EP0396513B1 - Ein automatisch sich verbindender elektrischer Verbinder - Google Patents

Ein automatisch sich verbindender elektrischer Verbinder Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0396513B1
EP0396513B1 EP90830176A EP90830176A EP0396513B1 EP 0396513 B1 EP0396513 B1 EP 0396513B1 EP 90830176 A EP90830176 A EP 90830176A EP 90830176 A EP90830176 A EP 90830176A EP 0396513 B1 EP0396513 B1 EP 0396513B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector
connection
connectors
electrical
force
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
EP90830176A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0396513A1 (de
Inventor
Oreste Vittone
Matteo Picciriello
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.)
Fiat Auto SpA
Original Assignee
Fiat Auto SpA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fiat Auto SpA filed Critical Fiat Auto SpA
Publication of EP0396513A1 publication Critical patent/EP0396513A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0396513B1 publication Critical patent/EP0396513B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical connector of the type corresponding to the first part of Claim 1.
  • connection normally consists of two complementary half-connectors (male and female) which are joined together.
  • An electrical connector of the type corresponding to the first part of Claim 1 is known from FR-A-1 100 963.
  • the present invention proposes to solve the problems mentioned above so as to provide an electrical connector which is reliable, strong, cheap and easy to handle.
  • the embodiment of the electrical connectors according to the invention relates to the mechanical and electrical connection of two separate ribbons of cables 9 and 10 but the invention is also suitable for a case in which a half-connector, such as 1, is to be inserted in a corresponding seat in electrical equipment carrying electrical connections.
  • the electrical connector according to the invention consists of a first half-connector 1 carrying within it male/female electrical cable terminals, also called pins (not shown in the drawings), of a ribbon of cables 9 and a second half-connector 2 carrying within it male/female electrical cable terminals, also called pins, of another ribbon of cables 10.
  • a "V"-shaped spring 4 is fixed at 3 in the half-connector 1 with the axis of symmetry of the "V" coincident with the longitudinal axis of the connector according to the invention.
  • the half-connector 2 has walls 11 with inclined surfaces 7.
  • the insertion of the half-connector 1 into the half-connector 2 is achieved in the following manner: the two half-connectors 1 and 2 are placed face to face with the spring 4 and the wall 11 in contact with each other; at this stage, the force Fo (the force exerted on the half-connectors by the operator) is zero ( Figures 1 and 2).
  • the half-connector 1 is pulled into the half-connector 2 by the elastic force stored in the spring 4 whose arms 6 act on the inclined planes 7 which are arranged so as to pull the two half-connectors 1 and 2 towards each other.
  • the spring 4 therefore develops a force Fr, a pulling force, which ensures the complete and automatic connection of the two half-connectors 1 and 2, that is without any force on the part of the operator, enabling the connection of the male/female pins of the block and also overcoming the resulting friction.
  • the two half-connectors When they have reached their travel limit, the two half-connectors are connected permanently by a positive engagement (not shown in the drawings) which can be released in known manner so that the two half-connectors 1 and 2 can be separated and the two ribbons of cables 9 and 10 disconnected.
  • the force Fo depends on the angle of the spring 4 as well as on its geometry and resilient characteristics, the angle meaning, more precisely, that which is formed between the longitudinal axis of the connector and the tangents to the two arms of the spring 4 at their points of contact with the corners 7′ of the walls 11; this angle varies during the connection travel from an initial maximum to a minimum when the "dead point" is reached and then increases again during the "pulling".
  • the force Fr depends on the orientation of the inclined surfaces 7 of the walls 11 and on the elastic force stored in the spring 4.
  • the"V"-shape of the spring 4 is only an example, since it is possible to think of other configurations with any other type of resilient device for storing the energy obtainable during the first stage of the connection travel.
  • a helical spring could be inserted between the two arms 6 of the spring 4, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector, for storing elastic energy.
  • the two arms of the "V"-shaped device could be rigid and hinged at the vertex of the "V".
  • the resilient element of the engagement system may be the spring 4 alone, as indicated in the drawings, or the walls 11 may be resilient so as to absorb energy, the "V"-shaped device being rigid. It is even possible to combine the two extreme cases, that is a spring 4 and walls 11 which are both resilient so as to absorb energy.
  • the electrical contact takes place only after the "dead point", thus ensuring that it is impossible for the operator to connect the two half-connectors 1 and 2 only partially.
  • the two half-connectors are either completely connected ( Figure 4) or they are disconnected so that, even in the event of a connection not being achieved, this anomaly is immediately shown up and corrected upon testing.
  • Figure 5 shows the position of the spring 4 during the insertion of the half-connector 1 into the half-connector 2 in continuous outline and its initial position and the "dead point" position in chain line.
  • the following values are shown:
  • ⁇ the angle of the arms 6 (according to the definition given above), the indices "i” and “o” indicating its initial value and its dead-point value respectively.
  • Fo the force applied by the operator to the half-connector 1
  • Fo/2 the reaction force exerted by the restraints along the axis of the connector
  • Fe the elastic deformation force
  • Figures 6a and 6b show qualitative changes in the angle ⁇ and in the elastic deformation force Fe during the connection travel up to the "dead point" indicated xo.
  • Figures 7a and 7b show a numerical example of the values of the angle ⁇ and of the elastic force Fe respectively on the ordinates as functions of the connection travel.
  • Figure 8 shows some positions of the spring 4 during its pulling travel, together with a graphical representation of the forces, the sliding friction of the arms 6 on the surfaces 7 of the walls 11 being ignored, as already stated.
  • ⁇ being the angle between the inclined surface 7 and the longitudinal axis of the connector.
  • Figure 9 shows the qualitative changes in the elastic force Fe and in the force Fo acting along the longitudinal axis of the connector as functions of the connection travel.
  • the family of curves after the point xo ("dead point") has been crossed indicates how the pulling force Fr changes with variations in the angle of inclination ⁇ of the inclined surfaces 7 of the walls 11.
  • Figure 10 shows the qualitative changes in the forces which come into play in the connector throughout the connection travel. As well as the changes in the forces Fe, Fo and Fr already described with reference to the preceding figures, the mechanical characteristic of the force Fa for the connection of the electrical terminals, also known as pins, is also shown.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Elektrische Verbindungsanordnung, vorzugsweise für Mehrfachsteckverbindungen im elektrischen System eines Kraftfahrzeugs, umfassend einen ersten Halb-Verbinder (1), welcher Stecker/Buchsen-Anschlüsse eines ersten Kabelbands (9) trägt, wobei der erste Halb-Verbinder eine "V"-förmige Feder umfaßt, welche während einer ersten Phase des Verbindens der Halb-Verbinder (1, 2) Energie speichert und welche die gespeicherte Energie zurückgeben kann, um die automatische Verbindung des ersten und des zweiten Halb-Verbinders (1, 2) während einer darauffolgenden, zweiten Phase des Verbindens der Halb-Verbinder (1, 2) zu ermöglichen, und umfassend einen zweiten Halb-Verbinder (2), welcher Buchsen/Stecker-Anschlüsse eines zweiten Kabelbands (10) oder einer elektrischen Einrichtung trägt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    die "V"-förmige Feder (4) an ihrer Spitze in dem ersten Halb-Verbinder (1) relativ zur Längsachse des ersten Halb-Verbinders symmetrisch festgelegt ist, wobei ihre Spitze zum gegenüberliegend angeordneten zweiten Halb-Verbinder gerichtet ist, und wobei der zweite Halb-Verbinder (2) einander gegenüberliegende Wandungen (11) mit Flächenabschnitten (7) umfaßt, welche mit einem Winkel β relativ zu der Längsachse des zweiten Halb-Verbinders geneigt sind und auf diese zugerichtet sind, wobei die Flächenabschnitte mit den Beinen der "V"- förmigen Feder während des Verbindens der Verbinderhälften zusammenwirken, um eine elastische Verformung der Feder zu bewirken.
  2. Verbindungsanordnung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Winkel β zwischen 40 und 50° liegt.
  3. Verbindungsanordnung nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Longitudinal komponente(l₂) der Länge der Arme der "V"-förmigen Feder (4) größer ist als die Longitudinal komponente (l₁) der Länge der geneigten Flächen (7).
  4. Verbindungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Longitudinal komponente (l₁) der Länge der geneigten Flächen (7) größer oder gleich der für die elektrische Kopplung notwendigen Verbindungsstrecke ist, um eine teilweise elektrische Kopplung zu verhindern.
  5. Verbindungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wandungen (11) mit den geneigten Flächenabschnitten (7) starr sind.
  6. Verbindungsanordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wandungen (11) mit den geneigten Flächenabschnitten (7) federnd sind.
EP90830176A 1989-05-03 1990-04-24 Ein automatisch sich verbindender elektrischer Verbinder Expired - Lifetime EP0396513B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT6731889 1989-05-03
IT8967318A IT1232085B (it) 1989-05-03 1989-05-03 Connettore elettrico ad inserzione automatica

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0396513A1 EP0396513A1 (de) 1990-11-07
EP0396513B1 true EP0396513B1 (de) 1994-09-14

Family

ID=11301415

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90830176A Expired - Lifetime EP0396513B1 (de) 1989-05-03 1990-04-24 Ein automatisch sich verbindender elektrischer Verbinder

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0396513B1 (de)
BR (1) BR9002125A (de)
DE (1) DE69012411T2 (de)
IT (1) IT1232085B (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5365176A (en) * 1993-01-04 1994-11-15 Miller Doyle E Wiring harness security inspection device

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1100963A (fr) * 1954-03-10 1955-09-27 Equip Pour L Automobile Soc Ge Dispositif de connexion pour faisceaux de conducteurs électriques
US3706067A (en) * 1970-12-11 1972-12-12 Gen Motors Corp Electrical connector assembly
DE2909616A1 (de) * 1979-03-12 1980-09-18 Siemens Ag Elektrische steckverbinderanordnung
DE3531844C2 (de) * 1985-09-06 1995-02-02 Daut & Rietz Trw Elektrischer Steckverbinder

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1232085B (it) 1992-01-23
DE69012411D1 (de) 1994-10-20
IT8967318A0 (it) 1989-05-03
EP0396513A1 (de) 1990-11-07
DE69012411T2 (de) 1995-02-16
BR9002125A (pt) 1991-08-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5378168A (en) Connector
EP0338727B1 (de) Verbindervorrichtung mit Verriegelungsmechanismus
US4526431A (en) Connector with mechanism for coupling and uncoupling plurality of blocks
US5647754A (en) Short-circuit connector
US3671922A (en) Push-on connector
US5514000A (en) Polarizing and/or floating panel mount for electrical connectors
US5575692A (en) Electrical connector with a rear end mounted terminal position assurance device
US4531798A (en) Heavy-duty electrical connector
US5490790A (en) Electric vehicle charging connector assembly
US3192499A (en) Safety fastening means
US5899762A (en) Electrical connector having an insertion and extraction slide
US6648669B1 (en) Electrical connection with sequential disconnect
EP0706237B1 (de) Elektrischer Verbinder mit Lagesicherungsvorrichtung für die Kontakte und Führungsvorrichtung eines komplimentären Verbinders
EP0121610B1 (de) Kupplungssystem, insbesondere für einen Verbinder
US4441776A (en) Quick detachable coupling
US8591249B2 (en) Flexible breakaway connector
US3947081A (en) Low insertion force circular electrical connector
US5707248A (en) Device for preventing a wrong coupling of a connector
EP0396513B1 (de) Ein automatisch sich verbindender elektrischer Verbinder
US6527450B1 (en) Latching system for connector assemblies
US4762504A (en) Connector coupling lock
US5035642A (en) Automatically-connecting electrical connector
US5964604A (en) LIF connector
EP0243962B1 (de) Verbindungsstückgehäuse für einen faseroptischen Kabel
US6364686B2 (en) Electrical and/or optical connector with a latching arm

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19901129

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19931102

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Effective date: 19940914

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69012411

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19941020

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19941214

ET Fr: translation filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Effective date: 19950424

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19950424

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19970321

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19980430

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990202

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19991231

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST