contact électrique objet de l'invention, on pourra se reporter, de manière avantageuse, à la demande de brevet européen au nom de la Demanderesse publiée sous le no 0 161 952 le 21 Novembre 1985. Les processus d'éducation décrits dans la demande de brevet précitée, permettent d'obtenir des éléments à mémoire de forme, manchon 21, susceptibles de passer de manière réversible d'un des états de forme mémorisé I à l'autre état de forme mémorisé II et réciproquement par simple modification de la température de l'élément à mémoire de forme et/ou du contact électrique comportant celui-ci.In addition, the shape memory element 21 constituted by a sleeve or by a sleeve comprising cut parts 210 is subjected, prior to its installation at the level of the reduced cross-section area 20 of the contact, to an education process thus than previously cited. For a more detailed description of the eduction process that can be used for conditioning the shape memory element 21 of the electrical contact which is the subject of the invention, reference may advantageously be made to the patent application. Europe on behalf of the Applicant published under No. 0,161,952 on November 21, 1985. the process of education described in the aforementioned patent application, allow to obtain shape memory elements, sleeve 21, may pass reversibly from one of the stored shape states I to the other stored shape states II and vice versa by simply modifying the temperature of the shape memory element and / or of the electrical contact comprising it.

Une description plus détaillée d'un connecteur multicontacts comportant une pluralité de contacts électriques tels que décrits en liaison avec les figures 2a, 2b et 2c, sera donnée en liaison avec la figure 4a et la figure 4b.A more detailed description of a multicontact connector comprising a plurality of contacts electrical as described in connection with Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, will be given in connection with Figure 4a and Figure 4b.

Conformément à la figure 4a précitée, le connecteur comporte une pluralité de contacts électriques tels que précédemment décrits. Ainsi qu'il apparaît en outre en figure 4a, en raison de la force ou contrainte supérieure exercée par l'élément à mémoire de forme 21, par rapport aux dispositifs de l'art antérieur, les épaulements ou logements destinés à recevoir le dispositif de rétention étant supprimés ou très fortement réduits, les logements 4 des blocs en matériau isolant de la partie mâle A, respectivement femelle B du connecteur son constitués par au plus deux orifices cylindriques coaxiaux de diamètre différent noté 40, respectivement 41, de façon à former un épaulement de faible décrochement. Ainsi, compte tenu de la réduction de la dimension transversale des logements précités, il est ainsi possible d'augmenter la densité de population de contact, pour un type de connecteur de dimension déterminée. Pour des connecteurs ronds satisfaisant à la norme MIL C 26 484 G précédemment cités, connecteur comportant des contacts électriques de diamètre 1,06 mm, soit un nombre de contacts égal à 32, il a été possible d'augmenter ce nombre de contact à sensiblement 70 contacts, tout en respectant les normes d'isolation électrique entre les différents contacts électriques constituant le connecteur. Ainsi, compte tenu de l'augmentation importante du nombre de contacts pour un connecteur de dimension déterminée, il est également possible par affectation d'un nombre de contacts supérieur à 1 pour une même voie de connexion électrique, d'obtenir une augmentation importante de l'intensité de passage du courant électrique correspondant.In accordance with FIG. 4a above, the connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts as previously described. As it also appears in FIG. 4a, due to the higher force or constraint exerted by the shape memory element 21, compared to the devices of the prior art, the shoulders or housings intended to receive the device retention being eliminated or very greatly reduced, the housings 4 of the blocks of insulating material of the male part A, respectively female B of the connector, are constituted by at most two coaxial cylindrical orifices of different diameter noted 40, respectively 41, so as to form a shoulder with a low offset. Thus, given the reduction in the transverse dimension of the abovementioned housings, it is thus possible to increase the density of contact population, for a type of connector of determined dimension. For round connectors satisfying the MIL C 26 484 G standard mentioned above, connector comprising electrical contacts of 1.06 mm diameter, or a number of contacts equal to 32, it was possible to increase this number of contacts to substantially 70 contacts, while respecting the electrical insulation standards between the various electrical contacts making up the connector. Thus, given the significant increase in the number of contacts for a connector of determined size, it is also possible by assigning a number of contacts greater than 1 for the same electrical connection channel, to obtain a significant increase in the intensity of passage of the corresponding electrical current.

Ainsi qu'il apparaît en outre en figure 4b, les blocs 100 en matériau isolant des parties mâle A, respectivement femelle B, sont constitués par moulage, les logements 4 correspondants étant obtenus par moulage de l'isolant dans un moule comportant des broches de moulage notées 10, 11, aux cotes et dimensions des logements 4. Sur la figure 4b, les broches de moulage 10, 11, sont représentées en trait discontinu, les broches de moulage précitées pouvant être désolidarisées au niveau de leur partie commune 110, leur retrait pouvant être effectué dans les directions respectives représentées par les flèches. Dans le mode de réalisation de la figure 4b, on remarquera bien entendu que du fait de l'absence de logement destiné à recevoir l'élément à mémoire de forme constituant le dispositif de rétention de chaque contact électrique, le mode opératoire de réalisation des blocs isolants 100 est particulièrement simplifié en raison du fait de la suppression de la phase d'attaque chimique de pièces rapportées sur les broches de moulage, en l'absence de ces dernières. Bien entendu, dans le cas de mode de réalisation correspondant aux contacts électriques des figures 2b et 2c, mode de réalisation dans lequel un logement de faible décrochement est prévu, des pièces rapportées sur les broches de moulage peuvent être utilisées. Dans ce cas, ces pièces rapportées présentent des dimensions correspondantes de faible valeur et l'importance de la phase d'attaque chimique dans le mode opératoire peut être réduite, notamment en durée, du fait d'un temps de dissolution moins important.As it further appears in FIG. 4b, the blocks 100 of material insulating from the male parts A, respectively female B, are formed by molding, the corresponding housings 4 being obtained by molding the insulating material in a mold comprising pins molding noted 10, 11, at the dimensions and dimensions of the housings 4. In FIG. 4b, the molding pins 10, 11 are shown in broken lines, the aforementioned molding pins being able to be separated at their common part 110, their removal can be carried out in the respective directions represented by the arrows. In the embodiment of FIG. 4b, it will of course be noted that due to the absence of housing intended to receive the shape memory element constituting the retention device of each electrical contact, the operating mode for producing the blocks insulators 100 is particularly simplified due to the fact of the elimination of the chemical attack phase of inserts on the molding pins, in the absence of the latter. Of course, in the case of an embodiment corresponding to the electrical contacts of FIGS. 2b and 2c, an embodiment in which a housing with a low offset is provided, pieces added to the molding pins can be used. In this case, these patches have corresponding dimensions of low value and the importance of the chemical attack phase in the operating mode can be reduced, in particular in duration, due to a shorter dissolution time.

On a ainsi décrit un contact électrique muni d'un système de rétention paticulièrement performant en ce qui concerne les qualités propres de rétention de celui-ci. En outre, le contact électrique, objet de l'invention, est particulièrement intéressant en ce qu'il permet la définition de connecteurs électriques de type nouveau, c'est-à-dire de connecteurs électriques susceptibles de comporter un nombre beaucoup plus important de contacts que les connecteurs existants actuellement pour une même dimension externe.We have thus described an electrical contact provided with a particularly efficient retention system with regard to the inherent qualities of retention thereof. In addition, the electrical contact, object of the invention, is particularly advantageous in that it allows the definition of electrical connectors of the new type, that is to say electrical connectors likely to include a much larger number of contacts than the existing connectors currently for the same external dimension.

En outre, et de manière particulièrement avantageuse, du fait même de la structure des contacts électriques selon l'invention, le mode opératoire permettant la réalisation de connecteurs électriques comportant de tels contacts, est particulièrement simplifié, la fiabilité des connecteurs ainsi obtenus étant également augmentée.In addition, and in a particularly advantageous manner, due to the very structure of the electrical contacts according to the invention, the operating mode allowing the production of electrical connectors comprising such contacts, is particularly simplified, the reliability of the connectors thus obtained being also increased. .

Claims (8)

  1. Electrical substantially cylindrical contact for a multicontact connector successively comprising an electrically conductive contact body, a shank (1), a retention area (2) and an active part (3) on said conductive contact body, of which said retention area forms a portion (20) of reduced cross-section, characterized in that on said portion of reduced cross-section thereto made from a shape memory material is fitted a sleeve (21) and adapted to retain said contact in a housing (4) in said connector.
  2. Contact according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve (21) comprises cut-out portions adapted to contact against a wall of a housing for said contact in said connector.
  3. Contact according one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said shape memory material is selected from the group comprising nickel-titanium, nickel-titanium-iron, copper-zinc-aluminum and copper-aluminum-nickel in the form of an intermetallic compound or an alloy.
  4. Contact according one of claims 1 through 3, wherein said shape memory material is adapted to assume reversibly and after an educative process a first state (I) in which said shape memory material member (21) is expanded whereby it projects relative to said contact body to enable retention of said contact in said housing (4) and a second state (II) in which said shape memory material member (21) is retracted whereby it is substantially withdrawn into said retention area (20).
  5. Contact according to claim 4, wherein changes between said first (I) and second (II) states are brought about exclusively by changing the temperature of said shape memory material member so that it lies either above or below the transition temperature of said shape memory material.
  6. Multicontact connector comprising a plurality of electrical contacts according to one of claims 1 through 5.
  7. Connector according to claim 6, comprising an insulative material body in which are formed the respective housing (4) for each of said contacts, wherein each housing comprises at most two coaxial cylindrical orifices (40, 41) with different diameters defining a shallow shoulder.
  8. Connector according to claim 7, wherein said insulative material body is made by molding pins (10, 11) having the size and shape of said housings (4) and adapted to form said housings in said molded insulative material body.
EP87401802A 1986-08-04 1987-08-03 Electrical contact for multicontact connectors and connector using such an electrical contact Expired - Lifetime EP0259205B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8611264 1986-08-04
FR8611264A FR2602373B1 (en) 1986-08-04 1986-08-04 ELECTRICAL CONTACT FOR MULTICONTACT CONNECTOR AND CONNECTOR COMPRISING SUCH ELECTRICAL CONTACTS

Publications (2)

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EP0259205A1 EP0259205A1 (en) 1988-03-09
EP0259205B1 true EP0259205B1 (en) 1992-02-26

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EP87401802A Expired - Lifetime EP0259205B1 (en) 1986-08-04 1987-08-03 Electrical contact for multicontact connectors and connector using such an electrical contact

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US (1) US4775334A (en)
EP (1) EP0259205B1 (en)
DE (1) DE3776842D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2602373B1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5156555A (en) * 1990-08-23 1992-10-20 Leopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. Electrical connection device
FR2699263B1 (en) * 1992-12-15 1995-01-27 Cryotechnologies Chiller fitted with a cold finger fitted with a thermal coupler.
CN101807757A (en) * 2009-02-16 2010-08-18 凡甲电子(苏州)有限公司 Conductive terminal assembly and electric connector using same
US9444169B2 (en) * 2015-01-21 2016-09-13 Cooper Technologies Company Contacts with retractable drive pins
US12100910B2 (en) * 2021-12-06 2024-09-24 International Business Machines Corporation Shape-memory alloy lock for connectors

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB941840A (en) * 1960-01-11 1963-11-13 United Carr Fastener Corp Improvements in and relating to electrical connectors
US3079582A (en) * 1961-04-12 1963-02-26 Burndy Corp Pin and socket connectors
FR1500265A (en) * 1966-09-16 1967-11-03 Wilhelm Harting Werk Fur Elekt Device for holding removable contact elements in electrical connectors
DE1640753A1 (en) * 1968-01-03 1970-11-05 Adam Kirchbauer Connector element
NL7315089A (en) * 1972-06-21 1974-05-10
US3801954A (en) * 1972-11-28 1974-04-02 Bunker Ramo Coupled electrical connector with heat-activated memory locking means
JPS5225289U (en) * 1975-08-14 1977-02-22
US4497527A (en) * 1982-09-30 1985-02-05 Raychem Corporation Supplementary force heat-recoverable connecting device
FR2563055A1 (en) * 1984-04-12 1985-10-18 Souriau & Cie METHOD OF MAKING CONNECTOR
FR2589287B2 (en) * 1985-03-19 1988-10-21 Souriau & Cie THERMO-PLUGGABLE ELECTRICAL CONTACT TERMINAL ON A MULTILAYER PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND CONNECTOR COMPRISING SAME

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FR2602373A1 (en) 1988-02-05
DE3776842D1 (en) 1992-04-02
EP0259205A1 (en) 1988-03-09
US4775334A (en) 1988-10-04
FR2602373B1 (en) 1990-06-01

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